The Truth on Verizons early upgrade

[dj560]

Like most people waiting months to get  a Droid Bionic, I had one in my hands at a Verizon kiosk at Costco A couple hours ago.  Paid for but not processed.  During processing, their computer showed I was not eligible.  I've been on the unlimited data plan for 22 months and I might add that the My verizon moble app states I am eligible for an upgrade.

Upon calling Verizon, their representative told me that "EARLY upgrades were only available at Verizon Stores and she would be happy to send me one or I could go to a Verizon Store.  Of course, she would not give me an equivalent Costco deal.  (280$ for the phone and 160$ of free accessories)  Their strategy is obvious, however,  a few dollars they would make on the phone are definitely off set by the 115.00 I pay them every month.  (2760.00$ over 2 years)  Does everyone realize that when you trade in your phone to them for a gift card. You are stuck with a data plan and no phone if your new phone is returned for any reason?    Your call Verizon!!

[Elitist_Jerk]

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dj560 wrote:

Like most people waiting months to get  a Droid Bionic, I had one in my hands at a Verizon kiosk at Costco A couple hours ago.  Paid for but not processed.  During processing, their computer showed I was not eligible.  I've been on the unlimited data plan for 22 months and I might add that the My verizon moble app states I am eligible for an upgrade.

Upon calling Verizon, their representative told me that "EARLY upgrades were only available at Verizon Stores and she would be happy to send me one or I could go to a Verizon Store.  Of course, she would not give me an equivalent Costco deal.  (280$ for the phone and 160$ of free accessories)  Their strategy is obvious, however,  a few dollars they would make on the phone are definitely off set by the 115.00 I pay them every month.  (2760.00$ over 2 years)  Does everyone realize that when you trade in your phone to them for a gift card. You are stuck with a data plan and no phone if your new phone is returned for any reason?    Your call Verizon!!

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Each company has their own promotions and programs. Since you do not qualify to upgrade under normal conditions you can only upgrade at Verizon. You act like this is some sort of scam or trick by Verizon. When in reality it is a special program they offer valued customers who want to get into a newer phone sooner than their 2 year agreement...

Resellers ,like the grocery store you want to buy your phone at, are limited in what they can do. And really that is a good thing, if you look at how many mistakes stem from these 3rd party sellers to begin with already..

You pay for service, not phone every month. Service costs most to maintain

I don't even know what you trying to say about the trade in program..

[bearone21]

excuse me but i got my dx last dec 28th & on the myverizon site/pc, i'm eligible aug, 28, '12, 90 days prior, so it sounds like the op did qualify with 22 months.

[vereyezuhn]

It's well known that 3rd party resellers cannot do early upgrades. Wait until your 20 months are up, and you'll be good to go. You'll just be right back on here complaining about all the Bionic's bugs in a day or two if you DO get it right away anyway.

[droidsw]

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vereyezuhn wrote:

It's well known that 3rd party resellers cannot do early upgrades. Wait until your 20 months are up, and you'll be good to go. You'll just be right back on here complaining about all the Bionic's bugs in a day or two if you DO get it right away anyway.

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Another excellent point for the OP and others. Why in the Sam Hill would Verizon offer a promotion that would encourage the customer to go to Costco or BB?

[bearone21]

simple, they want you to stay in contract with vreizon rather than go to some other service.

[vereyezuhn]

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bearone21 wrote:

simple, they want you to stay in contract with vreizon rather than go to some other service.

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They're staying with Verizon no matter which way you spin it. If they're planning on upgrading, they're staying with Verizon and paying them monthly. I would imagine Verizon would want to go the extra step and make sure the customer pays THEM for the actual phone, as well. As Droidsw said, why would Verizon want customers going to Best buy and Costco every 12 months (well, not anymore) and getting the same phones Verizon has for MUCH cheaper, when that same customer could jump the gun and use their annual upgrade with Verizon, and Verizon would get 3 times as much money as Costco would have. Again, none of this will be happening anymore since there are no more annual upgrades, but still...

