[Angelo78]

Today I called up a local Verizon store to see if I'm able to buy a new cell phone at this point in time. I say this because I heard you have to wait a year to get a new phone. Well I call and the lady tells me I have to wait until February 2007. I signed up a year ago, so I was shocked to hear this.

I'm in a family plan. My parents got a new plan when we moved and asked if I wanted to be on it. I said sure....canceled my existing single person plan and went with theirs. Well now I'm faced with waiting to be able to buy a phone, unless I want to pay the crazy retail prices of these things. I know all of this is in the contract and it's my fault for not making sure of everything before getting on the family plan. I've been with Verizon for about six years. I'm really happy with the reception, but the phone choices suck and I hate the phone buying policy. Not only that but they cripple the decent phones they do get, and then change the OS around. Do all service providers have phone buying policies like this? I have a friend with T-Mobile and I don't remember him ever having to wait a certain amount of time, though I could be wrong. If I'm remembering correctly you're attached to the sim card rather than any given phone.

I do realize, now that I've calmed down, that I should have know this before signing the contract. I just hate that they control when you can get a phone. I mean, I could get one but at very high full retail prices. Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous?

If I'm wrong for thinking this way please feel free to say so. But I just feel that you should be able to get any phone you want, at any time....and at the same price as the "low, new contract" prices. I'm just not a very happy Verizon customer right now. I'm really thinking of spending the $175 cancelation fee to not have to deal with these loopy rules. That is, unless all the providers are like this.

[mduell]

Most cell phone providers will only give you a discount on a phone if you buy it when you create or renew your contract with them.

Find an unlocked or vzw-locked phone that you like on eBay.

[production_coordinator]

find out if you have insurance... if yes... discover a problem with the phone...

the OS is "ALWAYS" crashing bla bla bla.

[milhous]

from whom did you hear that you only had to wait a year for a new handset? i don't believe verizon wireless offers any sort of 1-yr upgrade pricing unless the contract itself is for 1 year. the family plan most likely contains the stipulation that the contract will be for 2 years. surely at some point, you've had to have heard about the "new every 2" policy which is what most people fall under--free phone up to $100 value or $100 credit towards a more expensive phone after two years.

i've been using vzw for many years and in the end, it's about making the calls that is most important to me. however in an effort to cut costs and save money, and once my contract expires in the summer, i'm going to consider porting my mobile number to my work mobile which is with t-mobile. service seems alright especially if you live near a big city, but i think it'll be good enough and i'll be able to save over $600 in mobile phone costs. that and i feel absolutely ridiculous carrying around two phones.

[Scotttheking]

Originally Posted by milhous

from whom did you hear that you only had to wait a year for a new handset? i don't believe verizon wireless offers any sort of 1-yr upgrade pricing unless the contract itself is for 1 year. the family plan most likely contains the stipulation that the contract will be for 2 years.

I signed up a year ago

To the OP: Your rant should be directed at yourself for not reading the contract before agreeing to it.

[driven]

Originally Posted by mduell

Most cell phone providers will only give you a discount on a phone if you buy it when you create or renew your contract with them.

Find an unlocked or vzw-locked phone that you like on eBay.

Be careful. Verizon won't even give you service unless you buy a contract. Even if you aren't taking one of their phones. (Stupid I know.)

So ... if you need a contract anyway, you might as well get a spiffy new phone.

When my mother died I wanted to take her phone off my plan. They wouldn't do it without forcing me into a new contract. (I was out of contract at the time.) They said "You need a contract anyway if you want service."

They were right! I did need a contract! I just didn't get it with them.

[Angelo78]

Originally Posted by Scotttheking

To the OP: Your rant should be directed at yourself for not reading the contract before agreeing to it.

I don't deny that. If you look back at my post I did say that it's my fault for not being more careful with the contract. Although, back when I was not in a family plan I remember asking how long it would be until getting a discount price on a phone would be and I was always told one year. Either things have changed or it's just a family plan thing. That or I was told the wrong thing long ago about the one year wait. However I did upgrade phones just after a year on two occasions and both times the phones were at lowered prices.

I should have titled my post differently. It's more just a general rant about waiting until a contract is up to get a discounted phone. Oh well, live and learn.

[wdlove]

I'm sorry to hear of your frustrations with Verizon. I have heard a lot of negatives with them. Just the problems with a monopoly, no reason to be flexible,

I'm having a very frustrating time at the moment with Earthlink. Have talked with 19 support personal in 24 hours on one issue.

On phone 7pm until almost midnight. Now this morning 9am until now, Still not resolved to my satisfaction. Angry and frustrated. Now on 20th.

[ThinkInsane]

Originally Posted by Scotttheking

To the OP: Your rant should be directed at yourself for not reading the contract before agreeing to it.

