Tell HN: you can pick up a WiFi iPad today and trade it in for a 3G later | Hacker News Reader

Tell HN: you can pick up a WiFi iPad today and trade it in for a 3G later

3 pointsjeff188 comments

If you are waiting for the 3G iPad, you can actually buy the WiFi version now and then trade it in for the 3G version (plus the difference) without a restocking fee when it comes out.

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I doubt that's true...there weren't similar programs for iPhone when the 3G or 3Gs were released.

This is totally different. What I am describing is more akin to buying a 16 GB iPod touch and then exchanging it for store credit which you use to buy the currently out-of-stock 32 GB model a couple of weeks later.

I don't have the specific documentation that says this is the case, but I personally canceled my 3G iPad preorder and bought a WiFi model yesterday at the advice of an Apple Store employee.

Just call your local Apple Store and they will verify it for you.

Wait, you were told this verbally by a single Apple Store employee, but they didn't provide you with this promise in writing?

Right... Is it a common practice to get customer service reps from a reputable company to sign a contract when they tell you something that does not seem extraordinary?

Update: You guys scared me, so I just called Apple directly. They said that the official policy is that you have 14 days to exchange an opened Apple product, but in the case of the iPad it is common for Apple Store employees to extend this to 30 days (I now see the 30 day extension note on my receipt).

I did not get the phone call in writing though, but as I mentioned, you can verify it for yourself. ;)

I called my local store and asked - they confirmed the extension to 30 days, but noted that there would be a 10% restocking fee.

I would expect them to have promotional leaflets available that included the promise.

[citation needed]

I did this myself at the suggestion of an Apple rep at the main Apple store in San Francisco.

Go ahead and call your local Apple store if you don't believe me. :)

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