[keiffers]

In my opinion, that defeats the purpose of authorized resellers. I bought my Droid X from an authorized reseller via the Dell mobility website (its not valid anymore) where I was able to get my Droid X for $20. The condition was I had to have service in place as I signed up for (meaning no changes to the account) 6 months, otherwise I’d get charged FULL price. You can still goto Amazon wireless or Wirefly and get the same kind of deals, via various carriers, and you’re not actually getting it straight from VZW. Everytime I’ve gone into the VZW corporate store, there is very rarely more than one or two customers in there, who are usually over paying their bills. I don’t see as many people as I used to browsing phones or choosing one and their activating it. I honestly think the ‘in store’ concept is dead for phones, just cause of how crappy the service can be and the fact that you can’t get as good of a deal in the store as you can online through various ‘authorized reseller’ locations. When I do my next phone, whatever it may be, I’m gonna go through an authorized reseller, atleast they’re working for themselves and not the big red mean machine

[mdram4x4]

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keiffers wrote:

In my opinion, that defeats the purpose of authorized resellers. I bought my Droid X from an authorized reseller via the Dell mobility website (its not valid anymore) where I was able to get my Droid X for $20. The condition was I had to have service in place as I signed up for (meaning no changes to the account) 6 months, otherwise I’d get charged FULL price. You can still goto Amazon wireless or Wirefly and get the same kind of deals, via various carriers, and you’re not actually getting it straight from VZW. Everytime I’ve gone into the VZW corporate store, there is very rarely more than one or two customers in there, who are usually over paying their bills. I don’t see as many people as I used to browsing phones or choosing one and their activating it. I honestly think the ‘in store’ concept is dead for phones, just cause of how crappy the service can be and the fact that you can’t get as good of a deal in the store as you can online through various ‘authorized reseller’ locations. When I do my next phone, whatever it may be, I’m gonna go through an authorized reseller, atleast they’re working for themselves and not the big red mean machine

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be careful if you have any non current plan (unlimted data, promo, ect)

3rd party resellers usually cannot access these and leave them in place

they cahnge to current plan

you call vzw back and change it back

bam your hit with thier etf

be careful

[rcschnoor]

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keiffers wrote:

Everytime I’ve gone into the VZW corporate store, there is very rarely more than one or two customers in there, who are usually over paying their bills. I don’t see as many people as I used to browsing phones or choosing one and their activating it. I honestly think the ‘in store’ concept is dead for phones, just cause of how crappy the service can be and the fact that you can’t get as good of a deal in the store as you can online through various ‘authorized reseller’ locations.

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The Verizon stores I have been in lately are vastly different. There are always several people in there purchasing and activating new devices. I have never been in a Verizon store where there wasn't a wait if you wanted to purchase a new phone.

[vereyezuhn]

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rcschnoor wrote:

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keiffers wrote:

Everytime I’ve gone into the VZW corporate store, there is very rarely more than one or two customers in there, who are usually over paying their bills. I don’t see as many people as I used to browsing phones or choosing one and their activating it. I honestly think the ‘in store’ concept is dead for phones, just cause of how crappy the service can be and the fact that you can’t get as good of a deal in the store as you can online through various ‘authorized reseller’ locations.

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The Verizon stores I have been in lately are vastly different. There are always several people in there purchasing and activating new devices. I have never been in a Verizon store where there wasn't a wait if you wanted to purchase a new phone.

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Same is true for me. I live in the Phoenix area and every store I go to, on any given day, has atleast 20 people browsing waiting in the sales line. I've almost never seen someone actually go into a store to pay their bill with those little kiosks

[droidsw]

It's a promotional offer. Verizon owes no upgrade, no special price.

When they come through, they should be commended. When they don't, or it appears that way to a customer, they are vilified.

It was a promotion.

I contend that the entire purpose of promotional programs is to encourage contract renewals and even "happy customers". Effectually, these programs often tick people off and are counter productive.

It is the perfect opportunity for a company to shine, but yes it's about profits and profits rule.