Any way to extend Verizon trial period

[rockdawg]

I was an iPhone/AT&T user for the last couple years and I switched to the Droid/Verizon. I love everything about the Droid except the call quality. It's been horrible! My wife and I both got Droids and I am on my second one. I can not live with the poor sound on this thing. My problem is that I really hate to step down in phones and I just read this weekend that the Nexus one and/or HTC Incredible might be available through Verizon on the 23rd of this month. My problem is that I bought my phone/contract on 2/19 so I'll end up a few days shy. Is there any way to not get stuck paying full price for either if they show up on the 23rd?

Since the Droid isn't working for either of us, my wife has decided that she wants a Droid Eris. If I return both Droids and get 2 Eris will I get a fresh 30 days from that day or will it be retroactive to the beginning. I would think the 30 days would start anew since I'm having problems and it could turn out to be Verizon's service in my area rather than just the Droid, but obvioulsy I need to test with another phone to be sure.

 

[Jared DiPane]

Nope. Returning the phones will not start a fresh 30 days. Also, exchanging them will lock you into that device, as under the 30 day worry free guarentee you are allowed one device change, after that you have to pay full retail for a new device until your at the next upgrade point of your contract.

 

[danaevett]

Rockdawg,

I sort of have the same problem. I am currently a Verizon customer and on 2/19 I got the Droid Eris and quit using my blackberry. I like the Droid Eris but it does have some querks. I probably just need more time using it. My plan is to take my phone back on March 18th and say that I hate the phone and that I just want to go back to my blackberry. Then, they will charge me a $35 restocking fee and I revert back to my blackberry for a few days and then I'm going back to get the Nexus 1 the day it comes out. Since you were not already a Verizon customer, your situation is a little trickier. You have 30 days ,not only to take your phone back, but also before you're locked into your contract, if I were you, I would take your phones back on the 18th and tell them that you're really unsatisfied and that you're going to go back to AT&T. You would then be without a cell phone for a few days but as soon as the Nexus comes out you can march right back in there and sign up again and get two new N1's. You could also mention to them that you read that the N1 is coming out on March 23rd and that you're interested in trying the N1. If they say no we can do that, then simply tell them you're going to go back to AT&T and they may change the rules just for you. Best of luck.

 

[rockdawg]

...if I were you, I would take your phones back on the 18th and tell them that you're really unsatisfied and that you're going to go back to AT&T. You would then be without a cell phone for a few days but as soon as the Nexus comes out you can march right back in there and sign up again and get two new N1's.

I thought about this, but wouldn't I then lose my cell numbers since I would have no carrier for a while?

 

[rockdawg]

I'm wondering. What if I buy two cheap CDMA phones off Ebay? Could I then go to Verizon, return the Droids and use the cheap phones until the N1 comes out and then get it? Kind of like danaevett would take the Eris back and go back to the old BB for a while. I realize I would already be locked into my contract, but they wouldn't be subsidizing any phones for me so wouldn't that allow me to buy the discounted phones later?

 

[danaevett]

Concerning your first reply. Your contacts should be fully sycn'd and backed up to your gmail email account. This means that when you do get your Nexus, you just sync it to your gmail account and all your contacts with all their info will automatically be downloaded to your new phones.

Concerning your second reply. At one time my wife got her phone wet and we didn't have insurance on it and it wasn't time to get a new one. She happened to go by Best Buy (they are an approved Verizon dealer) and was talking to the cell phone guy and he showed her a phone that cost like $7.99 and he took that phone and put it in his computer in place of the phone she got wet. Her new $7.99 phone was completely paid for (retail), so it was an easy fix. That was over a year ago and she's still using that same cheap phone. It's made by Samsung, & the model number is "SCH-U350". Google it and you'll see what it looks like. Nothing special but it works. In other words, you could return the Moto Droids, go to Best Buy and purchase two of these cheap phones, paying full retail for them (a whopping $7.99 each) and then have the Best Buy guy sign you up for verizon. You won't have to sign a contract since you paid full price for the phones. Another thing, Verizon stores carry this same cheap phone but charge much more for it and you also have to sign a two year contract. I've even seen this phone at Walmart. They're so inexpensive that they leave them hanging (in the package) in the accessories area. So if you don't have a Best Buy close by, Walmart has the same deal and they are a verizon retailer as well. Remember this little tip if you ever ruin your phone in the future. In my opinion you won't be wasting your money on these cheap phones. Just keep them in a drawer some where and if you ever lose or ruin one of your Nexus's, just use the cheap phone until your elgible to get another new phone. I hope this helps.

 

[Jared DiPane]

Keep in mind, if you terminate your service, like return it within the 30 days and keep no device, you will not be able to just start another contract right after with your name (they are smarter then to allow that)

if you start service with your own device, you can't upgrade so that wouldnt work either.

 

[danaevett]

Jared, you may be correct, I don't know for sure. It seems logical to me that they're not going to turn your business down. They don't make their money on the phones, they make it on the 2-year contracts. If Rockdawg buys those cheap phones and signs up for Verizon with no contract, then goes back in a week later and agrees to a 2 year contract for him and his wife, I really don't think they're gonna turn him down.

