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7 Tips for Gold iPhone 5s Buyers

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Last week, Apple finally replaced the iPhone 5 with a new premium iPhone, the iPhone 5s. The iPhone 5s went on sale at midnight on Friday and almost immediately, there were problems. Not with Apple’s website or with orders but with the gold iPhone 5s which sold out almost immediately online and in-stores with shipping dates now pushed to October.

After months and months of rumor and speculation, Apple finally held its annual iPhone event on September 10th, an event that produced not one, but two new iPhones. The first, the iPhone 5c, is Apple’s plastic iPhone and a device that offers users a 4-inch Retina Display, 8MP camera, and plastic back to go along with a $99.99 starting price tag.

Apple’s premium iPhone is the iPhone 5s, the true successor to last year’s iPhone 5 and a device that is one of the best smartphones on the market. The device keeps the design of the iPhone 5 intact but adds some high powered features including an upgraded camera, A7 processor with 64-bit support, and a fingerprint reader that works with Touch ID to help deter thieves.

The device, as expected, it available through the four largest carriers in the United States, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, offering buyers a host of options in the months ahead. Problem is, not every iPhone 5s option is available to buyers at the moment. In particular, there is one iPhone 5s model that has proved elusive.

Ahead of the iPhone 5s release date, rumors suggested that the gold iPhone 5s could be in short supply. Those rumors unfortunately turned out to be right on the money as the gold iPhone 5s saw its shipping times get bumped almost immediately after going on sale. And by the end of the day, the gold iPhone 5s was pushed into October and November.

With many people searching or waiting for the iPhone 5s, we want to share some tips for those that are thinking about buying the gold iPhone 5s now, or in the future. Here now are seven tips for gold iPhone 5s buyers.

Using a Case? Don’t Wait

iphone-5s-review-gold-white 5While we shouldn’t have to say this, it’s still warrants a mention. Those that are planning on using a case with their gold iPhone 5s shouldn’t be waiting for the gold iPhone 5s. Cases typically cover up the back of the phone and thus, there is no real reason to be waiting until October or November for a phone that is going to be covered up with an OtterBox case that is sitting around the house.

Silver and gray are perfectly good options as well and they aren’t facing the same supply issues as the gold iPhone 5s. While the iPhone 5s can be used without a case, many people work in conditions that require one and if that’s the case, there really is no point in waiting around.

Order Now

Those that have decided on the gold iPhone 5s, and nothing but the gold iPhone 5s, should just get the ordering process out of the way. For one, it’s far less painful than having to call around to various stores on a daily basis to check for stock. Instead, users can simply order the phone from the comfort of their own home, wait a few weeks, get a tracking number and get the gold iPhone 5s. It’s a process that works out quite nicely, it just requires a bit of patience.

Second, it’s possible that shipping times could get worse before they get better so it would be wise to simply put in an order for the gold iPhone 5s now, just in case Apple Stores and carrier stores don’t get gold iPhone 5s stock in as quickly as they would have liked.

This is the stress-free, worry-free option and it guarantees a gold iPhone 5s at some point down the road. It’s highly recommended.

Anticipate Getting It Quicker Than Advertised

Carriers like AT&T and Verizon are showing extremely long waits for the gold iPhone 5s. Apple itself doesn’t expect to start shipping the iPhone 5s again until October. And while there is a chance that these shipping times are one hundred percent accurate, there is also a chance that stock will come in earlier than expected.

There is a reason AT&T issues broad shipping times. There is a reason why Verizon uses a “ship by” date. There is a reason why Apple issued a broad “October” shipping date for the gold iPhone 5s. It’s because they aren’t exactly sure when devices will be shipping out.

iphone-5s-review-gold-white 11

What we know is this. In the past, Apple and its carriers have worked to get devices out far sooner than their expected shipping dates. And with Apple in the process of speeding up gold iPhone 5s production to meet demand, we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple and its carriers are able to start getting the gold iPhone 5s far earlier than anyone anticipates.

This goes back to what we said about ordering now. While a carrier like AT&T may be showing a lengthy wait, it’s entirely possible that it will ship the iPhone 5s out much sooner than that. It won’t know ahead of time so don’t bother asking customer service reps.

eBay Premiums Aren’t Worth It

Recently, someone paid $10,000 real dollars for a gold iPhone 5s. That’s at the high end of the spectrum. There are also gold iPhone 5s models on eBay selling in the low thousands. Simply put, save the money.

Again, Apple will be working hard to get the gold iPhone 5s back on track and we expect that the device will be in stock in just a few weeks. And once Apple gets it back in stock, shipping times will continue to ease until they are on par with the silver and gray models. At the worst, we anticipate a month long wait for some people.

For some, it may be worth thousands to get the gold iPhone 5s earlier than that. For most people, it will be worth saving the thousand bucks and waiting a few weeks to pay $200.

Don’t Be Afraid to Check Around

While the gold iPhone 5s might be sold out just about everywhere, we did stumble into one Apple Store in Ohio that currently has the gold iPhone 5s in stock, though, they are only getting the 64GB gold iPhone 5s, the most expensive model.

iphone-5s-5c 6

Point is, don’t be afraid to check around either before or after you place an order for the gold iPhone 5s. There might be a rogue Verizon store that happens upon a few gold iPhone 5s models by chance. The chances aren’t great and we recommend putting in a call first, but there are definitely going to be some success stories out there.

