The only thing I can help you w/ is the calling plan.

Obviously, you'd want to go with a nationwide plan, Fair & Flexible for example. Lock your phone on "Sprint PCS" only mode, and you won't have to worry about roaming charges.

As for the phone itself, is there any reason you're stuck on the LG? Gotta tell you, I've had both LG's and Sanyo's, and I won't buy anything other than a Sanyo phone. Any questions, feel free to let me know. Hope this helps... 😁

Yes, the reason is that of the phones I see currently offered by Sprint, this one appears to me to be reasonably priced for the features I want.

I would like to be able to listen to music on occasion and other then the A800 I do not see a phone where I can do this. Both phones appear to have memory cards which I also thought was important to carry around some albums. Other then that physically the phones appear almost identical to me - and the features and cost of the A800 I can do without.

I do have another question about locking my phone only into Sprint PCS. The PCS band is 1900mhz from what I understand, would I still be able to take advantage of the AMPS850 and CDMA850 bands when traveling?

I'm confused how the Fair and Flex...
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You don't have to lock your phone..There are no roaming charges with the new FF plans

The Fiar & Flex plans include a certian amount of minutes (used to be 100, may have changed since) you can use off the Sprint network (1900). You can use the alternate CDMA 850, but that will not be on the network, therefor "roaming" will apply.

AMPS 850 is analog, which is becoming few-and-far-between for most people. If you live in a town w/ over 10,000 people, chances are you won't be using analog.

While your phone is locked on "Sprint PCS only", you will only be able to use the 1900 MHZ band.

Thank you, I did not realize that.

I was under the impression having the alternate frequency bands would enable to take full advantage of the Sprint network. I never realized that CDMA 850 towers (if I used) would be considering roaming.

Only on Sprint... If you go w/ Verizon on an America's Choice calling plan, you can use the 850 and it won't be billed as "roaming".

Hope this helped... anything else, let me know. 🙂

The Fair and Flexible plans now include roaming so you won't be charged for using 850 anyways.

Actually it depends on your market. If the city that your number will be based out of, ie your market, says that the roaming is included in the plan, then it is whichever band you are on. If there is an extra charge for it, usually $10, then you only get 100 roaming minutes. You would want to check with the store and make sure that you are not in an affiliate market.

If you have a phone with v.40, just hit Menu-9-9-8 and your phone will update automatically. I find some of the corporate store employees the most incompetent about thier jobs. Than again, you might have phrased it wrong to them and they got confused.

No I do not think so.

I am versed in tech-speak and after having asked the representative to show me the firmware version, and then having to explain what firmware was, I was fairly sure I did not have the most well informed representative.

Even more amazing to me, was that the person who manned the "window" where they would do technical support such as firmware upgrades told me that it would take 45 minutes to upgrade the phones firmware. 45 minutes??!!??

I can upgrade the bios on my computer in less then a minute, why would it take 45 minutes on a phone? I found this most puzzling, however, did not inquire futher.

Maybe 45 minutes with the phones he's worked before. But now it's all over the air and does not require a visit to any store to upgrade.

I didn't thing you were versed when you mentioned Openwave and Wi-Fi in the same sentence, considering how unrelated they are.

🤣 Touche

I come from the computer world were the same thing can be called by multiple names. I have discovered things are much different in the Cellular world.

It really amazes me cell phones are at their current stage of development/cost considering what is possible in computers.

Thanks!

Yes I was under the impression that it was WI-FI compatiable. I wasn't aware that was a feature confined to smart phones.

What video formats can it play? I asked the representative in the Corporate store and he just stared at me blankly for awhile.

*.3gp and *.3g2 short for 3gpp and 3gpp2, respectively. If you're gonna want to put movies on your phone, you'll have to get special programs like Quicktime Pro to do the conversion to this format.

Wow, I was hoping it could do some version of MPEG or AVI. I have never messed much with video encoding.

