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Verizon Wireless to Eliminate One-Year Contracts

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It was good while it lasted...I'm done.

organshifter

Apr 8, 2011, 11:33 PM
I've been opting for the 1 year contract over the last few years. Being able to switch devices after just 10 months was a big selling point for me. I don't know about you guys/gals, but this is too much. I can't believe this is a rational option for them. I spend the extra cash for the 1 year contract because of its convenience. With this option no longer available, I can't find a reason to stay. The network? Nah, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Sprint will do just fine. Not only do I have to put up with Verizon being last to the table with worthwhile devices, I now have to get stuck with one for 20 months. This is not acceptable. Right now, I'm on month-to-month as my 1 year contract with the Incredible ended on Feb. 28th, 2011. I've been buying my time...
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Azeron

Apr 9, 2011, 5:49 AM
No. You won't be, the question is: Will enough subscribers vote with their feet to make a dent in them? Judging by the outrage of the mandatory $9.99 data plan and their churn numbers still being low...probably not. Still, we should probably write one of these greasy palmed politicians anyway.
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nycdru

Apr 9, 2011, 7:19 AM
If you go to Sprint and pay the same amount you were paying with Verizon (I am assuming $90+/month) they will let you upgrade every year as official policy. I am would pretty sure ATT and T-Mobile will let you do the same thing under those conditions as well.
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bp3dots1

Apr 9, 2011, 8:34 AM
No, AT&T and T-Mobile won't. With the caveats:

Tmo does occasionally give a special early upgrade but usually its for dumbphone customers who want to go to a smartphone.

AT&T really only does early iPhone upgrades.
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analyst422

Apr 9, 2011, 11:57 AM
AT&T will typically grant early upgrade exceptions after 6 months with the phone. Most retail stores have lower early-upgrade fees than corporate stores, ranging $75-$85 additional for basic/messaging phones and $200-$250 additional for smartphones, respectively.
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T Bone

Apr 10, 2011, 12:11 PM
". I am would pretty sure ATT and T-Mobile will let you do the same thing under those conditions as well."

at&t will let you upgrade about once every 18 months....early upgrades will be granted only on a case by case basis, and the rules for those are getting stricter and stricter.
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Kenzin

Apr 9, 2011, 10:35 AM
If you have US Cellular in your area, that could be a great option for you. They do go with 2 year contracts, however with the new plans they have, they give you the option to earn points for earlier upgrades. I do believe some of their plans can upgrade you as early as 11 months. They even have bundled plans with voice/msging/smartphone w/ 5GB a month for $70 a month. Pretty good option.
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evrodude

Apr 9, 2011, 11:33 AM
If I were you, I would just purchase the phone at full retail price and maintain a month-to-month without being tied to a contract.

I did that a year ago when I purchased HTC Incredible. I am considering another device now and will probably just buy it at retail again or on eBay.
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Azeron

Apr 9, 2011, 9:36 PM
That's the way to go...if one can afford it.
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texaswireless

Apr 9, 2011, 2:27 PM
Question:

How did you sign a 1 year agreement on Feb 28th last year with a Droid Inc.?

Did that phone not launch at the end of April?
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organshifter

Apr 11, 2011, 6:29 PM
I received my Incredible on pre-order ($229.00 for 1 year as opposed to $199.99 for 2 years) as scheduled. I believe the date was April 19th or 20th of 2010. Ten months later, Feb. 2011, my upgrade became available. You are aware that your upgrade cycle is every 10 months for 1 year contracts, and 20 months for 2 year plans?

A friend of mine, who shares the account with me, decided to save $30 and opted for the 2 year plan. He has to wait until 12/29/2011 before his upgrade is available. Being right after Christmas, he's going to end up waiting until maybe February before getting a new device. If so, that's almost the full two years.
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texaswireless

Apr 11, 2011, 6:42 PM
I am fully aware. I am also aware that YOU posted that your agreement ended February 28th. Now that we have determined you were incorrect in your date I am good. I was mainly curious how, based upon your date, you could have purchased a D Inc. on February 28th. Indeed you bought it April 28th, right at launch.

You also are not factoring in the money both you and your friend save by being on a family plan. If you would each have your own plan you would both be able to upgrade after one year, even if you did a 2 year agreement (alas that option is now gone but was fully available at the time). You chose to save ~$20 a month = $240 a year.

I think it sucks they are removing choices too. But it is always best to be accurate in your ...
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organshifter

Apr 11, 2011, 7:35 PM
Touché.

Indeed, my contract did not end in February as previously stated, for that was only the end of duration for my upgrade cycle. My actual 2 year contract will be fulfilled this month. 😉

I'm curious though texaswireless, as to how someone on a single plan can upgrade after 1 year once they are tied into a 2 year agreement? What needs to take place for this to happen, does it include any discounted pricing on devices (like the actual 10/20 month upgrades), and is there an ETF factored in?

My buddy and I ordered our Incredibles on the same day. At the time of purchase, he had the option to choose 1 year as well. For whatever reason, he decided not to.
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Azeron

Apr 11, 2011, 11:45 PM
Back in the good old days if one were on a $49.99 plan or higher one was eligible for what they call an Annual Upgrade if one signed a two year contract after one year. Even if one were only on a plan $35 and up one could do an Early Upgrade and pay the $20 Upgrade fee and upgrade early. Verizon once did all sorts of things to keep customers from churning. They had a Lost/Stolen/Damaged policy. Now they are grabbing themselves and daring our *Bleep*s to leave. What's that sound? Silence. Yeah, no one is going anywhere, huh? Where to? If Sprint had ever allowed One Year Contracts or Month to Month for new customers, I would have jumped ship four years ago when Employee Accounts ticked me off. But...they don't. AT&T? That's jumping...
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texaswireless

Apr 12, 2011, 10:36 AM
It was an option available at the time. It has since been eliminated unless he is on a $50 a month plan or higher (his line only, not including features). If he is then come April 28th (or whenever he upgraded) he would be eligible for an annual upgrade.
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