Possible "Extension" for bill

[ToineH]

Ok I just wanted to see if anybody did this before or if it was possible. My bill is due on the 11th and I'm afraid I won't be able to pay it until the 23rd and I was wondering if they could extending the time and I would be willing to pay a late fee or whatever. I hope they can let me do this one time. I normally pay my bill on time mostly a week or two before its even due. And I've only been on this contract with them for about 4 months. Any help or advise will be more than appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[48593039584729]

Call them and make payment arrangements.

[wnm]

Best thing to do is tell them you will be late and make arrangements in advance rather than after the fact.

[Pi Guy 3.14]

I believe you can go 29 days before they shut off your service. They probably wont even call you if you're only a week or 2 late.

If you want to feel safe just call them and make a payment arrangement and let them know. But like I said there is really no need.

[Armando175]

My advice is to call TMO before the 11th and tell them that you won't be able to make your payment by the 11th and that you want an extension which will probably be less than 10 days. If that doesn't work which I highly doubt they would say no, TMO sends a text message about 5 days after your bill is past due. You wait longer than that and chances are you'll be without service. Also, I'm sure they charge $20 to restore service because it happen to me. They once waive $100 reconnection fee because I have 5 lines.

This is what you should do if you can't pay it by the due date. Wait for the text from TMO which is usually about 5 days and they tell you "to avoid service interruption that you need to make a payment of blah blah". After that, call 611. Hit the option to check your balance/make a payment. The system automatically knows how many days you're past due. It will probably ask you if you want to make a payment or make payment arrangements. Choose to make an arrangement. Please note that making a payment arrangement through the automated system is only good for 7 days. So, if you make the arrangement tonight, you WILL have to pay the total due in 7 days. It will take you through the process and ask you if you agree with the arrangement. Remember, this works if you have a checking account ONLY.

Now the next option is to call 611 and talk to someone and tell them that you can't make the full payment but you're willing to make a partial payment today and then 7 days after the remaining balance. They ONLY give you 7 days unless you're lucky to get more. Again, this is only if you have a checking account. If you're paying cash or credit card, I'd refer to the first sentence of the first paragraph.

How do I know this works? Well, I have done it a few times and it won't have an impact on your service at all. This works for me and it might work for you or anyone else unless you have screwed up in the past with them. Just make sure you have that money ready in your account when that date comes. That's the reason why I love TMO.

I apologize for the long reply but I hope it helps someone out.

[amy.amy.amy.]

You might want to find somebody to borrow you some money. If you're late on your TMO bill, it DOES show up on your credit report and can affect you negatively - EVEN IF YOU MAKE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS. No matter what, you should call the service and let them know what's going on, but weigh your options carefully....

[Artemis68]

Actually, that's a common misconception. Paying your cell phone bill late does not affect your credit report. If your account becomes delinquent and (maybe) gets shut off due to non-payment a few times, then yes, it can affect you negatively. But generally no, just being late (without having your service shut off) will not make your credit lower.

It's a lot of paperwork for the companies to submit so most will not do it for small things like a late cell phone bill. But I would still pay your bills on time and definitely do not allow it to be shut off.

[duck383]

t-mo is cool with helping and keeping their customers just call them on the 11th and they will automatically give you a 7 day extension so say u need 10 days then they will ask for an account number for a checking (or cc) just in case, they have worked with me in the past when the due date and payday dont work together.
**note** the 7 days is from the DAY you call them, they'll take care of you.

[Myveggies]

Nothing gets reported to your credit report if you are not late more than 30 days. This applies to everything: Cell phone bills, car payments, credit card bills, mortgage, etc... Some even won't report until 60 days.

However, you are still subject to late fees, finance charges and APR increases associated within the contracts of each institution.

[48593039584729]

Sure but cell phones don't report as delinquent until the account is charged off.

[NorrisCell]

Originally Posted by 48593039584729

Sure but cell phones don't report as delinquent until the account is charged off.

This sums it up. Cell phones only show on your credit (Good or bad) if your bill goes to collections. Nothing less

[Strontium]

While unemployed, for a spell, I was able to go about 60 days without making a payment. I don't advise it. However, they didn't give me any problems over it and didn't charge any late fees. Never had to call anyone, either. I did, however, make sure to bring the account current before getting past 60 days.