Verizon vs Costco?

**Matt Cason** · 12-14-2011, 09:11 AM

I am still currently on AT&T and have a crappy old iPhone 3GS. I have eagerly been waiting for the GNEX to come out and port my number back over to Verizon. My question is after seeing posts that Costco will have it for $289 ($10 less than VZW) do you think they will put together one of their accessory bundles? I know they have done that in the past for other devices but they mostly seem like Motorolas. My local VZW store opens tomorrow at 9am, but Costco doesn't open until 10am. I cant decide if I want to go ahead and go to Verizon at 9am or wait another hour and see if Costco has them on the 15th and if they have some free accessories with it?

**DaPoets** · 12-14-2011, 09:13 AM

I keep hearing that if you buys from Costco, Verizon stores are pretty hands off and even rude if you bring your phone to them with issues.

**DolfanCole** · 12-14-2011, 09:23 AM

There's a screen capture showing that there will be an accessory bundle with it at Costco. But, take that as speculation. Although Costco normally does sell an accessory bundle with their phones, even if it's only a charger, etc. You can find the screen capture in one of the other threads if you're interested.

**milominderbinde** · 12-14-2011, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by xxfwmxx

I am still currently on AT&T and have a crappy old iPhone 3GS...

Both stores are good but while you wait, check out the Apple User's Guide to Android with details on:
1. 4G
2. Any size other than Extra Small
3. Notification LED
4. microSD
5. Removable Battery
6. HD Video Chat (still VGA, WiFi)
7. LED Display
8. DLNA
9. Facebook Sync
10. Flash
11. NFC
12. Haptic feedback (vibrate on key-touch)
13. Full Gmail (Priority Inbox, etc.)
14. DRM-Free Music like Google & Amazon
15. Toggles
16. Widgets
17. Amazon Appstore free paid app of the day
18. Other app stores like GetJar with dozens of free paid apps
19. Goggles, Voice, etc. and Notification bar apps like the Weather Channel
20. Full Notification control: how often to repeat, vibrate, LED, etc.
21. 15-Minute free trial on apps
22. Theming
23. Visual Voicemail with Contact Photos
24. True hands-free Voice Coomands
25. Turn-by-turn navigation
26. Live Wallpaper
27. Swype
28. Real predictive keyboards like SwiftKey
29. Bluetooth Mouse/keyboard
30. See the actual files from your phone to delete, rename, move just like on a PC

**motorhed** · 12-14-2011, 05:27 PM

i'm in precisely the same situation. My 3GS is a boat anchor now and i've been intently waiting and watching VzW F' up the launch of this otherwise mint, yeah, i said mint phone. Wish it had an SD slot but whatever. It would be logical given i'm a costco member already to buy it there and score free stuff with it but it would be nice to know if they are for sure offering a bundle before i drive all over town from work. I've been waiting for a new phone for about a year, so this will be stellar. =)

PS - anyone have the link to the costco bundle picture that was somewhere on the site....i cant find it.

**Vance14** · 12-14-2011, 05:29 PM

The rep I spoke with at Costco kiosk said they will have a bundle that includes a car charger, screen protectors and a case.

**motorhed** · 12-14-2011, 05:33 PM

Awesome, thanks Vance! What's nice with the Costco/Amex card is that i'll get %1 from the purchase as well at the end of the year. =) Nothing special but better than nothing. Woot Woot!

**Blitzdroid** · 12-14-2011, 05:40 PM

Buy from Costco. In general, you will get the best deals when you buy from a 3rd party store like (Costco, Bestbuy, amazon.com, etc.) If you are willing to wait, Amazon usually has it for 1 cents 1 month after the new phone release.

Verizon stores charges full price so why buy from them? Same goes for AT&T, Tmobile, etc. Never buy from the original store. Now I'm stuck buying from the verizon store because I have an existing account and I need to upgrade using my other line which doesn't have a data plan.

**telero** · 12-14-2011, 06:01 PM

If I buy from Costco I know they have a 90 return policy...how does that work for the Verizon contract extension? Does it revert back to the amount of time left if you were doing an early upgrade? Does the time keep ticking on the original contract?

**Danv1369** · 12-14-2011, 06:02 PM

Can some one please confirm if you can use your new every 2 upgrade at costco?

**Maserati86** · 12-14-2011, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Danv1369

Can some one please confirm if you can use your new every 2 upgrade at costco?

You can upgrade, but you can't use the $50 credit.

**Maserati86** · 12-14-2011, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by telero

If I buy from Costco I know they have a 90 return policy...how does that work for the Verizon contract extension? Does it revert back to the amount of time left if you were doing an early upgrade? Does the time keep ticking on the original contract?

You can't terminate the Verizon contract after 14 days, but you can return or exchange the phone for up to 90 days. When you exchange, you only have to pay the upgrade price on the new phone, so it is essentially an even exchange.

**Cory S** · 12-14-2011, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Maserati86

You can't terminate the Verizon contract after 14 days, but you can return or exchange the phone for up to 90 days. When you exchange, you only have to pay the upgrade price on the new phone, so it is essentially an even exchange.

I just did this from a Bionic to a RAZR. You can return the phone...but you DO NOT get an upgrade back from Verizon. Meaning..you get 300 bucks back.. and have to buy a new phone at full retail.

You can return it for another device, although they do make you walk a maze through their store...I asked for a map.

She gives you a slip to take to returns. Wait in line there, return your phone, they put the money back on your credit card. From returns you go to the register (it's costco, expect to be behind 9 people with 4 overloaded baskets) where you buy the new phone...the register sends you to the cage where you pick up the new phone (probably another line), the cage sends you back to the wireless booth where they activate said new phone.

**telero** · 12-14-2011, 07:56 PM

Got it, wasn't sure how that part worked as far as Verizon goes. Still better than a restocking fee though.

**ShanMan** · 12-14-2011, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Vance

The rep I spoke with at Costco kiosk said they will have a bundle that includes a car charger, screen protectors and a case.

The car charger doubles as wall charger and you get 2 cases, a belt style and pocket one, at least per the guy at my local Costco.

**motorhed** · 12-15-2011, 10:21 AM

FYi - the GNex didn't arrive at the costco's close to where i'm at. They are not getting them until later today (around noon) when the truck comes in. I would call your costco first before going there to ensure they have them.