Porting a phone number to get a discount on a phone

[dsprod]

I've seen many offers for really discounted iphones (even without a contract) if i port in a number from a different carrier, is it as easy as it sounds? Can i just get any cheap plan and then port out that number to another carrier for the discount?

[AsherO]

I've seen many offers for really discounted iphones (even without a contract) if i port in a number from a different carrier, is it as easy as it sounds? Can i just get any cheap plan and then port out that number to another carrier for the discount?

Yes, just keep in mind a few things:
- The discounted iPhones might be older models
- Not all are without contracts, some are with recurring credits for 24-months for example.
- Make sure you’re porting in from a qualifying carrier, sometimes only certain carriers count or certain ones (e.g. MVNOs) don’t
- You might pay sales tax on the pre-discount price
- Sometimes unlocking the phone and/or qualifying for the discount requires you to pay for service for a certain amount of months, and sometimes that service has to be on a qualifying rate plan
- Sometimes this triggers a credit pull
- Remember to factor in activation/sim-card charges

Good luck!

[yochai]

Yes, just keep in mind a few things:
- The discounted iPhones might be older models
- Not all are without contracts, some are with recurring credits for 24-months for example.
- Make sure you’re porting in from a qualifying carrier, sometimes only certain carriers count or certain ones (e.g. MVNOs) don’t
- You might pay sales tax on the pre-discount price
- Sometimes unlocking the phone and/or qualifying for the discount requires you to pay for service for a certain amount of months, and sometimes that service has to be on a qualifying rate plan
- Sometimes this triggers a credit pull
- Remember to factor in activation/sim-card charges

Good luck!

AFAIK, the 2 primary no-contract provides that offer discounted iPhones are Cricket & Metro by T-Mobile.
-Metro is only in-store and they require ID so if you take the phones and port out after a month or 2, you’ll get blacklisted. They don’t charge tax on the retail value, but do charge $20 activation fee per line (occasionally they’ll have promotions to waive that)
-Cricket doesn’t charge retail priced tax or activation fees when ordering online, though for some phones they’ll require paying 2-3 months of service in advance. In-store they charge the retail price tax + activation fees.
-Both will have the phones locked to their network for 6 months after purchase.
-Both require a $50-60 plan to get the more expensive phones, though they have multi-line discounts so you can get 4 for $100-120

[dsprod]

AFAIK, the 2 primary no-contract provides that offer discounted iPhones are Cricket & Metro by T-Mobile.
-Metro is only in-store and they require ID so if you take the phones and port out after a month or 2, you’ll get blacklisted. They don’t charge tax on the retail value, but do charge $20 activation fee per line (occasionally they’ll have promotions to waive that)
-Cricket doesn’t charge retail priced tax or activation fees when ordering online, though for some phones they’ll require paying 2-3 months of service in advance. In-store they charge the retail price tax + activation fees.
-Both will have the phones locked to their network for 6 months after purchase.
-Both require a $50-60 plan to get the more expensive phones, though they have multi-line discounts so you can get 4 for $100-120

I dont really mind getting blacklisted from metro
So i can sign up for the cheapest phone plan on a wualifying carrier and port out the number after the first month? Sounds too good to be true. I would have to pay for 2 months of service but its a bargain compared to the discount on the new phone.

[AsherO]

I dont really mind getting blacklisted from metro
So i can sign up for the cheapest phone plan on a wualifying carrier and port out the number after the first month? Sounds too good to be true. I would have to pay for 2 months of service but its a bargain compared to the discount on the new phone.

There are certainly deals to be had.

[dsprod]

Cricket wireless says "Pay first three months of $60/mo. plan service ($180 total) at point of sale, plus device taxes. $60 will be applied to first month service charge. Remaining $120 will be credited to your account and applied to second and third months of service unless used on other eligible service or features." Does that mean that i could use the remaining $120 to purchase a new device and then close the account ultimitely paying only $60 for the first month of service with free device?

[AsherO]

Cricket wireless says "Pay first three months of $60/mo. plan service ($180 total) at point of sale, plus device taxes. $60 will be applied to first month service charge. Remaining $120 will be credited to your account and applied to second and third months of service unless used on other eligible service or features." Does that mean that i could use the remaining $120 to purchase a new device and then close the account ultimitely paying only $60 for the first month of service with free device?

