AT&T U-Verse and Credit Score

[barr08]

Hey all,

I am a recent college grad who is gainfully employed and living in an apartment with two of my fraternity brothers who also have jobs. Right now, I am use COX for my internet and cable, but am incredicbly dissatisfied with my service. The internet is slow, and the cable is spotty at best - always has been since we moved in. Recently, 6 months passed since we got the service, so my bill went up by about $40 - something I was not informed would happen when I signed up for the service. So now, I am paying $140 a month to COX (I pay the entire COX bill because I have the master bedroom), and I want out.

So I went to the local AT&T store and talked to a really nice gentleman. I told him I wanted U-verse, so we went through all the hoops, I chose a service, gave all my info, etc. Right when I am about to leave, he tells me I can't get the service because of my credit score. At that point (about 3 months ago) I had no credit card, wasn't paying student loans yet, and had no credit history that I knew of. We assumed it was because of my lack of a credit history.

Now, 3 months later, I have been using my credit card (liberally...) and paying off far more than the monthly payments. Also, I have been paying off my student loans in full and on time. Do any of you have any experience with U-Verse, and could maybe tell me if you ran into this problem too? I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for you guys to say, maybe just some advice or something. I really don't want to stay with COX, and I would like to switch to U-Verse as soon as possible.

Thanks for looking!

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Hey all,

I am a recent college grad who is gainfully employed and living in an apartment with two of my fraternity brothers who also have jobs. Right now, I am use COX for my internet and cable, but am incredicbly dissatisfied with my service. The internet is slow, and the cable is spotty at best - always has been since we moved in. Recently, 6 months passed since we got the service, so my bill went up by about $40 - something I was not informed would happen when I signed up for the service. So now, I am paying $140 a month to COX (I pay the entire COX bill because I have the master bedroom), and I want out.

So I went to the local AT&T store and talked to a really nice gentleman. I told him I wanted U-verse, so we went through all the hoops, I chose a service, gave all my info, etc. Right when I am about to leave, he tells me I can't get the service because of my credit score. At that point (about 3 months ago) I had no credit card, wasn't paying student loans yet, and had no credit history that I knew of. We assumed it was because of my lack of a credit history.

Now, 3 months later, I have been using my credit card (liberally...) and paying off far more than the monthly payments. Also, I have been paying off my student loans in full and on time. Do any of you have any experience with U-Verse, and could maybe tell me if you ran into this problem too? I guess I don't really know what I'm looking for you guys to say, maybe just some advice or something. I really don't want to stay with COX, and I would like to switch to U-Verse as soon as possible.

Thanks for looking!

Get a co-signer? Ive never understood why fixed cost services were worried about your credit report, they should just bill you before the month starts and call it good.

If no co-signer you are probably SOL, it takes a long time to build up credit. You might also ask if they will accept a deposit for x amount of time to cover your credit report.

 

[yg17]

You might want to try it again, but I'm not sure if 3 months is long enough of a credit history. I had no problems getting U-verse with student loans and a car loan, and no credit card debt (although I have and use credit cards)

BTW, is the location in your profile correct? Just curious since Boston, or the entire state of MA for that matter, isn't an AT&T service area for U-verse or other landline services.

Zombie, U-verse is billed in advance, but they check credit to make sure you're not going to run up a bill of pay per view movies and not pay it, or cancel service and not return, or pay for, equipment.

 

[GSMiller]

Is there a way you can have them automatically bill one of your credit cards every month?

You would think they would at least have let you put down a deposit, that's how my Mom had to do when we first got our cell phones because she didn't have very good credit (although we don't have AT&T).

 

[barr08]

BTW, is the location in your profile correct? Just curious since Boston, or the entire state of MA for that matter, isn't an AT&T service area for U-verse or other landline services.

Good catch. I am currently living and working near Hartford, CT.

Is there a way you can have them automatically bill one of your credit cards every month?

You would think they would at least have let you put down a deposit, that's how my Mom had to do when we first got our cell phones because she didn't have very good credit (although we don't have AT&T).

They didn't offer to let me give them a deposit, but maybe if I pushed a bit more, that could be an option. Although I think this is kinda silly to begin with, I don't think I would be willing to give too much of a deposit.

 

[Taylor H]

Hi,

Consulting an professional will also assist you to identify the errors and correct it. If you have crossed the credit cards or even if you have not payed a student loan, it will hit your scoring. Therefore, it is very important that you have to map out a good plan to tackle these problems and get back on the correct track with your accounts.