Cell phone shop insisted on credit app
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I've witnessed this kind of thing but never experienced it. I usually witnessed it in stores in very bad neighborhoods.
Is that legal to do? If they are selling a product, why must they have your credit info first before they give you any information? Did they not give you anything at all? I've never experienced this yet. Can't they just give you general information? So, did you report this back on your form? Doesn't this sound like reverse redlining?
-Yeah We all shine on, like the moon, and the stars, and the sun. -John Lennon.
The price of the contract can depend on your credit. You can say oh darn I never did memorize my soc number what are the ranges of the contract prices.
that associate is likely to no longer be working there,
and if it was the owner, they could lose their right to sell the brand
because that is against their franchise agreements with
all the major carriers...
and if it was the owner, they could lose their right to sell the brand
because that is against their franchise agreements with
all the major carriers...
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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
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When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
The newer cell phone shops say that you must allow a credit check if asked and it's a "soft" credit check. I read those guidelines and there are 4 scenarios to choose from. I am going to choose choice #4 for a prepaid, so they won't run a credit check. 
There is no way I will allow a credit check.
There is no way I will allow a credit check.
@sunnydays there are several companies that do cell phone shops,
and the one she is referring to, says do not allow them to run a check.
and the one she is referring to, says do not allow them to run a check.
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There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
I experienced this on the very first mystery shop I did. I wasn't an experienced shopper then and I just didn't allow my credit to be run. It sort of made me angry because I felt that it is their job sell cell phones. She wasn't busy and there is not any reason why she couldn't provide information. I just filled out my report and indicated what happened. I have done many cell phone shops since then and have never run into this again.
Pattyben
That happened to me, wow, probably three years ago. It was at a Walmart. I reported exactly what happened and did get paid.
I no longer do cell phone shops...I just don't like them.
I no longer do cell phone shops...I just don't like them.
Cerise, I reported this in detail. As of now (noon the day after the report) I haven't heard from the MSC with any questions.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I recently saw some cell phone shops which required you to submit to a credit check. Like someone else said I think the contract prices vary greatly depending on your credit rating. Maybe some stores have adopted this policy to everyone that walks in the door. Doesn't seem very customer service friendly though.
My guidelines said not to allow a credit check, which is the reason I was surprised they required one. From the guidelines, it appeared they weren't supposed to require a credit check. I shopped another store of the same brand a few days previously. They did not mention a credit application and quoted prices on several plans.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
I suspect the don't-allow-a-credit-check guideline was there precisely because some locations were requiring credit checks, against the client's wishes.
That may be one of the reasons they have these shops. To catch the stores/associates who are requiring credit checks when they shouldn't be.
Hi,
I have completed a lot of cell phone shops and have never experienced that. The legal issue is asking for personal information, before you have decided to purchase phone and service with that company. I am sure, like someone said, if that was in your report that person is probably no longer at that store.
I have completed a lot of cell phone shops and have never experienced that. The legal issue is asking for personal information, before you have decided to purchase phone and service with that company. I am sure, like someone said, if that was in your report that person is probably no longer at that store.
I worked at a cell kiosk and credit checks are run to determine if a deposit and/or spending limit is applicable. The cost of the service is the same, no matter your credit rating. Someone with "bad" credit may be required to pay a $500 deposit and a spend limit of $100 per month (meaning two lines or so).
I agree that it's unethical to "prove your worth" before the sales pitch, but understand that so many people have bad credit and demand a new, expensive phone with no money up front. That's why some carriers are moving toward a non-subsidized plan base.
I agree that it's unethical to "prove your worth" before the sales pitch, but understand that so many people have bad credit and demand a new, expensive phone with no money up front. That's why some carriers are moving toward a non-subsidized plan base.
I received an inquiry from the MSC questioning why the associate did not show the cell phones and do a demonstration. Based on this inquiry, I believe the MSC is looking at this presentation as being in two parts, the phone demonstration pitch and the service plan pitch. My position going into the shop was that I was looking for a new phone with a service plan, not a new phone and a service plan. I may have been a little off base there, as the MSC seems now to be looking at the phone and the service plan as actually two shops, or two parts of the same shop.
I provided the associate with a drivers license for identity, but I refused to provide a social or date of birth. I continued to press for plan information and after becoming frustrated the associate said "Well, if you want to buy a phone I can just sell you a phone." We were at the desk and the associate did not rise or make any other move to approach the phone display area or show me any phones. Guidelines were to not ask for a demonstration.
Comments? What do you think?
I provided the associate with a drivers license for identity, but I refused to provide a social or date of birth. I continued to press for plan information and after becoming frustrated the associate said "Well, if you want to buy a phone I can just sell you a phone." We were at the desk and the associate did not rise or make any other move to approach the phone display area or show me any phones. Guidelines were to not ask for a demonstration.
Comments? What do you think?
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
Wow I have done a lot of these shops and never been asked to run a credit check. Sometimes I don't even give them my correct name so I am not about to give them my drivers license. I think that may have been what they were looking for especially if the shop instructions stated not to give any credit information-just a thought.
