I just got off the phone with VZW customer service to make sure my edge agreement wouldn't change since I signed it prior to the changes that went into effect today and they confirmed I'm good until I decide to "Edge up." That's when I'll either have to agree to the new terms or sign a contract to get reduced pricing... at least I have 1 yr before I decide. But here's the thing that got me.... the rep put me on hold to double check with his supervisor, and he comes back telling me, it's paying off the same amount on the phone before you can upgrade, but it's just stretching the payments out. I told him, you're reasoning makes no sense... How is paying off 60% (with the old Edge) the same as paying off 75%. As it was prior to today, I would be paying $420 before I can upgrade at 60% (of a $700 device) paid vs paying 75% which would make it $525 paid off before I could upgrade . He went silent!! He just kept repeating "well we're stretching out the payments which makes it more affordable since the payments would be lower".... Saving $5-6 per month doesn't make it attractive to me since I would still pay more. He then said, "well you could always make a down payment on the device so you could upgrade at 12 months with 75% paid!" Then he went on to blame the manufactures of the phones, saying they're the ones who want them to change it. BULLCACA!! He also said, all the plans with AT&T's Next program and Tmo's jump will be changing, and would probably even be done away with. I'll believe that when I see it! Ugh, I have ZERO complaints about VZW when it comes to the coverage but they're soo GREEDY!! The only bright side is, I won't have to worry about all this mess until the Note 5 comes out lol, hopefully they'll have changed it for the better by than.
EDITED TO ADD: I got a call back from the CS Rep, to remind me the $25 credit I receive per month since I have a 15GB plan wouldn't be changing. So right now instead of paying about $35 for the phone, I'm really only paying $10. If I decide to Edge up again under the new plan, the payments for a new phone (if priced at $700) would be $29ish, and I would still receive a $25 credit which would leave me paying about $4 per month for the device. But regardless of this or that credit, the bottom line is if we agree to the new terms, we have more to pay off before we qualify to Edge up.