Check Apple First

That said, gold iPhone 5s buyers should check Apple Stores first. These are likely to be the stores that get gold iPhone 5s stock first and they are more likely to be the stores that have a rogue gold iPhone 5s or two in the next few weeks.

We recommend calling ahead though those in the neighborhood may simply want to stop and go check and see. Who knows, there may just be a gold iPhone 5s on hand, well ahead of the current October shipping date.

Don’t Do Anything Drastic

The wait may be a little painful but don’t do anything drastic. What we mean is, buyers shouldn’t switch carriers all around just to get the gold iPhone 5s. Carriers will likely get stock in before others, but buyers should resist the temptation.It’s not worth it. It would also be unwise to get out of an unlimited plan with the likes of AT&T or Verizon in order to pick up a gold iPhone 5s. It’s not worth the hassle.

19 Comments

19 Comments

  1. Jon

    09/26/2013 at 10:29 am

    What if you like cases to protect your phone I don’t like otter boxes but I’m saying a case ain’t a bad for the iphone 5s gold I already bought a few case there all clear tho.

  2. irene

    09/26/2013 at 11:48 pm

    my 64 gb at&t gold phone shipped today by fedex from ft worth texas, on schedule for delivery on Monday, whoo hoo! I ordered at the at&t site about 2 minutes before it was supposed to be released. when i went over to the apple site, they were still shipping them, but within a couple of minutes, delivery date slipped to “october.” the at&t web site was saying estimate shipping between oct 1 and oct 31. and then i got the tracking info just a couple of hours ago! i got clear cases too.

    • Dondre Straker

      09/27/2013 at 1:47 pm

      You Lucky Bastard!!! I’m Enraged at Apple This is going to take till Oct. 21 to ship. I’m ENRAGED!

    • Diego

      09/30/2013 at 2:33 pm

      When did you order yours?

  3. Karandeep Walia

    09/27/2013 at 1:40 am

    Wonderful! Lucky You!!

  4. tom

    09/27/2013 at 11:18 am

    who cares? its a gold colored phone. what is all the fuss about? Are there that many gaudy guineas out there and pimps that NEED to have a hideous phone in gold and white? I could see if it were black and gold, but they didnt offer that option. Just shows how stupid some people are out there, the OS is half finished anyway and doesnt work well, but people are more concerned with gold anodizing.

  5. Pam

    09/27/2013 at 4:45 pm

    I want the Gold iphone because it’s my favorite color and I am so thankful it retained it size, feels right in my hand. Bought the windows phone, it’s collecting dust. At least the kids play with it. Hurry up with my iphone apple. FYI still love my iphone 5!

  6. john

    09/28/2013 at 3:28 pm

    I ordered my iphone 5s- 16gb-gold on the 21st of september, at 10pm, it says “dispatched in october” most likely what is the date I will receive it?
    god dayumn apple hurry up :(

  7. maro reus

    09/28/2013 at 3:37 pm

    Apple is rushing the product now. I can bet you there will be major problems with the gold Iphone 5s’s because the production rate is being rushed, It is apples fault for this, They just had to release the 5c….. they are smart asses for only allowing orders after 20th september.

    • macmilan

      09/28/2013 at 3:38 pm

      Because they know 5c is absolute shit, and the 5s is the best.

    • fatima kristina

      09/28/2013 at 8:14 pm

      how you know apple is rushing the gold iphone 5s right now

  8. Hope Gay

    09/29/2013 at 12:17 am

    It is the cover not the technology is gold in colour! -:) so it matters not whether apple rushes to produce gold iphone 5 s.

  9. Cheeso

    09/29/2013 at 12:00 pm

    Not sure what all the fuss is about. Ordered gd 5s 64 gig and got it a week later. Was told
    There would be a 10 – 12 week wait but I’ve already had it a week…

  10. Lindsey

    09/30/2013 at 9:41 am

    Gold and black sounds hideous. It isn’t “guineas and pimps” that are getting this phone. It’s women. Mint + gold is a super trendy combo. In person, the phone doesn’t look gaudy or tacky. It’s subdued and classy. Plus, gold looks nice with tan skin.

  11. iturd

    09/30/2013 at 5:21 pm

    buy a good phone like the htc one or xperia z1 (21mp cam) all you iphone fanboys are lemmings that are buying an overpriced over-rated gold wrapped sh*t. id rather go blind, iphones are like assh*les….everyone has one. thats why il never buy one. when march comes theres gona be at least ten phones that leave the 5s looking as advanced as a phonebox….

    • hunny

      10/02/2013 at 10:12 pm

      nooooooo its not IPHONES are the best. shut up and buy one

    • Thomas

      12/01/2013 at 6:37 pm

      Why did you even open this article? You clearly think your android scum can compete with the creme de la creme of mobile telemetry you are just another android troll who has nothing to do but try to ruffle other peoples feathers

      Btw I’m ordering a gd16gb tmrw

  12. Ziggy

    10/06/2013 at 8:50 pm

    got the only gold 64 for sprint at best buy on 10/4…they rest were silver and black for all carriers. check around other than Apple stores. gorgeous phone.

  13. ethanmr

    07/26/2014 at 1:38 pm

    I just bought one from craigslist for 170. Contract free. I only got gold cause it was the cheapest I could find…

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