Awesome Costco deal!!

[KillerG]

Just spoke with a very straightforward rep at my local Costco and he said they will have Bionic on the 8th, he acknowledged the $299 bundle deal, he verified that sales tax need only be paid on the $299 and NOT full retail price like Verizon gouges us. He also said that they are able to do an upgrade if you are at your 2 year mark on the old contract but CAN NOT do the one year upgrade offer that the Verizon website is offering.

That last bit is the killer for me since Verizon has offered me, at a little over one year, a $50 discount to upgrade to a new 2 year deal, but Costco is unable to even offer me a new 2 year contract right now to get the phone, soooo Verizon online will get my money.

Did you call him or go down there? I think I want to talk to one soon myself...And I have my 2 year contract up, and have had it up for about a year now lol. Just didn't see the need to upgrade since my phone was still working, and was kind of waiting out to see how a smartphone plays out for me. And if you send in your old phone I think they'll give you a $100 Verizon gift card too (I'm not sure if it's only for basic phones) so you'll get $100 extra to spend on junk if you buy it from Verizon.

 

[fireplug]

Did you call him or go down there? I think I want to talk to one soon myself...And I have my 2 year contract up, and have had it up for about a year now lol. Just didn't see the need to upgrade since my phone was still working, and was kind of waiting out to see how a smartphone plays out for me. And if you send in your old phone I think they'll give you a $100 Verizon gift card too (I'm not sure if it's only for basic phones) so you'll get $100 extra to spend on junk if you buy it from Verizon.

Hi! I actually went there and spoke in person with the guy. My gut feeling was he was legitamately knowledgeable. Didn't try to hardsell or BS me.... knew that I was well educated on phone and spoke like a fellow enthusiast.

I read the fine print on the upgrade/trade-in $100 offer and nowhere does it say I have to give them the Droid X I'm using right now as the trade in. So they will get my old BB Storm. ;-) so that $100 plus the $50 they will give me to upgrade after one year will make it tolerable to order online and wait.

 

[anon(49997)]

Good stuff to hear on the $100.00.

I'm not doubting any of it but I am told by Wireless Advocates You can be in your 20th month. I got this from the main office, not a store rep. Wireless Advocates told me this is a Verizon stipulation. But policies change daily so.......

But the only way to verify is to try and see eh?

 

[anon(49997)]

In looking at the $100.00 trade in offer, I see it is that for new customers or existing basic subscribers, that ditches me on that.
I do not see the 1 year offer though, still looking.

 

[KillerG]

In looking at the $100.00 trade in offer, I see it is that for new customers or existing basic subscribers, that ditches me on that.
I do not see the 1 year offer though, still looking.

I have a basic phone that I'm trading up to a smartphone, so it works for me! Lol just get an old basic phone off of somebody and send it in
But it also won't work though if I buy it at Costco, I need to get the phone cheaper than $300 if I want it next week, 2 more weeks if it's over $250 unless I can convince my parents to cough up another $100 lol

 

[fireplug]

In looking at the $100.00 trade in offer, I see it is that for new customers or existing basic subscribers, that ditches me on that.
I do not see the 1 year offer though, still looking.

The one year offer I'm talking about is when I log in to myverizon (or whatever its called) and look at my account there is a notation next to the picture of my phone saying an discounted upgrade is available to me. When I click through it is a $50 discount off the 2 year price (not a full new every two discount). Maybe not everyone is offered this. Don't know. I've had this contract for about 14 month though now I think.

 

[anon(49997)]

Ah, I also have that.
So...... I'm leaning at all those included accessories at Costco because I have usage for every one of them. I'm dang sure gonna walk in there and see.
Call me paranoid but I have a funny feeling the $150.00 to $199.99 worth of included do-dads is gonna be at the concession of something someplace. I wanna see the fine print.

 

[KillerG]

Ah, I also have that.
So...... I'm leaning at all those included accessories at Costco because I have usage for every one of them. I'm dang sure gonna walk in there and see.
Call me paranoid but I have a funny feeling the $150.00 to $199.99 worth of included do-dads is gonna be at the concession of something someplace. I wanna see the fine print.

