Online Credit Check vs In Store Manual Credit Check

JBH1488

Hello,
I was just wondering if someone could help guide me.

To cut a long story short, my partner in a previous relationship ruined my credit score for the most part which i am still trying to correct.

I've held off on phone contracts for a while, but my phone is old and is becoming slower and i would like an upgrade.

I was initially refused online but was told i could in-store and get a manual credit.
Is there more of a chance i'd get accepted in store as apparently they do it as manual underwriting as they take into account my proof of current financial situation as opposed to automated underwriting online.

Is it worth trying instore?

Sebmobile

Not answering the initial question but getting multiple credit checks in a short period can be pretty bad for your credit score.
What was the phone/contract you wanted?
If you have the ability to hang on and save up for a few months then getting a lower-cost handset which is "better" and faster than your current one could be the best solution (paired with a SIM) - You can get some decent quality Huawei or Samsung Galaxy A__ handsets for under £200.

Vodafone (and possibly others) has a "SIM-only flexible upgrade" that lets you upgrade to a handset after 3 months. So you're essentially proving your credit-worthiness as you pay for your sim so You could call them up and ask about that to get the proper details

If someone comes along and clarifies the in-store check story as legit then go ahead 👍

Cisco001

Buy the phone and go for something like voxi, smarty, etc.

sal_III

The only way you could possibly get better chance in store is if whoever is making the credit check is allowed manual input in the decision making. And I highly doubt even branch managers in the large chains are authorised to do that. Either way they are accessing the exact same data, so if the computer says "NO" you are out of luck.

Do you really need a brand new phone? Or an expensive one at all? Plenty of handsets for around £200 are fast and snappy if not flashy.

I never understood why people buy phones on finance, If you can't save enough money to buy a phone in 12m you probably shouldn't walk around with such a valuable item in your pocket.

username

Going instore will not have different results - the credit checks will be standardised, regardless of route of purchase. They will all rely on the same back-office system at the network to make decisions.
I would also say that if your ex-partner trashed your credit rating by taking out phone contracts and leaving them unpaid, the particular network(s) will not entertain another pay monthly subscription regardless of type, as they will be able to see the former subscriptions cancelled for nonpayment if a credit check is attempted again on that particular network, whether you go directly to the network or via a dealer (Carphone etc).

nicetomeetyou

sal_III said:

I never understood why people buy phones on finance, If you can't save enough money to buy a phone in 12m you probably shouldn't walk around with such a valuable item in your pocket.

I have an iPhone 11 Pro on contract with Virgin. I could easily afford to pay for this handset outright now with my savings or continue to save my disposable income for 5 weeks and again buy one outright. I choose to have a contract because it helps maintain my credit worthiness. I'm trying to improve it... I pay £47 a month for the handset and £13 insurance. I have never missed any mobile phone payment in 4 years. My iPhone 11 Pro is a 3 year contract and I plan on keeping the phone the whole 3 years then upgrade to the newest iPhone.. Contracts work well for me.

Takmon

sal_III said:

I never understood why people buy phones on finance, If you can't save enough money to buy a phone in 12m you probably shouldn't walk around with such a valuable item in your pocket.

The deal i got meant it was cheaper to buy the phone as part of a contract than to get it on it's own.

J_B

nicetomeetyou said:

I choose to have a contract because it helps maintain my credit worthiness.

Wouldn't SIM-only do exactly the same thing?