Costco Bionic Help

[rumors]

Does anyone have experience exchanging a phone at Costco for a different phone?
We have been talking about policy and what Costco people say, can someone share an actual experience with exchanging a phone at Costco?

 

[Markurski]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that costco might decide to not even carry the bionic at there store. They don't carry every verizon phone now. So what are you going to do if you buy the charge and then never sell the bionic there? food for thought!

You took the words right out of my mouth sbrec! Why take that chance...

Also, I was thinking, if you do decide to take back the Charge and exchange for the Bionic (presumably to get locked into unlimited data and beat the tiered rates that are going to go into effect sometime this summer), what is the likelyhood that you will be able to keep the unlimited plan? I know the 2 year contract will be voided, but you're getting a new phone. Is Verizon going to allow you to keep the Unlimited plan?

 

[Tailback]

I'm a totally clueless old fat guy about phones. If I were to get the Charge with an unlimited data package, will that lock me in for the future as long as I'm with Verizon? I don't need so much the bleeding edge technology but paying for data in the future could make a big difference.

 

[shipwrestler125]

I did literally the exact same thing as you on May 23rd; got a Charge at Costco and plan on exchanging for the Bionic. I am gonna go ahead and say it'll be out by the end of August. Rumors have forever been saying a summer release for the Bionic, I'm not really worried. I bet mid-July will be the release; last July was the big release of the Droid X, maybe they'll correspond.

Summer goes up until september.

 

[shipwrestler125]

I manage a kiosk in Costco, so let me lay it down for you. The exchange policy is 90 days, so when the bionic comes out (end of june) you will be able to exchange for it. You would just have to pay the difference if there is one (don't think there will be). However your 90 days does not start over again...its ends 90 days from the original purchase date (regardless of how many times you exchange the phone). We do not honor NE2 credits, but give you instant rebates and free accessories. Costco members take advantage of this god awful policy all the time, so don't be surprised if the reps are a little irritated at first

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

Ha i wouldnt be saying it is coming out in June when all indications are pointing to August. Because I know you don't have any insider info because if testers say it will come out they usually are pretty close with time frame.

 

[Hand_O_Death]

Seems kind of shady. Where do the used phones go? Someone is loosong mpney on that deal. But with that said, I could see using this method to avoid the tieted data. Although it would be hilarious to find out costco then does not carry the phone when it comes out.

 

[anon(49997)]

I would imagine those insurance claims that issue refurbs are returned phones they check out.

 

[ShiZero]

What keeps them from just reselling the old phone as new if it has absolutely no visible damage on it, however?

I ask this because, more than once, I've gone to a VZW store only to see a rep explaining to a customer how they "need to remove the other person's data" off the phone, etc. As a matter of fact, the last phone my mother got from them had been someone else's for a few days, and still had some pictures and contacts in it that the reps didn't even bother removing.

 

[ushneb]

For those buying online, the 90 day return policy is written. For those who want to buy in a store, you can simply ask a rep there for information regarding their return policy and grab a pamphlet that has it in writing. I've been told by my friend who works at Costco that this is perfectly fine to do, Their return policy has changed alot since the good ol days when you can buy something and then return/exchange it many, many years later. I remember another friend of mine who bought an ipod and when it broke 2 years later, he waltzed on in there and exchanged it for another one, a brand new one of the latest generation. This was like 6+ years ago before they revised their return policy.

Bionic is coming out in August like most people have been saying. For those who don't need or want LTE, the Droid3 should be dropping mid July.

People with NE2, you will not be able to get that credit at Costco. Everyone who signs a contract is automatically enrolled in the NE2 program. It only applies to the primary line. The amount of it depends on when you last signed a contract on a plan of either greater than $35 or $80; If before Feb 15th 2009 you will receive credits of $50 & $100 and if after that date it would've been $30 & $50. As we all know After Feb 14th of this year NE2 was killed off and anyone who had previously signed a contract before that date gets to use their NE2 1 last time. So it really depends on what phone you have and want to get. If you have a smartphone already and have a nice big NE2 to blow then maybe you should wait to use it later on through Verizon. If, however, you don't have a smartphone and want to lock in the unlimited but don't like the selection of LTE devices out now you can go the route of Costco's 90 day return policy.

I know it's not cool what some people do to abuse the return policy of Costco. But in this situation I say blame Verizon for killing off unlimited. They basically forcing our hand.

Off topic here but I'm curious what do you all think about AT&T buying out T-Mobile? For it? Against it? I'm personally for it but I'm curious as to what others think.

