iPhone's $100 Apple Store Credit program goes live

Call 'em suckers or Apple faithful, early adopters or cutting edge, any way you slice it those who shelled out for a full-priced iPhone before August 22 can now enter their digits and get a $100 Apple Store Credit for use online or at an Apple Retail Store, just like Jobs promised. The process couldn't be easier, and you don't need a receipt, just enter your phone number and serial number, the latter which can be found on the back of your iPhone, and Apple will SMS you an access code. Once you enter that you're home free, and can finally go on that iPod accessory shopping spree you've always dreamed of -- or if you're a true fanboy, put the credit towards an iPod touch just to see what all this "iPhone without the phone" fuss is about.

Update: A couple of interesting things to note about the program so far. First off, and most disappointingly, the program doesn't work with iPhones that haven't been activated on AT&T. Second, and slightly more far-fetched, is that we're hearing reports of people scoring the credit with their post price-drop iPhones. It seems like any way you slice it it's worth tossing your digits into the thing and see what comes out, before Apple tightens things up, and we'll keep an eye out for recourse for those who haven't activated their phones with AT&T like good little consumers.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[the godfather @ Sep 14th 2007 10:34AM]

Good news for those that have a price protection plan with their credit cards eh?

[Shrinkwrapped @ Sep 14th 2007 2:11PM]

Actually, I tried the price protection thing. It didn't work. I used a major credit card too.

[Gus @ Sep 14th 2007 10:35AM]

be careful now, engadget, that's 3 apple related news in a row. u'll wake the anti-everything-trolls up if u're not careful...

[enemes @ Sep 14th 2007 10:37AM]

yeah, we get it. you guys really love Apple. Now, can we move on?

[Jonhimslf @ Sep 14th 2007 11:23AM]

He's awake...

[Dave @ Sep 14th 2007 1:01PM]

Advertisers like to see their ads next to posts with a lot of comments. Thanks for the comment.

[clemonator @ Sep 14th 2007 10:39AM]

That's the same combination to my luggage!

[Gus @ Sep 14th 2007 10:47AM]

when are u going on holiday next and where are u going?

[Jason @ Sep 14th 2007 11:26AM]

Prepare Spaceball 1 for immediate departure!

[ssuk @ Sep 15th 2007 7:39AM]

Haha, original spaceballs quote was awesome... The second... Not so awesome.

[doopie @ Sep 14th 2007 10:39AM]

Interesting. The code is sent via SMS. I guess no credit for people who hacked their phone for iPod-only use, no AT&T activation.

[Balzac2m @ Sep 14th 2007 11:05AM]

Couldn't find where you have to enter your number and your serial, but why shouldn't you use your normal phonenumber?
I can't imagine that apple has a database where every serial with the correspondendig number is saved.

[PDubNYC @ Sep 14th 2007 11:19AM]

@balzac
You mean you couldn't find step 1? wow......

Step 1: Identify your iPhone
To confirm eligibility, simply enter your phone number and iPhone serial number in the fields provided.


And they need your serial number to identify the phone, and your phone number to SMS you the code. And wouldn't you think that AT&T (Apple's partner) would have a database tying serial numbers to phone numbers. I would hazard to guess yes, they do.

[Balzac2m @ Sep 14th 2007 11:32AM]

thehe, I just didn't visit the apple site, only read tfa.
But I have to admit that not having such a database would probably lead to abuse of the refund, so there has to be one.

[Bethany @ Sep 14th 2007 10:40AM]

This system isn't going to work for me. I activated my iPhone on one phone number, and then switched my number. So now it can't match up my SN and new phone number correctly.

I also bought an iPhone on my credit card for my aunt (she paid me back), who had it stolen just a few weeks later. She bought another one to replace it, but that means there should be two serial numbers associated with her phone number. I wonder how that will work out.

I guess Apple Support will be receiving a lot of phone calls from people with situations like this.

[Gus @ Sep 14th 2007 10:48AM]

but i don't think that a lot of people are in situations like this...

[Ben @ Sep 14th 2007 10:52AM]

I'm on a replacement phone with a different serial then the one I purchased. Worked like a champ (Same phone number though).

[Andy Mesa @ Sep 14th 2007 2:42PM]

I activated one number and switched to another and I got the rebate just fine.

[Tk @ Sep 14th 2007 6:44PM]

I'm in a situation exactly like this! Switched my number an hour after activating with AT&T. I also encountered the same error and emailed Apple.

[CapWKidd @ Sep 14th 2007 10:45AM]

Just did it! Easier than falling off a log...

[Ben H. @ Sep 14th 2007 10:46AM]

But I bought the phone as a gift? Does that mean I don't get the $100 credit?

[Tim @ Sep 14th 2007 11:41AM]

That means you gave someone else an even better gift.

Or, you know, ask them for the credit code.

[Mitch @ Sep 14th 2007 10:48AM]

Sweet!!!

Now I have $100 burning a hole in my pocket ;-0

[Sam @ Sep 14th 2007 10:48AM]

i think im gonna wait till leopard comes out...only $29!

