Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data plan?

[njguy0414]

So while browsing the AC main page, I saw the ad for the sale for the Verizon GN with a partnership through the shop here and Best Buy mobile. The sale is only today (wed) and tomorrow, and from what I can tell it looks like it will be $89. I will be renewing with my existing plan with Verizon.

I currently have an incredible 2 with Verizon, but that wasn't my first choice. I had the original Inc, but dropped it and the replacement was the Inc2. I've already had that replaced once, and the screen isn't as good as the original inc. But I digress.

My concern is that I'm paying $29.99 for unlimited data, and I am assuming it's the old plan. While going through the motions to buy this GN on sale I see it forces you to choose a data package. I see a "4 GB LTE Smartphone Data Package" for the same price of $29.99. Which seems to be the closest thing to what I have now.

If I go through the webpage and buy it, will this over write/renew my original data plan, and force me to agree to new terms and data caps? I usually just upgrade through Verizons webpage and keep everything the same. I just don't want to screw my data plan up by going through best buy. They slipped in additional fees, because they said I had to have the enterprise data plan when I bought my BB storm years ago. I don't want to be dupped.

Any advice? That price seems to good to be true, even though the phone has been out for a few months now. Thanks.

 

[anon26174]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

Not 100% sure, but if you're upgrading rather than getting a completely new line, isn't the price still $199? The $89.99 may only apply for a brand new service. The pull-down asks whether you're a new or existing customer.

Been thinking about the same thing, but from information gleaned from multiple sources, it can be risky to upgrade through a third-party site and not through Verizon if you want to keep your unlimited plan and be 'grandfathered' in. Apparently you can call Verizon and ask 'em, but there's really no incentive for them to allow it. With Best Buy, Amazon et al, you're pretty much signing a new contract with them and abiding by their rules.

I may be wrong about this all, but that's what I've learned so far.

 

[jpinsl]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I was able to retain my grandfathered unlimited data plan on Verizon when I used an upgrade in-store to get the GNex.

 

[SEAKevin]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

The answer is...probably not. I just upgraded to a GN last week directly from Verizon Wireless and it allowed me to keep my unlimited data plan. However, while shopping for the phone I also went through the process of ordering it through another part of Verizon that would get me a 25% corporate discount on accessories (available to employees of some companies). No discount on the phone itself.

When I went through that process, the only option was to switch to a limited data plan. So, I bought the phone on the regular VZW site and kept my data plan, and then placed a separate order for the accessories.

Since you're only being offered the limited plan that's what you'll probably be stuck with if you go for that big discount. I paid $299 for mine.

 

[bdb23]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I called the AC/BestBuy site and they said that there is no option to keep your current data plan and you have to select one of the currently offered plans. I told them it was worth it to pay a little more elsewhere for the phone to keep my unlimited plan and hung up.

 

[handscreate]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I know Costco & other 3rd party retailers often won't let you keep your existing plan. I would've bought my thunderbolt from Costco, and gotten a few free accessories, but I would've had give up my unlimited data & my promo priced unlimited talk & text plan that I convinced VZW to give me a couple years ago - even though they were only offering it to new customers... with normal use, I'd be paying almost 3x what I pay now for data, had I purchased from anyone but VZW. And calling in got me a better deal than negotiating in store did

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

Do NOT ever change your data plan from unlimited or you will lose it FOREVER.

 

[sisblub]

I was able to retain my grandfathered unlimited data plan on Verizon when I used an upgrade in-store to get the GNex.

+1

Not sure if you can do that using a third party vendor to upgrade. I would call verizon to upgrade.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[thebignewt]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

If they give you 4GB for $30 that's 1gb more than ATT gives you for $30, and it's a LOT of data. Unless you're always streaming video on Youtube you won't use 4Gb. You can probably see how much data you used on the Dinc2 phone. I was amazed at how little data I use on my GN. And over half is WiFi.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

If they give you 4GB for $30 that's 1gb more than ATT gives you for $30, and it's a LOT of data. Unless you're always streaming video on Youtube you won't use 4Gb. You can probably see how much data you used on the Dinc2 phone. I was amazed at how little data I use on my GN. And over half is WiFi.