Just so I can be sure, I would be able to take most any video I find (MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, MOV) and convert them to the formats you listed?

Quicktime Pro won't do WMV, but should with the other formats. I'm sure there are other apps out there that'll support WMV. 3gp is MPEG, just encoded for smaller devices. And it supports streaming, but that's beyond the scope of this topic.

Yes that is what my boyfriend said, however, having been the relative of victims of Identity theft and nearly one myself I have learned to guard my private information quite closely.

What I do not understand is that when I originally tried to get landline phone service, Sprint said the exact same thing. However, after speaking to a manager, they made it clear to me that they could obtain the same information from the Credit Bureau without having me surrender my personal information.

I never ended up giving my SS number to them (why on earth should they have it in the first place) and I was able to get service. I never expected them to give me any kind of special treatment based on how I look or act, however, I have encountered this...
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Maybe your relatives who've been a victim, but you're blowing it way out of proportion. Sprint reps (and all wireless reps for that matter) see hundreds of social security numbers and personal information all the time. Really, you're being a bit nieve. I never had to give up my social for a landline, either. Contrary to what people are telling you, you need a social to look up credit information. That's the only thing that will really identify you among the credit bureau's records.

Thank you alot for your help Halo, I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I honestly do not think I am blowing it out of proportion. I have been told numerous times that I would have to give my SS number out and after protest, have always been able to achieve results without having to surrender my personal information.

I understand your side, but have to politely disagree. With new laws being enacted to reduce the use of SS numbers by businesses, I think my actions are most likely prudent to ensuring my privacy and identity.

Actually you are being foolish. Some people come into the store giving SSN's knowing that it's not their SSN's. Then they get mad at Store representatives (Sprint, Nextel, Cingular, etc.) because their services are disconnected for "fraudulent" information given. And the phones that they bought can't be used or given to any one else because of fraudulent activity.

Other times people come into the stores with their information and that's when they find out that they have been victims of identity theft because they don't check their own Credit Report. Then they get mad at the Store representatives because they can't service.

No one at any of the wireless services is going to "sell" your information.

I have heard that there are laws being enacted to make it illegal for a business to refuse to give you service if you do not provide your SSN, however, one of the consequences of being unwilling to give that information is going to be the deposit. You're concerned about your own security, so you don't want to give it out. Understandable. However, Sprint is also concerned about their own security. If you refuse to give out your SSN, Sprint has to have some assurance that they are not going to be giving the phone to someone who is never going to pay the bill. The deposit shows that this is a person who does have an income of some sort. And Sprint never sells any of your information. Ever. It's all used internally, and we have very specific rul...
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The truth is you do not have to give out your ssn. no one can deny you if you do not. but hear is the catch. sprint requires a form of government issued id, which they have a leagal right to do.

they can run a credit check with just your drivers licens number. but hear is the thing. do you have any credit accumulated under the drivers licens number? chances are you will have to pay a deposit.

why do they have to run credit? phone companies take a huge risk when you sign up for service. there is the loss they take on the equipment 180$ minimum loss. then there is also the cost of just setting up your account which averages 80$ per line. so by just activateing a new line of service with you sprint looses atleast $360 per each line. the...
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WellsFargo sees many SS#s a day, probably a lot more than Sprint. None of them stole a number, but, a few of their computers were stolen. Same with many other companies. The servers or computers get stolen or lost, and it's pretty much downhill from there.

It sounds like the kind of questions they would ask you are the same ones they ask when you have a consumer statement on your account with the credit bureaus. It stands to reason that the credit check department would be able to contact the bureaus and confirm it this way without a social. As for the stores, everyone in every company is limited by the software they have at hand. They may not be able to push it through and still have things work as it should on their end. That being said, it should be possible but you might have to settle for a phone being mailed to you in a worst case scenario.

Sherryphone said: however, I have encountered this situation in the past and have been able to get a credit check without having to surrender my person information.

How do you expect them to get a credit rating without your personal information? It's what links you to your credit file.