 

[anon(49997)]

Decent post thanks,

I want to clarify the NE2 at Costco. They (the contractor Costco uses) can only give it to you but ONLY if you are in your 20th month or later of your contract. This is a rule Verizon has in place.I ran that gauntlet two months ago.

 

[ushneb]

Decent post thanks,

I want to clarify the NE2 at Costco. They (the contractor Costco uses) can only give it to you but ONLY if you are in your 20th month or later of your contract. This is a rule Verizon has in place.I ran that gauntlet two months ago.

NE2 has always been only available at the 20th month of your contract; the new every two years portion. It actually used to be 22 months but about 2 or so years ago they reduced it to 20 months. Only instances where people have been able to use their NE2 early by a month or 2 was directly through Verizon's telesales and even then they had to get authorization from a supervisor.

It's interesting to know that Costco can give it to you. From what I remember, 3rd party vendors don't offer NE2 discounts. Perhaps that's changed or was always that way. I've actually never gone through a 3rd party vendor but only through Verizon. Just lots of stories from people who have.

Thanks for the update. I think it's important for people to have all the info before they march on in. Reps don't always know everything. Don't fight them on it if what they're telling contradicts what you know to be true. More than likely they're just misinformed. I can't tell how many times I've gone into a Verizon store and had to tell them how to do their jobs just to have their manager verify that I was correct.

 

[Cruiserdude]

Of note, the Verizon resellers in HH Gregg can and do honor NE2 credits. They also do price matching, though they claim they cannot combine the two. However they definitely can combine them with authorization from a supervisor, I'm proof of that. I went to get my Charge on Memorial Day when Amazon had it for $199 on upgrade, and wanted them to match that AND give me my NE2 credit. He said it was either or, but he's a commissioned salesman and I was ready to walk. So he called his boss, and he okayed it.

Only downside is you only get Verizon's 2 weeks to exchange, but I like the Charge and don't particularly care to spend twice as. much for the Bionic real soon. This just gives me more reason to wait until something bigger and better comes along, and has honestly turned me into quite the Sanding fan.

 

[ShiZero]

Just came back from returning my Charge at Costco. It was hard to see it go

However in explaining to the reps that I just got crappy coverage that I thought the Charge could help me overcome, the kiosk supervisor asked me if I wanted to exchange it for a different phone. This tells me that it's possible. I refused; I don't think any Verizon phone is going to give me respectable signal at work, plus I'm on my last day of cancelling my line and didn't want to be locked in for another two years on a device that's not going to do me any good.

If I'm spending that kind of money on a device FOR the device and not "The Network", then it won't be a phone like the Charge that, while a kickass phone, is not so much "high end" anymore with the GS II and Bionic looming ever closer. If it's not getting me better coverage and not helping me lock in Unlimited, then I can wait a few more months.

 

[DolfanCole]

Just came back from returning my Charge at Costco. It was hard to see it go

However in explaining to the reps that I just got crappy coverage that I thought the Charge could help me overcome, the kiosk supervisor asked me if I wanted to exchange it for a different phone. This tells me that it's possible. I refused; I don't think any Verizon phone is going to give me respectable signal at work, plus I'm on my last day of cancelling my line and didn't want to be locked in for another two years on a device that's not going to do me any good.

If I'm spending that kind of money on a device FOR the device and not "The Network", then it won't be a phone like the Charge that, while a kickass phone, is not so much "high end" anymore with the GS II and Bionic looming ever closer. If it's not getting me better coverage and not helping me lock in Unlimited, then I can wait a few more months.

I think the question was whether you could return and exchange for a different phone after the 14 day period, i.e., before the 90 days return policy was up. I'm gathering you were still within the return period.

 

[No44specialk]

In for more details!

 

[FordSHO]

Hi Everybody: I just signed up and read through this thread. I have a few questions for you guys.

I currently have a family plan and have recently upgraded two of the lines earlier this month with smartphones, one with the iphone 4 and the other with the LG revolution both have the $29.99 unlimited data plan. For these lines it was necessary to upgrade because both of their phones went. I did this at a verizon store and I know there exchange policy is for 14 days. I have an old school flip phone LG VX8300. Mine still works fine and I was planning on waiting for the bionic, but then I read about the new pricing plans. From what I was reading on here it sounds like costco would be a good option for me to consider.

I was thinking about buying a Samsung Charge or another LG Revolution this week so I can get the unlimited data like my two other lines. I was really trying to hold out for the bionic but since I heard about the new data plans I would like to get the unlimited before it ends. I have a few questions about the costco exchange policy.

