Why do people spend between $400-$500 for an iphone, when you can get one with a contract for half that?

Some people just don't like to have legally binding documents. My friend has att and has for many years, but her parents still refuse to sign a contract so she has to buy her phone in full. I guess you never know what can happen. I signed a contract with Tmobile just so I could get my Android phone cheaper and now I am totally regretting it because the service sucks where I'm going to school.

For a lot of people with broken or stolen phones, a no contract phone is the only thing they can get. Maybe on Ebay/Craigslist these iPhones are less expensive than buying from Verizon or AT&T? Also, some people I know go from phone to phone and just hate being contracted to a single phone for 2 years.

Better to buy unlocked even though it cost more.Because you can get the freedom and all that and people dont like staying with a contract for 3 years.Maybe you could get an ebay unlocked cuz it would cost less.But if you dont really travel then go for a contract.But beware the company server might be bad.I think you should go for Sprint or Verizon if you get a contract phone.Hope it helped

because there are some people that hate contracts... and dont wanna be tied down to 1 carrier for 2 years... some people love their freedom... and with a contract, that freedom will cost you an ETF fee of $200 to $350, depending when you break your contract.

with a non-contract phone, i can take my iphone to att.. or tmobile... go to europe, you 3 or vodaphone... go to Canada, use Rogers... Go to Asia, use Red or Globe or Sun...

get the drift...

Because some people either don't want to be with that specific carrier or with the plan that they offer, so they buy an unlocked one & go with whatever plan they choose.