I can understand not wanting to disclose this information, but to act indignant that they'd request a $150 deposit is a bit much.

A credit score doesn't accurately reflect someone's ability to pay either. Let's say I take out a few cards, charge a bit on them, and make regular payments. Well, if my salary just allows me to make those payments and nothing else, I'd have a good score, but no disposible income to pay Sprint.

Or, let's say I was smart, never borrowed any money, have thousands in the bank, a job that pays $75k/year, but because I never borrowed money, my score's a bit low.

Same thing, credit scores really aren't good for much, I don't know why people make such a big deal out of them.

davidg4781 said:
A credit score doesn't accurately reflect someone's ability to pay either. Let's say I take out a few cards, charge a bit on them, and make regular payments. Well, if my salary just allows me to make those payments and nothing else, I'd have a good score, but no disposible income to pay Sprint.

Or, let's say I was smart, never borrowed any money, have thousands in the bank, a job that pays $75k/year, but because I never borrowed money, my score's a bit low.

Same thing, credit scores really aren't good for much, I don't know why people make such a big deal out of them.

But at least it's SOME way of a company determing how likely it is that you will pay your bills on time. If someon...
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davidg4781 said:
A credit score doesn't accurately reflect someone's ability to pay either. Let's say I take out a few cards, charge a bit on them, and make regular payments. Well, if my salary just allows me to make those payments and nothing else, I'd have a good score, but no disposible income to pay Sprint.

This isn't actually true.

If you don't have any disposable income, and it reflects in your bills, you WILL have a low credit score, EVEN IF you pay all your bills on time.

Now, it is possible that you don't have any disposable income because of things that don't show up on your credit report, say, you have a gambling problem...your bookie isn't exactly going to report that to the Credit Bu...
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If the difference between giving out your social to sprint (like millions of other already have) is 10 lines/no deposit or 2 lines/$150 deposit per line, what would the obvious choice be?

Hmm... somehow I'm forfeiting my rights by getting MORE out of giving my social? What have I really lost? Have all my credit cards been suddenly maxed out? Do I have collectors calling me from companies I have never heard of. Besides, you can easily do it online and a human being never has to even look at it.

I see.

A slow and steady erosion of your personal rights and privacy is perfectly acceptable to you as long as you are able to get a short-term benefit.

It's acceptable to use personal and private information in ways it was never created or intended to be used, as long as, you get a short-term benefit.


Besides, you can easily do it online and a human being never has to even look at it.


Except for the fact that the information is stored in databases and people can and are able to view it.

Maybe not the way it was personally intended, but the standard now. If you want to pay your way through to not have to give out your info, that's up to you. I'm sure you're gonna enjoy paying the 20% down payment on your house that you need to skip the credit check. Hope you enjoy writing checks to buy your car. Didn't realize you carry so much cash on you. Oh, and enjoy paying that deposit on your wireless service.

What rights am I loosing? What can't I do now that I was able to do before? Privacy from what? My credit card company doesn't know who my mobile provider is?

It seems like you think there's some kind of conspiracy theory going on.

Your youth belies the nature of your statements.

You speak on the matter with a failure to understand the privacy concerns regarding the disclosure of one's SSN.

If you find it to be acceptable because it is the status quo, by all means, that is your right. However, if you accept the status quo, we are completely different beasts.

I will never accept the status quo, and I will never allow things to happen, solely because they happen elsewhere.

I hope you also understand that there are alternative ways of having your credit checked that do not involve having you disclose your SSN.

What rights am I loosing? What can't I do now that I was able to do before? Privacy from what? My credit card company doesn't know who

...
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It is up to you whether or not you would like to disclose your Social Security Number. If you believe that it is a breach of personal and legal right to provide a SSN to a representative than feel free to withhold it. I personally disagree with the idea of providing a SSN as well, but with, and only with, the SSN can a company prove you are who you state you are, and run a credit check. Companies have been taken advantage of by people who refuse to pay bills. If you would like to withhold the SSN then do it, but you will have a deposit. A company can't afford to be taken advantage of.

