[Instruction] How to get a new phone and keep (legacy) Unlimited Data on Verizon

[oldblue55]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I just tried to put in an order an S5 at BB but there isn't an option to keep existing plan anymore. There is a message saying it will switch me to a 2GB data plan. Then I headed over to amazon and it required that I select one of the limited data plans.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[managuense]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

It's a good way to get a bunch of people off unlimited, which they want. Everybody who has done the bb method is now vulnerable to losing their unlimited at any time. You were warned during the order process.
I was one click away from completing a bb order when I came to my senses and decided to not put my $65/month plan at risk. It's worth far more than what i would save with a purchasing a subsidized phone.

 

[Touchpaddle]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

It's a good way to get a bunch of people off unlimited, which they want. Everybody who has done the bb method is now vulnerable to losing their unlimited at any time. You were warned during the order process.
I was one click away from completing a bb order when I came to my senses and decided to not put my $65/month plan at risk. It's worth far more than what i would save with a purchasing a subsidized phone.

While I agree with what you said, this thread(and similar threads
on several other websites) is 2 years and 3 days old. As far as
I can see, no a single person has reported losing unlimited data
plan as a result of doing the Best Buy method. That's not to say
it won't happen, but somewhat unlikely for now.

(but if I'm wrong, please let me know )

 

[dusoccer10]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Not that I'm complaining or anything, but I'd like to know why Best Buy or Verizon
has allowed this "loophole" to exist. By now, there is no way that they don't know
about it, right?

The Best Buy method (and other similar ones) works because of the nature of SIM-swapping between devices and the FCC rules that affect Verizon's LTE. For Verizon to shut down this loophole, they would need to either require 3rd party sellers to activate the SIM before shipping (not reasonable due to security concerns), require in-store pick up only (not happening due to Amazon), or change the way they code plans (i.e. remove them from the SIM move to the account level like Sprint; though the FCC would have a strong say about this due to the unlock requirements).

What people need to remember is that Verizon is still making a lot of money on people with unlimited data plans regardless of using the loophole. We are already paying a phone subsidy even if out of contract. So, using a loophole, doesn't affect Verizon's bottom line in any way. Sure, they could make more money by having us all change to their shared plans, but it's not affecting their profits and they don't want to take the PR hit by forcing us from our plans (which they could do at anytime regardless of contract status).

 

[Touchpaddle]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

The Best Buy method (and other similar ones) works because of the nature of SIM-swapping between devices and the FCC rules that affect Verizon's LTE. For Verizon to shut down this loophole, they would need to either require 3rd party sellers to activate the SIM before shipping (not reasonable due to security concerns), require in-store pick up only (not happening due to Amazon), or change the way they code plans (i.e. remove them from the SIM move to the account level like Sprint; though the FCC would have a strong say about this due to the unlock requirements).

What people need to remember is that Verizon is still making a lot of money on people with unlimited data plans regardless of using the loophole. We are already paying a phone subsidy even if out of contract. So, using a loophole, doesn't affect Verizon's bottom line in any way. Sure, they could make more money by having us all change to their shared plans, but it's not affecting their profits and they don't want to take the PR hit by forcing us from our plans (which they could do at anytime regardless of contract status).

but why does it only work for 3rd party sellers like Best Buy and Costco and not at any other 3rd party companies?

 

[tgp]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

but why does it only work for 3rd party sellers like Best Buy and Costco and not at any other 3rd party companies?

It works at Amazon. It even works directly on verizonwireless.com depending on the circumstances. Say for example you're upgrading 2 UDP lines on the same account, you can swap SIMs using the device ordered on the other line.

I don't think it matters much where you order from or even what you select during the order process, as long as you put your active SIM card in the device before booting the phone for the first time and do not activate the device online or otherwise.

Disclaimer: I'm sure there are some caveats, but this is what I've seen.

I personally feel that my unlimited data is more secure if I'm under contract. If Verizon is going to start getting serious about getting rid of unlimited data plans, I'd rather be under contract than month to month.

 

[managuense]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

It works at Amazon. It even works directly on verizonwireless.com depending on the circumstances. Say for example you're upgrading 2 UDP lines on the same account, you can swap SIMs using the device ordered on the other line.

I don't think it matters much where you order from or even what you select during the order process, as long as you put your active SIM card in the device before booting the phone for the first time and do not activate the device online or otherwise.

Disclaimer: I'm sure there are some caveats, but this is what I've seen.

I personally feel that my unlimited data is more secure if I'm under contract. If Verizon is going to start getting serious about getting rid of unlimited data plans, I'd rather be under contract than month to month.

If you used tne bb method, you're under contract for a tiered plan. They make that abundantly clear. You're at their mercy as to when or if they call you on the exploit. Perhaps they won't, who knows?

 

[TENYKS]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

You can transfer the upgrade to the tiered data line

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Did I just do the Best Buy method wrong?

I have 3 lines on my Verizon Family Share account.

Line 1 is unlimited data and has upgrade
Line 2 is basic phone and has no upgrade
Line 3 is basic phone and has no upgrade

I placed an order on bestbuy.com using Line 1's upgrade.
The phone is being shipped to my home.

Please tell me if I made a huge mistake.

Was I supposed to transfer the upgrade from the Line 1 to Line 2 first?
If so, I guess I'll have to cancel or refuse the order and start from scratch again.


Thank you very much in advance for your replies.

 

[dpham00]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Did I just do the Best Buy method wrong?

I have 3 lines on my Verizon Family Share account.

