So I went to AT&T last night..

[4tokin2duke0]

..to set up a new account, I finally gave in and decided to get the iPhone.

Everything was going smooth and then I got to a minor speed bump, the AT&T rep informed me that I will have to pay a $750 deposit in order to open a new account/contract to be able to use the iPhone.

Now it's not that I have bad credit, I just don't have credit in general. Never have had a CC/bills in my name.

So my question, what was your deposit?

 

[countrydweller]

..to set up a new account, I finally gave in and decided to get the iPhone.

Everything was going smooth and then I got to a minor speed bump, the AT&T rep informed me that I will have to pay a $750 deposit in order to open a new account/contract to be able to use the iPhone.

Now it's not that I have bad credit, I just don't have credit in general. Never have had a CC/bills in my name.

So my question, what was your deposit?

Zero, get a cc and or loan, pay it off as you use it, then you will have some credit after a while. Doesn't do much for now, good luck.

 

[ucfgrad93]

..to set up a new account, I finally gave in and decided to get the iPhone.

Everything was going smooth and then I got to a minor speed bump, the AT&T rep informed me that I will have to pay a $750 deposit in order to open a new account/contract to be able to use the iPhone.

Now it's not that I have bad credit, I just don't have credit in general. Never have had a CC/bills in my name.

So my question, what was your deposit?

I had something similar happen to me when I was around 18 or 19 (I'll be 44 in 2 weeks). Unfortunately, it is what will happen until you have some credit history of your own.

 

[ntrigue]

I believe they return the deposit after 12 month of on-time payments.

 

[Applejuiced]

Get a cosigner.

 

[nfl46]

I joined AT&T when I was 19 (2007), and I had a $0 deposit. I did, infact, have a credit card to help build my credit.

 

[dukebound85]

0 as i have credit

op..best start building yours up. many things depend on it reagrdless of wealth

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Talk about timing. Does anyone know a credit card (unsecured) i can get without any credit?

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Talk about timing. Does anyone know a credit card (unsecured) i can get without any credit?

Talk to your bank. Most offer a secured credit card with which you can begin building your credit. The money on the card is yours, rather than a loan, as your credit limit is whatever money you want to put down when you open the account.

 

[uneek1]

Thats strange. I have bad credit and I wasn't required to pay a deposit. This was a little over 2 years ago, so maybe they have changed policies...

 

[Applejuiced]

Talk about timing. Does anyone know a credit card (unsecured) i can get without any credit?

Most banks will either deny you or have you put down a
deposit like AT&T.
The amount of your deposit will be equal to your credit line. And after so many months and if your account is in good standing they will return it to you.

 

[jav6454]

Mine was $150 and 0 credit. AT&T rep was surprised at low deposit. I said, cool. Don't know how that happened.

 

[labman]

mine was 0

but not sure how that's going to help, but now ya know. as was said get a cosigner or pay $750. ask them about a deposit on a different phone. wait 6 months and get a secured credit card for now.

 

[str1f3]

No credit is bad credit. Even worse than not owing anything.

 

[Wicked1]

$750.00 seems a little steep for an AT&T contract with an iPhone, actually it seems high for any carrier. That is a large chunk of change but I remember when I was 18 with no credit, either I didn't pay the up front charges or my mother was nice enough to cosign, I would never give them $750 in advance, never in a million years...

 

[pukifloyd]

they asked me for $500 deposit per line(i was getting two iphones)

 

[thelatinist]

Got mine in 2005 with really bad credit (long story involving downsizing, unemployment, and a couple of bills that went to collections) and paid no deposit. I was surprised, really. I imagine, though, that AT&T is tightening credit like everyone else.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Talk to your bank. Most offer a secured credit card with which you can begin building your credit. The money on the card is yours, rather than a loan, as your credit limit is whatever money you want to put down when you open the account.

Most banks will either deny you or have you put down a
deposit like AT&T.
The amount of your deposit will be equal to your credit line. And after so many months and if your account is in good standing they will return it to you.

Now that's some good advice!

 

[chstr]

might as well just go with prepaid? I think you can get the phone without contract for 600.

 

[Tronic]

Go to your bank, get a loan, lets say 1k to start off with. Deposit the 1k, into your bank account. Pay the payments each month until the loan is repaid. In the end you will have at least started your credit history and with interest it won't end up costing much more than the 1k. You must be responsible though and not even think about spending any of the 1k.

 

[ctt1wbw]

I'd find someone else to go with. Establishing credit just to get a cell phone? No thanks. I'm trying to get rid of my credit.

 

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

r u a student? you can get a Chase Credit Card if your a student,even if you never had any history or anything I think theyll except you thats how I got mine.good luck

 

[Lord Egregious]

r u a student? you can get a Chase Credit Card if your a student,even if you never had any history or anything I think theyll except you thats how I got mine.good luck

Student cards are a great way to get started. I'm not sure exactly how ATT's credit check works but when I worked at Radioshack, I saw a ton of $750 deposits for people aged 18-22. However anyone who had a credit card and wasn't in debt was able to get a 0 deposit. I only had a student credit card for 4 months when I checked mine and I had a 0 deposit. Things may be different now but starting a credit card now is a good idea, as long as you pay it off in full each month.

 

[alansaysstop]

I had a foreclosuer and got two iphones with no deposit. I've never had a phone shut off because of nonpayment though so I think that might have something to do with it.

 

[realeric]

No credit was good credit some years ago. But no credit is now bankruptcy credit. Things change. Opening secured credit cards will definetely help you build good credit.