- Is the 90 day return / exchange period still in effect? I was reading on here and was confused because i kept seeing 14 and 90 days being mentioned.
- Do you think costco will get the Droid Bionic?
- Do they give you a hard time if you want to exchange?
- Do you get a new phone if you exchange?
- Also if I was to get the Charge and wanted to exchange would they just give another Charge or would I be able to choose the Bionic and just pay the difference in price?
- If i was able to exchange, would I be grandfathered in already to the unlimited data or would I have to go on the new tiered pricing plan that will being going into effect?
- I am not a costco member, would I need to join? I know someone who is a costco member could I go with them or would I have to have my own membership?
- Any other stores with a similar policy?


Sorry for long post and all the questions. I just want to make sure before I go this week. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it. Thanks again

 

[Arizone]

Hi Everybody: I just signed up and read through this thread. I have a few questions for you guys.

I currently have a family plan and have recently upgraded two of the lines earlier this month with smartphones, one with the iphone 4 and the other with the LG revolution both have the $29.99 unlimited data plan. For these lines it was necessary to upgrade because both of their phones went. I did this at a verizon store and I know there exchange policy is for 14 days. I have an old school flip phone LG VX8300. Mine still works fine and I was planning on waiting for the bionic, but then I read about the new pricing plans. From what I was reading on here it sounds like costco would be a good option for me to consider.

I was thinking about buying a Samsung Charge or another LG Revolution this week so I can get the unlimited data like my two other lines. I was really trying to hold out for the bionic but since I heard about the new data plans I would like to get the unlimited before it ends. I have a few questions about the costco exchange policy.

- Is the 90 day return / exchange period still in effect? I was reading on here and was confused because i kept seeing 14 and 90 days being mentioned.
- Do you think costco will get the Droid Bionic?
- Do they give you a hard time if you want to exchange?
- Do you get a new phone if you exchange?
- Also if I was to get the Charge and wanted to exchange would they just give another Charge or would I be able to choose the Bionic and just pay the difference in price?
- If i was able to exchange, would I be grandfathered in already to the unlimited data or would I have to go on the new tiered pricing plan that will being going into effect?
- I am not a costco member, would I need to join? I know someone who is a costco member could I go with them or would I have to have my own membership?
- Any other stores with a similar policy?


Sorry for long post and all the questions. I just want to make sure before I go this week. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it. Thanks again

I'm probably going to go to Costco tomorrow to pick up a Charge for the same reason. Their website still lists 90 days for their online sales, as well as in-store/warehouse sales.
Even if Costco doesn't offer the Bionic, you still have that 90 days to refund your device and buy the Bionic elsewhere I imagine.
They might give you a hard time as people mentioned they may be a bit annoyed by their own policy, but they'd still have to follow it.
I'm sure you'd get a new device, especially with the Bionic releasing soon there wouldn't be any used or open-boxes to sell.
Since they offer full refunds, exchanges can't be much different and just paying the price difference is perfectly reasonable.
People have been finding evidence and confirmations from Verizon that you will be able to keep your unlimited plan.
Yes you likely will need a Costco membership but I'm not sure if it will be needed for the actual purchase or if you could use another person's.
Costco is the only store I've heard about that offers such a long return policy but I am not positive.

 

[park avenue]

I bought a charge for my wife about a week ago. You have 14 days for a refund and 90 days for an exchange only.

 

[anon(49997)]

I bought a charge for my wife about a week ago. You have 14 days for a refund and 90 days for an exchange only.

And "If" they have a Bionic you could exchange for it. Costco is hit and miss there. They would most likely have it but it is a gamble.

 

[newbie newbie]

I bought a charge for my wife about a week ago. You have 14 days for a refund and 90 days for an exchange only.

I got a Charge at Costco three days ago, and the gal quickly went over the contract for me to sign...she said 14 days to cancel or exchange for any phone, and 90 days to exchange for same phone only.

Now that doesn't make sense, since the only time you would exchange for the same phone is if there's a defect, and that would be covered for a year by the manufacturer! I went home to read the contract carefully, and it did not specify what she said. In fact, it is quite vague. This is the only thing that is said about returning:

Costco Cellular Phone Return Policy
Costco's return policy for cellular phones is 90 days from date of purchase. Within 90 days you may receive a refund on the handset itself; however you will still be responsible for any applicable early termination fees if service is cancelled after the 14 day trial period (see Verizon Wireless Cancellation Policy above for details). In addition, Costco only sells cellular phones to members who sign a new activation agreement, or who qualify for an upgrade with their respective carrier.

Nowhere does it say after the 14 day period, exchanging is for the same phone only.