College Student Buying Motorola Droid

[DaveUIC13]

I'm a 19 year old with no credit history. According to the people at the local VZW store, I would have to pay a $400 deposit if I purchased a phone. 

If I were to order the phone online (to avoid paying an activation fee) how would I pay my deposit? Would I be able to pay it online while ordering, or will I get a phone call telling me I have to pay the fee over the phone somehow, or would it just be applied to the first bill?

Finally, I want to port my number over from ATT prepaid. Would I be better-served ordering the phone with a new number, then taking it into the local store for a port?

Thanks in advance for answers and help.

[AFguy]

You would have to pay the $400 deposit + the price of the Moto Droid at the time you place your order with a credit card.  Alternatively, you can go into your local VZW store and pay for it in cash if you do not have a credit card.  Your $400 deposit will then be returned to you after your first year of good payment history.  As far as porting your existing ATT wireless number over to Verizon, you will be asked during ordering online, if you want a new number or if you want to port an existing number.  If you port your existing number, it can delay your order as it takes time for them to get the number released.  If you get  new number you will get our phone next day.  You might be better off going into your local VZW store, I've never ported a number before just know some who have and have had several issues.  Hope this helps, and good luck.  

[TheGreatOne]

I hate the whole depsot thing too, but that is how it goes. Like another person said you'll have to pay that $400 deposit. It really does not matter which phone you get. A deposit all depends on your credit. When signing a contract you'll be prompt for doing a deposit. The only way not to pay a deposit would be to either have someone else sign a contract for you. Let them have good credit first. Or another option would be just to go on Verizon's prepaid. Usually always you have to pay right away for the deposit before signing a contract. You'll get some of the money back either during midterm of your contract or all of it back at the end of your contract.

[#4]

If you order with a new phone number, you'll be stuck with that number.  Your contract is tied to the phone number.  If you want to keep your old AT&T number, you should have Verizon port the number from AT&T and just put up with the delay it takes to get your new phone.

[DaveUIC13]

I understand that I'll have to pay the deposit no matter what, I just don't know how they would charge me, if it would show up online in the cart or what.

How would the number port work then if I did it online? Would my existing phone work, then the port would go through when I power on the Droid for the first time?

[AFguy]

During checkout you will be asked for your social security number.   A credit check will then be run and will determine your deposit.  If it is $400, then $400 will show up in your cart as a security deposit.  The $400 will be added to the total cost of the phone.  You will be paying for the deposit at the same time you are paying for your phone.

As for the porting, when you submit your order with the decision to port your number, you will be sending VZW permission to obtain that number from ATT.  Once VZW obtains that number (Could take up to a week) then the ATT phone will no longer receive calls or make calls.  Once you receive you VZW phone, you will then dial *228 on the device and follow the prompts to program your new Verizon phone.  Once finished your calls will then go to the Verizon phone.