What happens to the annual upgrade option I have with the Note 7 if I select an S7 Edge as a replacement?

[ERIKOD32]

Will I maintain the annual upgrade option I have with the Note 7 if I select an S7 Edge as a replacement?  I chose the Note 7 for the phone itself and the annual upgrade option.  If the annual upgrade option is not available with the S7 Edge what are my options to maintain the annual upgrade?

[jenniferh_vzw · Accepted solution]

I can appreciate wanting to be sure you have not only a safe phone in hand but the best options for upgrades going forward, ERIKOD32. Currently, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are the only devices available for purchase with the Annual Upgrade Program: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/upgrade-program-legal/ . Please keep in mind that with any device payment upgrade https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/device-payment-faqs/ you have the option to pay the device off and then upgrade to a new device payment anytime after 30 days.

Thank you

JenniferH_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[ERIKOD32]

Thank you for the response JenniferH_VZW.  If I had known I risked losing the annual upgrade option when I replaced my original Note 7 with the "safe" Note 7 that both Samsung and Verizon assured everyone would not have any issues I would have chosen the S7 Edge then because it was still an annual upgrade device.  It seems short-sided on Verizon's part to take the annual upgrade option away from customers who choose to select another Samsung device that was annual upgrade eligible when they first chose the Note 7 or replaced their original one. This is an unfortunate situation for everyone - Samsung, VZW and customers.  I think Verizion should reconsider the annual upgrade option if customers choose a replacement device that was annual upgrade eligible when they selected the Note 7.  I believe Verizon would still make money on the S7 Edge if I paid off half the device and turned it back in to Verizon to sell again.  Customers should not have to bear the brunt for this unfortunate incident.

[LOLO2379]

I agree. I chose a Samsung phone because all of our TV's and electronics are Samsung, and I wanted the annual upgrade. Now our only option is to go to an IPhone. Wow VZW, where is your customer loyalty? We aren't choosing to trade in the Note 7.... We debated not upgrading and going to Sprint. Maybe we'll have to...

[JohnB_VZW]

I completely understand how you feel LOLO2379. Being able to upgrade every year is definitely an important option. We don't want to lose you.

At this time the only devices with the annual upgrade option is the iPhone 7, 7S, 7 Plus, & 7s Plus. If you purchase any other device you can always upgrade once you have paid off the device payment plan in full. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

We are always offering new promotions so perhaps when it comes time for you to upgrade again there may be a promotion that will allow you to upgrade sooner than expected.

JohnB_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[LOLO2379]

Sorry John, but that's not going to cut it....

Your'e telling me that you don't want to lose me as a customer, but after being with VZW for more than a decade, almost 2; my options are that I either downgrade to another Android device that isn't even close to the Note 7, and lose my annual upgrade option, or switch to an Iphone 7 with a different non compatible OS, and keep my annual upgrade option in hopes that something comes along in a year. And no, the Note 5 isn't an option either as it's already outdated. Sounds like a lose, lose situation to me. How about VZW and Samsung get together and give us the S7 Edge with an annual upgrade option to the next Note type device when it comes available? I don't think this is asking for a lot. We just want what we already had....

[dstack1776]

My family surprised me and paid off my S7 Edge to get me a Note as a birthday gift. So I found myself faced with going back to the S7 Edge, both having lost that $$$ for nothing and losing the annual upgrade. Multiple calls to Customer Support yielded no path to getting the annual upgrade back on the S7 Edge. I'm using an older spare phone while I consider my options.

[adriennep_vzw]

We want you to have a device you love. I'm here to help. As far as our annual upgrade program is concerned you can find the latest information here Annual Upgrade Program for Samsung Devices FAQs | Verizon Wireless . Please let us know if you have any more questions.

[LOLO2379]

This information isn't even current. It refers to the expired annual upgrade option with the edge 7, and still has info for the Note 7.

[ZillyB]

"We want you to have a device you love."

Right, I had it. It was the Note 7.  There are no comparable devices on the market... for many of us who chose the Note, we did so for a REASON. The sPen stylus is one of those reasons. And suggesting we downgrade to a Note 5? Really??? Many of us who held on the the Note4 did so because we didn't want the 5... the 5 sucks. And after having the 7 for 2 months, the 5 sucks that much more.

