Setting up AT&T accounts after moving from UK to U.S.

[Rojo]

Friends of mine are moving from the UK to Ann Arbor, Michigan in a couple of weeks. They plan on getting new iPhones -- but are having a bit of trouble. It appears they were told at the very last minute they need a U.S. credit card first.

Anyone else here move from the U.K. (or elsewhere) to the States, and had trouble getting an AT&T account? My friends were hoping to have iPhones immediately upon arrival, but realize now it could take a while. Anyone know how long it would take them to get a U.S. credit card? (I haven't owned a credit card myself in over a decade, and don't know anything about them anymore).

Also....anyone happen to know what AT&T service is like in Ann Arbor??

Thanks in advance to anyone who has answers!

 

[swiftaw]

The problem is, they have no credit history in the US, and so will probably fail the credit check when ATT runs one. They may then be asked to pay a deposit to ATT to be held as a guarantee on their monthly payments.

 

[Rojo]

The problem is, they have no credit history in the US, and so will probably fail the credit check when ATT runs one. They may then be asked to pay a deposit to ATT to be held as a guarantee on their monthly payments.

That blows. You know how much the deposit might be?
Getting the iPhones is important enough to them, so they may be willing to pay...

 

[swiftaw]

That blows. You know how much the deposit might be?
Getting the iPhones is important enough to them, so they may be willing to pay...

I've heard it can be as much as $500.