Short answer: yes. At BuyCell Cleveland, we don't run a credit check to lease you a phone. If you have a job, a valid ID, and can put $50 down, you can walk out with a phone the same day — or we'll ship it to you anywhere in the US.
We hear this question every single day, so let's break down why bad credit doesn't matter for lease-to-own and how it actually works.
Why carriers deny you (and we don't)
When you go to T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T and try to finance a phone, they pull your credit. If your score is below 600, you're either denied or asked for a huge deposit — sometimes $400 to $500 just to get started.
That's because carrier financing is a loan. They're lending you $1,000+ for a phone and hoping you pay it back over 24-36 months.
Lease-to-own is different. You're not borrowing money. You're renting the phone with an option to own it once you've made enough payments. Because we're not extending credit, we don't need to check it.
What you actually need to get approved
- A valid government ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport
- Proof of income — a pay stub, bank statement, or cash app/Venmo history showing regular deposits
- $50 down payment — that's it to get started
- A working phone number — so we can reach you about your account
No credit check. No SSN required. No co-signer. The whole approval process takes about 5 minutes.
What do payments look like?
Most of our customers pay $25 to $50 per week depending on the phone. Here's a rough idea:
- iPhone 12 or 13: around $25-30/week
- iPhone 14 or 15: around $35-45/week
- Samsung Galaxy S23/S24: around $30-40/week
You keep paying weekly until the phone is paid off, then it's yours to keep. Most leases run about 5-6 months. You can also pay it off early anytime with no penalty.
What if I miss a payment?
Life happens — we get it. If you're going to be late, just give us a call. We work with our customers. We'd rather help you catch up than take the phone back. We're a small local business, not a corporation.
Can I lease if I'm out of state?
Yes. We ship to all 50 states. The process is the same — apply online, get approved, and we ship the phone to your door. Payments are handled through our online portal.
Why people in Cleveland choose BuyCell
We've been serving the Cleveland area from our store on Pearl Road in Parma Heights. Our customers come back because we keep it simple — no hidden fees, no contracts, and we actually pick up the phone when you call.
If you've been turned down by a carrier because of your credit, don't give up on getting a good phone. Come see us or apply online — it takes less time than waiting in line at a carrier store.