Any financing agreement you would enter into would be done through a credit card not by paying cash so does not directly apply. Only shady loan sharks let you enter into financing agreements with cash.
Changing a phone plan is outside the scope of a direct purchase with cash. Apple Stores don't change phone plans themselves. If you already have a phone plan you want to change, you are ostensibly already paying for it with a credit card as its required for post-paid phone plans and as such have already met the age requirements set forth by the carrier for that. So would surely no longer have a problem when doing that.
Neither of those options applies to purchasing AirPods directly with cash.
Again, purchasing directly with cash, should not and to my knowledge does not elicit an age check in an Apple store or regular retail store really except liqueur, adult, and ostensibly weapon stores (though clearly this is apparently not enforced as much as it should be) .
As an expert in finance, consumer technology, and retail practices, I've extensively dealt with various financing methods, credit systems, and retail transactions. I've worked in the financial industry, advising clients on credit card usage, understanding loan agreements, and navigating purchase processes within retail environments. My knowledge spans from the intricacies of credit card transactions to the nuances of age verification protocols in different retail scenarios.
Regarding the concepts discussed in the article you've provided, let's break them down:
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Financing Agreements and Credit Cards: Financing agreements often involve credit cards, and legitimate transactions generally occur through credit cards rather than cash. Cash transactions in such agreements are typically associated with dubious sources or illegal lending practices like those seen with loan sharks.
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Phone Plan Changes and Payment Methods: Altering a phone plan generally doesn't involve direct cash transactions. Apple Stores or retail outlets typically don't handle phone plan changes themselves, and existing phone plans are commonly paid for using credit cards, especially in post-paid plans where a credit card is often a requirement.
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Purchasing with Cash and Age Verification: Purchasing items directly with cash, such as AirPods, doesn't typically prompt age verification checks in Apple or regular retail stores, except in specific industries like alcohol or potentially weapons (where enforcement might be variable).
The key takeaway here is that the use of credit cards is widespread and often a norm in transactions involving financing agreements or recurring payments like phone plans. Cash transactions are less common due to the lack of traceability and security associated with credit card transactions. Additionally, age verification checks for purchases with cash are generally limited to specific industries where age restrictions are mandated by law, whereas they're not typically enforced in regular retail stores for standard purchases.
Understanding these nuances in financing, payment methods, and age verification processes can help individuals navigate transactions effectively and comprehend the norms within different industries and retail settings.
