Cell phone plan question - Page 2

stts · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/12/2014 mima said:
You do know you will owe some for canceling the contract before it was up? This can be big amounts if you still have quite a while left on the contract time.

Let me be clear, we are not the party that did not pay for the phone! We are getting a phone for our grandson because *his mother is not paying the bill* on his current phone. We have NO TIES to delinquent phone or bill.

stts · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/12/2014 Abrowneyegirl said:
On 1/12/2014 stts said:
On 1/12/2014 Abrowneyegirl said:
No, not until the contract is up and paid in full OR she pays what is due and pays to cancel the contract. Until then the number is tied to that account.

This is what I thought but wasn't sure. With an IPhone will his contacts be in a master account through them for easy transfer? ICloud account?

This is an interesting dilemma!?!! The concern is is the account tied to the phone? The issue is security, this can not be easy; as a way to prevent hacking and theft you would not want 'random people' accessing your ICloud account and transferring your data to their phone and essentially this new account is a 'random person'. To access the as him also triggers the fact that he is trying to steal from someone he owes money to.

If you change accounts, lose a phone etc. This is easy and the carry will help you. The fact you are trying to get by on not paying a bill is going to complicate the matter greatly. You are going to have to explain how and why you should have access to something you are not paying that was agreed to by a contract that is now breached.

If this works it will be interesting, it will prove that there is no point in paying a cell phone bill, just keep changing carriers.

Keep us posted.

WE ARE NOT THE ONES THAT DIDN'T PAY THE BILL! We want to get a new phone not associated in any way with the old phone!!!!! I just wanted to know if he could keep old number and not lose contact info from mow defunct phone. I do appreciate responses but please read posts thoroughly before responding. You got it all wrong. We are not trying to screw over anyone, just get the boy a phone he can use!

stts · ‎03-09-2010

On 1/12/2014 stts said:
On 1/12/2014 Abrowneyegirl said:
On 1/12/2014 stts said:
On 1/12/2014 Abrowneyegirl said:
No, not until the contract is up and paid in full OR she pays what is due and pays to cancel the contract. Until then the number is tied to that account.

This is what I thought but wasn't sure. With an IPhone will his contacts be in a master account through them for easy transfer? ICloud account?

This is an interesting dilemma!?!! The concern is is the account tied to the phone? The issue is security, this can not be easy; as a way to prevent hacking and theft you would not want 'random people' accessing your ICloud account and transferring your data to their phone and essentially this new account is a 'random person'. To access the as him also triggers the fact that he is trying to steal from someone he owes money to.

If you change accounts, lose a phone etc. This is easy and the carry will help you. The fact you are trying to get by on not paying a bill is going to complicate the matter greatly. You are going to have to explain how and why you should have access to something you are not paying that was agreed to by a contract that is now breached.

If this works it will be interesting, it will prove that there is no point in paying a cell phone bill, just keep changing carriers.

Keep us posted.

WE ARE NOT THE ONES THAT DIDN'T PAY THE BILL! We want to get a new phone not associated in any way with the old phone!!!!! I just wanted to know if he could keep old number and not lose contact info from mow defunct phone. I do appreciate responses but please read posts thoroughly before responding. You got it all wrong. We are not trying to screw over anyone, just get the boy a phone he can use!

Sorry for my rant, but I am so infuriated with her at this time. Also older and not savvy with these things.

TootyJane · ‎03-14-2010

I'm pretty sure, as others have posted, that until your Dil or someone else brings her bill current that your grandson's phone number won't be able to be transferred to your account even though you're with the same carrier. My advice is to add your grandson to your plan and get him a new phone with a new number. Good luck and I hope this helps.

mima · ‎03-14-2010

If your DIL owes on the number/bill/contract, I doubt they will let him keep it.

stts · ‎03-09-2010

Thank you for that TootyJane. Just start fresh. No mention of old phone, new phone, new number, and new service are in order. Her bill/contract/lack of payment will be her problem.

Thank you all for your help. We have been basket cases since this went down.

Perkup · ‎03-09-2010

First, your DIL is going to have to pay to buy out of her contract with the provider. When you enter into a contract, there is a clause that requires you to pay whatever is left on that contract if you cancel. The amount could be hundreds. Your grandson's phone number and his phone's serial number are tied to that account. Don't involve yourself with that account, whatever you do. It can destroy your credit.

Second, I see no reason why you should assist her in paying this. You didn't run up the bill, someone on her account did. Was it her, or did the grandson run it up with hundreds of texts? You need to know this before you rush out and put your grandson on your account. I have a grandson on my account, and he sometimes goes over - then I have to stop him for a while so he learns to watch his usage. He's a great kid, very appreciative of the phone, but they are so used to just going ahead and texting that they forget how much they do.

Third, why did your DIL cancel the account? Perhaps she has a good reason. How is she going to feel about your adding her son to another account and providing him with a phone she may not want him to have. This is her call, not yours.

You sound like a wonderful grandmother, but don't tread on your DIL's decision until you really understand why this is happening. It's one thing if it's a financial crisis, but another if you're getting too involved in her business. Just saying. I hope things work out well for you. Happy 2014.

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/12/2014 stts said:
Thank you for that TootyJane. Just start fresh. No mention of old phone, new phone, new number, and new service are in order. Her bill/contract/lack of payment will be her problem.

Thank you all for your help. We have been basket cases since this went down.

I understand . It is necessary for a child in school (especially Jr high/high school) to have a phone in case of emergency. Mine has a cheaply prepaid. It has served it's purpose many times.

pinkskates4 · ‎03-10-2010

It's my understanding that generally for the two year life of the contract, part of the fee is actually paying for the phone (yes the one they told you was only $150 or whatever)

So I doubt they would let you transfer info until you at least paid the balance of the actual cost of the phone. And probably they would hold you to the entire contract.

Also, while this doesn't relate to your question, is your grandson still living with his mom? And if so, does she want him to have a phone? Did she stop payment to punish him?

If she doesn't want him to have a phone and/or is punishing him for behavior she objects to, it probably isn't a good idea to try to override her decision.

Just sayin.

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

On 1/12/2014 Dagna said:
It's my understanding that generally for the two year life of the contract, part of the fee is actually paying for the phone (yes the one they told you was only $150 or whatever)

So I doubt they would let you transfer info until you at least paid the balance of the actual cost of the phone. And probably they would hold you to the entire contract.

Also, while this doesn't relate to your question, is your grandson still living with his mom? And if so, does she want him to have a phone? Did she stop payment to punish him?

If she doesn't want him to have a phone and/or is punishing him for behavior she objects to, it probably isn't a good idea to try to override her decision.

Just sayin.

That's what I was going to ask. DIL can't afford it or it's a punishment?