Sprint just declined me for service should I still get the phone?

[SirSlayer]

Yea I don't think that you will be able to use the phone on another carrier. I know for GSM networks its a little easer, but for CDMA its usually hard or impossible to activate a phone on another carrier.

ROFL, CDMA phones are the easiest to get on another carrier. I had a Sprint Diamond, and Verizon Droid Eris both on Cricket with full functionality. Your comments here made me laugh. You should do some research before making such comments. You give me a CDMA phone and I will flash it to Cricket with ease. Fully programmed and running in less then 20 min.

To the Op, If you have Cricket or Metro PCS in your area you can buy the phone and have it flashed to one of the other networks. You will want to goto a reseller of Cricket, they will flash any cdma phone to cricket.

 

[MisterEd]

ROFL, CDMA phones are the easiest to get on another carrier. I had a Sprint Diamond, and Verizon Droid Eris both on Cricket with full functionality. Your comments here made me laugh. You should do some research before making such comments. You give me a CDMA phone and I will flash it to Cricket with ease. Fully programmed and running in less then 20 min.

To the Op, If you have Cricket or Metro PCS in your area you can buy the phone and have it flashed to one of the other networks. You will want to goto a reseller of Cricket, they will flash any cdma phone to cricket.

From what I have been reading they can flash the phone for VOICE on those carriers but not data or messaging. Are you saying otherwise? Can you provide links to where SMS and DATA was also usable?

 

[icebergslim3000]

The decline is because you answerred the security question wrong. My son wanted Sprint service and when they ran his credit he didnt answer the security questions right because they were referring to my husbands credit report (my son is a jr). 90 days later my son tried again and his father told him the answers and he was approved for 5 lines. I still believe the credit is my husbands because one of the questions referred to my husbands truck. Oh well my son left Sprint for an iphone when it was originially released anyway.

I think this is what may have happened. The problem is they asked me about a relative I don't have contact with other than at family events. It through me off because I don't know when she was born. I also encountered her name again as a security question when trying to apply for a credit card.

I know there is no identity theft going on because I have access to my credit report 24/7. My current scores are 693/Experian 668/Equifax 593/Transunion. Not the greatest but no where near the worst. I plan on contacting all 3 companies and finding why is this question being asked.

In the mean time I'll shoot an email off to the one posted and cross my fingers. Once I get this resolved I have every intention of getting Sprint service. Is there any downside to buying the phone outright at launch and adding the phone service later. Do I save any money by doing this?

 

[SirSlayer]

From what I have been reading they can flash the phone for VOICE on those carriers but not data or messaging. Are you saying otherwise? Can you provide links to where SMS and DATA was also usable?

Just goto the phones forums, I currently have my Droid eris working with Voice, SMS, full internet, market, google navigation, all working. I will post one link that would help just about anyone get a CDMA phone on Cricket. Though you should research it before doing it yourself.

This is the best link, Has just about everything to get you going:
CRICKET PST Settings Thread! by Ryan Mogul - xda-developers

Now with sprint phones you have to figure out the unlock code to program it....but there are tools out there that will work to figure out the Programming password.

 

[clambert1273]

I think this is what may have happened. The problem is they asked me about a relative I don't have contact with other than at family events. It through me off because I don't know when she was born. I also encountered her name again as a security question when trying to apply for a credit card.

I know there is no identity theft going on because I have access to my credit report 24/7. My current scores are 693/Experian 668/Equifax 593/Transunion. Not the greatest but no where near the worst. I plan on contacting all 3 companies and finding why is this question being asked.

In the mean time I'll shoot an email off to the one posted and cross my fingers. Once I get this resolved I have every intention of getting Sprint service. Is there any downside to buying the phone outright at launch and adding the phone service later. Do I save any money by doing this?

Identity questions are provided by the credit reporting agencies but by lexis nexus - which is basically an information hog. You can't dispute them either.. that is another battle.

Call sprint and explain - they will approve you. My scores are lower (due to theft) and I got 3 lines 0 deposit. Call them..seriously...

before I get shouted at - lol I have worked for a consumer lawyer and have also taken law classes in consumer law.. trust me this is NOT the big 3 - but I commend you for tracking 24/7 not many do that need to

 

[icebergslim3000]

Identity questions are provided by the credit reporting agencies but by lexis nexus - which is basically an information hog. You can't dispute them either.. that is another battle.

Call sprint and explain - they will approve you. My scores are lower (due to theft) and I got 3 lines 0 deposit. Call them..seriously...

Is there any reason why I can't just go to a Sprint store and show my I.D. and whatever other papers I need. I can't believe I'm locked out of phone service for 90 days because I answered a question wrong.

