vB Easy Archive - Activation Problem

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Activation Problem
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Posted by: Fiver852

Hey, I just got the iPhone today and I've been having trouble activating it. First, its telling me that im not 18 even though today is my 18th birthday. So I enter Feb. 21 and go to the next page. After entering all my information in, it says that i can not sign up for a plan without getting a AT&T pre-approved credit check code.

Now this is a stupid question, but is this because my credit score atm is zero?

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Hey, I just got the iPhone today and I've been having trouble activating it. First, its telling me that im not 18 even though today is my 18th birthday. So I enter Feb. 21 and go to the next page. After entering all my information in, it says that i can not sign up for a plan without getting a AT&T pre-approved credit check code.

Now this is a stupid question, but is this because my credit score atm is zero?

More than likely, yes. Does it give you an option for prepaid? If not, you can go to the store and find out your deposit, then pay it and use your credit check code.

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

More than likely, yes. Does it give you an option for prepaid? If not, you can go to the store and find out your deposit, then pay it and use your credit check code.

Yes it does, but I would rather go with the $60 monthly plan. So does this mean I have to go to the store and get checked out?

Posted by: nickster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Yes it does, but I would rather go with the $60 monthly plan. So does this mean I have to go to the store and get checked out?

Yup or just call AT&T and they will give you a code but you will have to pay a dep over the phone.

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickster

Yup or just call AT&T and they will give you a code but you will have to pay a dep over the phone.

Oh thanks. Do you happen to know their number?

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Oh thanks. Do you happen to know their number?

Actually nvm, I called them up and they said I had to go to a store.

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Actually nvm, I called them up and they said I had to go to a store.

Chances are your deposit will be $500 or more....so, good luck.

Posted by: Peace_Of_Mind

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

Chances are your deposit will be $500 or more....so, good luck.

If that turns out to be the case and you're dead set against prepaid I'd have a talk with mom or dad about getting it in their name or something. They can list you as an authorized user, that is if they're willing to do that.

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

Chances are your deposit will be $500 or more....so, good luck.

god damn why $500?

Posted by: nickster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

god damn why $500?

big credit risk...

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickster

big credit risk...

Well I have 1.5k in my bank account and a job. You think I can persuade the rep. to reduce the deposit?

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Well I have 1.5k in my bank account and a job. You think I can persuade the rep. to reduce the deposit?

Unfortunately not...they have no control over your deposit amount. You get it back after a year if you pay your bill on time every month. It just makes sure that you're going to pay on time, and not get a phone then back out of a contract.

EDIT: There's no guarantee that it will be $500, but I'd say 3/4 of the 18 year olds i've run credit on have been at least $500..some $750...but i've had 1 or 2 have a $150 deposit, so it's pretty much going to be luck of the draw

Posted by: Peace_Of_Mind

I'm not sure that the rep has any leeway in the matter. If it helps any you do get the deposit after so many months of paying on time.

EDIT: Beaten to the punch

Posted by: classic695

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Well I have 1.5k in my bank account and a job. You think I can persuade the rep. to reduce the deposit?

I doubt the representative would have the authority to waive part or all of a deposit, because the point is not whether you specifically are likely to default but people with similar credit histories are, in general, likely to default, which they are. Also, $1500 isn't much when you're talking about a $400 phone and at least $500/year in monthly payments.

Posted by: toomer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

god damn why $500?

Pretty standard amount with a lot of carriers, for someone with zero credit history.

Unfortunately, the computer systems that the AT&T reps use will tell them what your deposit has to be. They won't really be able to override that for you or help you out, regardless of how much you have sitting in your account.

On the 18 thing ... based on how the software was written, the computer might not interpret today as actually being 18. It may interpret today as being the very last day of your 17th year of existence, not the first day of your 18th year of existence. You could try again tomorrow and see if your results are any different.

Posted by: Nick6489

Hate to hijack, however I've been 18 since June and have had a credit card since November. Paid on time in full every month. I plan on opening up a line with AT&T for the iPhone and would like to do it in my name if no deposit is required. What do you think?

