is a top-up required immediately after activation?

[amk2795]

So I'm getting a new phone Friday (HTC Wildfire S, I've decided) and my GoPhone balance doesn't run out until the end of the month. I've compromised with my parents that if I got the phone, I'd wait until the end of the month to start the service (Which is $10 more than I'm paying on AT&T currently).

So if I buy the phone, can I activate it/get a new phone number (Which I need because my current phone number isn't in this area code/it annoys me and my phone number has been spammed by numerous telemarketers) without topping up right away? Or do I have to put money on the account right away? If so, I can wait a week to activate it (I'll just play around with the phone itself until then!)


Thanksya!

 

[melim]

Have to pay for your first month to get a # and service from VM. And they recycle #s like soda cans, so you'll probably still get a lot of telemarketing spam. And calls for the last 3 people who had the # before you, if you're lucky like I was... So play with your new toy for a week, activate and pay (check this forum for the kickback codes thread; free minutes for you and the person whose code you use. PM the person first to make sure they're still a VM customer and the code is valid, though), then put your new number on the Do Not Call registry right away.

 

[amk2795]

they recycle #s like soda cans

Oh god I know, it happened to my mom. She had to get a new number.

check this forum for the kickback codes thread

It's not that I don't love you all, but my mom's forcing me to use her kickback code, aha.

put your new number on the Do Not Call registry right away.

What's this?

 

[UnixPimp]

I cannot speak for all Radio Shacks, but the one near me insists on selling you top up minutes for a new VM phone unless you have an existing account with VM.

Be prepared to argue with the pimple-faced geeks that work at Radio Shack if you go there.

 

[melim]

It's not that I don't love you all, but my mom's forcing me to use her kickback code, aha.

Absolutely use your Mom's code, then.

What's this?

https://donotcall.gov/


And yeah with the Radio Shacks. Mine didn't give me a problem, but you can always have someone else go in for you and say it's a gift and the recipient isn't going to activate it right away if you don't feel like fighting with them and their made up policies.

 

[amk2795]

I cannot speak for all Radio Shacks, but the one near me insists on selling you top up minutes for a new VM phone unless you have an existing account with VM.

Be prepared to argue with the pimple-faced geeks that work at Radio Shack if you go there.

Well on Black Friday, they're not going to want to deal with setting up a prepaid account at 5:30AM.

If they ask, I'll just tell them it's an upgrade.

 

[MacFett]

you'll probably still get a lot of telemarketing spam. And calls for the last 3 people who had the # before you

I've had my number 21 months and never had a problem with this, nor has my wife (although she has only had her number for 7 months).

I cannot speak for all Radio Shacks, but the one near me insists on selling you top up minutes for a new VM phone unless you have an existing account with VM.

Just tell them you do not want/need the minutes and if they insist ask for a manager or head over to Best Buy. I did exactly that when I bought my wife's Optimus V.