Worth it to start a new line?

[xxtdxx]

A question for those that already have the phone and perhaps others who know more about Verizon's policies. I'm debating whether to just buy the phone outright or start a new line to get the discounted price. If I get a new line it will be through Costco to get the accessories (as long as they're Moto branded). Is it possible to start a line and cancel it the next day or is there additional penalties involved? I know someone will say "it will be cheaper to buy the phone outright" however my thinking is $280 (phone) +$160 (value of accessories) + $350 (cancellation) = $790 of which I only pay $630. If I buy the phone outright it will be $590 + $160 = $750. I would save $120.

Is this even possible?

 

[jdk2]

Wouldn't adding an additional line force you onto the tiered data plan for the extra line? May want to buy it outright to eliminate data overage charges that will certainly be a possibility with only 2GB of data allowance per month.

 

[Cory Streater]

Yes it will. Don't do that

 

[xxtdxx]

Wouldn't adding an additional line force you onto the tiered data plan for the extra line? May want to buy it outright to eliminate data overage charges that will certainly be a possibility with only 2GB of data allowance per month.

I already have the unlimited data on my primary line which is where the bionic would be. I would cancel the new line the same day (paying the cancellation fee, not returning the device) if there is no extra penalty or restrictions.

 

[jdk2]

I don't think VZW will allow you to have two subsidized devices on one line. When you cancel, they'll want the Bionic back or charge you full price for it.

 

[xxtdxx]

I don't think VZW will allow you to have two subsidized devices on one line. When you cancel, they'll want the Bionic back or charge you full price for it.

Good point. I wonder if it's possible to change the phone to a normal flip phone or something that doesn't require a data plan and just pay the $10 per month for the additional line.

 

[jdk2]

You can put any old flip phone on there but that doesn't change the fact that VZW subsidized the Bionic. They will undoubtedly charge you full retail for it if you do.

Unless I'm missing something here, your only option is to buy it outright and swap between your other phone. Or wait until they appear on craigslist/ebay etc. for a lower price.

 

[leopard2lx]

I asked Verizon this the other day.
If you only have 1 line currently, then to add the second line is $30 a month and you get the phone at contract price. Adding a third line costs $9.99 a month. Of course, you can then swap lines for free and add the Bionic to your first line that has unlimited data. The second line is going to require a phone attached so you can buy a cheap $20 phone for it.
I was going to do this so I can get the Costco deal, however it was not worth it for me because the accessories did not matter to me that much.
So $30 extra a month x 24 months + $300 for the phone was way too much for me.

Looks like it might just be Sprint and Galaxy S2 for me.

 

[xxtdxx]

I asked Verizon this the other day.
If you only have 1 line currently, then to add the second line is $30 a month and you get the phone at contract price. Adding a third line costs $9.99 a month. Of course, you can then swap lines for free and add the Bionic to your first line that has unlimited data. The second line is going to require a phone attached so you can buy a cheap $20 phone for it.
I was going to do this so I can get the Costco deal, however it was not worth it for me because the accessories did not matter to me that much.
So $30 extra a month x 24 months + $300 for the phone was way too much for me.

Looks like it might just be Sprint and Galaxy S2 for me.

So they're ok with me paying $279 for a phone and then putting a phone on that new line that only gets the $10/month?!

 

[dcgore]

I think youj can just use a dumb phone with the new line. If so, and don't mind paying the extra $10 a month, i'd say go for it.

 

[leopard2lx]

So they're ok with me paying $279 for a phone and then putting a phone on that new line that only gets the $10/month?!

Yes, but like I said, to add a SECOND line it's $30 a month, not $10. If you do the math here, your phone turn out to be quite expensive.
.
Adding a THIRD line is $9.99 a month.

So It will cost you $10 a month only if you have 2 lines already.

 

[xxtdxx]

Yes, but like I said, to add a SECOND line it's $30 a month, not $10. If you do the math here, your phone turn out to be quite expensive.
.
Adding a THIRD line is $9.99 a month.

So It will cost you $10 a month only if you have 2 lines already.

Awesome. There are already 2 lines on our acct

 

[leopard2lx]

Awesome. There are already 2 lines on our acct

Go get some then!

 

[Cory Streater]

Totally off-topic, but that avatar is totally dope.

 

[cvmaas#AC]

Awesome. There are already 2 lines on our acct

I was in the same position as you, so I was able to add a line for $9.99 and put one of my old flip phones on it to avoid needing to add a data package. I went through VZW, at Costco if you cancel the line you have to send the phone back, and wasn't sure if they would let me add a line and put a dumb phone on it.

 

[xxtdxx]

Ok it's all done. Added another line to our plan for $9.99/month. Went to some phone kiosk and bought an old verizon phone for $5 just to put on the line. The girl at costco told me that if I pay the cancellation fee I get to keep the phone.