So I have to use my Dad's credit card, but he can't be there to sign for it

[TSE]

As said before, after 9/11 everything is double checked, and much more strict. Same thing happened after Pearl Harbor to a lesser extent.

If nothing serious happens in awhile, expect stores to start cutting back again.

 

[crabbydaddy2]

my son uses my credit card all the time when i want him to run in and pick up stuff. a few days ago he purchased a few games at bestbuy totaling over 200.00 and they didn't ask a question.

the only time they have ever got crazy was when he went to buy 5.00 worth of camera prints at walmart,
according to him they called the manager and told him it was a felony.


use the card.

 

[nsbio]

They checked my ID at a retail Apple store once out of two times I made purchases there (Southpoint, Durham, NC). Sometimes they do check, but not always.

However, regardless whether they happen to check you or not, using someone else's card is illegal unless you are explicitly authorized to use it by the credit card company. Otherwise you would be forging a signature of the legitimate card holder - a big no-no.

 

[gcmexico]

No.

Credit card must match photo ID. I can guarantee you that you will not be able to use someone else's card at the Apple Store.



Our Apple Store will not sell you a USB cable unless you have an ID with your credit card.

*
bull!! it's all about who is ringing you up...I've bought countless stuff at the 5th avenue store, sometimes I just give my card and they say is this your email, I'm like year sure sure, and that's it...other times they want all forms of id, u just got to get lucky

 

[ziggyonice]

The Apple Store will require a signature. I wouldn't even MENTION the letter, or else they might just refuse you. Forge the signature, hopefully it'll be busy enough they won't even check to make sure it matches, and go on your way.

 

[nsbio]

By the way, why not make it perfectly legal by asking your dad to call up his credit card company and request them to make you an authorized user of the account?

 

[26139]

yeah...

Not gonna happen.

Sorry dude.

 

[LoneWolf121188]

OK, first: I'm not exactly a kid; I'm 19 (almost 20). I have my own credit card. I'm paying for the phone myself (as opposed to some rich dad buying his son a fancy new phone). I'm perfectly capable of buying the phone on my own card. However, as I stated in the OP, my dad's card extends the hardware warranty to 2 years for free.

mward333: Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to run down there tomorrow with the letter and ask them. The letter has my dad's phone number and stuff on there, so the Apple rep can call him and confirm.

Also, to those who mentioned the authorized user thing: doesn't that mean our bank would have to issue me a brand new card with my dad's account number on it? I don't think I could get a card in 36 hours.

 

[illidian]

I won't be surprised by either situation. Like others have said, make the letter Plan B.

My credit card has "SEE ID" printed where the signature should be and I get asked for my ID at best ten percent of the time and the amount being anywhere from just a few dollars to several hundred seems to make no difference.

 

[winninganthem]

Edit: just read your post update.
Hm.. either way, I doubt they'll allow it to happen. Phone plans are strongly tied to credit (plus I wouldn't respect a store very much if they did not ask for identification with card purchases) and it's inevitable that they'll check.
What's your rush though? The first time iPhone was released there were no shortage issues. Go back another day with your dad.
----

Oh yeah,

Since iPhone 3G requires in-store activation, it'll prompt a credit check. Either way you'll need someone with credit there to buy the phone and activate the plan.

Apple won't sell the phone without activation, and activation is impossible without credit.

If you and your dad don't have AT&T service, then they'll need to run a credit check to create a new service plan.

If you and your dad are already under AT&T, any modification to the account, such as phone purchases and changes, requires him to be there (since you don't have a credit card I'm guessing that he would be the one that your wireless plan would be under).

 

[magiic]

Working in retail Im not sure if it was company policy or Visa/Mastercard/Amex policy but I dont think you are allowed to accept a credit card payment from anyone but the authorized card holder. I know people would always try to use their wife/husbands card and try and get us to call home or something when I'd call them on it. But we were not allowed to do this. I assume it's credit card company policy and not just company policy because when you think about it, it does make a lot of sense.

 

[26139]

Nope

I tried to buy a computer with my parent's card for a very similar reason to the OP's and was not allowed to. I WORKED at the store at the time, too.

It's a company-wide policy man. Sorry.

And yes, you're still a kid. Hate to break it to ya.

 

[SchneiderMan]

where i live in cali, my apple store doesnt ask for ID when purchasing with a Cc. but if you go to L.a they will. i think it depends on where you live

 

[machahapwns]

I've rarely seen Apple check IDs for credit card purchases. That could of course change at any time, but I believe your ID is necessary for credit checks/ making sure you're an authorized user of the account (if it is your parents account).

No guarantees, but you're probably ok.

Yeah they do.
when i bought my touch, they did, my iMac, they did.
and your signing a contract for a service, I'd think they would kind of checkk

 

[joepunk]

One of the things I never knew when I worked at Disney is how does one tell if the purchaser is really authorized by the bank/credit company to use their parents/spouse's card?

 

[chadua]

One of the things I never knew when I worked at Disney is how does one tell if the purchaser is really authorized by the bank/credit company to use their parents/spouse's card?

You call the number on the back of the card and ask.

 

[JGC1986]

I work in retail and we never ask for ID on purchases.....NEVER have I been asked for ID for any purchase using a credit card besides buying textbooks from my college bookstore....

 

[HLdan]

I work in retail and we never ask for ID on purchases.....NEVER have I been asked for ID for any purchase using a credit card besides buying textbooks from my college bookstore....

You sound proud of that. If you ever in this lifetime become a victim of identity theft you will be begging your country to pass a law that no POS actions happen without proof of DNA from the customer.

 

[mdgolom]

I've rarely seen Apple check IDs for credit card purchases. That could of course change at any time, but I believe your ID is necessary for credit checks/ making sure you're an authorized user of the account (if it is your parents account).

No guarantees, but you're probably ok.

That's the opposite of my experience. They almost always check id with a credit card purchase. From what I've heard, it's their policy.

 

[26139]

Yeah...

I work in retail and we never ask for ID on purchases.....NEVER have I been asked for ID for any purchase using a credit card besides buying textbooks from my college bookstore....

I hate you and your company. Let me know what it is so I can never, ever shop there again.

 

[tmelvin]

Not sure...what kind of card is it? Why don't you send me the card #, and security code on the back, and I'll verify it...

 

[Le Big Mac]

I hate you and your company. Let me know what it is so I can never, ever shop there again.

Why, how does it hurt you? What you should do is be sure to tell the fraudsters never to shop there again.

 

[Consultant]

They are going to do a credit check.

The SN and name are not going to match your ID.

Not happening with a letter.

 

[26139]

Yeah...

Why, how does it hurt you? What you should do is be sure to tell the fraudsters never to shop there again.

By not shopping there, I'm depriving them of money. Enough people do that and they will be negatively affected.

 

[dsite]

What have you got to lose? Give it a shot -- I'd suggest simply acting like it's your card, then if they ask for ID, produce the letter. No one's going to arrest you.

But if somebody does arrest you... What a day that will be.

In all honesty, if they ask and denny your sale, ask for the manager and explain yourself to him/her. Credit sales are sales... Everything comes down to the bottom line for these big buys.

Good luck.