The device we love is the device we are being forced to part with.

[dstack1776]

I'd think putting Note customers on the annual upgrade option for whatever they go to would absolutely be a reasonable option. Assuming a Note 8 is available in a year, it would allow such users to go to the Note 8. For those of us who choose a S7/S7 Edge, we'll have to cough up several hundred dollars and turn in our phones to do an upgrade next August/September.

From a customer relations perspective, it would seem the best way to engender some good will and make customers as whole as possible. And I'd assume Verizon would slap Samsung for the bill for all costs it incurs in doing so...

[madams144]

Adrien .. as a representative of VZW please read the user question and understand what you are replying to and how your reference supports your comment.

Directly from the info link you posted, under "how do I participate" .. the printed document CLEARLY cites ..  purchase before 9/10/2016.  We are clearly beyond that date therefore not applicable.  Any device payment plan implimented after that date for the S7 family of devices carry a full retail 24 mos agreement.  Yes, you can exit the agreement after 30 days buy you'll owe Verizon $750 out of pocket.

Note 7 owners seeking the next logical, (albeit downgraded) replacement device should excercise caution if a store rep claims the S7 is "Annual Eligable" ... do your homework! 

Me? ... I am waiting for the printed return procedure from Samsung and Big Red with clear language regarding what I retain/loose as it relates to my Annual Upgrade status.  No need to be on that bleeding edge of the return program.  Remember CPSC has yet to issue a formal recall for the replaced devices (#2)?yet, nor has Verizon mandated the return/surrender of our devices.  As of 30seconds before this post,  My IMEI status from the Samsung site returns "your galaxy note is not an effected device"

Yes, we need to pressure Samsung, or better .. have our Carrier Verizon step up and represent its loyal Samsung Note followers, to have Samsung reinstate the Annual Eligable program for the S7 device line

[DONHUB15]

So madams144 you are keeping your 7note? And if so will you be able to receive up grades and support for that phone? I ordered the new one after the 1st recall and while i was waiting for it to be available on oct.11th the 2nd recall was ordered.the 7note was shipped early on the 9th and received it today oct.12. I had already decided to keep the 7note until i was forced to return it but concerned about the question I stated to you.thanks for any further info you have.,, Don

[madams144]

[Removed] no,  I have grandkids that enjoy the games and videos on my large screen note which is the biggest risk, not to mention my personal property like the house or car.  I love the Note experience, highly disappointed that I will have to surrender my device and downgrade to a less capable mobile solution.  But that's life

My issue is I am not going to be on that bleeding edge of folks scrambling and stressing over returning.  Not going to put myself through all the hassles and inconsistent direction provided from store to store as I did for the first recall.  Rather I will wait until Samsung and Verizon get in locked step regarding this recall program, and publishes the process with clear details how to handle.

In addition, I am also waiting to hear how Samsung and Verizon is going to deal with the loss of my "Annual Eligable" benefit and choosing a iOS device is not the answer.

For me, I will jump at the first opportunity to get to a S7 Edge since it's the closest mobile solution that most closely matches my Samsung experience.  But with the S8 less than 6 months away, there is no way I am going to get locked into a 24 month finance agreement where I have to pay full retail to exit from.  Again, in time Samsung and Verizon should (and most likely will) negotiate "something" whether a voucher, an exception for impacted Note users, or reinstate the Annual Eligable program for the S7 family.

Until that time, I will excercise reasonable caution with my Note 7.  No grandkids playing with pawpaws phone, I will use only Samsung OEM chargers, I will choose a safe location to charge my Note which is not next to my bed on a wooden nightstand or under my pillow.  Again, simple common sense precautions until my replacement arrives.

Its a sad day for us Note 7 owners .. don't stress and be safe!

profanity removed as required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service

Message edited by Verizon Moderator

[ZillyB]

I agree with this. We are being forced to downgrade our phones and essentially revert back to a device that is older... it's not our fault. I realize it's not really Verizon's fault, either...but there should be a special consideration given for those of us who have had to deal with this Note7 disaster. Most of us are losing plenty of money here. Oh sure...Verizon will reimburse people for accessories...but only if they bought them at a premium price through Verizon. I bought cases and cables elsehwere. Who is going to reimburse me for those? Nobody. I have to eat that... and, now no annual upgrade option, either?