I don't see myself using them quite as much, except for the battery. But if I did have them, I know I would use them because I could, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the docks. And I don't have a power outlet in my car (it's that old, yes) so I couldn't even plug in that car adapter without some type of modification.

 

[anon(49997)]

I don't see myself using them quite as much, except for the battery. But if I did have them, I know I would use them because I could, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy the docks. And I don't have a power outlet in my car (it's that old, yes) so I couldn't even plug in that car adapter without some type of modification.

I hear you. Tell us what the car is! Must be really Retro eh?

As a PI, I am sometimes away from a charging source for long periods and need to carry a spare battery so that and a charger will do nicely as I would have to purchase one anyway as a pro.
When I am in this situation I am usually running texting only with the screen powered really low and will for sure have 4G disabled. Gotta save power for the camera eh?

Also as a PI I live and die by Google maps & navigation. I have Streets & Trips on my Laptop with a USB GPS, and an old dash Mio c520 but only as backups and have yet had to pull them out. So the mounting cradle will be welcomed even if I do need to rig it out of the window area. Another item of required spending.

I plug my OG Droid in every night at bedside and use its alarm so that is another nice item.

My only fear is the Costco package deal will come with a sacrifice of something via Wireless Advocates.

Yes I read all your assurances that it will not and hope you guys are correct for sure but I am still skittish.

I must admit I was astray in looking at the GSII but they took care of that one for me. And as far as something better around the corner........ that is an always given........so coming from an OG Droid since Jan 1, 2010 to the Bionic will be an amazing upgrade for me.

 

[lembowski]

You are over analyzing super sleuth. Go ask to look at the contract if you are that paranoid.

The deal is every phone I have seen there is always priced much lower than the VZW retail stores. When I bought my Charge it was $179 when it was $299 at VZW. Well in the case of the Bionic it is the same price of $299 just like the VZW store, so what is going to set them apart? Free accessories that I'm sure didn't cost them much to begin with.

 

[suchashorttime]

I assume you have to have a Costco membership to get this, right? Or know someone who does?

 

[ChevyNovaLN]

I assume you have to have a Costco membership to get this, right? Or know someone who does?

Yes Costco, SAMS Club, etc... are all membership only. My wife's out shopping with my brother right now because he needed to go to SAMS Club and my wife has a membership. Its all good, you just can't get in the door without a club member with you.

 

[KillerG]

I hear you. Tell us what the car is! Must be really Retro eh?

As a PI, I am sometimes away from a charging source for long periods and need to carry a spare battery so that and a charger will do nicely as I would have to purchase one anyway as a pro.
When I am in this situation I am usually running texting only with the screen powered really low and will for sure have 4G disabled. Gotta save power for the camera eh?

Also as a PI I live and die by Google maps & navigation. I have Streets & Trips on my Laptop with a USB GPS, and an old dash Mio c520 but only as backups and have yet had to pull them out. So the mounting cradle will be welcomed even if I do need to rig it out of the window area. Another item of required spending.

I plug my OG Droid in every night at bedside and use its alarm so that is another nice item.

My only fear is the Costco package deal will come with a sacrifice of something via Wireless Advocates.

Yes I read all your assurances that it will not and hope you guys are correct for sure but I am still skittish.

I must admit I was astray in looking at the GSII but they took care of that one for me. And as far as something better around the corner........ that is an always given........so coming from an OG Droid since Jan 1, 2010 to the Bionic will be an amazing upgrade for me.

I have a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle. I've added a good amount of modernization, but I haven't gotten to a power outlet. I don't really need one, I usually just charge things through the USB port in the new radio receiver I've put in.
And myself, I'll probably be a battery nazi and run it on 3G a lot, and keep a switch to switch it 4G when I actually want to use it. I don't need updates brought in at 4G speeds, just when I'm like browsing the web and stuff. I'll figure it out when I get the phone, but I like not having to charge my phone as soon as I get home from school
EDIT: My avatar is now my car

I assume you have to have a Costco membership to get this, right? Or know someone who does?

