Carrier T-Mobile Test Drive Puts $700 Hold on Cards

[nateo200]

No ****. Did you expect them to just give it to you and hope you brought it back?

Lol right? A Hold is nothing...jeez....

Side note: If you already have an iPhone I think itd be nice to just be able to test drive their network using a SIM card in your current phone...provided its unlocked. I don't personally want to use an iPhone 5S that isn't mine when I already have my iPhone 5C that I'm happy with but might want to try on another network.

 

[Applejuiced]

im an debit card only holder lol, i dont like owing ppl anything, if i cant afford it aint for me ,but you have to keep 1 for emergency purposes

That's usually what people with credit issues say
I don't like credit cards or owing money.
But if one is responsible with their credit, spending and payments and get what they can afford then available credit is a good and not a bad thing. But not everyone has the same control over their spending habits.

 

[617aircav]

I strictly only use my amex card for all purchases. Too much rewards are available. I however pay it off when due. This hold was clearly stated and I'm assuming the OP signed an agreement without reading it. It clearly must have stated such. I will try out tmobile for seven days. I will however remove the SIM from the 5s and use it in my own phone.

 

[regkilla]

It makes sense to make sure people don't take off with the iPhone 5s.

 

[Appl3FTW]

if you can't do the requirement of $700 hold then obviously you can't do it.. plain and simple.

 

[shawndc1]

That's usually what people with credit issues say
I don't like credit cards or owing money.
But if one is responsible with their credit, spending and payments and get what they can afford then available credit is a good and not a bad thing. But not everyone has the same control over their spending habits.

i dont have credit prob nor bad spending, i just dont like banks or credit companies but we live in a world where we have no choice, i just recieved a loan from navy federal for 35k for a 2014 impala, my credit is a ok!

 

[Menel]

i dont have credit prob nor bad spending, i just dont like banks or credit companies but we live in a world where we have no choice, i just recieved a loan from navy federal for 35k for a 2014 impala, my credit is a ok!

...you borrowed 35k... for an Impala...

You had to have financed 100%? The top end spec is MSRP $35k, you didn't get any incentives off on this?... full MSRP? financed 100%... holy ****...

Yes you have bad spending.
You don't like banks, but you'll fill their pockets with your dollars very willingly. Makes no sense.
There is PLENTY of choice.

 

[shawndc1]

...you borrowed 35k... for an Impala...

You had to have financed 100%? The top end spec is MSRP $35k, you didn't get any incentives off on this?... full MSRP? financed 100%... holy ****...

Yes you have bad spending.
You don't like banks, but you'll fill their pockets with your dollars very willingly. Makes no sense.
There is PLENTY of choice.

yes an impala its what I WANTED, hope its not a problem, my family owns body shops & chevy runs deep in my family, and its not financed 100%, i put a few bucks out my own pocket, its custom made so its a little extra, but at days end id rather a car on credit than iphone

 

[jjk454ss]

You'll pay a restocking fee and pay for your cell usage during the return period. Restocking fee is $50 for smartphones and $75 for tablets. TMO is VERY adamant about collecting restocking fees regardless of return reason.

If your credit card can sustain a $700 hold for a week to 10 days... then taking the test drive is the best way to go.

Are you talking about tmobile or vzw?

 

[CEmajr]

I agree with the others. If your credit card can't sustain a $700 hold for a week then you probably shouldn't be looking at buying an iPhone. There are plenty of budget Androids for the financially challenged.

 

[Garen]

I really don't see what is the problem? Is TM doing something different than what they said? What do you want or expect them to do?

 

[rui no onna]

Now, holds on debit cards can be a problem because that's *actual* money you can't use. But on a credit card, it's just "imaginary money" from your credit line, that doesn't actually affect your assets.

This is why you should never use a debit card to check into a hotel.

Yep, exactly. Same goes for car rentals. Sometimes, the amount on hold actually get debited and it takes a while to get it refunded back to your bank account. With credit cards, you're using the bank's money. With a debit card, that's actually money coming out of your bank account.

im an debit card only holder lol, i dont like owing ppl anything, if i cant afford it aint for me ,but you have to keep 1 for emergency purposes

As long as you're responsible and always pay your monthly balance off in full, I don't see anything wrong with using a credit card. Heck, you can even get 1-5% cash back. When I make credit card purchases, I transfer the amount I charged from my checking account to a separate account meant for paying off the credit card so it's just as if I'm paying cash except I get better protection with credit cards.

 

[jimmirehman]

what did you expect them to do? Just hand out iphones and hope you bring it back?
If you are thinking of joining T-Mobile you are going to have to have the funds available to purchase the phone anyway.

 

[617aircav]

Yep, exactly. Same goes for car rentals. Sometimes, the amount on hold actually get debited and it takes a while to get it refunded back to your bank account. With credit cards, you're using the bank's money. With a debit card, that's actually money coming out of your bank account.


As long as you're responsible and always pay your monthly balance off in full, I don't see anything wrong with using a credit card. Heck, you can even get 1-5% cash back. When I make credit card purchases, I transfer the amount I charged from my checking account to a separate account meant for paying off the credit card so it's just as if I'm paying cash except I get better protection with credit cards.

yep. been using my amex miles card for 3 years and never paid a dime in interests. Its good to get all the free perks likea airline miles, specials and exetended warranties. Last year I put 25k on my credit card.