It's pretty messed up that we are downgrading our phones and losing benefits... in addition to everything else.

[Sirmae]

This is not the way to keep customers happy. Annual upgrade was the biggest reason I stayed with a note after the initial issues with it. And now you are nit going to stand behind that!?

[LESSTA65571]

I was told yesterday by the Verizon rep that I ordered my S7edge with, that the yearly upgrade option was still in effect for the edge and it would merely restart the clock on it as soon as I activated the edge. I specifically asked about the annual upgrade as it was/is a concern of mine. I love the Note 7 so much that I want to reacquire whatever Samsung comes up with to replace it.

[madams144]

Be cautious, is it in writing?  When you go to your account and under "devices" then click the device payment plan link, does it show full retail payment value as your payoff balance?  I'd bet it doesn't  ... bet it shows $792 and 23 months remaining.  (Hope I'm wrong)

This condition is a Samsung issue, not Verizon.  And before all the haters go there ..  No, I'm not a Verizon employee.

Samsung entered into a susbidy agreement with the participating carriers. (Not just Verizon) Samsung reimburses the carriers the at risk part of the payment agreements beyond the 50% exit part.

Samsung officially ended the Annual Eligable program for the S7 family of devices on Sept 9th and transferred that Annual Eligable program to their new flagship line the now famous Note 7.

This program is the same for the iOS devices.  Similar program but backed by Apple.  Their 6s and 6s + devices lost their "Annual Eligable" coverage then the iPhone 7 launched.  Both of these Annual Eligable programs are short lived .. usually at the time the next flagship launch occures.

So the folks threatening to leave any carrier over "this" snag is just foolishness.. we need to be pressuring Samsung to reinstate \ transfer their Annual Eligable program coverage back to the S7 Family of devices until the launch of their next flagship device 1st quarter 2017

As for my position, i am holding onto mine until for the formal CPSC recall is issued and a Verizon formally notifies me I must replace.  By that time, hopefully Samsung gets its act together and realizes this gap and extends their carrier subsidy program for those users who choose the S7 Edge downgrade.

Be safe!  Use only approved Samsung chargers!  Keep away from your kids!  And if you can avoid it and have to charge your note while unattended, take precautions like not charging your note 7 while under your pillow or on your nightstand

Its sad day for us Note 7 owners. Here's to hoping we all get made whole at the end of this ordeal.

[dstack1776]

LESSTA65571 wrote:

I was told yesterday by the Verizon rep that I ordered my S7edge with, that the yearly upgrade option was still in effect for the edge and it would merely restart the clock on it as soon as I activated the edge. I specifically asked about the annual upgrade as it was/is a concern of mine. I love the Note 7 so much that I want to reacquire whatever Samsung comes up with to replace it.

I'd exercise extreme caution with this. I've been told a number of things that turned out not to be true. For example I was told that a corporate store could reinstate the annual upgrade for me while the store itself indicated they understood my desire and the reason behind it, they had no mechanism to do so.

[robbscut]

I agree and I am going to be leaving Verizon because of this failure to make us whole. Hello T-mobile!

[sll1313]

I agree with everyone's comments above.  I called Verizon twice today and spoke to 2 different reps and got same answer about the annual upgrade.  They both said things change everyday and that I should keep checking back that maybe the S7 edge, Pixel XL or LG V20 may have the annual upgrade added.  However they kept saying that my note 7 has the annual upgrade, which I know and I really didn't understand why they kept reminding me of this.  I explained that I want a phone with the S Pen and a sd card, and I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung comes out with Note 8 early to make up for things, which one rep agreed with me.  I continued to say I believe that the latest would be a year out.  I told them that I don't want to be locked in so that I am unable to obtain the phone that I want.  They both said they understand and that I should keep checking in.  I also voiced my disgust that neither Verizon nor Samsung is honoring what the terms of what we bought originally for something that was beyond our control.  I said if they don't and people are made to give up their phones, eventually people will end up switching carriers in order to get out of their "replacement phones" and into a phone that they actually want.  Being a customer of Verizon for about 15 to 20 years that would be unfortunate if I had to move to another carrier.