[Gdeputy]

So, this will be (hopefully) my new phone. 3G is in an area im in 5 days a week, unfortunately not at my home, but I know I'll get good amount of use out of it.

I have a question though, I've never had a cell in my own name before, and when I called AT&T to see if my credit would qualify me the guy told me it would hurt my credit score just having it checked, and I should do it on the day I buy the phone,

I don't want to go to get the phone and be denied you know? Thats degrading. I had a credit check through Experian (non harming to credit) and it told me my credit score was 713. Now, I'm pretty new to credit, I've only had my credit card two months, but my payments have been full balance every time.

Basically, do you guys think this score is enough to be able to set up a 2 year contract for the iPhone and not need a deposit? I don't really want to put down more than an extra 100 at most.

[::maroma::]

You have to have a pretty terrible credit history to be denied a contract from AT&T, or so I've been told. My score is not very good and I had no trouble getting my iPhone contract last year. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about it at all. It should go smoothly for you when you go in to buy one.

[turtle777]

With an Experian credit score of 713, you should not have a problem getting the iPhone.

The Experian score goes from 330 to 830. So 713 is pretty dang good. The National average is 693: Experian National Score Index - Free Experian Credit Score & Free Credit Report - See How Your Credit Score Compares

-t

[GuyWithACamera]

You can get pre-approved before you buy the iPhone. They'll give you an account number to use when you go in to get the phone and signed up.

Being that I haven't gotten a loan in years, I was concerned about being approved (you have to use credit for a good score) so I applied when I went into the AT&T store to ask some questions. I was approved with no problem. I have no idea what my score is and its not really a concern for me. The rep wrote down a number for me to provide when I go in to purchase and set up my account.

With a score of 713 with Experian, you should have no problem. At most, you'll have to put down a deposit.

Too many credit checks can put dings in your score but 1 or 2 sparsely spaced apart won't kill your chances of qualifying for loans and such.

As far as the 3G issue, the local rep I spoke with told me they "should" have 3G in the area by the end of the year. "Should" is a little vague of a term for my skepticism. I'll be giving up the Verizon coverage for the spotty AT&T network. :/

[Gdeputy]

Originally Posted by GuyWithACamera 

You can get pre-approved before you buy the iPhone. They'll give you an account number to use when you go in to get the phone and signed up.

Being that I haven't gotten a loan in years, I was concerned about being approved (you have to use credit for a good score) so I applied when I went into the AT&T store to ask some questions. I was approved with no problem. I have no idea what my score is and its not really a concern for me. The rep wrote down a number for me to provide when I go in to purchase and set up my account.

With a score of 713 with Experian, you should have no problem. At most, you'll have to put down a deposit.

Too many credit checks can put dings in your score but 1 or 2 sparsely spaced apart won't kill your chances of qualifying for loans and such.

As far as the 3G issue, the local rep I spoke with told me they "should" have 3G in the area by the end of the year. "Should" is a little vague of a term for my skepticism. I'll be giving up the Verizon coverage for the spotty AT&T network. :/

I called to get pre-approved but they guy said they can't do it anymore. I mentioned the number or whatever iw as supposed to get that i could use and he said that doesnt work anymore.. i guess i'll take my chances on launch day and pray haha.

[Randman]

You may be asked to pay a security deposit depending on your history as well.

[GuyWithACamera]

Originally Posted by Gdeputy 

I called to get pre-approved but they guy said they can't do it anymore. I mentioned the number or whatever iw as supposed to get that i could use and he said that doesnt work anymore.. i guess i'll take my chances on launch day and pray haha.

Was this a local AT&T store? That's where I did it and it was in person, not on the phone.

[Gdeputy]

Originally Posted by GuyWithACamera 

Was this a local AT&T store? That's where I did it and it was in person, not on the phone.

on the phone. If I go into AT&T tommarow and they run the check will I need to be run again on friday? I really only want it ran through one time..

[Zeeb]

Odd, why do simple credit checks hurt your score? What a racket the credit industry is.

[Ryanhdd]

it will show an inquiry to your credit, that is all. this can be taken negatively to a company. so its better to not have a lot of inquiries to your credit. If you have a lot of these it can lower your credit score.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Zeeb 

Odd, why do simple credit checks hurt your score? What a racket the credit industry is.

ONE credit check alone will not hurt a lot.

But the more you do, the more it will hurt your score. The reasoning is that you are most likely shopping around for a loan or credit, and then start using it.

-t

[BoingoBongo]

Don't worry about getting approved. The other day I went to AT&T with my friend who wanted to get a new phone. He's a great guy, but if it were possible to have a negative credit score, that would be him. His credit is awful. They let him sign up no problem with no deposit, so I can almost guarantee that you'll be fine.

I had to pay a deposit way back when I originally signed up with Cingular, but that was because I had no credit at the time.

[::maroma::]

Even in AT&T's dumb little "Get iReady!" YouTube campaign they tell people to get pre-approved so you don't have to do it on launch day. I would assume they would do it in person and not over the phone. Or the dude you were talking to was lying, or the dude on the YouTube clip was lying.