I know that upon signing up for a new contract with T-mobile they run a credit check on you. However, I'm only eighteen and just received my credit card about a week ago. I'm eager to get a phone in my own name, but how long is it going to take me to build up sufficient credit, and what exactly do they look for? I'm not exactly too keen on handing over a huge deposit because my credit isn't sufficient enough (I know they do this at other companies, I'm assuming T-mobile is the same). If anyone could help me out with this, I'd appreciate it. I'd rather not have my parents sign a contract for me and pay through my parents, especially when I'll be moving within the next year.
Stop by a T-Mobile store and ask them to run a credit check on you and see what they come up with. T-Mobile generally is pretty leniant, and no credit is often better than bad credit so you may be okay, but the best thing to do would be stop by or call T-Mobile and ask them to run a credit check for you.
Oh okay! I'll probably stop by after I pay my bill. Does anyone know roughly how much a deposit with T-mobile would be if my credit check is rejected? If it's reasonable I wouldn't have a problem with paying it, but I've heard of some pretty high ones that would take an entire months worth of work to get for me.
I've heard of some being as low as $75!! Thats signing on to smart access where u have a spending limit...But stop by a store and see what the can do for you!!
Ah yes, I contacted t-mobile the other day and they got back to me and said something about smart access and spending limits, which doesn't bother me since I'm not getting a huge plan. But does that include what phone you're going to get within the "monthly spending"? I feel like I've been bugging them forever now haha. On a happier note I get paid in a few days so if everything goes according to plan I should have my new phone!
I believe Smart Access is only regarding the monthly balance you can have, and a limit to a certain mumber of plans. I don't think your initial phone purchase matters. I think after one year of good payment histroy, you can move to a regular TM plan.
Okay cool-- sounds good to me! I don't need a lot of minutes anyway, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. I'll probably go in within the next few weeks. Thanks for the help guys!
This is the explanation that I received from "Ask TMobile". SmartAccess [SmartAccess helps you control your spending by setting a limit on your account for select plans. You will receive all of the benefits of regular postpaid service, but if your total balance exceeds the allowable limit, TMobile may temporarily interrupt your service until a payment is made to bring your balance to $100.00 or below. TMobile will notify you when your balance approaches the limit, to give you time to make a payment and avoid an interruption in service. You may change your rate plan at any time to any plan available to SmartAccess customers. You may dial 611 from your handset to make a payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Payments may also be made in person or online through My TMobile, and may take up to 24 hours to post to your account. The system must register your payment before your service may be reinstated, and you may need to shut off your phone and turn it back on to re-register on the network to resume making calls.] **** Matt you are correct when you said that after a year of having a good payment history with TMobile a customer can move off of SmartAccess and on to the regular one or two year plans.
By they way there are two types of Smart Access. One is called a credit class Q smart access where you pay $35 on your first bill and a $0 deposit (both credit classes have the same restrictions) and the second one is a T where you pay the $75 up front. I only had a credit card for 3 weeks and I was a credit class Q. Though if you want to get a phone at a REALLY good price, I'd check with Compusa (I added a Motorola v3t for FREE w/ a 2 year contract on my account) or Wal Mart. Almost always, it's going to be a little more at a corporate store (when you first sign up of course) and even more at a dealer because they get less commission on smart access, so to make up they charge more on the phone. Good luck and let us know what happens!
Yes he is, and I have 3 months to go! This is the longest I've stuck with a carrier LOL as well as the same phone number.