Line 1 is unlimited data and has upgrade
Line 2 is basic phone and has no upgrade
Line 3 is basic phone and has no upgrade

I placed an order on bestbuy.com using Line 1's upgrade.
The phone is being shipped to my home.

Please tell me if I made a huge mistake.

Was I supposed to transfer the upgrade from the Line 1 to Line 2 first?
If so, I guess I'll have to cancel or refuse the order and start from scratch again.


Thank you very much in advance for your replies.

You would need to choose the keep data plan in the process. Then discard the sim that came with the phone and reuse your old sim

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

[TENYKS]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

You would need to choose the keep data plan in the process. Then discard the sim that came with the phone and reuse your old sim

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Thanks for replying so quickly!

Yes, I definitely made sure that it said keep data plan. I just logged into my bestbuy.com account to view the order. It still says keep existing plan. The order now shows "shipped" and UPS tracking page shows delivery tomorrow.

Is there no difference between using the line that had the upgrade or transferring that upgrade to another line on my account? (as far as the "bestbuy.com method" is concerned)

Thanks again for your help.

By the way, I'm wondering where bestbuy.com orders ship from. On the UPS website, it says the package was accepted at "Hickory, NC" which is only 20 minutes away from me. Does bestbuy.com have a warehouse or distribution center there? Or is the order being shipped out from a Best Buy brick and mortar store?

 

[tgp]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

You would need to choose the keep data plan in the process. Then discard the sim that came with the phone and reuse your old sim

And to add to this, DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON BEFORE REMOVING THE SIM CARD THAT COMES IN IT! But like dpham said, simply remove the SIM card in it and insert your current active SIM card before turning the phone on for the first time. You should be good to go.

Also do not activate the phone online or by phone. The active SIM card will provision the phone.

 

[TENYKS]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

And to add to this, DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON BEFORE REMOVING THE SIM CARD THAT COMES IN IT! But yes, before turning on the phone, simply remove the SIM card in it and insert your current active SIM card. Turn the phone on, and you should be good to go. Also do not activate the phone online or by phone. The SIM card will provision it.

Thanks for your reply.

So, did I make a mistake or not? Should I have transferred the upgrade? Or does it not really matter?

I will be sure to remove/destroy the sim card before turning on the phone.

I actually got this phone to give to my daughter. She has her own separate Verizon account but has no upgrade. (account is 4 states away) I'll give her the new phone when she visits during Thanksgiving. If she puts the her existing Verizon sim card into the new phone that I ordered in a few days, will it cause any problems?

 

[tgp]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Thanks for your reply.

So, did I make a mistake or not? Should I have transferred the upgrade? Or does it not really matter?

I will be sure to remove/destroy the sim card before turning on the phone.

I actually got this phone to give to my daughter. She has her own separate Verizon account but has no upgrade. (account is 4 states away) If she puts the her existing Verizon sim card into the new phone that I ordered in a few days, will it cause any problems?

No you didn't make a mistake. As long as you don't turn it on with the SIM card that comes with it, or activate the phone online or by phone, you'll be good. It shouldn't really matter which SIM card you use with the phone. Although, if you don't first put yours in, you may have a pending activation that will not fall off.

 

[TENYKS]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

No you didn't make a mistake. As long as you don't turn it on with the SIM card that comes with it, or activate the phone online or by phone, you'll be good. It shouldn't really matter which SIM card you use with the phone. Although, if you don't first put yours in, you may have a pending activation that will not fall off.

Thanks! I was kind of worried because I read post #1 of this thread. It seems to imply that I must transfer the upgrade to another line on my account in order to do the bestbuy.com method.

 

[kinfolk248]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I really want a Nexu6 but Verizon isnt selling that bad boy yet (if ever) smh... Anyone know where I can get one for the subsidized price because $750 is like damn!!!

 

[oldblue55]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Am I choosing the right option? I don't see the option to keep my existing data plan. I'm on a single line UDP.

 

[oejnaef]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Is anyone else currently getting this message? "There was problem with the information you submitted. Please check it and try again or give us a call at 1-877-702-2211 (6:00am–midnight CST)."

Trying to take advantage of the $1 Galaxy S5 deal but can't get past the "Check Eligibility" screen due to this error.

EDIT: And before anyone asks, yes I'm sure the information I'm putting in is correct and yes I'm eligible for an upgrade.

 

[tx_tuff]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

Is anyone else currently getting this message? "There was problem with the information you submitted. Please check it and try again or give us a call at 1-877-702-2211 (6:00am–midnight CST)."

Trying to take advantage of the $1 Galaxy S5 deal but can't get past the "Check Eligibility" screen due to this error.

EDIT: And before anyone asks, yes I'm sure the information I'm putting in is correct and yes I'm eligible for an upgrade.

I've seen this problem a couple times. One if the problems was account had a balance and they couldn't upgrade because of that. Another had to do with passwords or something.

 

[tgp]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I've seen this problem a couple times. One if the problems was account had a balance and they couldn't upgrade because of that. Another had to do with passwords or something.

Yes, make sure that your account is paid up. Also set a billing PIN if you don't have one, or reset it if you don't know what it is.

Sent from whatever device I happen to be using today using Tapatalk

 

[oejnaef]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I've seen this problem a couple times. One if the problems was account had a balance and they couldn't upgrade because of that. Another had to do with passwords or something.

Thanks - just checked and apparently VZW hasn't processed my monthly payment yet for some reason. Will call tomorrow and see if I can get them to push it through.