Credit vs. Deposit

[MotherTucker]

So the big day is finally coming! Two months without a cigarrette and I get to buy the iPhone. I've saved over $900 and am wondering what peoples experience is with the deposit regarding sketchy credit history. Please weigh in and as always - thank you.

 

[webb]

So the big day is finally coming! Two months without a cigarrette and I get to buy the iPhone. I've saved over $900 and am wondering what peoples experience is with the deposit regarding sketchy credit history. Please weigh in and as always - thank you.

I didn't have to put the deposit down, although since I have never had my own cell phone contract, I thought I would. As the girl was running my credit check, I asked her what happens if I have to put a deposit down? She informed me that as long as I paid on time etc etc, that I would receive my deposit back in one years time. So, it is still ok as long as you do the right thing with the bills as they come in.

Fred

 

[MotherTucker]

I didn't have to put the deposit down, although since I have never had my own cell phone contract, I thought I would. As the girl was running my credit check, I asked her what happens if I have to put a deposit down? She informed me that as long as I paid on time etc etc, that I would receive my deposit back in one years time. So, it is still ok as long as you do the right thing with the bills as they come in.

Fred

Thanks Fred - that's hopeful - what about the people that DID have to put down a deposit - can you share your experience?

 

[ps49556n]

So the big day is finally coming! Two months without a cigarrette and I get to buy the iPhone. I've saved over $900 and am wondering what peoples experience is with the deposit regarding sketchy credit history. Please weigh in and as always - thank you.

MY experience with the deposit was very frustrating and because of this I will not get into it.

Sketchy credit history is no good, from that statement you will most definitely either have to pay a large deposit or be forced to use pay as you go. Do you have any idea what your credit score is? If not I would advise you to purchase your iPhone at an ATT corporate store so you can get a credit check at the point of purchase and if a deposit is required you can pay it or chose pay as you go. If you do not do this, you might find yourself at home trying to activate and it will only let you select pay as you go because you cannot pay the deposit through iTunes.


Summary: If you plan on using pay as you go, it doesn't matter where you buy one. You can select pay as you go in iTunes. If you know your credit is bad and are alright with paying a deposit, go to ATT, get a credit check and pay the deposit required.

 

[MotherTucker]

MY experience with the deposit was very frustrating and because of this I will not get into it.

Sketchy credit history is no good, from that statement you will most definitely either have to pay a large deposit or be forced to use pay as you go. Do you have any idea what your credit score is? If not I would advise you to purchase your iPhone at an ATT corporate store so you can get a credit check at the point of purchase and if a deposit is required you can pay it or chose pay as you go. If you do not do this, you might find yourself at home trying to activate and it will only let you select pay as you go because you cannot pay the deposit through iTunes.


Summary: If you plan on using pay as you go, it doesn't matter where you buy one. You can select pay as you go in iTunes. If you know your credit is bad and are alright with paying a deposit, go to ATT, get a credit check and pay the deposit required.

Wow, thank very helpful - thank you. What are the positives and negatives of pay as you go and how does it affect iTunes?

 

[ps49556n]

Wow, thank very helpful - thank you. What are the positives and negatives of pay as you go and how does it affect iTunes?

Pay as you go should have no affect on iTunes...


Pros:
-No contract required
-Useful if you use very few voice minutes
-Only option for people not wanting to pay deposits

Cons:
-Less cost effective/more expensive than a contract plan



If you have the option of paying a $200 deposit or using pay as you go, I would choose the deposit. Unless you use very few minutes pay as you go will end up costing substantially more over time, and remember, you get your deposit back in full after one year of consistent on-time bill payments.

I guess it all depends on your situation but in most cases, paying the deposit and signing a contract is a better choice.

 

[MotherTucker]

Pay as you go should have no affect on iTunes...


Pros:
-No contract required
-Useful if you use very few voice minutes
-Only option for people not wanting to pay deposits

Cons:
-Less cost effective/more expensive than a contract plan



If you have the option of paying a $200 deposit or using pay as you go, I would choose the deposit. Unless you use very few minutes pay as you go will end up costing substantially more over time, and remember, you get your deposit back in full after one year of consistent on-time bill payments.

I guess it all depends on your situation but in most cases, paying the deposit and signing a contract is a better choice.

yes, I definitely will pay the deposit. I was thinking of going to the Apple store to buy it, can I activate everything there?

 

[ps49556n]

yes, I definitely will pay the deposit. I was thinking of going to the Apple store to buy it, can I activate everything there?

If you have to pay a deposit or even think you will need to, go to ATT. There is nothing more frustrating than getting home and finding out you need to go back to an ATT store to pay the deposit.

 

[MotherTucker]

If you have to pay a deposit or even think you will need to, go to ATT. There is nothing more frustrating than getting home and finding out you need to go back to an ATT store to pay the deposit.

Wow, so you can't walk out of an Apple store with a fully functional phone eh? Lame - Can the AT&T people answer any questions I have regarding the iPhone? Will I walk out of there ready to go?

 

[UFGator]

So the big day is finally coming! Two months without a cigarrette and I get to buy the iPhone. I've saved over $900 and am wondering what peoples experience is with the deposit regarding sketchy credit history. Please weigh in and as always - thank you.

You saved $900 by not smoking cigs for 2 months! How many cigs were you smoking?

 

[paa79594]

If I walk into the Apple store and buy the phone with cash, will they do a credit check later for the service fee? Or should I put everything on the credit card?

 

[petalmom]

If I walk into the Apple store and buy the phone with cash, will they do a credit check later for the service fee? Or should I put everything on the credit card?

The ONLY thing that you can do at the Apple store is by the phone. Activation will be done at home through iTunes. If you are unsure that your credit will pass, you should go to an AT&T location and have them do a credit check for you. If a deposit is required you can pay it then. If not you will be able to activate it at home, through iTunes.

 

[bobvila]

Say I buy my iPhone on eBay (saves taxes, possibly some dolares off retail)... can I go to an AT&T store to have the credit check done before sitting in my boxers and activating over iTunes? Said another way, can I buy the iPhone elsewhere (Apple store, eBay, etc.) and walk into an AT&T store to have it activated?

 

[mlass]

I had my deposit waived 2 1/2 years ago (new service under different number) and a little over 1/2 a year ago (added line). I was required to have a $600 deposit for none payment on a Contract that was canceled by SBC 2 1/2 years ago.

Never hurts to try to get it waived.

 

[petalmom]

Say I buy my iPhone on eBay (saves taxes, possibly some dolares off retail)... can I go to an AT&T store to have the credit check done before sitting in my boxers and activating over iTunes? Said another way, can I buy the iPhone elsewhere (Apple store, eBay, etc.) and walk into an AT&T store to have it activated?

If you trust buying it from eBay you can. And if you feel it necessary, you can have the credit check done in advance at an AT&T store. You can not activate it at an AT&T store. Activation must be done through iTunes. You have the choice of being fully dressed or sitting in boxers

 

[Errk!]

Say I buy my iPhone on eBay (saves taxes

And shipping would be close to or the same cost as any taxes, plus you have to worry about getting ripped off.

 

[ItalianBoston]

Credit check

If you want to find out if you have to pay a deposit or not do this:

Go into an AT&T store and ask the clerk to check ya credit, you will need your SS# and an ID, after he checks ya credit he will give you something like a confirmation number.

If ya credit is good and no deposit is required then when u activate the phone on iTunes it will ask for that number the clerk gave you. Enter it and you should be all set.

That's how I did it.