Tweaking my Account
Okay, here is my new situation. I did get the netbook I was working on about a month ago. BTW, my mother-in-law made an incredible recovery; amazing everyone in the process.
Here are the details of my current question.
I have two BB Tour's (my wife and I).
I have a Rival for my daughter.
I now have the netbook.
I would like to drop my BB service. However, I realize that I have to have a data plan if I have the BB's. So I am trying some fancy maneuvering...
I am NOT eligible for an upgrade.
I do not have any other phones laying around.
I am not crazy about ordering my E-bay.
Here's my question. Can I add two new phones to my contract, then switch my current phone numbers (BB's) to the new phones, and then somehow 'deac...
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Here are the details of my current question.
I have two BB Tour's (my wife and I).
I have a Rival for my daughter.
I now have the netbook.
I would like to drop my BB service. However, I realize that I have to have a data plan if I have the BB's. So I am trying some fancy maneuvering...
I am NOT eligible for an upgrade.
I do not have any other phones laying around.
I am not crazy about ordering my E-bay.
Here's my question. Can I add two new phones to my contract, then switch my current phone numbers (BB's) to the new phones, and then somehow 'deac...
(continues)
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The short answer to this is, it would be a lot cheaper if you bought a used phone. Ebay doesn't have to be your only choice.
Here's the scenarios as I see them:
1) If you add two new lines and swap the new phones and the Blackberry phones, you're in the exact same problem. All you'd be doing is moving the $29.99 plan for each Blackberry from your old lines to your new lines. In effect, all you're doing is adding two $9.99 secondary lines to your already high enough bill.
2) You add the two lines, switch the new phones onto your old lines, then cancel the two new lines. You're looking at at least $350 in termination fees, if not more (depending on the type of phone).
3) You buy two brand-new basic phones, each $199.99. You pa...
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Here's the scenarios as I see them:
1) If you add two new lines and swap the new phones and the Blackberry phones, you're in the exact same problem. All you'd be doing is moving the $29.99 plan for each Blackberry from your old lines to your new lines. In effect, all you're doing is adding two $9.99 secondary lines to your already high enough bill.
2) You add the two lines, switch the new phones onto your old lines, then cancel the two new lines. You're looking at at least $350 in termination fees, if not more (depending on the type of phone).
3) You buy two brand-new basic phones, each $199.99. You pa...
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Epik,
Thanks for the input.
I think my only worry about a used phone is will I have trouble activating it if I bought a phone from someone who had issues with Verizon.
Meaning what if the phone was on a suspended account, would the ESN be somehow blocked from being activated? Is there a way to avoid this?
Also, in the fine print on Verizon.com it say that only one certified pre-owned phone can be purchased per year, per account. So that prevents me from getting two...
I'm really not trying to "beat the system"; I'm just trying to reduce my bill. Making wise financial decisions in the best interest of my family isn't wrong, is it?
Thanks for the input.
I think my only worry about a used phone is will I have trouble activating it if I bought a phone from someone who had issues with Verizon.
Meaning what if the phone was on a suspended account, would the ESN be somehow blocked from being activated? Is there a way to avoid this?
Also, in the fine print on Verizon.com it say that only one certified pre-owned phone can be purchased per year, per account. So that prevents me from getting two...
I'm really not trying to "beat the system"; I'm just trying to reduce my bill. Making wise financial decisions in the best interest of my family isn't wrong, is it?
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I did just realize one mistake: the certified pre-owned program is "one per mobile number per year"...
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yeah, so you can get a phone for each number, but you can only do it once a year
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Simply make sure the phone you're purchasing has a clean ESN, sellers generally provide this info on their ad...if not, ask. I think the certified pre-owned disclaimer is for buying through Verizon's used phone program only. As far as I know (and have done) you can switch out your phone as often as you like. Now regarding your 2 BB plans, not sure about how you're going to get out of that without an ETF. If I were you, I'd order 2 lines, purchase 2 phones, pay the ETF on the 2 BB lines, then sell your BBs on eBay or Craigslist to recoup the ETFs.
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Which isn't always the most cost effective route. What if he only gets $100 for his two Blackberries, yet pays $350 in ETFs?
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Of course it isn't immediately cost effective. But it'll save his family $40/month, since he plans to go down to $10 data for he and his wife. I don't see how he's going to get out of their 2 current BB plans without early termination. Then again, I'm not a Verizon employee either.
