Upgrading in Store Vs Online Vs Third Party
I've been looking around online at phone prices and on some models the price varies a lot. For instance the Droid Incredible can be had for free (family plan primary line upgrade, 2 year extension) at one dealer Vs $100 at another. In addition to price I'd be interested to hear about advantages/disadvantages of buying from these various sources. Obviously if you get a phone from a local retailer you can go back if you have a problem, but if you buy online is there anything to consider other than the price? I don't know anything about this and I hope I'm not tweaking anyone by asking these questions (for instance any Verizon reps). Thanks!
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Well, I've always upgraded with Vz but over the last few phones my wife and I have gone to Best Buy; I just got the DINC last Dec for free, can't beat the price but not sure what will happen if I have troubles with it..where did you find the DINC for free? I don't see it on Best Buys web site anymore.
Thanks-JT
Thanks-JT
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The Droid Incredible is being offered free here:
http://www.1800mobiles.com/verizon-htc-droid-incredi ... »
http://www.1800mobiles.com/verizon-htc-droid-incredi ... »
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I purchased my Incredible from Best But for 'free' as well. It is under warranty from HTC for a year and I have TEC which includes extended warranty. However, as a former rep, I would never go to a Verizon store for assistance with this device. I would call Tech Support because it is an advanced device AND VZW phased out tech support and customer service at all but the 'A' and 'B' stores in my area, so I know better than to go in there flaunting my phone that I didn't buy from there expecting customer service that they cannot provide for me anyway. More than likely, one of the SALES representatives would be pulled away from competing for commissions and simply call tech support for me from there. I would rather avoid futility and resent...
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Yes, I respect the fact that the store reps are working on commission and it's not fair to just pick their brains.
Can you say more about what TEC is? Is that the insurance option?
One thing I'm curious about is how the online dealers can offer the phone for less. Are there any hidden "gotchas" that I should be aware of?
Can you say more about what TEC is? Is that the insurance option?
One thing I'm curious about is how the online dealers can offer the phone for less. Are there any hidden "gotchas" that I should be aware of?
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Yes. Usually they have their own contract so if you cancel in a certain time period you owe them a fee in addition to the $350 you will owe VZW. Total Equipment Coverage in Insurance plus Extended Warranty bundled into one.
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Thanks for the additional info. I'll have to look into early termination fees. Do you think the TEC is a worthwhile option?
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Yes. If you sign a two year contract and only have a one year warranty then your *Bleep* is bare for eight months before they will allow you to upgrade at a discount. Remember Annual Upgrade is no more.
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Turns out this is pretty complicated. For instance although I am eligible for an early discounted upgrade through Verizon Online I am not if I try to go through Amazon Wireless which places eligibility at the end of the current contract. And while Amazon keeps my existing plan and only requires that one of the data options be added, other online wireless companies offer their own considerably more expensive plans (with exactly the same features as my current family plan) as part of the upgrade and do not include the data plan by default - talk about buyer beware. Unfortunately Verizon online no longer offers the Incredible. I'll have to check at the local store.
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Self life is pretty much up on the Dinc because the Dinc 2 is almost ready for deployment.
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Yes, I understand that the shelf life is pretty much finish for the Dinc. Regarding the Dinc 2 do you know roughly when it will become available and are there any specs/pics of the phone?
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From what i can understand as an employee the Dinc 2 is coming around April 28th. Here is a link... http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/cell-pho nes/new-verizon-wireless-4g-lte-smartphones-l eaked/11903.html
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Thanks for approximate release date and link. Unfortunately the link is no longer valid so maybe it was pulled...
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As much as I love this phone I'm thinking of getting the DINC2 for the wife. Looks like it will be $199 but I figure it won't be too long before it goes on sale somewhere (yay Best Buy). She will have to use her BBS2 for a while longer lol. Actually she loves the damn thing, just the build quality on BB's is so hit and miss.
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What this means is that your upgrade at this time would not net the agent or a retail rep any commission. Verizon would love to lock you up for another two years of course, but they are not willing to pay commission to anyone for doing so. At this point, you may as well wait for the next generation Incredible if VZW no longer offers it online.
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hhgregg just had it in there ad for free. They don't own the retailer in there it is a premium retailer that offers instant rebates. Just don't go through the website as it is ran by wirefly, you have to go in the store for the premium retailer.
Anyway, if you have an hhgregg near you (I know they are not national yet) then you can pick it up for free and since it is a premium retailer they can honor ne2 and early upgrades.
Anyway, if you have an hhgregg near you (I know they are not national yet) then you can pick it up for free and since it is a premium retailer they can honor ne2 and early upgrades.
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Additionally, they have a great "insurance" offer. $100 upfront, and a $40 deductible, and it covers everything, accidental damage, water damage, loss and theft.
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Unfortunately HH Gregg has no location yet in the So Cal area (or anywhere on the west coast). I wonder if there might be another retailer here with a similar offer?
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Is there a "The Cellular Connection" a.k.a TCC? They are the 2nd largest premium Verizon retailer in the US, and first largest in the mid west. They have free standing stores, but they are the ones that run the kiosks inside HH Gregg.
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