Well, when they "force" data plans (and by that I mean you can't even block it to avoid those excessive charges like you can with the other providers), make it impossible to find free ringtones, etc. anywhere without a computer science degree, and charge pictures as data (when they never used to) I call that nickel and diming. No matter how I slice it, I'm paying more with every contract renewal. But that's my choice. And forcing those nationwide plans on dumbphone users when they want to upgrade is just ridiculous also. I was told, "pricewise you won't see a difference, it's just a different way of billing data." It's different alright. It's more expensive. A lot more. But will I get angry enough to leave Verizon? Doubtful. Because as I sai...
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You really contradicted yourself there.

First it's easy to make all kind of ringtones or find free ones on the net and email it to your phone. Second, they don't charge data for picture messaging. They used to, a few years ago. You got that one backwards. Third, apparently you aren't just a dumbphone user that doesn't use data or you wouldn't have noticed a difference on your bill. The only possible difference is data charges, that are billed the same way as every other carrier at a much lower rate.

At this risk of contradicted myself again because I'm not that much of a techie, I used to be able to use websites to get ringtones to my dumbphones. Now nothing ever arrives on my dumbphones. I don't know why, I'm not that talented, I'll admit it. I used to get Navigator for $2.99 a use, but when I switched to a smartphone, I was told only $9.99 monthly available. Ok, so Verizon decides I can't use it just occasionally with a smartphone. Whatever. I had to change my plan when my son got the Dare, so I did. I got him a VPack, because supposedly it would save me from surprise charges. But apparently "content" is something different, "subscriptions" now replace just downloading a game, and I may as well have bought him the Storm because the Da...
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One of the reasons that I'm an outspoken fan of the mandatory data charges on smartphones is the random data charge.

In 5 years I've seen a lot with these phones.

The phones used to do practically nothing compared to what they can do now. Devices have gotten faster, better, and more user friendly. I can now get on the web in seconds, where previously I'd watch the "dialing network" box for up to 30 seconds before watching a web site load.

When I had the i760, I noticed that the phone would check for the web every so often without doing anything to prompt it. Apparently, hitting a program that hits the web, even for a moment, will keep the phone checking for an Internet connection for some time. I had to use Advanced Config to te...
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Thanks again Epik. That was a great post and explained more to me than any store rep has done in a long time. And I'm still kicking myself for not getting my son the Storm and the data plan instead of the Dare. My bad. But I've learned. And once again I continue to learn more on phonescoop than I do from anyone at a store. sigh.

Most applications have a subscription and a purchase price. I don't know why because the subscription amount is insane if you use it for more than 2 months.

A few things (like sony music box, or some other premium ringtone services) have subscriptions, but the verizon default (VZTONES) does not.

What epik wrote is also correct.

I make my own ringtones all the time on my computer using itunes/WMP and I'm not an insane computer geek.

Basically the song needs to be in an unprotected format (meaning not ACC+from itunes or DRM WMA from WMP). You also need to have the "import" settings in your media player set to import the songs as MP3's.

To set the import settings, you want to go to advanced options and find the section deal...
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Thanks for the instructions. I just printed them for my son; he will be able to figure it out for his Dare.

Phonezoo.com

this website will let you register your phone number and phone model and edit the songs into 1-30 seconds clips you can send to your phone and as the other dude said standard txt rates apply. Website doesnt charge you one thing. I have put over 50 ringtones and up to 400 ringtones on different phones i have had including the EnV, LG8350 Voyager, Chocolate 3 Dare, and Storm. Website is the easiest thing in the world to do. after you register your phone and confirm the code it sends you, you can hit create ringtone, then click upload file, you choose the file and then pull the slide bar to what part of the sopng you want.

You can also send ringtones other people have made to your phone such as family guy clips, movie so...
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Thank you. Phonezoo and myxer seem to work. Some of the other sites don't. Thanks for the info.