Mandatory E-mail Plan?

[dryani]

Ok, so I notice that the blackberrys and even the OTC Ozone phone require you to sign up for some $30 a month e-mail plan to buy them. I Really want the Ozone but $30 a month is definitely a dealbreaker, especially since I will always be around wireless internet anyway.

So, is there a way to upgrade my phone (i'm elegible for a 2-yr upgrade) to the Ozone without paying the bogus e-mail charge or is there a way to cancel the $30 e-mail charge after I receive the phone?

[nmchileman]

On any new PDA/Blackberry the data plan is required. There's no way around it. A rep couldn't even remove it for you if they wanted to...their systems will not allow it.

Sucks, I know.

[Carm]

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nmchileman wrote:

On any new PDA/Blackberry the data plan is required. There's no way around it. A rep couldn't even remove it for you if they wanted to...their systems will not allow it.

Sucks, I know.

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Unfortunatly its another way that VZW sticks it to their customers point blank  

[risu]

I can't blame them after all the complaints they get over "accidental" data usage and demands for credit....  Now, you don't have to worry about it!  You can use it to your heart's content without worrying about a huge bill when you "accidentally" used the internet for four hours yesterday.

[Carm]

I just find it interesting they couldn't use lets say one of the premium plans as a requirement for smartphones. Instead they had to add an additional $20-30 on top of everything. After all the premium plan is unlimited everything except calls unless you choose that premium plan. What a joke

Message Edited by Carm on 07-04-2009 07:37 PM

[dryani]

Thanks for the info all. I looked into it a bit more and heard that the manufacturers of some of the brands (like blackberry) require the additional charge (probably as a commission\royalty sort of deal). Whether or not this is true, I believe I found a loophole. If you start a new plan at a 3rd party retailer such as CarToys, I do not think you have to have the extra internet plan to get the giant discount. It's too late for me as I bought a different phone before finding this out, but it might help one of you down the road.

[nmchileman]

The data plan is required on any new PDA/Blackberry device regardless of where it was purchased or for how much. As long as it's activated with Verizon Wireless service then it's going to be added.

Sorry for crushing any hope anybody might have had.

[risu]

Unless its really old... like a treo 700w... but who wants that?

[mdram]

if you figure a way around it and dont get it, you will regret it.

the 1.99 mb charge can eat you alive.

pic messages use the data service, without it you cant send them