Upgrade fee: What a load of crap, Verizon....

[Masheen]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Well I can't get too hard on people who want to keep their unlimited. I, myself was grandfathered in. But, I also share a plan with my whole family, and for us, it was worth getting the family share plan with a data bucket and dividing the bill accordingly. For one or two people on Verizon, individual plans may be more cost effective, in this case having unlimited data can only be a plus. I've read above that you can keep unlimited on a family share plan, but the plentiful availability to WiFi has kept me from needing the Unlimited data that I once had.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

I've read above that you can keep unlimited on a family share plan,

It is looking like you can keep UDP on an individual plan, too, but you have to buy from best buy online or moto maker, which uses the best buy system. You can't buy from Verizon or anywhere else and keep UDP on an individual line, just best buy online and moto maker. And you need to have the phone shipped directly to your house; do not pick up in a best buy store.

 

[bobbob1016]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Verizon currently has a special whereby you pay no activation fee for a new phone. That's a $35 savings. I transferred my upgrade to a dumb phone line and then selected the MAXX to upgrade to (unlimited data plan on my current Razr MAXX). Then, in TINY little print at the bottom just under the "Add to Cart" button, I see there is a $30 upgrade fee. Ridiculous. Stop playing games, Verizon. I'm just this close to finding another carrier. Tired of getting fee'd to death.

As the poster above said

I can quote out of context too...

It was hidden, to an extent, as it was in smaller, lighter font. Doesn't work unless the button itself said "You are going to pay $30 for whatever fee". What if they made it white font on a white background? Would that be hidden? So we're just arguing levels of hidden-ness I guess.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

I can quote out of context too...

Not referring to you. I edited out all of your nonsensical rantings when I quoted you because there is no sense in repeating such drivel. I was referring to this far more lucid response here:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-maxx/359732-what-load-crap-verizon-2.html#post3437222

 

[Wildo6882]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

I was one of "those" people, but Verizon clamped down way too hard. Having to buy every phone outright is ridiculous just to "keep unlimited data" It's a great novelty, but the money that you save by switching to the edge plan outweighs unlimited data. Having brand new devices the day it comes out and only having to pay half to turn it in to get a new device is killer. How much data do you use anyway. WiFi is everywhere. Optimum Wifi, Xfinity, TWC.

"Those of you" who abuse data and use more than 4gb a month is the reason why Verizon cracked down on data in the first place. Unlimited is a thing of the past. The money that you save from the edge plan or switching to family plans dwarfs your savings. You lose your title, worse things have happened.

This is exactly the way I've begun to think. I have been grandfathered into unlimited and have been out of contract for almost a year. I've spent FAR too much money buying phones outright over the last two years. And now that I have wi-fi at home that is faster than Verizon's 4G, I use roughly 3-4gb of data a month. Switching to a shared plan won't hurt me one bit on the data usage. I'll lose my security blanket, but it's not the end of the world where it will save me a ton of money to switch. People complain about using the Edge plan because you're still paying subsidies... Well, you're also still paying them when you buy a phone full price from Verizon, eBay, Swappa, etc. There is no way to get rid of them until Verizon does it themselves. Which is exactly why I'm going to AT&T. I can use their Next plan or continue to buy outright and save myself $70/mo on my bill.

 

[bobbob1016]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Sprint's New Plans Guarantee Unlimited Data for Life | LAPTOP Magazine. As it states, T-Mobile will throttle after 5GB.

https://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/143791. Sprint throttles after 5GB.

Sprint's New Plans Guarantee Unlimited Data for Life | LAPTOP Magazine "T-Mobile can also throttle your data speeds once you reach 5GB." CAN is not WILL.

Terms & Conditions Was linked in your article, and seems to read as "If you tether, we can throttle", likely at 5gig, because that's their hotspot limit anyways.

Both of these throttles only likely come in to play if the user is either hotspotting, or torrenting, as that is excessive data, more so torrenting.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

I have been grandfathered into unlimited and have been out of contract for almost a year. I've spent FAR too much money buying phones outright over the last two years.

Do you have a family plan or an individual plan? I have posted 2 methods above that will show you how to keep your unlimited data plan AND get a subsidized phone.

And if you are leaving for ATT, my advice to you is to sell your UDP line if you are OK with getting a new phone number.

I would wait personally, as I think Verizon will be jumping into the price wars soon now that ATT has thrown their hat in the ring.