Rockdawg, I definitely don't want to screw you up. I have four lines with Verizon and I won't have a problem taking back my Eris on the 19th and telling them that I really hate it and I just want to go back to my blackberry. I have a really good excuse I can give them (the battery life sucks). Then, less than a week later, I'll walk in there, tell them I've heard good things about the Nexus and I want to try it. JMHO

 

[rockdawg]

I've contacted two different Verizon customer service agents and both said the same thing. They said I could return the Droids without a re-stocking fee since we are having technical problems with them. We can then transfer to a non-contract plan using our own phones (I'm going to get two cheapo flip phones off Ebay) while keeping our phone numbers. They called this doing an "ESN change". Whatever that means. They said we are then free to get any phone we want down the road since we are not under contract. Works for me!

 

[rockdawg]

It's made by Samsung, & the model number is "SCH-U350". Google it and you'll see what it looks like. Nothing special but it works. In other words, you could return the Moto Droids, go to Best Buy and purchase two of these cheap phones, paying full retail for them (a whopping $7.99 each) and then have the Best Buy guy sign you up for verizon.

The cheapest I could find that phone anywhere is $39.99.

 

[Jared DiPane]

Jared, you may be correct, I don't know for sure. It seems logical to me that they're not going to turn your business down. They don't make their money on the phones, they make it on the 2-year contracts. If Rockdawg buys those cheap phones and signs up for Verizon with no contract, then goes back in a week later and agrees to a 2 year contract for him and his wife, I really don't think they're gonna turn him down.

The only way to do that would be prepaid cell phones, you cant start any non contract post paid lines...

 

[rockdawg]

The only way to do that would be prepaid cell phones, you cant start any non contract post paid lines...

That's exactly the opposite of what they told me. When the first agent was explaining it to me I said, "You mean I could switch to the Pay As You Go plan?". She said, "No, that's a pre-pay plan. I'm talking about a plan exactly like you are currently on, but without a contract.". I confirmed this by calling back later in the day and a second agent said the exact same thing. In fact, she asked if I had the two flip phones on me because she could do the ESN change over the phone and I could then take the Droids back to my local store later.

I specifically asked her again, "If I do this I can then get a subsidized phone in a month or two?". She replied that I could get a subsidized phone anytime after that because I wouldn't be tied to a contract. But if and when I did, that would then tie me to a contract.

 

[Jared DiPane]

Interesting. Maybe its something new they are doing now. I know in the past they didn't offer this, but I could be wrong. At least you called 2 times to verify the information. Hopefully it all works out like they are saying it will.

 

[rockdawg]

Interesting. Maybe its something new they are doing now. I know in the past they didn't offer this, but I could be wrong. At least you called 2 times to verify the information. Hopefully it all works out like they are saying it will.

I hear ya. That's why I called twice. I hate to go buy two flip phones for no reason. I just wonder if any of this will matter. Becasue if the N1 isn't subsidized, then this is all moot. Unless the HTC Incredible comes out just soon.

 

[misskitcate]

Please don't buy any prepaid phone to put on a regular line - the VZW system won't allow you to activate it unless it's active on an actual prepaid phone number for at least 6 months

Also, careful with the returning the phones/ changing to ebay-ed phones (ESN change is the electronic serial number aka MEID) - MAKE SURE THEY CHANGE THE UPGRADE DATES BACK FOR YOU AS SOON AS YOU RETURN THE NEW PHONES! It doesn't always do that automatically, then you'll have to fight with someone who doesn't know how to research an account properly to get it fixed. Not to mention they'll have to get a supervisor, etc because they've taken every power imaginable away from regular phone reps in their attempt to make employees miserable

 

[danaevett]

Yeah, I looked it up too and it was $39.99. I asked my wife about it and she said that Best Buy was having a sale on that phone that day. That's a huge markdown, but that's what she said. I hope things work out for you.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

The cheapest I could find that phone anywhere is $39.99.

Just go on ebay and serach for Verizon Cel Phone and there are lots of cheap phones on there, some new some refurbished, some used. Since you're only gonna use it for a month or two does it really matter if it is new or not?

Oh and FYI those cheap ones at Wal-Mart are INPulse prepaid phones (I work there) and may or may not be compatible with their regular service.

I used to be an INPulse customer and upgraded from a cheap one to a good phone (was a Razor V3 at the time) and before I did I called CS and verified that it would work as a contract phone if I decided to change and they told me it would.

A couple months later I decided to change and the sales reps told me the same thing. One problem, it didn't work and rather than loose me as a customer (I didn't even have tho threaten or anything) they GAVE me another phone (same one, contract version) and didn't take my old one. It was supposed to be $119 with a two year agreement at the time.

Later after I went to an even better phone I used a program on BitPim to dissect the firmware on the two phones and found that there was at least twice as much firmware on the contract one as the prepaid one. I've researched this since then and gotten mixed answers as to weather that type if thing would work or not, from both customers ad VZW reps and other so called experts (Howard Forums, etc.)

The moral of the story is, while they look the same, INPulse phones are are not the same as the contract equivalent and may not work on a contract line.