 

[carmendiva]

My friend has horrible credit

Default on student loans, massive credit card debt, US celluar like 500 bucks
and ran up like a 100 bucks at a video store keeping porn lol

he did a credit check with sprint
and not only did he not have to pay a deposit but he got a spending limit up to `150 dollars i believe

so this is bizarree

you would think with sprint losing customers so much they'd take what they could get

 

[MisterEd]

Just goto the phones forums, I currently have my Droid eris working with Voice, SMS, full internet, market, google navigation, all working. I will post one link that would help just about anyone get a CDMA phone on Cricket. Though you should research it before doing it yourself.

This is the best link, Has just about everything to get you going:
CRICKET PST Settings Thread! by Ryan Mogul - xda-developers

Now with sprint phones you have to figure out the unlock code to program it....but there are tools out there that will work to figure out the Programming password.

Thanks, sounds good .... but after looking up "Cricket" I will pass. They don't even offer service in Northern NJ or NY City.

My home zip code: 10012 (Change)

We currently do not offer service in your area. Sign up to get notified as soon as Cricket service becomes available in this zip code.

 

[MarqBland]

Umm...couldn't you buy the phone out of contract? Don't they just check your credit if you're going to sign a contract? Maybe you should be really worried as to why your credit was denied. You should check that out and work to get that stuff cleared out. Because, sorry, but being denied from Sprint is almost as bad as being denied from an energy company for gas and electricity. Heck, I know people that got a contract from Sprint that don't even have jobs and have TERRIBLE credit.

 

[sikclown]

Is there any reason why I can't just go to a Sprint store and show my I.D. and whatever other papers I need. I can't believe I'm locked out of phone service for 90 days because I answered a question wrong.

Weird that they asked about a random relative. I wonder if she was on your credit at some point? I only ever get asked about former addresses and cars and things based off of my own credit history. I would get on the phone and plan on spending all day working your way up the ladder. Ask for supervisors and don't take no for an answer. Or yes go into a corporate store and do the same. Getting the EVO without service would be like buying a Porsche without wheels

 

[septro]

I hope it was something related to the ID questions but damn if they turned you down because of your credit - your credit must be Terribad - I mean like so bad Sprint is paying you to stay off their network.

I haven't heard of any phone provider turning down even the worse of credit folks as long as they put down a large enuf deposit. You should call them back.

 

[neodorian]

Sprint has a reputation as a "ghetto" carrier in some circles. Honestly I am not a stuck-up a-hole so I could care less. If they found a good way to do business with poorer people or people with bad credit then more power to them.

Honestly when I got off prepaid in 2002 or 2003 I had little credit and some bad credit. I was on a break from college, had little history except for the occasional late bill payment, and nothing good to balance it out. Every other carrier wanted something like a $500 or higher deposit and I simply didn't have that kind of dough. Thankfully, Sprint would give me an account for a $125 deposit and they put me on a plan that basically kept me from having to pay large deposits while ensuring that I would never skip out on my contract owing them hundreds of dollars.

Essentially I had a spending limit equal to the $125 deposit. If I ever owed more than $125, they could turn off my phone until I paid the bill. After paying the bill the phone would go back on. Thankfully I never had this happen but it was a way to prove myself without spending a fortune on deposits. After a year or so they took away my spending limit and I have stayed with them.

I have no idea if they still do things this way but it worked for me. $125 deposit and spending limit isn't too bad and as long as you pay your bill on time, they will remove the limit and refund your deposit after a couple of years.

 

[clambert1273]

Sprint has a reputation as a "ghetto" carrier in some circles. Honestly I am not a stuck-up a-hole so I could care less. If they found a good way to do business with poorer people or people with bad credit then more power to them.

Honestly when I got off prepaid in 2002 or 2003 I had little credit and some bad credit. I was on a break from college, had little history except for the occasional late bill payment, and nothing good to balance it out. Every other carrier wanted something like a $500 or higher deposit and I simply didn't have that kind of dough. Thankfully, Sprint would give me an account for a $125 deposit and they put me on a plan that basically kept me from having to pay large deposits while ensuring that I would never skip out on my contract owing them hundreds of dollars.

Essentially I had a spending limit equal to the $125 deposit. If I ever owed more than $125, they could turn off my phone until I paid the bill. After paying the bill the phone would go back on. Thankfully I never had this happen but it was a way to prove myself without spending a fortune on deposits. After a year or so they took away my spending limit and I have stayed with them.