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It's called activating another phone. I could hand him one of my old reserve phones right now, help him activate it from home, and instantly he's not paying for the $29.99 data plans.
A contract is for voice service. He can change his plan any time without effecting his contract. The only reason he MUST have the data plans is because of the phone he chose. Change phones, change that requirement.
A contract is for voice service. He can change his plan any time without effecting his contract. The only reason he MUST have the data plans is because of the phone he chose. Change phones, change that requirement.
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Not if you're cancelling numbers you just added. Old numbers, yes, assuming yoy don't care about numbers you've had for a while.
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I sell phones on Ebay all the time, and I always offer to allow the potential buyer to call Verizon's customer care and check to see if the ESN is on the negative list. A good seller will let you check the ESN.
ESNs are typically locked for two reasons: they reported it lost or stolen at some time, or they didn't pay their bill after six months and their account was deactivated.
Certified Pre Owned are a decent alternative to paying full price, plus they have a one year warranty.
Someone else replied to you about "beating the system," that was not me. As far as my reading of your original past, you're not trying to worm your way out of anything, you're simply looking for advice on how to get different phones to save money. Please...
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ESNs are typically locked for two reasons: they reported it lost or stolen at some time, or they didn't pay their bill after six months and their account was deactivated.
Certified Pre Owned are a decent alternative to paying full price, plus they have a one year warranty.
Someone else replied to you about "beating the system," that was not me. As far as my reading of your original past, you're not trying to worm your way out of anything, you're simply looking for advice on how to get different phones to save money. Please...
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Epik,
My apologies on the confusion of my response to you. I knew you had not referenced playing or beating the system; I just started rambling and said everything in one post.
You've been considerably helpful.
Thank you again.
My apologies on the confusion of my response to you. I knew you had not referenced playing or beating the system; I just started rambling and said everything in one post.
You've been considerably helpful.
Thank you again.
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Working the system refers to lying one's way out of a contract one agreed to. You're not doing that, so the other poster's statement was unfair and unwarranted.
Glad I can help.
Glad I can help.
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Actually there is a way to do what he asked.
If you activate 2 new lines to get the phones, you can move them to the lines to replace the Blackberry phones. Then use DUMMY ESNs on the 2 new lines (It was something like 138000001 ... I forget ... ).
Though, I don't advise doing this. It's a waste of money. $10/month * 24 months = $240 * 2 = $480. Oh, and the cost of these new phones if you don't find some free ones! There are much cheaper options to buying 2 phones than to spend $480+.
If you activate 2 new lines to get the phones, you can move them to the lines to replace the Blackberry phones. Then use DUMMY ESNs on the 2 new lines (It was something like 138000001 ... I forget ... ).
Though, I don't advise doing this. It's a waste of money. $10/month * 24 months = $240 * 2 = $480. Oh, and the cost of these new phones if you don't find some free ones! There are much cheaper options to buying 2 phones than to spend $480+.
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Of course I know how to do that, but I'm not standing in front if him at a store able or willing to do that. I'm trying to give him help he can actually accomplish on his own and without asking a rep to jeopardize their job.
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Thanks hrmles1!
She is doing incredible. She was on life support for 14 days and then miraculously turned around almost over night. It was amazing...
She is doing incredible. She was on life support for 14 days and then miraculously turned around almost over night. It was amazing...
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This is what I would do...
Estimating your $10 add a lines cost @ $13/month with tax your 24 month cost would be $312 per line.
I would do a warranty replacement on your tours and sell them as refurbished units on ebay and buy a phone outright or as epik recomended, a verizon reconditioned unit. Figure out what phone you want and run the numbers on your long term cost.
Estimating your $10 add a lines cost @ $13/month with tax your 24 month cost would be $312 per line.
I would do a warranty replacement on your tours and sell them as refurbished units on ebay and buy a phone outright or as epik recomended, a verizon reconditioned unit. Figure out what phone you want and run the numbers on your long term cost.
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Are your blackberry's in decent condition? What model are they?
Depending on the model of your blackberry, you should be able to sell them for a decent amount online (there are companies that specialize in this if you don't want to do it yourself, they keep a portion of the sale price though)
This should help you with the purchase of new phones.
Past that, i would go with what epik suggested.
Depending on the model of your blackberry, you should be able to sell them for a decent amount online (there are companies that specialize in this if you don't want to do it yourself, they keep a portion of the sale price though)
This should help you with the purchase of new phones.
Past that, i would go with what epik suggested.
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