Activations: involves Palm - AT&T - now Lightbridge.com?

[guncollector]

Well, I received some interesting information from my last call to Palm to inquire why brick-and-mortar stores can activate almost instantneously, while Palm takes days if not up to a week just to perform the credit check.

The answer is Palm uses a third-party credit check provider/services co. by the name of Lightbridge, who's tel. is: 781-359-4000.

When I called there, they answered as if it were some Top Secret, "Eyes Only", need-to-know basis that they're at all involved with Palm. After a somewhat brusque conversation where they tried to brush me off back to Palm, they then referred me to their sub-contractor, Profiles Screening Service (tel: 800-847-2444). That number only takes messages for disputing background/credit check findings.

So, the answer why it take so damn long to get your T|W from Palm, is that the credit checks are being handled a third-party services company, who in turn are sub-contracting out the credit check work to another company, and there is basically no one to answer for anything.

Perhaps some complaints by over this crappy arrangement from Palm customers who expect a bit more expedited service might speed things up?

[srm59]

How about adding, inphonic.com to the list? I had trouble activating too. So, I went to my local AT&T Wireless store, they couldn't help except to give me a phone number.

I get home, place the call. Talk to three helpful reps, the third of which asks for my life story (again). I had already done that when I purchased the phone. But, I figure OK, they need to do the verification. And she confirmed this was just for verification.

OK, we're all done and she lets me know to check my email to verify the status. OK, cool I figure, we're all set. So, I go online and check my email to see the following:

> Qty Unit Price Total Description
>
> 1 $0.00 $0.00 AT&T Wireless
> Mobile Internet $39.99
>
> SubTotal $549.99
> Shipping $0.00
> Type Ground
> Tax $0.00
> Total $549.99


I flipped! This unit was paid for, shipped and delivered (with the $250 off not full price). What gives? I tried calling back but, could not get any answers. The CSR I called "accidentally" dropped the call. (I was nice on the phone too.) So, now I resorted to sending an email. I'll see what that brings.

Oh, I almost forgot about my opening sentence. The email I received was from inphonic.com. Who the heck are they?

[srm59]

Just a quick update, I received a response to my email. It refers me to call AT&T with any billing issues.

You know, I beginning to wonder if this is all worth it. Maybe I should just go back to paper and pencil...

Further update
OK, I called this last number that they emailed me and I finally got someone who was helpful and knew what I was asking and was able to answer my questions. Although it was given to me as AT&T Customer Service, the Rep I spoke to admitted that she was really a third party service. But, at least she had all the answers to my questions. Hoping that this might help someone else, here is the phone number:
1.888.378.6509.