NEVER give up your unlimited plan - you will lose it FOREVER!

 

[thebignewt]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

NEVER give up your unlimited plan - you will lose it FOREVER!

I predict that eventually Verizon will do what ATT's doing now- essentially taking away the grandfathered unlimited plans. Here's what ATT does: if you're in the top 5% of data users (they use over 2GB/month) they warn you once. If you're in the top 5% next month then the cut your data speed by 99%, making your phone useless for data (WiFi still works). Then you call and gripe, they sell you the limited data plan and won't slow your speed, they just charge you more. That's all perfectly legal for them to do.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I predict that eventually Verizon will do what ATT's doing now- essentially taking away the grandfathered unlimited plans. Here's what ATT does: if you're in the top 5% of data users (they use over 2GB/month) they warn you once. If you're in the top 5% next month then the cut your data speed by 99%, making your phone useless for data (WiFi still works). Then you call and gripe, they sell you the limited data plan and won't slow your speed, they just charge you more. That's all perfectly legal for them to do.

Someday, perhaps VZW may do that, but that day is not today, at least for 4G LTE. VZW does throttle 3G unlimited users.

 

[fantasma4]

I predict that eventually Verizon will do what ATT's doing now- essentially taking away the grandfathered unlimited plans. Here's what ATT does: if you're in the top 5% of data users (they use over 2GB/month) they warn you once. If you're in the top 5% next month then the cut your data speed by 99%, making your phone useless for data (WiFi still works). Then you call and gripe, they sell you the limited data plan and won't slow your speed, they just charge you more. That's all perfectly legal for them to do.

What everyone else needs to do is use more data, so that the top 5% average use goes up. If everyone uses 2gb, they can't throttle the entire network

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[yosteve]

Don't even think you can lose your plan, they can't make changes to your plan without your authorization.

I bought my GNex from an authorized VZW dealer, not VZW itself. And as you know still have my Alltel plan.

 

[racquetballer]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I know Costco & other 3rd party retailers often won't let you keep your existing plan. I would've bought my thunderbolt from Costco, and gotten a few free accessories, but I would've had give up my unlimited data & my promo priced unlimited talk & text plan that I convinced VZW to give me a couple years ago - even though they were only offering it to new customers... with normal use, I'd be paying almost 3x what I pay now for data, had I purchased from anyone but VZW. And calling in got me a better deal than negotiating in store did

Don't know where you're getting your information from, but I can say I bought a Moto Bionic @ Costco and I was able to get the discounted price and still RETAIN my UNLIMITED DATA.. Yes, I got the free accessory bundle too..

 

[davey11]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I was under the impression that when you're eligible for an upgrade (after fufilling your 2 year plan) they write you a whole new contract with plans that are currently available. Unlimited is not available anymore so you would be stuck with the 2gb plan @ $29, unless you buy off contract for full price.

Am I wrong on this?

 

[yosteve]

I think if you tell them outright and say you know they don't have to change it (like they'll lead you to believe) the can't say no. Well I guess they can but you should walk.

 

[yosteve]

I was under the impression that when you're eligible for an upgrade (after fufilling your 2 year plan) they write you a whole new contract with plans that are currently available. Unlimited is not available anymore so you would be stuck with the 2gb plan @ $29, unless you buy off contract for full price.

Am I wrong on this?

Still have my Alltel unlimited + f&f, from 4 years ago on my GNex for $89.

 

[mds54]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

Do NOT ever change your data plan from unlimited or you will lose it FOREVER.

Agreed!
You may be forced to use tiered options only.

 

[GNex Girl]

Re: Verizon GN on sale, but will I lose my grandfathered data pla

I was under the impression that when you're eligible for an upgrade (after fufilling your 2 year plan) they write you a whole new contract with plans that are currently available. Unlimited is not available anymore so you would be stuck with the 2gb plan @ $29, unless you buy off contract for full price.

Am I wrong on this?

Yes, you are wrong. Currently VZW allows those who already have unlimited data to keep it when they upgrade their phone. That's their current policy, but they can change it at a later date, or do like ATT and throttle you after 2GB.