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick6489

Hate to hijack, however I've been 18 since June and have had a credit card since November. Paid on time in full every month. I plan on opening up a line with AT&T for the iPhone and would like to do it in my name if no deposit is required. What do you think?

Sounds like a good plan, in theory. I'm 19 and have had a credit card with a $1000 limit that I have paid on time every month since i was 18 (May) and only have about $160 balance and still had a $300 deposit, until my employee plan kicked in and now I have $0 BOE (Based on Existing) service.

It takes years to build credit, but if you get $0 deposit, congratulations!

Word to the wise... don't keep your cards maxed out and just keep making the minimum.. that doesn't build credit nearly as fast as having a low balance on a high balance card....I learned that in college!

Posted by: nickster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Well I have 1.5k in my bank account and a job. You think I can persuade the rep. to reduce the deposit?

Only thing I think you could do is pre-pay for a year...

Posted by: Fiver852

Alright, so I went to the store and they told me that I had to put down $300. I decided to bite the bullet and make the deposit.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I really appreciate it.

EDIT: Also, iTunes finally figured out that I turned 18 today.

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Alright, so I went to the store and they told me that I had to put down $300. I decided to bite the bullet and make the deposit.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I really appreciate it.

EDIT: Also, iTunes finally figured out that I turned 18 today.

See, it wasn't that horrible, now was it? Also, on the positive side, now you're credit will start to build...and you have a shiney new iphone to play with! Did you jailbreak it so you can install games, etc. on it?

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

No, not yet. Im still just trying to get the hang of it right now. So far I think its an awesome phone. Hell it even has tabbing!

But im worried that I might be using too much data. Do you happen know what the "reasonable limit" is on the unlimited data?

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

No, not yet. Im still just trying to get the hang of it right now. So far I think its an awesome phone. Hell it even has tabbing!

But im worried that I might be using too much data. Do you happen know what the "reasonable limit" is on the unlimited data?

With unlimited data it's "unlimited" with a 5GB "soft cap" which means, keep it under 5GB and you'll be just fine. If you go over, they'll send a warning...then if you go over again, you'll probably be cut off from data services.

I usually use about 40-50MB/day.

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

Oh thats awesome. Thanks a lot man.

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiver852

Oh thats awesome. Thanks a lot man.

NP. So did you pick up a case for it while you were at the AT&T store?

Posted by: hms2010

Regarding your monthly price, you may be able to get a discounted price on your phone/monthly fee through your college. I know Harvard offers discounts with Sprint and Cingular (I believe). Other schools offer similar discounts--just contact your IT department.

For me, I wanted to get a Razr a couple of years ago, and I got it for half price. Also, my monthly price is discounted ~15%. Another example. After seeing the iPhone, I want to purchase one. After consulting my IT department, they are going to look into establishing a discount. I read online somewhere though that these discounts do not apply to the Iphone; but you might as well try. Sorry if my post is kinda long. I'm new to howardforums.

Posted by: timmah333

Quote:

Originally Posted by hms2010

Regarding your monthly price, you may be able to get a discounted price on your phone/monthly fee through your college. I know Harvard offers discounts with Sprint and Cingular (I believe). Other schools offer similar discounts--just contact your IT department.

For me, I wanted to get a Razr a couple of years ago, and I got it for half price. Also, my monthly price is discounted ~15%. Another example. After seeing the iPhone, I want to purchase one. After consulting my IT department, they are going to look into establishing a discount. I read online somewhere though that these discounts do not apply to the Iphone; but you might as well try. Sorry if my post is kinda long. I'm new to howardforums.

Welcome to HoFo, and yes, you are correct.. AT&T does give discounts to the majority of colleges, but the iphone doesn't apply. I work @ Radioshack and I can't even get any type of discount on the plan, and I sell AT&T! But...I just jailbroke it so I can use it on my ANR plan with the $15 data plan, so..oh well!

Posted by: Fiver852

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmah333

NP. So did you pick up a case for it while you were at the AT&T store?

Naw I figure I'll check amazon and the apple store first. Do u know any good cases though?

Posted by: timmah333

My Contour showcase should be here tomorrow.. I found it for $20 on ebay shipped. I'll let you know how it is!