Evening, everyone. Longtime lurker at this very helpful sub, and now I need a little bit of help.
I’d like to sign up for an iPhone contract with Docomo. I currently use 楽天モバイル, whose network coverage is decent but often spotty high up in tall buildings and outside of Tokyo. I’ll soon be starting a new job that will see me commuting a lot in and out of the Greater Tokyo area, so I need something better, i.e., Docomo.
I’ve managed to reserve the iPhone I want, and need to pick it up within the next few days. The hard part comes in the form of ID verification at the store.
I want to pay for it in installments. I know it’s more expensive that way than paying for it upfront, but I’d like to do so anyway.
I’m planning to go there with my Juminhyo (certificate of residence), a recent utility bill, and my health insurance card. As back-up, I’ll have my 在留カード and passport with me, but I don’t plan on presenting them initially. I have less than 2 years on my residence card right now, so I know the odds of being allowed to proceed are slim, but from past posts on this sub, I also know it isn’t impossible.
For people who have managed to explain their way into being allowed to sign the contract in spite of having less than two years left on their residence cards, what are some helpful phrases I can say to a hopefully kind shop assistant?
And just in case I have to sound a bit more firm than meek, what else can I say?
I’d appreciate anyone’s help. Thanks in advance.
5 comments
They’ll want to see your residence card. I wouldn’t waste money to have the juminhyo printed.
Can’t really help you on how to get out of it. I wanted to get a new phone in installments a few years back, but only had six months left of my card. They told me to come back after I renew my visa status.
You can divide your payments into 12, 24, or 36 installments.
Then, if your visa still has more than one year remaining, you will have a better chance of passing the screening if you choose the 12-payment option.
Don’t buy the phone at Docomo, even with installments. You can buy the phone with installments directly from Apple, then you can sign up for Ahamo (cheaper version of Docomo) online.
You’ll save at least 100,000 yen this way over a traditional contract.
>what are some helpful phrases I can say to a hopefully kind shop assistant?
The ones that are said by the interpreter Docomo will have on conference call. You know that Docomo has free interpretation service, right?
You’re worrying too much.
I recently got a new phone from SoftBank with a 12 month installment plan, even though I only had 7 months left on my zairyuu card. The dude tried to convince me to go for a 36 or 48 month plan too. When I declined, he asked me if I was planning on leaving Japan by then and I said no, but no one could be sure, took a jab at covid and a possible Armageddon scenario, we both chuckled and that was that. It all went smoothly.
Don’t present your juminhyou. That’s just weird. They need an ID with a photo so the hoken is out of the question too. Besides, they’ll know you’re a foreigner and definitely ask for proof of visa. Show them your zairyuu card and if asked, tell them you’ll be renewing it when the time comes.
Presenting anything but your zairyuu card is sketchy as hell. If anything, that’d be the reason they’d decline you.