Even if AT&T should insist on the credit check, is there something bad about it? I mean, would it have negative consequences, or could it just happen that they would not sell me the iPhone if they should not like my credit rating?
The problem is that every time someone runs a credit check it lowers your credit raiting, usually about 5 points. It is done to prevent somone from trying to get several sources of credit at the same time. Whenever I move and have to start a new rental and utilities, my credit rating usually drops 20 points for a month.
TEG
When I tried buying an iPhone from an AT&T store they wouldn't let me just buy one. They wanted ID, for some sort of proof of NY residency. They wouldn't let me buy the phone as a gift, they said they had to have me pre-approved. They wouldn't just let me run the activation at home (which I never planned on doing anyways).
Apple Store was an additional hour drive in each direction, but the phone's been worth it.