Doubtful. I think the “unless used” works in their favor, e.g. if you incurred extra charges.

[yochai]

I dont really mind getting blacklisted from metro
So i can sign up for the cheapest phone plan on a wualifying carrier and port out the number after the first month? Sounds too good to be true. I would have to pay for 2 months of service but its a bargain compared to the discount on the new phone.

If you don’t mind getting blacklisted, then you can definitely do this.
Only their most expensive plan qualifies for the better phones. You only need to pay 1 month of service, but need to port in a number. You’d get the most value by bringing in 4 lines.
As always, don’t forget PGFHGS.

[AsherO]

Yochai, I’ve seen a fair amount of discussion around these promos and don’t recall blacklists being mentioned. What triggers the blacklist? If it’s porting out then maybe just close the account instead of porting out (using throwaway port-in numbers you don’t need, obviously)

[yeshivabucher]

Google Fi has an Amazing dela on s22 series (5/600) off with port in requires4 months of service and Google voice lines are eligible

[yochai]

Yochai, I’ve seen a fair amount of discussion around these promos and don’t recall blacklists being mentioned. What triggers the blacklist? If it’s porting out then maybe just close the account instead of porting out (using throwaway port-in numbers you don’t need, obviously)

I know someone who ported in numbers and just closed the account after a the first month. A year later they told him he’s done fraudulent activity in the past and they won’t sell to him.
That’s why they require ID to get free phones.
Cricket allows you to order free phones online with no ID required, but they now want you to pay 3 months of service in advance.

[yochai]

Google Fi has an Amazing dela on s22 series (5/600) off with port in requires4 months of service and Google voice lines are eligible

Yup!
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=128977.msg2586620#msg2586620
On a side note, does anyone know if the S22 deal would work if I take the phone with the Fi line to Israel and use an Israeli line on the 2nd SIM for 4 months?

[DealJew]

AFAIK, the 2 primary no-contract provides that offer discounted iPhones are Cricket & Metro by T-Mobile.
-Metro is only in-store and they require ID so if you take the phones and port out after a month or 2, you’ll get blacklisted. They don’t charge tax on the retail value, but do charge $20 activation fee per line (occasionally they’ll have promotions to waive that)
-Cricket doesn’t charge retail priced tax or activation fees when ordering online, though for some phones they’ll require paying 2-3 months of service in advance. In-store they charge the retail price tax + activation fees.
-Both will have the phones locked to their network for 6 months after purchase.
-Both require a $50-60 plan to get the more expensive phones, though they have multi-line discounts so you can get 4 for $100-120

They both require you to put down $180 either in the form of 3 months of service or $99 for the phone plus $60 for one month of service plus $20 activation fee.
Is there any better offers out there?

[ExGingi]

I know someone who ported in numbers and just closed the account after a the first month. A year later they told him he’s done fraudulent activity in the past and they won’t sell to him.
That’s why they require ID to get free phones.
Cricket allows you to order free phones online with no ID required, but they now want you to pay 3 months of service in advance.

How does this work if

-Both will have the phones locked to their network for 6 months after purchase.
-Both require a $50-60 plan to get the more expensive phones, though they have multi-line discounts so you can get 4 for $100-120

[yochai]

How does this work if

-Both will have the phones locked to their network for 6 months after purchase.

1. They unlock automatically after 6 months, even if you no longer have service with them.
2. These can be sold on eBay even when locked to a specific carrier.

[yochai]

They both require you to put down $180 either in the form of 3 months of service or $99 for the phone plus $60 for one month of service plus $20 activation fee.
Is there any better offers out there?

-1.
This is only for the more expensive iPhones. You can get a galaxy A13 or Motorola stylus for free with 4 for $100 lines + $20 activation. Still not totally free but if you have use for the lines anyway, it can definitely be worth it.

[DealJew]

-1.
This is only for the more expensive iPhones. You can get a galaxy A13 or Motorola stylus for free with 4 for $100 lines + $20 activation. Still not totally free but if you have use for the lines anyway, it can definitely be worth it.

Through which carrier?

[yochai]

Through which carrier?

Metro

[DealJew]

Metro

Any options without going to a store?

[yochai]

Any options without going to a store?

Only on cricket.
Just FYI, T-mobile ports don’t qualify for Metro offers and AT&T ports don’t qualify for cricket.