Delays in activating my new mobile unlimited line

I signed up for the 5 year plan with the free unlimited mobile line. When I went to activate my line, it took away the service from my old carrier but couldn't activate my new line. I have now been without cell phone service for 36 hours. When I went to the local store, after an hour of waiting and watching the agent getting in my account I was told that I would have to wait for an additional 24 to 48 hours. Like most people, I can't do without service for so long. I looked into buying a burner phone but at a cost of $59 for the phone and minutes I find that prohibitive. Help!