Must I activate phone when I pick it up?

You do not have to activate it there unless it is a contract phone.but pre-paid no contract you can activate yourself. The phone will prompt you when it is turned on. but remember you will need to have the pre-paid card with money on it to activate it. But I strongly recommend that you do not buy the kyocera hydroedge as I currently own one and have had nothing but problems since day one I have sent it back to the company two times within the first 2 months of owning it.Because it has to be sent to there own repair center and it never gets back to you when they tell you it will. It is not worth the hassle I suggest that you do your research before making a cell phone purchase Maybe if I had followed my own advice I would not be stuck with a useless phone. Good Luck