Hey, If you dont want to give out your SSN# then go down to Mexico and get a new one for $20. 😁

Sadly, it is that simple...

Your credit can be run w/o having to give your SSN, and in this industry it does not automatically mean a high deposit.

Then it would almost appear that this thread has reached an impasse? Overall, what then would be the purpose of having a SSN? The one thing that helps identify you vs OTHERS. Kind of like if you did not give them your SSN, you run the risk of ruining someone elses identity? Similar name and street but city/state don't match and they align your new Sprint account with the wrong person, who knows... I don't care, I was able to restore my credit from identity theft from checking my free credit reports once a year and filling out the dispute forms... You know what, just go with Tracfone...

The purpose of a Social Security Number is for the government to know how many credits you've earned during your work history so they can provide you an accurate Social Security income. If you look at the back of it, it even states that the card is not an identification card. I think the main problem people are concerned with is not that a rep or Sprint will sell or give out their info, but that it may be stolen, like WellsFargo's information was, about a year ago.

😕

I know w/ Verizon you can do a credit check w/o a social sec. #. Just gotta pay a $400 deposit 😁

Thats not necessarily true, as we have gotten credit approval by using the last 4 of the social, or if a customer is really adamant about not giving out any part of the social then we have faxed a pic id, a utility bill to credit and verified a 2nd form of id to get approval

Not true, don't know where you're getting your info from. Yes, you can use those items as a SECOND FORM of ID, but in the western half of the US, in EROES, you can not leave less than 9 #s in the social sec. spot, and credit will not let you run over the phone w/o a complete social #.

Things may be different for the east coast, but that's how it is on the west.

Yeah I'm in the east. We dummy out the 1st 5 numbers, enter in the last 4 and then give credit a call. Takes a few minutes for them to approve it but it'll get done

That would make my job a little easier, lucky you!

YOu need two forms of Id like a green card and a license or something similiar. I know Sprint and Alltel will do it. Normally they not find a credit file and assess a no credit file found class so at alltel it is like 300 and at sprint I think it is like 150.

I agree 100% but I am curious how somebody would run a credit check w/o a SS#

Actually, with just an SSN, you can find out all kinds of information about a person.

Regardless of whether or not "everyone" does it, and it is the accepted standard today, the LAW actually does state that a social security number cannot be required in order to do business with a company. It doesn't say that they can't require a deposit, of course, for a refusal to provide it.

In point of fact, the credit bureaus are breaking the letter of the law by using your SSN as their primary index; in practical terms, however, it wouldn't matter WHAT number they use for that purpose, SSN or not, the same information would be available to a would-be thief if they had that id number instead. In other words, for those "conspiracy theorists" out ...
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Thank you SO MUCH! I wanted to answer this, but didn't feel like typing that much, but, you'd already posted it

Darth Ridiculous said:
Thank you SO MUCH! I wanted to answer this, but didn't feel like typing that much, but, you'd already posted it

LOL I like to type too much 🙂

fed tax id is the same thing as a social depending on the way you have your business set up. Either way, a tax id has business credit, and if the business is less then 2 years old you can count on a $250 deposit.

This is also untrue, somewhat. if you have a business that is 9 mo. old, but, very active credit wise with the tax id AND paying the debts as agreed,l then you dont necessarily have a 250.00 deposit. Had a gentleman just 2 weeks or so ago who had 5 lines/0 deposit with no social or tax id. Credit is not just applied with your social and/or tax id. it can be tracked by name, address, maiden name, area, etc

Re: WHAT ARE THE OTHER WAYS TO RUN CREDIT????

by PIMPBILLSON84 Oct 22, 2005, 12:06 PM



there is a certain way to run credit w/o ss# but they will need fed tax id or just the highest deposit amount per line.


This is a terribly untrue statement

Thank you for the response.