Bought a 5s from the apple store today it's being delivered abroad to replace a stolen phone.
The apple man said for the owner to purchase a sim card out there as it will make the calls cheaper. But on the website it says the phone locks to the first sim put in it. Being she is in Cambodia, moving to Japan and then NZ, that means surely the phone will be locked to a Cambodian provider? She will be back in UK in a couple of months when she will want to convert to a contract
I've even read that a foreign sim will damage the phone forever, but he said that wasn't so.

She really needs it so don't want it wrecked. It's me who tops up the PAYG from here as not possible abroad and I'm happier for her to have an Orange sim.

I'm thinking I should purchase one before sending it.
What do you all suggest please?

Just not true. IPhones bought through Apple are truly unlocked. I always buy mine through Apple and am constantly changing my SIM card when travelling.

They only lock to the first sim network if purchased from the carphonewarehouse

Thanks for your reply but as an old technophobe, what is not true? What would your advice be please?
Get sim abroad or what? I have to post tomorrow so any advice welcome.
Also do I open the box and charge? Aaaaagh!

Thanks, yes that's where I first looked and got that info.
So if she buys a sim in Cambodia? I just want this to be over and get on with my own life. Shall I send a sim from here or she buys one there?
Am almost crying as I don't understand anything.

I'll send the phone, no sim, is that correct?

She can buy a sim card in Cambodia and it will work just fine.

The phone will be unlocked and will work with any iphone sim card worldwide.

You won't have to charge it either.

What website were you reading?

As others have said, sim free iPhones direct from Apple are unlocked and will always remain unlocked.

Thank you all.

You did rather imply from your OP that it was the Apple website you looked at