free phone with trade-in

[FoolMeOnceShameOnMeFoolMeTwiceShameOnYou]

well, I am evaluating my expenses, and I just switched my internet provider after 10+ years with them because they kept raising prices and charging me for using more data when I am not even home to use the internet (on vacation for 2 weeks).  Now, I am evaluating my 7 phone lines account with Verizon.  I have been a customer for many years.  Last year I traded in 5 of my 7 phones for newer phones because there was a deal to get a "free" phone.  Well, not so much free now because somehow, I have to pay over $2000 over 36 months.  What is going on? Now, to trade in again I have to pay $1795 to pay off the phone that I thought was 'free' with the trade-in.  On top of that my bill is like $360 a month for 7 lines.

Well, you know what, my next phones are not going to be locked in with any carrier.  We don't have too many choices, but my cousin works for T-Mobile.  I am planning to talk to him soon.  

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello, FoolMeOnceShameOnMeFoolMeTwiceShameOnYou. Help is here as we would never want to see you leave us. Please share more info regarding the free phones. Did the promotion require you to trade in a previous device? Were these new lines of service? Please share as many details as you can.

-Natasha

[FoolMeOnceShameOnMeFoolMeTwiceShameOnYou]

promotion requires me to trade in 5 phones and I sent them all in to Verizon and of course I get message send back sometime later saying some phones are in bad condition, not qualified for full trade in values, etc. (you know, the same excuses I saw on this board last night that people are complaining about) even after I went to the Verizon store and showed them the phones that I was going to trade-in before sending the phones to Verizon trade-in center somewhere.  One thing after another, I ended up paying more per month and now when I am looking for trade in option, I now have to pay $1795+ to trade in and I think probably have to pay more again.  Nope, not this time.

I already reached out to my cousin yesterday and he said he will give me a quote soon and any options.

thanks

[FoolMeOnceShameOnMeFoolMeTwiceShameOnYou]

by the way, all the phones are working and in great conditions before the trade-in.  So all the excuses from Verizon are not true.  But of course, I cannot prove it because I already sent in the phones.