Cell Phone Credit Check Question

[dakata24]

is it easier to get cell phone service than credit card?

i think i have a good credit rating. last time i got my FICO score it was about 710. 2 marks against it though are that i had a 60 day delequincy and that i havent had alot of credit history since 1999 (relied on the credit card too much so swore them off). i did take out a student loan and have been paying off on time since november of last year (past 2 months paid off a nice chunk, $1500, $800 respectively and have about $3k left on it)

my job history is alittle spotty due to school and some medical stuff. last year worked the last 2 months of the year. and i just started a new job in march.

wondering if i have any chance in getting denied.

on a side note, last year before i started working and paying off my loan, i tried applying for an AMEX Blue and got rejected.

any comments appreciated.

 

[rky60]

I'd say a cell phone might go thru, although you might need a hefty deposit. I think Verizon wants like $400 or $500, which is what my buddy had to put up front.

Although when i got my cell phone (actually 3 phones on my plan now) i didn't even have a job, no deposit, so ya never know

 

[RossMAN]

You have a good chance, Sprint PCS is one of the easiest to qualify for, so I'd say try them.

Make your payments ON TIME every month for at least 1, (2 is even better) year.

 

[foolanger]

I would check with AT&T wireless.. Even though sprint has the easiest credit check AT&T isn't as tough as some such as Nextel. Tmobile has also come out with something called a smart access plan.. This allows people with "inbetween" credit to get a phone. Instead of a hefty deposit you just have to pay for the phone which you would normally get free plus $75 for activation instead of the usual $35. Good Luck.. if you want AT&T i can get that for you.. just let me know..

 

[dakata24]

thanks. Rossman, you must have been reading my mind. I was looking at SprintPCS. Looking at the Sanyo 5300 and found out that it's going for $125 this weekend only.

 

[Nocturnal]

If you really need a cell phone and have crappy credit check out AT&T's GO Phone product. It's basically a $39.99 a month rate plan but there are no credit checks, no age requirements, no nothing. All that is required is a debit card or credit card. You get your monthly payment deducted out of your debit or credit card. You have a set amount of minutes for $39.99. I believe it's 450 anytime, unlimited nights and weekends, free long distance and somewhat roaming. But that is a good deal for people with bad or no credit looking for a regular cell phone plan.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dakata24
thanks. Rossman, you must have been reading my mind. I was looking at SprintPCS. Looking at the Sanyo 5300 and found out that it's going for $125 this weekend only.

Yes I have been, BTW who's that hot chick in your mind? I want her! j/k :0

Back in 1999 I didn't have as much credit, so I got my first cell phone through Sprint PCS. I had little credit but they approved me for FIVE CELL PHONES!!!.

 

[Daniel]

Have you considered prepaid service if all else fails?

 

[Hector13]

A 710 sounds pretty high; I can't imagine you would have any problems getting a phone. Was there a reason in particular that AMEX turned you down?

 

[dakata24]

Originally posted by: Hector13
A 710 sounds pretty high; I can't imagine you would have any problems getting a phone. Was there a reason in particular that AMEX turned you down?

my recent lack of credit history (closed all my credit cards after they were all paid off in 1999) and that 1 60-day delinquency (which was in 1998). im sure the not having a job part also helped in getting denied.

Rossman: uh.. no comment.. she's all mine...

 

[dakata24]

i guess i didnt have anything to worry about. just got back from the Sprint store along with my Sanyo 5300 phone. it's really $149 but if you buy $36 worth of accessories, they credit $25 plus waive the $36 activation fee. got a holster and headphones..

 

[thomsbrain]

i got a free phone, free activation, and no deposit with AT&T, and i haven't been employed for several years. other than that, my credit is probably pretty good, i don't know what my score is.