 

[A895]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

This is exactly the way I've begun to think. I have been grandfathered into unlimited and have been out of contract for almost a year. I've spent FAR too much money buying phones outright over the last two years. And now that I have wi-fi at home that is faster than Verizon's 4G, I use roughly 3-4gb of data a month. Switching to a shared plan won't hurt me one bit on the data usage. I'll lose my security blanket, but it's not the end of the world where it will save me a ton of money to switch. People complain about using the Edge plan because you're still paying subsidies... Well, you're also still paying them when you buy a phone full price from Verizon, eBay, Swappa, etc. There is no way to get rid of them until Verizon does it themselves. Which is exactly why I'm going to AT&T. I can use their Next plan or continue to buy outright and save myself $70/mo on my bill.

Me and my mom switched to 6GB shared and it has been wonderful. WiFi is very ubiquitous now. I use a little over a 1GB a month now. Our plan pricing is still the same because of some old lines, but once we get rid of those, our plan will be around $160-$180 compared to $260+ being paid now.

Sent from my XT1060 using Mobile Nations mobile app

 

[A895]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Do you have a family plan or an individual plan? I have posted 2 methods above that will show you how to keep your unlimited data plan AND get a subsidized phone.

And if you are leaving for ATT, my advice to you is to sell your UDP line if you are OK with getting a new phone number.

I would wait personally, as I think Verizon will be jumping into the price wars soon now that ATT has thrown their hat in the ring.

I don't think he wants to sell his line. Losing your number can be very hurtful personally if you have had it for years. I have had the same number since 2011 and I could have sold my unlimited line but, losing my number was not worth it.

Sent from my XT1060 using Mobile Nations mobile app

 

[vzwuser76]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

You did not research in the right places. If you have a family plan, research it here:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon/227608-instruction-how-keep-unlimited-data-verizon-96.html#post3438292

I personally have done the process in that thread above 3 times now and still have UDPs on my lines. Of course Verizon reps are not going to tell you how to do it.


Then if you have an individual plan, there is another method that others are reporting works, but I can't vouch for that method because I haven't done it myself. One poster has posted a screen shot and I have asked others to also when they are done. This method is new so caveat emptor.

http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon/351917-verizon-how-keep-unlimited-data-get-phone-subsidized-price-5.html#post3437767

As I understand what I skimmed, you'd need a line to be a feature phone, upgrade them to a smartphone on their line (and put their line on a new data plan), and then simply transfer it over, correct? The problem, in my case, is that to keep that data promo we got all lines had to have data on them. And all of them currently have a smartphone on them, each with an UDP.

The thread you mentioned talks about having a dumb phone on a line or two for it to work. It also says that if you use a subsidy on a line with UDP, you will lose it. Am I reading that wrong?

 

[Premium1]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Verizon currently has a special whereby you pay no activation fee for a new phone. That's a $35 savings. I transferred my upgrade to a dumb phone line and then selected the MAXX to upgrade to (unlimited data plan on my current Razr MAXX). Then, in TINY little print at the bottom just under the "Add to Cart" button, I see there is a $30 upgrade fee. Ridiculous. Stop playing games, Verizon. I'm just this close to finding another carrier. Tired of getting fee'd to death.

View attachment 103443

That has been there for years.....

 

[A895]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

As I understand what I skimmed, you'd need a line to be a feature phone, upgrade them to a smartphone on their line (and put their line on a new data plan), and then simply transfer it over, correct? The problem, in my case, is that to keep that data promo we got all lines had to have data on them. And all of them currently have a smartphone on them, each with an UDP.

The thread you mentioned talks about having a dumb phone on a line or two for it to work. It also says that if you use a subsidy on a line with UDP, you will lose it. Am I reading that wrong?

You are correct. Its just device switching. Switching an upgrade from a dumb phone to a smartphone to your unlimited line. Though you have to keep that extra line with its charges. That's how I got in trouble in 2012. I did this for a Droid Incredible 2 (me and my mom) and we still have until the 18th of this month until we can get rid of them. These two extra lines along with our two share everything with 6GBs, is costing $260+ a month. I want to switch AT&T, they have more devices I want and it's easy to grab a replacement phone because they are GSM.

Sent from my XT1060 using Mobile Nations mobile app

 

[bobbob1016]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Not referring to you. I edited out all of your nonsensical rantings when I quoted you because there is no sense in repeating such drivel. I was referring to this far more lucid response here:

http://forums.androidcentral.com/motorola-droid-maxx/359732-what-load-crap-verizon-2.html#post3437222

I'd question whether it's drivel for drivel's sake, or drivel because it's contrary to what you are saying. Either way, at this point, I don't see continuing it, I've seen your point, but as you can't seem to see that the reason they did put it in a lighter, smaller font, that reading top to bottom most people would skip, is somewhat misleading, we've reached an impasse.

