I cannot believe this I went to at&t and they wouldn't sell me the 9700 without a contract, after thinking about it I decided to spend the extra $100 and go to the Mobile City store and buy it. They don't have the at&t version in stock!
So you want to pay full retail for the phone? I go the the store at 383 madison avenue and there guys are great. You can ask for Maurice, he's awesome.
I went to at&t and they wouldn't sell me the 9700 without a contract, after thinking about it I decided to spend the extra $100 and go to the Mobile City store and buy it. They don't have the at&t version in stock! 
but I managed to get the phone!