[kevin @ Sep 14th 2007 10:57AM]

That was easy. Now, should I blow it on hardware or should I be responsible and buy the iPhone AppleCare?

[foneguy2 @ Sep 14th 2007 12:25PM]

my question exactly - is Apple Care recommended for the iPhone? Thoughts?

[Sam @ Sep 14th 2007 11:00AM]

um definitly bought after the price cut and the phone still qualified....

[docjohnboy @ Sep 14th 2007 11:22AM]

I tried it after I saw this comment and it also worked for me. I bought mine in-store the day of the price drop.

[CapWKidd @ Sep 14th 2007 11:31AM]

You paid $399 for your iphone, and STILL got the rebate? I wonder what would happen if I purchased another iphone, with the rebate, then tried to get another rebate ;)?

[Jlivengo @ Sep 14th 2007 3:58PM]

Bought my iphone the day after the price cut but no luck. No discount for you.

[Mr Angry @ Sep 14th 2007 11:03AM]

what?? So apple give u 100 bucks to buy something else that will be 200 buck cheeper in 2 months, don't make me laugh lol

if u idiots didn't buy over price cell phones in hte 1st place you wouldn't have been locked into getting 100 bucks of only apple store credit. hahahahahahaha

[Gus @ Sep 14th 2007 11:20AM]

wow... i can't even be bothered to type anything and say how stupid you are...

oh look at that, i guess i can

go away troll

[Mr Angry @ Sep 14th 2007 12:09PM]

haha I guess the truth hurts, you must be 1 of the morons who bought a iphone and now are 200 bucks out of pocket, my heart bleeds lolololol

[Motoxo @ Sep 14th 2007 11:04AM]

i'm going to buy an iphone with my credit!!!

.. oh wait.

[insertAlias @ Sep 14th 2007 11:08AM]

Just got my credit with no problems. May use the credit on my first Mac computer...

[Neeko @ Sep 14th 2007 11:09AM]

oh thats crap. why do u HAVE TO be a ATT customer to get your credit, You get a SMS message..thats BULLSHIT.

what if u just wanted a cool new MP3 player and bought it only for that purpose.

[insertAlias @ Sep 14th 2007 11:12AM]

It's because they never intended for you to use it for that purpose. You had to activate it with ATT before you could even use the iPod function. The only way you could use it like the way you said is by hacking it, and Apple has no responsibility to you after that.

[fireblade @ Sep 14th 2007 12:44PM]

Duhhh,
of course you have to have the phone on att network to get the rebate.

[Tim @ Sep 14th 2007 11:51AM]

"what if u just wanted a cool new MP3 player and bought it only for that purpose."

that's like buying a new car for a banging stereo system in your driveway.

you should've waited for the iPod Touch, you knew it was coming sooner or later.

[paulcapar @ Sep 14th 2007 11:15AM]

You guys think I can collect the rebates from friends who don't want to buy more apple stuff and purchase an iPhone for myself?

Is the warranty going to be in my name? Can you xfer rebates? Interesting to see how this is all going to play out.

[CapWKidd @ Sep 14th 2007 11:38AM]

The rebate just has numbers, no name on it, so you should be able to give it away (give it away now!)... I wonder if people will be selling this info on eBay... hmm, if anyone wants to give ME there rebate, let me know ;)

[jbcaro @ Sep 14th 2007 3:01PM]

Well, if they are selling it on eBay they will have to also put the code up there so that I can verify that it is valid before I make a bid. ;-))

[Jonathan Mujica @ Sep 14th 2007 11:15AM]

getting paid, getting paid... worked with my prepaid sim.

[Bryan Law @ Sep 14th 2007 2:54PM]

How?!?! Didn't work for me...

[Jonathan Mujica @ Sep 14th 2007 3:01PM]

well i decided to activate my iphone with the 9999999999 SSN prepaid trick until a Tmobile unlock came out. I'm already using tmobile, but i had the ATT sim on hand, popped that into an old samsung phone and worked to receive their text msg...

i guess they match phone numbers with itunes activations... I lucked out.

[Glenn @ Sep 14th 2007 4:15PM]

In case if someone else is thinking about doing the 999999999 social thing, don't. I did it (3 days ago) and AT&T called me and said that it appeared that I entered my social with all 9's and I would have to go to their store and provide 2 forms of ID to activate.

[James Kenwa @ Sep 14th 2007 11:15AM]

Looks like its a shame for the person who bought the phone. For example I bought two phones, one for myself and one for my friend. Shouldn't I be the one to get the $100 back, but according to this my friend will now be the one getting the other $100 bucks without having spend a cent. I think they should have issued the refund to whoever bought the phone.

[Justin @ Sep 14th 2007 11:24AM]

If you bought a $400-$600 phone for your friend, I'm sure he wouldn't mind filling out the info and giving you the code for the $100 credit...

[James Kenwa @ Sep 14th 2007 11:50AM]

Yeep I am sure he would but he is not in US anymore. I still have the receipts and can prove that I bought them. I guess thats a $100 bucks I'll never see. Shame

[halfeatenfish @ Sep 14th 2007 11:24AM]

some friend...