Can someone clarify a verizon 2year smartphone plan for me?

[Oxn]

Ok suppose im using a dummy phone, and i am up for a renewal.

I decide i am going to renew my 2year contract with a smartphone plan. So i buy the smartphone and am now on contract.

Now lets say 2 months down the line i dont want to be on a dataplan any longer and want to go back to a dummy phone. Can i?

Is the 2 year contract for the phone plan, or is the 2 year contract for the phone plan and the data plan?

 

[MissJennell#IM]

You can go back to a dummy phone at any point in time. Just put the dummy phone back on the line and cancel the data.

 

[anon(19758)]

Just for the sake of a second opinion... she's right. You're contracted with Verizon to have a phone on that line for 2 years. If the phone you choose to use on that line does not require a data package, they cannot require you to pay for one. However, and I say this from experience: If you make the jump from dumbphone to smartphone... you ain't gonna go back (unless money gets really tight.) The convenience it adds to life is just... awesome.

 

[nerdydesi]

Yes, you can switch between a smart phone and a feature phone anytime. Of course, your 2 year contract extension will still remain no matter what. If you terminate before the contract end date, you'll still have to pay the ETF. You could always sell that smartphone to help pay off the ETF.

If you do move to a feature-phone, you can take off your data plan and reduce your monthly bill since they don't require it yet smartphones do.

 

[Oxn]

thanks guys, youve been of much help.

 

[CHIP72]

I have a semi-related question. Suppose I want to add a line for a phone (either a smartphone or a feature phone) that I currently have but am not using. Can I add the line to a family plan at $10/month (and a data plan in the case of a smartphone) and activate the unused device? Also, would there be an early termination fee (for either a smartphone or a feature phone) if I decided to cancel out the line with the smartphone/feature phone that was NOT bought at a subsidized discount?

(I bought a Palm Pre 2 on eBay yesterday, and I also have an LG VX8350 feature phone that typically lasts about a week on a charge. I'm giving some thought to adding one or both of these phones to my plan. However, I wouldn't want to be locked in for 2 years or be subject to an ETF on either device.)

 

[anon(19758)]

I don't know for sure, but if you canceled within 30 days I don't think you'd be in trouble. I've had this same thought about my old blackberry. Activate it, use its upgrade on my main line, ditch it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[nerdydesi]

If you activate a new line of post-paid service and bring your own device, you should be able to go month-to-month and cancel anytime without any early termination fees. You only get an early termination fee if you get a device with a discount because they have to make that discount back from you.

I believe all the carriers do that except for Sprint, which unfortunately still puts you in a 2 year agreement and charges you an ETF for leaving, even if you bring your own device and start a new line with them. That's why I left them during their 30 day trial period which has since been reduced to 14 days as with Verizon.

 

[MissJennell#IM]

I have a semi-related question. Suppose I want to add a line for a phone (either a smartphone or a feature phone) that I currently have but am not using. Can I add the line to a family plan at $10/month (and a data plan in the case of a smartphone) and activate the unused device? Also, would there be an early termination fee (for either a smartphone or a feature phone) if I decided to cancel out the line with the smartphone/feature phone that was NOT bought at a subsidized discount?

(I bought a Palm Pre 2 on eBay yesterday, and I also have an LG VX8350 feature phone that typically lasts about a week on a charge. I'm giving some thought to adding one or both of these phones to my plan. However, I wouldn't want to be locked in for 2 years or be subject to an ETF on either device.)

You will still have to sign a contract. There will just be an upgrade that you can use on that line.

 

[nerdydesi]

You will still have to sign a contract. There will just be an upgrade that you can use on that line.

I'm sure if you bring your own device to Verizon, you can open a post-paid line of service without a contract nor an early termination fee. You should just be able to go month-to-month. A contract and ETF only apply if you get a device at a subsidized discount. Sprint is a carrier that does require you to sign a 2 year agreement and charges an ETF even if you bring your own phone to them and start a new line of service. I found that out disappointingly last year and promptly canceled with them.

