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I've got a couple questions for you on this.
1) As an existing ATT customer you had to go through a credit check? Isn't that a little odd? Don't they already "know where you live"?
2) As an existing iPhone owner, how much credit did you get towards the new one. I know new customers get the new iPhone for the cheapest price, but how much do existing iPhone owners have to pay?

The advertised iPhone prices are subsidized by AT&T. Generally (and there may be exceptions) AT&T will subsidize the price of a phone once every two years. So, in the case of original iPhone owners, they are entitled to the subsidized prices, since they paid full price for that phone.
For existing customers, I don't believe AT&T runs a credit check. However, for new customers, they do. And that's where the "start at home" process can really save time.
Other things the start at home process can do for you is let you know if you're eligible for subsidized pricing (for existing AT&T customers), let you know if a deposit will be required (for new AT&T customers whose credit ratings are somewhat weak) and, for existing customers who aren't eligible for promotional pricing, when they will be.
All of this can be done in an Apple store, but at the cost of sometimes considerable processing time.

randyg said:

Credit check might be the wrong word, although that's precisely what they do if you're a new customer. They basically checked to make sure that I was an AT&T customer in good standing and eligible for an iPhone 3G upgrade.

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The same -- $199 for an 8GB model and $299 for a 16GB model, if you agree to a 24-month plan.

Peter Cohen wrote:
Credit check might be the wrong word, although that's precisely what
they do if you're a new customer. They basically checked to make sure
that I was an AT&T customer in good standing and eligible for an
iPhone 3G upgrade.


I write:
They absolutely do run a credit check. Your credit risk could easily
change in a few months or so (they assume) since the last time they
checked. Most recurring charge service vendors do this on a regular
basis. Anything they can do do raise interest rates, get you to put
down more $ in escrow, or raise premiums... they'll do it. You agreed
to let them do it when you signed the 45 pages of boilerplate to start
the service. You are guilty until proven to possibly be less likely to
be guilty. And that's of course in addition to making sure you're in good standing with AT&T.

Ha, i love it . They sell more phones by keeping that "carrot" or the apple just high enough on the tree so you can reach it. This being the prize and for a lot of people its part of the fun , for me it is.Anyway, i am sure that others could do without all this extra BS? Umm it`s a phone not a car.

Note to Chris Breen: Pay Cohen now! His phone bill is past due. :-)

I used the online buying program on Friday night. It took about 30 seconds and couldn't have been easier. It's a fantastic way to get started and avoid the idiots at AT&T. (NOTE: I did call AT&T before using the online program and they knew nothing about it. Turns out, it's for the better.)
When I got to the Apple Store in Walt Whitman Mall (Long Island), I told one of the associates that I was pre-approved and wanted a 16GB black iPhone. If I didn't screw around with testing one feature, I would have been in and out in 10 minutes. It was great.