New device exchange question

[ua7aspec]

I'm currently with T-Mobile and want to switch to Verizon.
I was waiting for the Thunderbolt release to do so, but I simply don't want to be on T-Mobile anymore. I know of the rumored release dates (17th, 24th, etc) and how close they are, but I want to leave T-Mo NOW. Data (edge vs 3g) is WAY too inconsistent in my area.

If I switch to Verizon and pick any phone for now, and then exchange it for the thunderbolt (assuming it's within 14 days), would I still qualify for the subsidized 1yr/2yr prices for the bolt at the time of exchange?

I likely won't make the jump until VZW makes an "official" announcement (meaning directly from them, and not sources/rumors) to ensure I sign up at most 14 days from the release date so I don't end up getting stuck lol.

Please confirm whether I'd be able to exchange phones within 14 days and also still get the subsidized price for the phone I'm exchanging for in this specific situation.

Thanks!

 

[ShaggyKids]

Please don't take this wrong but wow ... the TBolt is prolly gonna b available in 2wks or less. It's that bad that you can't wait that long? With all the ppl doing this I wouldn't be surprised if VZW doesn't change their exchange plan to keep stuff like this from happening.

VZW changed their NE2 plan, unless you are a current customer the one year is no longer available and for existing customers they only have 6mos to do this and then no more for them either.

 

[ua7aspec]

Yes, the service is that bad.

Besides..I'll be putting the plan under my wife's name as she gets a discount through the DOE. She'll be at work the morning it's released so I wouldn't be able to sign up the account under her name if we wait. Doing this will also allow me to be able to go in the morning of the release and just deal with the phone exchange.

And the 1 yr is still available for new customers. Unless they end up changing it for the tbolt, which i don't believe they'll do.

 

[Menno]

I'm currently with T-Mobile and want to switch to Verizon.
I was waiting for the Thunderbolt release to do so, but I simply don't want to be on T-Mobile anymore. I know of the rumored release dates (17th, 24th, etc) and how close they are, but I want to leave T-Mo NOW. Data (edge vs 3g) is WAY too inconsistent in my area.

If I switch to Verizon and pick any phone for now, and then exchange it for the thunderbolt (assuming it's within 14 days), would I still qualify for the subsidized 1yr/2yr prices for the bolt at the time of exchange?

I likely won't make the jump until VZW makes an "official" announcement (meaning directly from them, and not sources/rumors) to ensure I sign up at most 14 days from the release date so I don't end up getting stuck lol.

Please confirm whether I'd be able to exchange phones within 14 days and also still get the subsidized price for the phone I'm exchanging for in this specific situation.

Thanks!

That's not what the plan is there for. What you should do is find a local store you like and see if they have any old phones lying around that they can activate on a MONTH TO MONTH agreement. This will port your number over without the contract. you can use ANY verizon phone to do this. Most stores will be ok with this because it saves a device. You can also be added to the account as an authorized user, so you can upgrade without your wife there.

Then when the Tbolt comes out you can sign a contract and get the discount you want on it.

Going the way you're suggesting is not only against the spirit of the policy (and hurts everyone in the long run) but it will also mean you have to pay a restocking fee of at least $35 (and rumored $75) and you ruin a perfectly good phone in the process.

And yes, one year contracts are still available. It's typically $70 more for the phone with a one year agreement, but you can upgrade every 10 months.

 

[cordoni]

That's not what the plan is there for. What you should do is find a local store you like and see if they have any old phones lying around that they can activate on a MONTH TO MONTH agreement. This will port your number over without the contract. you can use ANY verizon phone to do this. Most stores will be ok with this because it saves a device. You can also be added to the account as an authorized user, so you can upgrade without your wife there.

Then when the Tbolt comes out you can sign a contract and get the discount you want on it.

Going the way you're suggesting is not only against the spirit of the policy (and hurts everyone in the long run) but it will also mean you have to pay a restocking fee of at least $35 (and rumored $75) and you ruin a perfectly good phone in the process.

And yes, one year contracts are still available. It's typically $70 more for the phone with a one year agreement, but you can upgrade every 10 months.

+1 to what he said. Just do the right thing.

Sent from my Froyo Fascinate using Tapatalk.

 

[ua7aspec]

Can month to month plans be converted any time to 1/2 yr contract? Or would you have to wait till the end of that month to do so?

And would I be able to bring in an old verizon phone (say, a friend's old one) and do this? I really wouldn't want to spend more on another phone as phones on month to month cost much more.

Menno: Thanks for bringing up this option..I forgot about it and slipped my mind.
Better than the "you can't wait a few weeks... period" type of replies when they don't know how bad current service is.

 

[Menno]

Can month to month plans be converted any time to 1/2 yr contract? Or would you have to wait till the end of that month to do so?

And would I be able to bring in an old verizon phone (say, a friend's old one) and do this? I really wouldn't want to spend more on another phone as phones on month to month cost much more.

Menno: Thanks for bringing up this option..I forgot about it and slipped my mind.
Better than the "you can't wait a few weeks... period" type of replies when they don't know how bad current service is.

It's been awhile since I did this type of upgrade for a customer, so check with your local store to confirm, but I'm pretty sure you can upgrade at any time to the contract. My brother did this when he ported over to verizon, and it worked then.

Just make sure you make the rep aware what you're doing. Say "I want the Tbolt, but my current provider is horrible for me. I want to sign up for a month to month now, and then I'll sign a contract when I get that phone." The system auto populates a 2year contract, so you want to make them aware of what you want ahead of time.


Yes, any old verizon phone will work as long as it's not currently active on a verizon plan and it's not listed as lost/stolen. Also check the store near you (premium retailers especially) my store and most like it always have a few old phones we keep around to activate on customer's lines to hold them out until they can upgrade or while they wait for a replacement.

Hope that helps.

 

[ua7aspec]

That helps a lot - Thanks!

BTW..has your store heard anything about the tbolt's release date?
Or at least when an official announcement will be made?