That's not quite true. Well it is true, ultimately we make our own decisions about signing contracts. But regardless, until fairly recently, Verizon would let you upgrade and sign a new contract after ten months, even on a two year contract. This seems to have changed.

I've had my current phone for a year now. I always get the two year contract because I've been with VZW since I believe 1993, before it was verizon wireless even. I want a new phone, so I called them last week, and I was told they can no longer give early upgrades, no matter how much I threatened to switch to Cingular. Now I find that I might actually have to switch to Cingular. Min. $150.00 a month for the past 13 years, and they don't care anymore. Lucky for me, my current phone is the V710, which VZW sold without mentioning they crippled the bluetooth, thus resulting in a class action lawsuit with a settlement that allows me to opt of my contract without penalty. Even this didn't persuade the CSR to give me the upgrade option. She did say she'd let me upgrade if I signed up for a new plan (60.00 a month) which would actually save me money, but I'll probably save it with another carrier.

My last attempt to switch to Cingular was a disaster. The details are posted on the forums somewhere, but let's say it wasn't a pleasant experience and because of it I didn't end up switching at all.

[turtle777]

Verizons phone selection suxx. And you can't just switch to a new phone like with SIM-card GSM. I'm happy with T-Mobile, although coverage is not the best.

[driven]

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

That's not quite true. Well it is true, ultimately we make our own decisions about signing contracts. But regardless, until fairly recently, Verizon would let you upgrade and sign a new contract after ten months, even on a two year contract. This seems to have changed.

I've had my current phone for a year now. I always get the two year contract because I've been with VZW since I believe 1993, before it was verizon wireless even. I want a new phone, so I called them last week, and I was told they can no longer give early upgrades, no matter how much I threatened to switch to Cingular. Now I find that I might actually have to switch to Cingular. Min. $150.00 a month for the past 13 years, and they don't care anymore. Lucky for me, my current phone is the V710, which VZW sold without mentioning they crippled the bluetooth, thus resulting in a class action lawsuit with a settlement that allows me to opt of my contract without penalty. Even this didn't persuade the CSR to give me the upgrade option. She did say she'd let me upgrade if I signed up for a new plan (60.00 a month) which would actually save me money, but I'll probably save it with another carrier.

My last attempt to switch to Cingular was a disaster. The details are posted on the forums somewhere, but let's say it wasn't a pleasant experience and because of it I didn't end up switching at all.

If you don't want to try Cingular (trust me, I have my own issues with them too) give t-mobile a try. My wife just switched to them and so far she's blissfully happy. She bought the Samsung T809 which is a brilliant phone. The only thing missing from it is an integrated e-mail client. Otherwise, I wish I had one myself.

[RAILhead]

We have to use Verizon here at work.

But I've never had any probs.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by driven

Be careful. Verizon won't even give you service unless you buy a contract. Even if you aren't taking one of their phones. (Stupid I know.)

I've had relatively good experiences with Verizon. Of course, my contract ran out a few months ago, and I have no reason to renew it. As I explained in another thread recently, my family share plan is $10 cheaper than the cheapest family share plan available now. The newer plan comes with more minutes, but we never go over the 400 we have right now. Verizon is not forcing me to sign a new contract with the newer terms, I still get the old terms on a month-to-month basis.

I'm also fortunate enough to be living in one of the few areas in the Northeast to not have Verizon for local phone service, though, so my opinion of the company may be a bit different than yours.

My only requirement for a cell phone is that it be a flip-phone with a caller ID screen that you can read without flipping the phone open. That's it. If my phone ever needs replacing, I'm sure I can find a budget phone under $100 that meets my needs. There's no reason for me to pay $240 extra over the next two years just so I can get a more expensive phone for free with features I don't use....

[andi*pandi]

while I'm not currently very happy with verizon (locked phones, limited selection, no connectivity kit for mac, charging to email pix to yourself (see no connectivity issue above)) I'm not surprised they won't give you another free phone so soon. However, should be no issue of you buying one, really. The contract doesn't tie you to a phone.

[driven]

Dork,
I'd absolutely agree with your approach to things.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

My last attempt to switch to Cingular was a disaster. The details are posted on the forums somewhere, but let's say it wasn't a pleasant experience and because of it I didn't end up switching at all.

Odd.

I had absolutely no problems switching to Cingular from Sprint. I got to keep my old phone number, too.

I guess it depends on the area and circumstances you're in.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by Angelo78

I just hate that they control when you can get a phone. I mean, I could get one but at very high full retail prices. Am I the only one that thinks this is ridiculous?

I don't know whether you are the only one, but you are the first I heard of.

The phone needs to be paid for, and it's most certainly not your service provider who is paying for the phone. It's you. Either you buy a phone at the full retail price (and you can do so as often as you want to), or you buy a subsidised phone and pay for it over time with the costs of your contract. And "over time" means that you don't get another subsidised phone before you completely paid for the first one. That's obvious to most people.

