What’s the difference between buying a phone at Best Buy or AT&T?

Jake Sohn: What’s the difference between buying a phone at Best Buy or AT&T?
I want to buy the new BlackBerry Torch and AT&T is selling it for $ 99 and Best Buy is selling it for $ 49. Of course I’d rather get the one from Best Buy, but what’s the difference between buying it from Best Buy or AT&T? Any disadvantages from buying at Best Buy (phone insurance)?

Answers and Views:

Answer by The Phone geek
Pros buying from best buy-Cheaper
Cons- You are signing a contract not only with att but best buy which limits you to the changes that can be made to your accoutn such as plan minutes. Att wont let you change them if your contract at best said you cant. say if you relize you dont need unlimited min and want to go to say 500 min a month and its cheaper. you may not be able to.

Answer by mommyoftwo53
Best Buy is an authorized reseller of AT&T plans. The prices for the phones are then up to each seller based on how much money they would like to make or not. AT&T normally doesn’t need to worry about cutting prices because many will visit their store anyways (however the online store for at&t and other providers normally have good sales). So to be competitive you have stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Radioshack who will cut down their phone prices to get some business. You will still have AT&T as your service provider and the costs for the plan are still the same the price of the phone is the only difference.

Answer by needyb
Although the prices are cheaper, Best buy can’t help you if u have a problem & they don’t have knowledge that an RSC at AT&T will have. AT&T employees go through extensive training and can help you with every part of your experience, not just the sale. Regardless of where you purchase the phone, you can change your plan at any time during your contract without penalty. Someone above made an inaccurate statement about signing a contract with best buy AND AT&T. That is incorrect. Best buy is just a third party vendor of AT&T just like wal-mart and radio shack. The only contract you sign is a 2 year agreement which is the same all across the board. I would say pay the extra dollars and go directly to the source.