 

[raichur0xx0rz]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

People complain about using the Edge plan because you're still paying subsidies... Well, you're also still paying them when you buy a phone full price from Verizon, eBay, Swappa, etc. There is no way to get rid of them until Verizon does it themselves.

Not that I'm trying to go against whatever you said, but would just like to mention some things...

• The subsidy is still being paid, yes, but if you buy your own device from someone else, you will probably be paying less that if you go on EDGE/Next, as many times you can find a brand new, newly released phone for a decent savings (if only tax).
• Others just hate the carriers so much that they'd rather give their money to someone else (who got the phone from the carrier) rather than paying the carriers directly... But whatever lol

I used to be firmly against the early upgrade plans, but I mean, I care more about people saving money and convenience rather than worrying about the carriers making too much money. The plans are good enough for some people to save money over whatever process they were going through prior to their introduction. Carriers are still making a ton of money off them, but if some people are able to save money, or have the opportunity to spread out payments, or not have to risk meeting a stranger, then that's good.

 

[Eclipse2K]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Sorry, I haven't read this whole thread but I haven't paid that fee since it was introduced. I had the fee refunded for my niece and sister and also once when I upgraded to a Droid Maxx. The store will charge the fee but if you do research on what the fee is for and know how to talk your way out of it you will get a refund.

All first line Verizon reps have the ability to do a $30 credit if a customer has a legitimate beef about something. But that is what they call a courtesy credit, not a refund of the upgrade fee. If you have something to complain about, they can give you a $30 credit. I usually get one twice a year for some issue or another.

If you simply call asking for your upgrade fee to be credited back, they won't do it. But if you complain about something, even a sales rep being rude, they will give you a $30 credit. So if you want your upgrade fee refunded, just claim someone was rude to you and you will get it, but don't ask for the upgrade fee to be refunded because you won't get it.

Partially true. Each time I've had the fee credited back I told them why I have an issue with the fee and why I feel I should get a refund. Of course I'm polite to the representative but I stand firm.

*I'm referring to the upgrade fee, not an activation fee.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

 

[raichur0xx0rz]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Sorry, I haven't read this whole thread but I haven't paid that fee since it was introduced. I had the fee refunded for my niece and sister and also once when I upgraded to a Droid Maxx. The store will charge the fee but if you do research on what the fee is for and know how to talk your way out of it you will get a refund.



Partially true. Each time I've had the fee credited back I told them why I have an issue with the fee and why I feel I should get a refund. Of course I'm polite to the representative but I stand firm.

*I'm referring to the upgrade fee, not an activation fee.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

What do you say, exactly? I haven't had luck with any credits =[

 

[Ry]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Sorry, I haven't read this whole thread but I haven't paid that fee since it was introduced. I had the fee refunded for my niece and sister and also once when I upgraded to a Droid Maxx. The store will charge the fee but if you do research on what the fee is for and know how to talk your way out of it you will get a refund.



Partially true. Each time I've had the fee credited back I told them why I have an issue with the fee and why I feel I should get a refund. Of course I'm polite to the representative but I stand firm.

*I'm referring to the upgrade fee, not an activation fee.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (Verizon)

Because you paid the fee and had it credited back instead of never paying the fee in the first place, Cozume will tell you that's not the same thing as getting the fee waived.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

Because you paid the fee and had it credited back instead of never paying the fee in the first place, Cozume will tell you that's not the same thing as getting the fee waived.

It's not. Getting the fee waived means never paying it at all.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

The store will charge the fee but if you do research on what the fee is for and know how to talk your way out of it you will get a refund.

What you are getting is a courtesy credit of $30 and they will give you a couple of those per year no matter what you are complaining about. However, there is a limit to how many of those you can have per account per a certain time period.

 

[Cozume]

Re: What a load of crap, Verizon....

As I understand what I skimmed, you'd need a line to be a feature phone, upgrade them to a smartphone on their line (and put their line on a new data plan), and then simply transfer it over, correct? The problem, in my case, is that to keep that data promo we got all lines had to have data on them. And all of them currently have a smartphone on them, each with an UDP.

Then that process wouldn't work for you because of your unique data promo.

The thread you mentioned talks about having a dumb phone on a line or two for it to work. It also says that if you use a subsidy on a line with UDP, you will lose it. Am I reading that wrong?

You are reading that thread correctly. However, the second thread shows a new way in which you can use the upgrade on the UDP line directly without transferring the UDP line's upgrade and without having a dumbphone line on the account. But you can only buy from Best Buy online or Moto Maker and have the phone shipped directly to your home for that to work. You need to use a previously activated SIM card for the activation of the new phone. Only 1 poster so far has posted screen shots of this method showing it worked for him.

And Verizon is well aware of the best buy glitch so do this while you can because who knows how long it will last.