Benefits/Drawbacks to getting phone service through Best Buy

[wcshane]

I'm switching 3 lines from Sprint over to AT&T. Is there any reason to get the phones and service contract through Best Buy vs. an actual AT&T store? The only thing I thought of would be possibly getting to take advantage of the Best Buy Rewards programs 5% points.

 

[Chintan Gohel]

wouldn't the phones from AT&T be locked? Thus unlocking them would be extra effort?

 

[libra89]

I don't know if it is the same way now, but before, if you get a phone from a third-party seller and you have issues with it, they would say that you would have to go back to the same location you purchased it from for assistance. I'm not sure if it is still that way now, I doubt it.

A drawback would be if you qualify for any service discounts because of where you work and other things. I don't think Best Buy can honor stuff like that.

 

[wcshane]

Thanks for the responses. I ordered the unlocked 950 last week from the Microsoft store when it went on sale and the other 2 phones (Galaxy S7) will be bought probably at one of the local AT&T stores. I don't get any discounts through work. I think the biggest thing I hadn't considered would be what libra89 said about any issues and dealing with a 3rd party seller vs going directly into an AT&T store.

Again thanks for the responses, just wanted to make sure I'm not missing something obvious.