[besson3c]

I hate most of the cellphone industry, I hate being locked into stuff, hooked into buying more stuff, being sold products intentionally crippled, etc. I hate feeling like I'm being used for my money, and nothing else matters.

[subego]

Originally Posted by driven

If you don't want to try Cingular (trust me, I have my own issues with them too) give t-mobile a try. My wife just switched to them and so far she's blissfully happy.

Seconded on the T-Mo recommendation.

Never had any problems. Always friendly. Always willing to change my plan when I travel, and then switch it back at the end of that month's billing period.

Though I've never had to do either, I understand they are the only provider that doesn't charge for number portability, as well as being the only company who doesn't give you the runaround if you want to unlock your phone.

Catherine Zeta Jones is hawt too.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

I don't know whether you are the only one, but you are the first I heard of.

The phone needs to be paid for, and it's most certainly not your service provider who is paying for the phone. It's you. Either you buy a phone at the full retail price (and you can do so as often as you want to), or you buy a subsidised phone and pay for it over time with the costs of your contract. And "over time" means that you don't get another subsidised phone before you completely paid for the first one. That's obvious to most people.

Well, I'd agree with that logic, if it were possible to just get a monthly plan if you opted to pay full retail price for the phone (or if you already had a compatible phone). But it's not. With Verizon, and probably with all the other carriers as well, they won't give you service at all if you don't get a contract, unless you go pre-paid! It's ridiculous. When I was out of contract with Verizon, they wouldn't let me move up to a plan with more minutes without signing a new contract, even if I kept the same phone. I figured, like driven did, that as long as I had to sign a new contract, I might as well sign one with Cingular! Of course, I'm sure they'll try to do the same thing when I'm out of contract with them, too, causing me to continue to switch providers until some carrier figures out that they're shooting themselves in the foot by encouraging customer non-loyalty.

I freaking hate two-year contracts. Why on earth should I have to sign them if I'm not getting a subsidized phone? What if my phone works fine where I live now, but then I move somewhere next year where I get no service? Dammit, I should be able to just get a month-to-month contract and just use whatever works best. Then, the carriers would just have to make sure they were continuing to provide a solid service, and they'd not have to worry about losing my business.

[driven]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Well, I'd agree with that logic, if it were possible to just get a monthly plan if you opted to pay full retail price for the phone (or if you already had a compatible phone). But it's not. With Verizon, and probably with all the other carriers as well, they won't give you service at all if you don't get a contract, unless you go pre-paid! It's ridiculous. When I was out of contract with Verizon, they wouldn't let me move up to a plan with more minutes without signing a new contract, even if I kept the same phone. I figured, like driven did, that as long as I had to sign a new contract, I might as well sign one with Cingular! Of course, I'm sure they'll try to do the same thing when I'm out of contract with them, too, causing me to switch to continue to switch providers until some carrier figures out that they're shooting themselves in the foot by encouraging customer non-loyalty.

I freaking hate two-year contracts. Why on earth should I have to sign them if I'm not getting a subsidized phone? What if my phone works fine where I live now, but then I move somewhere next year where I get no service? Dammit, I should be able to just get a month-to-month contract and just use whatever works best. Then, the carriers would just have to make sure they were continuing to provide a solid service, and they'd not have to worry about losing my business.

This locked in, long term contact thing seems to be a unique situation to North America. I travel to Europe and Asia quite frequently and I'm not seeing the same structure outside the USA. Of course, our overseas brothers are paying a *LOT* more for their phones then we are.

[Corpse of Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Scotttheking

To the OP: Your rant should be directed at yourself for not reading the contract before agreeing to it.

oh, come off it scott! stop being mean to the guy. is this what all moderators on macnn are like?

[Angelo78]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

I don't know whether you are the only one, but you are the first I heard of.

The phone needs to be paid for, and it's most certainly not your service provider who is paying for the phone. It's you. Either you buy a phone at the full retail price (and you can do so as often as you want to), or you buy a subsidised phone and pay for it over time with the costs of your contract. And "over time" means that you don't get another subsidised phone before you completely paid for the first one. That's obvious to most people.

I can understand that. What I wanted to do is buy a Razr at the new $99 price. I was told I can't do that and would have to pay full retail for it if I want it. Up until not long ago Verizon allowed this. After about a year of owning your current phone you could get a new one at the discounted price. Now they have you wait two years before you can get a new one at resonable prices. For example, the current new contract price of the Razr is $99. Last I saw, the full retail for that phone is somewhere around $500. That's what bothers me.

And yes, I know the Razr isn't the best thing out there for features and such. However, it's the thinnest phone Verizon offers and that's what I'm looking for.