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Gabichon

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 27, 2011
80
9
Canada
Hello,

I'm going to the apple store friday to buy the iPhone 5 and would like to know if it's possible to pay with a debit card or do I need a credit card? (I live in Canada so my debit card is Desjardins).

Thanks!
 
I've never had an issue buying an iPhone using my debit card (VISA). I use my debit card all the time at my local Apple Store and have used it to buy 2 iPhones, 2 iPads, a MacBook Pro, Apple TV, Magic Mouse and several other accessories over the years.
 
Hello,

I'm going to the apple store friday to buy the iPhone 5 and would like to know if it's possible to pay with a debit card or do I need a credit card? (I live in Canada so my debit card is Desjardins).

Thanks!

They might decline it because you have no credit history in the card. You would have to pay a deposit, which can vary depending on the carrier.
 
No it doesn't have any visa, mastercard, discover, american express logo on it.

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They might decline it because you have no credit history in the card. You would have to pay a deposit, which can vary depending on the carrier.

By paying a deposit you mean paying like half the price in cash?
 
I've purchased a cell phone several times with debit. Like another poster said, I don't think you will have an issue as long as it has Visa, Mastercard, etc. since you're from Canada.

Edit: And you are not going to get declined using a debit card if you have no credit history. Credit history has to do with your social security number, not whether you use a credit or debit card. Unless you have absolutely NO credit whatsoever (credit cards, loans, mobile or tv provider accounts in your name, etc.) then you might have to pay a deposit.
 
I feel as if Debit cards mean different things in the US. You shouldn't need credit history on a Debit card since it's essentially cash. And, see as it is essentially cash, I can't see any reason there would be an issue.

Edit: is this a Canadian or American Apple store?
 
I feel as if Debit cards mean different things in the US. You shouldn't need credit history on a Debit card since it's essentially cash. And, see as it is essentially cash, I can't see any reason there would be an issue.

That's exactly what I thought... If I already have enough money in my account why would they decline? :/

Canadian Apple store (montreal)
 
That's exactly what I thought... If I already have enough money in my account why would they decline? :/

If you're using a Canadian Debit card in an American store, it has to be a Credit/Debit card. For example, my CIBC Debit card doubles as a Visa for purchases in the US. If you're using it at a Canadian store, you won't have any problems.

Edit: Nuts. I'm seeing why people are mentioning credit history. Since the Canadian Apple stores aren't selling unlocked phones in store you'll either need to sign up for a new contract or extend a current contract. If signing up for a new one, you'll need a credit card/credit history. If you're extending a current contract, you'll be fine.
 
No it doesn't have any visa, mastercard, discover, american express logo on it.

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By paying a deposit you mean paying like half the price in cash?

A deposit is a certain amount of money that you pay to the wireless provider if you do not have an established credit history, basically assuring them that you plan to pay your monthly bill on time every month. At the end of your contract you get that money back. The deposit amount varies based on your credit score and report.
 
Paying a deposit would have nothing to do with the debit card. It would depend on whether they were upgrading. Or starting new service i guess. Cause i think you do get your credit checked when you start your service. And you may need to make a deposit to start the service.
 
If you're using a Canadian Debit card in an American store, it has to be a Credit/Debit card. For example, my CIBC Debit card doubles as a Visa for purchases in the US. If you're using it at a Canadian store, you won't have any problems.

Are you 100% sure? It's not that I don't believe you, but I wil wait outside from thursday night and that would suck if they would not let me buy one :/

By the way, why can't we just pay cash? Is there a reason?
 
Omg. I'm confused.

So I can't just buy a full price iPhone with Bell mobility and walk out? I need to start a new contract? I currently have an iPhone 4S which I bought full price from Bell mobility so I don't have any contract.. And I don't really want one :/
 
Omg. I'm confused.

So I can't just buy a full price iPhone with Bell mobility and walk out? I need to start a new contract? I currently have an iPhone 4S which I bought full price from Bell mobility so I don't have any contract.. And I don't really want one :/

Who is Bell Mobility? And are you even sure it will be unlocked so you can use it for that provider? I would check if you could get it unlocked first.
 
Omg. I'm confused.

So I can't just buy a full price iPhone with Bell mobility and walk out? I need to start a new contract? I currently have an iPhone 4S which I bought full price from Bell mobility so I don't have any contract.. And I don't really want one :/

From a mobilesyrup.com article, quoting Apple:

“Buy iPhone 5 with a contract at your favourite Apple Retail Store beginning at 8:00 a.m. on September 21. We can help you choose the right rate plan and get you up and running. Or visit the Apple Online Store to buy an unlocked, no-contract iPhone 5.”

Only contract purchases in Apple stores. No unlocked/unsubsidized phones.

Who is Bell Mobility? And are you even sure it will be unlocked so you can use it for that provider? I would check if you could get it unlocked first.

Bell Mobility is a Canadian carrier. One of the big 3 (Rogers, Telus, Bell).
 
Who is Bell Mobility? And are you even sure it will be unlocked so you can use it for that provider? I would check if you could get it unlocked first.

Bell mobility is the carrier I'm with atm. And I checked on the Canadian Online Apple store and I can pre-order an unlocked iPhone 5.. but I read on the forums they don't sell unlocked ones for awhile or are they only available for purchase online?.. If I can just get a unlocked one I'd be happy, but I don't know if it's possible?
 
Bell mobility is the carrier I'm with atm. And I checked on the Canadian Online Apple store and I can pre-order an unlocked iPhone 5.. but I read on the forums they don't sell unlocked ones for awhile or are they only available for purchase online?.. If I can just get a unlocked one I'd be happy, but I don't know if it's possible?

Whether unlocked ones will be available for in store purchases remains to be seen. As of launch day, only carrier-locked and subsidized phones are available. Unlocked are only available online for the time being. In the US the unlocked ones are available about a month after launch day, so maybe Apple Canada will do something similar for in store models.
 
If you have a debit card, you have cash, and if you have cash, you don't have a problem.
 
Whether unlocked ones will be available for in store purchases remains to be seen. As of launch day, only carrier-locked and subsidized phones are available. Unlocked are only available online for the time being. In the US the unlocked ones are available about a month after launch day, so maybe Apple Canada will do something similar for in store models.

But can I just buy one full price locked to a carrier but don't sign a contract? is that possible?
 
But can I just buy one full price locked to a carrier but don't sign a contract? is that possible?

Yeah i would def check into that. Cause maybe at some point they will sell unlocked models. But right now i think they are just carrier specific. Unless you can find somewhere that will unlock it for you for a fee.
 
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