Yes, you need a Costco membership to even get through the front door.

 

[anon(49997)]

I have a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle. I've added a good amount of modernization, but I haven't gotten to a power outlet. I don't really need one, I usually just charge things through the USB port in the new radio receiver I've put in.

I'm close to being the same way. I think the Bionic will still be more phone than I need in 2 years.

Nice ride. I have a Pioneer DEH-5200HD head unit with a USB port I really like too. I charge my Blue Ant Q2 with it and play MP3's from a flash drive.
I found one of those short USB Male to Micro Male adapters on eBay and it works nicely for mounting the Blue Ant there.
I have a Belkin Micro Auto 12v Car USB and my Laptop so I am USB port poor in my ride.

 

[KillerG]

I'm close to being the same way. I think the Bionic will still be more phone than I need in 2 years.

Nice ride. I have a Pioneer DEH-5200HD head unit with a USB port I really like too. I charge my Blue Ant Q2 with it and play MP3's from a flash drive.
I found one of those short USB Male to Micro Male adapters on eBay and it works nicely for mounting the Blue Ant there.
I have a Belkin Micro Auto 12v Car USB and my Laptop so I am USB port poor in my ride.

I'm not sure in 2 years if it will be more phone than I need...but now it is way overkill.

I'm rocking a Boss 850UBI. It has a USB port I use to charge my phone all the time. The problem though is that I don't have a place to put the car charger since I don't have a electrical outlet.

 

[fireplug]

Ah, I also have that.
So...... I'm leaning at all those included accessories at Costco because I have usage for every one of them. I'm dang sure gonna walk in there and see.
Call me paranoid but I have a funny feeling the $150.00 to $199.99 worth of included do-dads is gonna be at the concession of something someplace. I wanna see the fine print.

The Costco rep I spoke to said they can only do an upgrade if you are eligible because you are at or close to your 2 year anniversary. He specifically said that he couldn't do the upgrade that Verizon is offering me after only one year so not sure if you are in same boat as I am but be sure to get that squared away with your rep before hand so you have no disappointment come the big day!

 

[anon(49997)]

The Costco rep I spoke to said they can only do an upgrade if you are eligible because you are at or close to your 2 year anniversary. He specifically said that he couldn't do the upgrade that Verizon is offering me after only one year so not sure if you are in same boat as I am but be sure to get that squared away with your rep before hand so you have no disappointment come the big day!

You got it. I found out about the 20th month of a 2yr thing when I was looking at the HTC DInc2 earlier this year. This is a Verizon stipulation that Wireless Advocates/ Costco cannot do you a NE2 unless you are in your 20th month. If you are on a 1 year I do not know that one.
Also in speaking with the Wireless Advocates/ Costco rep, if you are eligible for the Verizon $50.00 discount it does not apply with them. Then came the sales pitch on how the accessories make up for it and more.
With more time than money on my hands I called two Atlanta area Costco's today, One store say the 9th, another 12 miles away says the 8th.
The numbers for the Cumberland Costco Wireless Advocates/Costco booth 770-431-1738, Claims The 9th.
The numbers for the Kennesaw Costco Wireless Advocates/Costco booth 770-799-1671, Claims The 8th.

 

[xxtdxx]

Just went to Costco. They didn't have a working unit but they did have a dummy unit. The form factor and feel is awesome. Told them I'll be back on Thursday to pick it up for sure.

 

[antisniperspy]

Sorry if this has been asked but can Costco do the
"$100 back from Verizon for upgrading from basic to smartphone"
????

Thanks

 

[fireplug]

Sorry if this has been asked but can Costco do the
"$100 back from Verizon for upgrading from basic to smartphone"
????

Thanks

According to rep I spoke with, no they can't. The accessories plus not paying sales tax on full retail price may make it still a better deal for you. Good luck.