In a ridiculous new policy at AT&T retail stores, sales associates and managers will not sell you a phone unless you sign on the dotted line. Although most phones are listed with a no commitment price and a contract price, newer models won’t be sold to customers without a service agreement.

When I had visited an AT&T store this weekend and inquired on purchasing a Nokia E71x without a contract, the manager informed me that newer phones could not be sold sans contract. Usually, phones can only be sold without a contract after three months, but then even the BlackBerry Bold, which has been out for some time, still isn’t sold without a contract.

Does AT&T not want money? Usually customers who buy phones without contract are the ones who are either already on a contract and are phone polygamous and have the urge to switch phones every so often or just lost or broke their phone so they need a replacement. If you’re looking to buy a Touch Pro2 or Fuze2 on AT&T once it is released later this year, you better hope you qualify for an upgrade if you’re already a customer with the carrier else your world won’t be delivered.