One iPhone per customer, says AT&T

Last year, Apple restricted the number of iPhones a customer could buy to ensure plenty of iPhones were in stock over the holiday season—at least that's what the company told us. But despite the company's expressed concern over possible shortages, many speculated Apple set this limit in order to prevent reselling.

In October 2007, credit card paying customers could purchase two iPhones per person, and that number was later raised to five after sales overseas were slow. I'm not sure why there would be a shortage of iPhones, when rumors of a 3G iPhone only seem to intensify, but AT&T's latest buying restriction only give credence to the rumor that just won't die. 

According to Apple Insider, the company dispatched an internal memo alerting retail staff of its new one unit per customer iPhone limitation effective May 14, 2008. Apparently, anyone who wants to purchase more than one iPhone has to be approved by a director or general manager.

I'm not buying the iPhone shortage story. Honestly, I think a new iPhone will be released sometime this summer, so if you're thinking about buying an iPhone, I suggest you wait at least until after June 9th, just to be safe.

AT&T limits iPhone, one per customer

Update: Now Information Week says AT&T is back to its old policy of three per customer after realizing they had enough in stock to resume normal sales.  No surprise here. This isn't the first time AT&T changes its mind about something that affects iPhone users. Last week the company pulled the free Wi-Fi offer for iPhone users a day after actually posting it on its website.