i message and face time does not recognize Apple ID

Bought new ipad mini 3 created apple ID but when I try to sign into iMessage or Face Time it will not recognize my ID and fails to progress beyond the select email section to receive messages / calls. Spoke to Apple support who said it was a server issue and had been for about 2 weeks on checking internet this would seem to have been an issue for some time. Apple support were not very helpful on a time frame and all they said was they would escalate the call. that was a week ago and no update as yet ? Does anyone have any ideas ?