porting number without going to store?

[campas12]

so i got the amazon cingular deal with the v600 for 99bucks AR...they tellyou on amazon that you can port simply by calling cingular and have them do it on the phone. when i called though (on the weekend so i only tried once), they told me that i had to go to a store to get it done.

anyone purchased plan/phone on internet and ported over w/out going to store?

[arifiano]

The rep is BSing you. I got a phone from over the internet and called CS and they had my old number ported over in less than 3 hours. Though they did want to charge me $30 for a number change. So try to get yourself out of that.

[bfavre444]

Why does Cingular over the phone want to charge $30 for a number change when it's a new activation type of port? If you went to the Cingular store, they don't charge you $30 to port a number onto your new Amazon phone?

[monsieurlee]

is the V600 from Amazon unlocked?

[arifiano]

The $30 is a number change fee. Since I was already issued a number they wanted to charge me $30 to have it changed to my ported number. But I was able to get it removed.

And yes all Cingular V600s are unlocked.

[bfavre444]

Originally posted by arifiano
The $30 is a number change fee. Since I was already issued a number they wanted to charge me $30 to have it changed to my ported number. But I was able to get it removed.

And yes all Cingular V600s are unlocked.

So I'm thinking of getting that Amazon deal but amazon ships you a phone with a NEW number? I want to port when I get my amazon phone, so can amazon ship phones without a new number? Or is it their policy to ship all phones with a new number? (cause I basically want the phone without a new number, then activate + port it at a cingular store, without having to deal with the $30 number change thing)

[nismo20]

Can you guys please clear up what you are trying to accomplish by doing this?

[arifiano]

I ordered from a internet dealer and they told me that I ordered new service with a desire to port my number it will take 5-7 days to receive my order but If i just ordered my phone and they issue me a temporary number than it was going to take 2-3 days to get my phone. So ofcourse I took the second choice and thought I would take care of the port myself and which I did. Cingular does charge $30 for a number change because I was told to them it is a number change. But if you explain to them the situation than they will remove it, hopefully.

I doubt that Amazon will ship a phone without a number because their activation of a new phone is what earns them the necessary commissions to justify the huge rebates they offer.

[abilstein]

I just received my phone from Amazon, and it came with a new number. I called Cingular to port my old AT&T number and they told me they cannot do that, that they would have to cancel that account and open a new one.

Well, that will invalidate my rebate from Amazon, so I am not very happy right now. I'm going to go to a store I think, and see if they can do anything. Amazon's web site used to say they had a porting deal with Cingular, now it says you can't.

[campas12]

ARGH. wtf!
if this is the case, then i'll def. be returning the phone- it's rediculous that amazon had it (i even printed it out), and now they say it's not possible....


so there is no way that they could port the number? even if you paid?! please keep me updated!

Originally posted by abilstein
I just received my phone from Amazon, and it came with a new number. I called Cingular to port my old AT&T number and they told me they cannot do that, that they would have to cancel that account and open a new one.

Well, that will invalidate my rebate from Amazon, so I am not very happy right now. I'm going to go to a store I think, and see if they can do anything. Amazon's web site used to say they had a porting deal with Cingular, now it says you can't.

[arifiano]

I find that hard to believe unless they changed their policy of porting numbers in the last 6 weeks. I did that same thing. Got the phone with a number off the internet. And when i received my phone I than kept the number for 8 days to check out Cingular's coverage, just to make sure, and than I put in my porting request. And my account numbers did not change or anything. It was the same account number and my first bill had two different phone numbers.

I would call back and talk to a supervisor.

[abilstein]

I can tell you that the policy as stated on their web site definitely changed within the last few weeks. It originally stated that you could port (I saw it and linked to it in another thread), with a lengthy explanation of how to do it. As campas12 stated, he even printed it out. Now it just says that they can't do it, but to check back in the future.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...43305#Cingular

I'm going to swing by a nearby store after work and see what they say. If I still get a negative, I'll call back to customer service and ask for a supervisor.

[mrogers]

Yes, please let us know what the rep tells you because I'm in roughly the same boat, but a little worse. I'm about to jump on this Amazon deal for a V600, but I'm not going to port my Sprint number for about two more months. I'll pay the $30 fee then, I just want to make sure that they'll do it later. So please keep us updated.

Additionally, has anyone ever successfully signed up for a family plan through Amazon? If you have, PLEASE help me...I want to do the 850/$59.99 plan + one additional line (a V400) at $9.99/month, but I can't find a way to do that on Amazon's site. Of course, this might work: I get the V600 from Amazon, then I get the V400 from Best Buy (because they have big rebates on it until the 31st) and add it that way...what do you guys think? Any advice is appreciated!

Sorry, don't mean to hijack this thread, but I'm having trouble getting answers! Thanks!

[abilstein]

Okay, I went to the store after work.

The rep was friendly and said he should be able to port my number. He started the process while I was there, but he said he couldn't get a response from AT&T. He's going to call me (hopefully tonight) and let me know when the request goes through and the actual porting process begins. Then he said it would be another 24 hours or so to port.

So, it's encouraging but I'm not counting on it yet. I'll post an update when I hear more.

[abilstein]

Success!

My old AT&T number is now ported to my Amazon/Cingular phone. So, despite what Amazon's web site and some Cingular reps may say, they apparently can do this. You might have to go into a store.

I was in the store around 6pm and my number was ported when I checked it at 11pm (although it may have been sooner).

Now to go play with my T637.