Cannot transfer cell number at Apple Store (US)?

[FrenchKheldar]

Sorry if this was answered somewhere else but I can't find it after 10 minutes of search.

We got a big Apple gift card for one of my best friends for his birthday so that he can buy the new iPhone. His birthday was in May so the wait has been killing him. He is currently a Sprint customer and he went yesterday to an AT&T store to check that everything was OK before going Friday to the Apple store to buy his iPhone and activate it. The woman there told him that it will NOT be possible to transfer his existing Sprint number to his new AT&T account at the Apple store, that this is only possible at the AT&T store... I find it hard to believe and I see quite a few people getting burned by this after standing in line for a while at the Apple store. For my friend, the problem is bigger since he definitely wants to use his gift card to buy the phone...

Anybody else has more info on this? Thanks in advance !

 

[Cuprous]

Why can't he buy it at the apple store and then go or call AT&T to have his Sprint number ported over? I believe this can be done anytime after getting the new AT&T contract.

 

[FrenchKheldar]

My understanding was that you had to activate it (and thus get a phone number) when you buy it... But maybe it's possible to transfer the number afterwards, I don't know...

 

[aristobrat]

In the past, you could port a number over after you sign up for service. A lot of people DON'T port their number over to a new service until they've tested the new service for a few days to make sure it works. I wouldn't imagine this policy has changed because of the new iPhone.

 

[HyQuality]

The AT&T salesperson lied to you. It's that simple. Apple stores WILL be able to port your number for you. AT&T was most likely just trying to get you to go there tomorrow instead of Apple store, so that they get a commission on the sale.

 

[2WheelsGood]

The AT&T salesperson lied to you. It's that simple. Apple stores WILL be able to port your number for you. AT&T was most likely just trying to get you to go there tomorrow instead of Apple store, so that they get a commission on the sale.

Not completely true. I was told by an Apple store and an AT&T store that I would have to port my number at an AT&T store, but my situation is odd. I'm currently with Sprint, and I have a California phone number, but my billing address is now in Michigan. I first noticed the problem on the AT&T web site. They have an eligibility web page to tell you if your number will port. Mine said it would not. So I went to the AT&T store to see what was up, and she explained about the number and the billing address. Then I went to an Apple store, and the guy told me they can only port numbers that are in the same billing area. So perhaps AT&T and Apple are wrong, but I don't plan on finding out... I'll just go to the AT&T store.

 

[agirton]

Info from the Apple Site. Doesn't look like porting is an issue at the apple store or it would say so.


To purchase and activate iPhone 3G, you need the following:*
Credit card
Social security number
Valid government-issued photo ID
Current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you’re new to AT&T)
If you already own an iPhone, remember to sync it with iTunes one last time before you get your new iPhone 3G.

*Transferring your mobile number will terminate your service with your existing provider; termination fees and other charges will apply. New two-year contract required. Qualified customers only; credit check required; must be 18 or older. Visit www.wireless.att.com to check AT&T network coverage in your area. Current and new iPhone users who now or will receive service under a corporate account and wish to upgrade to or purchase iPhone 3G need to contact AT&T directly. iPhone 3G is configured to work only with the wireless services provided by AT&T.

 

[cWeems]

18888987685- porting dept

jus get a random number at the apple store, call porting dept w/ ur spring acct number handy later in the day(because they will be slammed in the morning).

the end.

 

[cafa1234]

AT&T refuse to transfer number

18888987685- porting dept

jus get a random number at the apple store, call porting dept w/ ur spring acct number handy later in the day(because they will be slammed in the morning).

the end.

SO, I've just come out of an Apple store and after on hour of getting all my details from T-Mobile (very helpful) and the nice Apple staff....AT&T tell me they cant transfer an out of region number and even if they could they would disconnect me after 90 days for not using it it the region of the telephone code. My phone was registered (T-Mobile) in Houston in 2006, I moved to Los Angeles in May 2007 and recently living in Ohio. A problem for AT&T???

T-mobile have never had a problem - I do pay my bills!

Please tell me why AT&T would refuse to transfer an out of region number and then close the account anyway after 90 dasy of non region use. What do people do that move around the USA a lot - not contract with AT&T??

Crazy - someone please tell me who to speak to at AT&T to resolve this. I really want an Iphone, but looks as if I'm stuffed.

 

[Ntombi]

Not completely true. I was told by an Apple store and an AT&T store that I would have to port my number at an AT&T store, but my situation is odd. I'm currently with Sprint, and I have a California phone number, but my billing address is now in Michigan. I first noticed the problem on the AT&T web site. They have an eligibility web page to tell you if your number will port. Mine said it would not. So I went to the AT&T store to see what was up, and she explained about the number and the billing address. Then I went to an Apple store, and the guy told me they can only port numbers that are in the same billing area. So perhaps AT&T and Apple are wrong, but I don't plan on finding out... I'll just go to the AT&T store.

Exactly.

I have an OH number, and now live in CA. To be able to port it, I had to buy my iPhone through the AT&T store directly, so they could go through the (ridiculously long and arduous) process of porting it there. It took 3 clerks and 2 managers over an hour, but they were able to do it.

SO, I've just come out of an Apple store and after on hour of getting all my details from T-Mobile (very helpful) and the nice Apple staff....AT&T tell me they cant transfer an out of region number and even if they could they would disconnect me after 90 days for not using it it the region of the telephone code. My phone was registered (T-Mobile) in Houston in 2006, I moved to Los Angeles in May 2007 and recently living in Ohio. A problem for AT&T???

T-mobile have never had a problem - I do pay my bills!

Please tell me why AT&T would refuse to transfer an out of region number and then close the account anyway after 90 dasy of non region use. What do people do that move around the USA a lot - not contract with AT&T??

Crazy - someone please tell me who to speak to at AT&T to resolve this. I really want an Iphone, but looks as if I'm stuffed.

You went to the wrong store. Come down to Long Beach to the AT&T store on Bellflower, and they'll do it.

I had my number with Verizon through three states and 11 years, so I wasn't going to give it up, even for the iPhone. Technically, porting is supposed to stay in the same region, but the companies all do it, because they know that people are mobile and want to keep the same number. AT&T would have lost my business otherwise. They handled it.

I spent several phone calls clarifying with AT&T before I bought via DF, but once I found someone who knew what he was talking about, it was fine. And he was right: you need to go to a corporate AT&T store, not just any store.

Seriously, the one on Bellflower in Long Beach.