 

[Ben0rr10]

I too am very curious. So if I were to order a phone lets say online, and went instore to activate a dummy phone with that new line. What exactly would occur?

 

[anon(19758)]

Then you'd be stuck with two phones on contract. You have to put the dummy phone on a new line in the store, and THEN order the phone.

Sent from my Droid X using Tapatalk and Swype, so please forgive any spelling errors.

 

[MissJennell#IM]

I'm sure if you bring your own device to Verizon, you can open a post-paid line of service without a contract nor an early termination fee. You should just be able to go month-to-month. A contract and ETF only apply if you get a device at a subsidized discount. Sprint is a carrier that does require you to sign a 2 year agreement and charges an ETF even if you bring your own phone to them and start a new line of service. I found that out disappointingly last year and promptly canceled with them.

Verizon is the same as Sprint in this respect.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Just for the sake of a second opinion... she's right. You're contracted with Verizon to have a phone on that line for 2 years. If the phone you choose to use on that line does not require a data package, they cannot require you to pay for one. However, and I say this from experience: If you make the jump from dumbphone to smartphone... you ain't gonna go back (unless money gets really tight.) The convenience it adds to life is just... awesome.

Exactly right, but I will also add that if you buy the phone from Amazon Wireless, Wirefly, Let'sTalk or one of the other discount internet resellers be aware of the fact that if you remove the data plan from the line and move the phone during the first 6 months, you will be liable for an extra fee ($250) from them because they loose their commission or at least part of it. Going to a corporate store or one of the more reputable big box resellers (Best Buy, Walmart, etc.) you don't have to deal with that.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

I have a semi-related question. Suppose I want to add a line for a phone (either a smartphone or a feature phone) that I currently have but am not using. Can I add the line to a family plan at $10/month (and a data plan in the case of a smartphone) and activate the unused device? Also, would there be an early termination fee (for either a smartphone or a feature phone) if I decided to cancel out the line with the smartphone/feature phone that was NOT bought at a subsidized discount?

(I bought a Palm Pre 2 on eBay yesterday, and I also have an LG VX8350 feature phone that typically lasts about a week on a charge. I'm giving some thought to adding one or both of these phones to my plan. However, I wouldn't want to be locked in for 2 years or be subject to an ETF on either device.)

You can do this and then put a dumb phone on the new line yes, but the ETF for smartphones will still apply to that line, The ETF is set when you do the contract for the line and does not change when you change the phone.

But like I said on my other post, this would work if you are going to a corporate store or one of the more reputable resellers, but you go through Amazon, Wirefly, or LetsTalk that extra fee applies as well if you move the phone within six months.

 

[Jude526]

I worked for a premium indirect. Our customers had to keep the device for 6 months otherwise we got the full retail for the phone. They cost money and our price on the phone was cheaper than corporate store. We also would give them a replacement within the first 90 days if something happened that wasn't their fault. He still operates this way. They sign two contracts. One for corporate and one for us.
Our replacement was new. After the 6 months they had to continue with corporate.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

 

[FrankXS]

You can do this and then put a dumb phone on the new line yes, but the ETF for smartphones will still apply to that line, The ETF is set when you do the contract for the line and does not change when you change the phone.

Thanks.

-Frank


Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt 4G/LTE using Tapatalk

 

[Cares]

I can confirm 100% that if your bring your own device to Verizon, you will be on month to month. I have added a family line with a borrowed device and cancelled the plan 1 month later without additional fees. This was 4 months ago so unless they changed their policy or I was a rare case, this is what it is. Call to verify though.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

I can confirm 100% that if your bring your own device to Verizon, you will be on month to month. I have added a family line with a borrowed device and cancelled the plan 1 month later without additional fees. This was 4 months ago so unless they changed their policy or I was a rare case, this is what it is. Call to verify though.

Correct. Any device (provided it is a Verizon phone, not something from say Sprint) as long as it is compatible with the network (ie can't be analog) an be activated month to month. You pay the $36 activation fee but there is no ETF if you kill the line later.