Beware of Possible $250 Extra Expense When Buying The iPhone

I’m sure you’ve thought about it long and hard.

You’ve heard all about the magic the iPhone can do as well as considered some of the iPhone drawbacks.

You’re finally now ready to find $600 to buy the iPhone and you drive to the store thinking that you’ll pick one up, go home and start using the phone.

Guess what, some customers are now being required to cough up an additional $250.00 for the same device as the guy behind them in line — and you won’t find out till you get back home.  Here’s why.

HURDLES TO GETTING A WORKING APPLE IPHONE

After paying a whopping $608 ($599 + tax in NY for example) for the iPhone, you won’t walk out of the store with an activated phone which was previously mentioned as one of the iPhone drawbacks.

You’ll have to go home and set-up your PC-to-iPhone connection, install iTunes on your pc, and try to activate your new iPhone online.  That’s when you’ll have to whip out your credit card for the 2nd time and pay for the AT&T Wireless service.  Most customers aren’t aware of this, but AT&T then does a quick credit check before letting you go any further.

Based on the report, if you don’t have a squeaky clean credit history, AT&T may decide that you are required to pay a $250 up-front security deposit to begin service for your new iPhone.

That’s in addition to the $36 iPhone activation fee.  In addition to the 1st month’s $39.99 or higher service plan.  In addition to the $20 data plan add-on service to get internet, email, etc on the iPhone.  That’s in addition to federal, state & local regulartory taxes, surcharges and fees.

Just to be clear, you may want to know upfront how much this iPhone will actually cost you.  $250 + the $2232.13 that you’ve basically agreed to through the Apple iPhone contract = $2482.13!

And just to make matters worse, you’ll have to physically GO BACK to the AT&T Wireless store again to pay your deposit in person since they won’t take payment over the phone – since you failed their credit check!

ESSISTME TIP:  Get AT&T Wireless to run a credit check for you when you first purchase the iPhone and BEFORE you leave the store the first time.  That way, you’ll be able to take care of the deposit before going home.  Otherwise, you’ll just be doing around trip with guaranteed frustration added for free.

Have you experienced this undisclosed potential penalty fee and issue with you activation?  Why not vent and share in the comments?