Buying an iPhone without credit history and Early Termination Fee

[velascarlos]

Hello all,

I am a student who has just land on the USA. I am gonna stay here for 8 months as an exchange student studding abroad.

I pretend to buy an iPhone 3GS with a 2 years contract with AT&T and break the contract after 8 months (when I am going back to my home country) and pay the Early Termination Fee (175$ - (8x5) = 135$)

I was today on an AT&T store, and when I was about to buy the iPhone they check my SSN and they realize that I haven't any credit history (obviously, because this is my first time on the USA), so, they asked me for a 500$ deposit refundable after a year.

At that moment I told them that I was planning to break the contract after 8 months because of my exchange student circumstances and I asked them if I will receive my deposit back even I break the contract and pay the ETF. They answer that they will give me back the deposit minus the ETF, so I will get my deposit back.

The point is that I am not sure that they will give me back my 500$ deposit if I break the contract before a year. They told me "yes" today, but they can tell me "no" after 8 months. I have neither see that written on the AT&T website..

Thank you in advance.

 

[jackiecanev2]

Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.250 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

They have no grounds for holding your deposit provided you have paid for the service and paid their termination fee upon closing your account.

 

[iFerd]

I doubt anyone on this board is as good a source of information about your issues as AT&T itself. But I would call them and ask to talk to a supervisor before signing up. The sales person in the AT&T store is motivated to sign you up and may not be worried about what your situation will be when you leave the US.

 

[velascarlos]

Thanks for your answer, I was wondering that probably someone has been on the same situation, he has pass throw that and he could now if they will return my deposit back if I get the ETF...

 

[The Californian]

The deposit is so you don't just walk away and never pay a bill. After 8 months they will give you your deposit back, if you're worried ask them to write it in your contract.

 

[Tom G.]

VelaCarlos,

From what you wrote I believe that what you will get back will be $365.00 not $500. However you will not have to pay the ETF as they will have taken that amount out of the $500.00 deposit. It is a common business activity here. In the end you come out the same.

I would however check with an AT&T supervisor, and even if you can,get it in writing.

By the way, welcome to America and I hope you have an enjoyable stay and when you go home you carry with you lots of great memories.

 

[velascarlos]

Thanks Tom G. and.. do you know if it would be possible to keep my same phone number and pass it to prepaid when I finish the contract anticipate after paying de ETF?

I mean, use the iphone with the contract, then finish it anticipated and go to an at&t prepaid plan keeping the same phone number..

 

[Tom G.]

I can't say in this particular instance, but that is normally not a problem. AT&T can give you better info about this than I can, but keeping your phone number when changing services is an accepted practice here. I did it when changing from Verizon to AT&T.