I'd just report it how it went down. If these people aren't doing their job, that's for the client to decide.
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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.
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I pray it does not occur that the last thing I did before I died was vacuum the house or eat broccoli.
Itsasecret, I agree. I don't think I made my question clear. When the associate said "Well, if you want to buy a phone I can just sell you a phone" without making any move to get up or move toward the phones, was he offering a demonstration? By not saying "Yes, I just want to buy a phone only" was I turning down an offer of a demonstration? I was not supposed to ask for a demonstration, and I was waiting on him to initiate the demonstration. Did I make a mistake here?
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
He said that's all he needed. I interpreted that to mean he would go on with the presentation. It turned out that was not all he needed, and he asked for a social and date of birth.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
rainy Wrote:
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> That may be one of the reasons they have these
> shops. To catch the stores/associates who are
> requiring credit checks when they shouldn't be.
Bingo,
Social Security numbers are private and are required for very limited circumstances. An inquiry into a cell phone is certainly NOT one of those.
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> That may be one of the reasons they have these
> shops. To catch the stores/associates who are
> requiring credit checks when they shouldn't be.
Bingo,
Social Security numbers are private and are required for very limited circumstances. An inquiry into a cell phone is certainly NOT one of those.
Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut
More and more of the cellular phone providers want to run a credit check. Usually in my experiences the rep tries to sell this as a great thing. Example: "We can run your credit right now so we can find out what kind of phone you qualify for." Others will explain the necessity of a credit check so they can accurately quote the cost of a plan. I'm still not going for it.
It's an offensive practice. I can figure out my own financial situation and payment commitments on my own, thank ya very much. If you want to sell me a phone, tell me about it. I'm not going to pre-qualify myself like I'm a new home buyer. Get real.
When I run into this demand, which has been occurring more frequently lately, I tell them I am looking at the options they offer and seeking information. I then will ask if they are able to provide me with that information. So far, that has been effective at warding off further requests to run a check, as well as to get the rep to get on with their sales presentation pronto.
It's an offensive practice. I can figure out my own financial situation and payment commitments on my own, thank ya very much. If you want to sell me a phone, tell me about it. I'm not going to pre-qualify myself like I'm a new home buyer. Get real.
When I run into this demand, which has been occurring more frequently lately, I tell them I am looking at the options they offer and seeking information. I then will ask if they are able to provide me with that information. So far, that has been effective at warding off further requests to run a check, as well as to get the rep to get on with their sales presentation pronto.
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"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
Is this the cell phone shop that only pays $10.00? I had started a previous post asking if that was an April Fool's joke. I am not going to have someone run my credit, even a soft check, for $10.00. I have worked hard to build up my credit rating. I am not willing to mess that up.
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“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
“I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
~ Jimi Hendrix
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” ~ Mark Twain
“To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” ~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
I'm seeing several different cellular providers doing this, Shop2. I'm with you. A credit check, soft or hard or otherwise, is just not gonna happen. This is ridiculous.
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
This was a heavily bonused and deadline shop. I made every effort to get the presentation on plans available as I had a lot of money and a lot of driving time involved. The associate made it clear he was required to get a credit application. He said, at one point, "This is not me."
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
Wow, Mary. Sounds like this provider was really taking a hard line on this credit check. Sorry you had to deal with that. Any hints on which client? I'd like to avoid this if at all possible.
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
The guy forced the credit check down my throat. Since the guidelines said I must allow it, I let him run the check. (I was NOT happy about that). This is a freakin mystery shop. Why do we have to hand over sensitive information (our social #) Huge turn off...
The next day, two of my Credit Alert Services notified me of a hard credit hit. (supposedly this was supposed to be a soft hit).
So, I will never again take a particular MS companie's cell phone shop.
It really irked my a** that he was getting my credit report BEFORE he ever showed me the da* phones.....
It's like forcing you to swallow bad medicine.
My other gripe: He said, "You don't have to sign a contract" but yet you MUST sign an "Agreement" to pay for 24 months. I asked him what happens if you don't pay the 24 months? He said you MUST pay the agreed money.
How the HE** is this any different than a 2 year contract?
I am DONE with a certain cell phone shop.....ugh...
The next day, two of my Credit Alert Services notified me of a hard credit hit. (supposedly this was supposed to be a soft hit).
So, I will never again take a particular MS companie's cell phone shop.
It really irked my a** that he was getting my credit report BEFORE he ever showed me the da* phones.....
It's like forcing you to swallow bad medicine.
My other gripe: He said, "You don't have to sign a contract" but yet you MUST sign an "Agreement" to pay for 24 months. I asked him what happens if you don't pay the 24 months? He said you MUST pay the agreed money.
How the HE** is this any different than a 2 year contract?
I am DONE with a certain cell phone shop.....ugh...
This all sounds so over the top. Do MSCs really think that experienced shoppers are going to keep doing these assignments if the client is going to insist on credit checks? You can definitely count me out. I'll leave them for the CLs.
_____________________________________________________________________________
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space.
In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
~Viktor Frankl
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