I have no idea if they still do things this way but it worked for me. $125 deposit and spending limit isn't too bad and as long as you pay your bill on time, they will remove the limit and refund your deposit after a couple of years.

my spending limit is still there lol thanks to my daughter who ran up the bill over $300 for two months.. ya.. she no longer has a phone

 

[skinnyguy]

wow. i'm in the same hole you are. i'm pretty sure my credit is good...or decent at least. i know i got my mom's age wrong tho (miscalculation).

the messed up thing is, the data about my family that they pulled up was kinda outdated. i don't know if i'm supposed to correct that, like it's part of the pop-quiz, or just answer the question. the questions they asked about my mom and sister had their older names so i just replied, "yea, i know them." i'm not sure if i'm supposed to elaborate how i know them and correct the names in their database or what.

but yea, i gotta wait 60 friggin days.

FML.

 

[skinnyguy]

oh, i was told that another way to get the phone is to have someone you know that is already on sprint to get you a line under them. then after a year, you can transfer the ownership of the line directly to you (but i'm sure you'll need the original owner of the line for that).

 

[icebergslim3000]

wow. i'm in the same hole you are. i'm pretty sure my credit is good...or decent at least. i know i got my mom's age wrong tho (miscalculation).

the messed up thing is, the data about my family that they pulled up was kinda outdated. i don't know if i'm supposed to correct that, like it's part of the pop-quiz, or just answer the question. the questions they asked about my mom and sister had their older names so i just replied, "yea, i know them." i'm not sure if i'm supposed to elaborate how i know them and correct the names in their database or what.

but yea, i gotta wait 60 friggin days.

FML.

You see this makes no sense. These's steps are used for identity theft but what happens when legitimate customers get's asked questions that are outdated or make no sense. Why can't I walk into a Sprint Store, present my I.D. and necessary papers and sign up for an account. Is there a federal guideline as to what questions can and can not be asked when verifying someones identity.

I'm assuming people don't get asked these silly questions when signing up in person at the store. All they need to do is look at their Id. There has to be something I can do to get this rectified. I am not waiting 60 days because they asked about a relative that lives on the far side of the family.

 

[ImmaSlave4U]

^ Please let us know when you hear back after e-mailing dan@sprint.com - have you emailed them a detailed email about what happened? Be sure to include a phone number so they can call you if need-be.

 

[ramonini]

i had no credit what so ever and all they ask me was for a 100 deposit and on a 150 spending limit ..

 

[icebergslim3000]

^ Please let us know when you hear back after e-mailing dan@sprint.com - have you emailed them a detailed email about what happened? Be sure to include a phone number so they can call you if need-be.

I emailed them yesterday. I haven't heard anything yet. What's funny is something similar happened with this guy here. Is that dan email some insider thing. What makes them special.

Sprint needs to drop this whole 3rd party id verification process. They are asking completely out of date questions. I'm going to start the long journey tomorrow of contacting people at Sprint to get this fixed. If I don't see some resolution within a week I'm going to start contacting newspapers and tv stations.

There's nothing better than stories of people being denied credit and phone service because of a 3rd parties inability to keep up to date records. In fact it could start a debate about what is an ethical question to ask when verifying someone's identity. All I know is this crap needs to be cleared up by June 4th.

 

[ImmaSlave4U]

^ it's a separate devision within customer care. They work Mon-Fri so that's why you've not heard anything yet. Expect an email or phone call from them tomorrow or Tues. I have had better luck with them than regular cust serv. I really hope you get this B.S. figured out...I know you're more than frustrated at the moment! Keep us posted.

 

[kevinrs]

Declined only normally comes up with sprint if you have a bad past with sprint, or they could not verify your identity. In this case, since they asked verification questions, it's probably a verification problem. Most of the time the questions are not even asked unless it's something like the address being given not matching your credit info(you just moved, for example)
The letter in 7-10 days would have more info on exactly what the problem was.

One thing to remember, no or none of the above are possibly valid answers, I've seen people answering the questions with no, none, no, none of those, etc, and get approved, the questions are a test, answering a multiple choice question with one of a,b,c that is wrong is worse than saying no, none of them, if that's the truth.

 

[skinnyguy]

hm...well, that brings up another point for me. one of the things they asked was if i have lived in my current location for at least 2 years. i haven't made 2 years yet, but come next month it should be 2 years. i believe i told the rep, "almost 2 years".

 

[burgertime]

It should be able to be flashed to Cricket. You won't have 4g service but their service really isn't that bad. You just can't travel much with it. If you stay in city you should be fine. Though I'm not sure if Chicago is an AWS market or not. If it is then you can't do that.

 

[carmendiva]

Cricket is horrible....my friend has it.
Literally, don't leave your cricket area
because the phone doesn't even roam if im not mistaken.

MEans that you will not have signal whatsoever

 

[BlackDynamite]

Cricket is horrible....my friend has it.
Literally, don't leave your cricket area
because the phone doesn't even roam if im not mistaken.

MEans that you will not have signal whatsoever

Cricket uses the Sprint network as native coverage, and you can buy roaming minutes (for Verizon or whatever networks they roam on).