 

[Septembersrain]

That's more than the phone in the Apple store isn't it? What in the world? How about making the people pay an insurance premium and have the company insure them? Put a hold on the insurance amount and deductible. If they take it or break it, that money comes out and the company gets the replacement?

Unless I'm right that the insurance really is a racket as they send refurbs! So that's why they need to charge so much and can't go the insurance route...

 

[CEmajr]

That's more than the phone in the Apple store isn't it? What in the world? How about making the people pay an insurance premium and have the company insure them? Put a hold on the insurance amount and deductible. If they take it or break it, that money comes out and the company gets the replacement?

Unless I'm right that the insurance really is a racket as they send refurbs! So that's why they need to charge so much and can't go the insurance route...

It's around $700 after tax in most states.

 

[nburwell]

I got a nice chuckle out of this thread. I received the email from T-Mobile yesterday regarding the Test Drive. I'm still contemplating whether I want to do it or not since I have no intention of switching from AT&T. But I'd like to see how good (or bad) T-Mobile's coverage is where I live.

 

[KillaMac]

I'm sorry, but this simply is not universally true. I've seen hotel, rental car, and other business holds take up to 10 days. AGAIN, I didn't say it was an issue - just an FYI for people who want to participate.

HOLDS only take 1 day to release. Doesn't mean the bank took it's time to release them or the company. I work for a financial institution and this is from experience.

----------

Are you sure it was a hold? I use a credit card to put a hold on a room and pay with my bank card then. That money that was on hold, it got back the second I checked in and paid with another one.

Excatly. Holds can be released instantly.

 

[RicoRich196]

yes an impala its what I WANTED, hope its not a problem, my family owns body shops & chevy runs deep in my family, and its not financed 100%, i put a few bucks out my own pocket, its custom made so its a little extra, but at days end id rather a car on credit than iphone

You did the right thing, don't empty your bank account for a depreciating asset, use the banks money. I'm sure Navy Federal probably gave you a great rate. But on the subject of credit cards, if you are wise with your spending you can rack up some great reward points/perks for using one. I put my down payment for my car on my credit card since I had the money on hand anyway I figured I might as well earn the points. The card was charged and the balance was paid in 2 days.

 

[bniu]

The number of people who don't use credit cards and only debit cards would surprise you.

For many different reasons a lot of people only use debit cards.

I would bet that 75% of the people on this site couldn't afford a $750 hold on their debit card.

What's a debit card?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Just got my Test Drive confirmation today. Went to the T-Mobile site to start the process. It turns out that T-Mobile is placing a $699 hold on participants debit/credit cards in order to do the Test Drive. Wow! I don't need to play with an iPhone 5S on the T-Mobile network that bad.

Here's the language from the site:

T-Mobile Test Drive is free with no obligation to buy, but if the iPhone 5s comes back with a cracked screen, damaged screen display, water damage, active Find My iPhone feature, or can't be powered on we have to charge a $100 damage fee. If you don't return the device, we have to charge $699.99 plus applicable taxes.

A hold for $699.99 + taxes will be placed on your credit or debit card. The timing of releasing that hold will vary by credit card company. We won't charge your card unless you fail to return the device.

Got it? Good. Now go give our network a workout.

I know I'm about 43 comments late but you do realize this was actually stated in the article written here on this site, it is on their website (as you pointed out), and it is a logical move. You think they're going to ship you a 5S without some sort of insurance? Seriously.

How in the world could you not have known this and worst of all, why would you publicly admit that you seem to be one in a few who believed there wasn't going to be some way for T-Mobile to nail you for a phone should you not return it? This world is not ran on handshakes as oaths, word as bond, and goodwill.

 

[Applejuiced]

i dont have credit prob nor bad spending, i just dont like banks or credit companies but we live in a world where we have no choice, i just recieved a loan from navy federal for 35k for a 2014 impala, my credit is a ok!

I dont either but usually people that say they hate credit cards or banks its people that can't control their habits and then blame the credit card company when they charge charge and cant afford to pay it back.
Bank or credit companies are out to make profit, lend money and get interest in return. And their terms are upfront if you do your research you will know exactly what and how much everything will cost you if you pay on time, or late or for how many payment cycles it will take you to pay off a loan etc.

 

[BeeGood]

I signed up yesterday and just checked. I have a "pending debit" for $749.99. I'm guessing it's $649.99 for the phone plus the $100 in case I damage it.

In any event, I don't care. Like others have said it's only a hold.

Looking forwards to seeing if Tmo can work for me!

 

[EDH667]

I signed up yesterday and just checked. I have a "pending debit" for $749.99. I'm guessing it's $649.99 for the phone plus the $100 in case I damage it.

In any event, I don't care. Like others have said it's only a hold.

Looking forwards to seeing if Tmo can work for me!

It is $699 plus your tax rate.

 

[BeeGood]

It is $699 plus your tax rate.

Huh. Odd that the sales tax came out to exactly $50.