Trying to hold onto my unlimited data plan and upgrade to iphone 5

[cslacko]

I just had a chat with a Verizon rep and found out if I want to keep my unlimited data plan on my line, I'll have to pay pay full price for the iphone5 ($649).  I stream pandora in my car all the time, so I need unlimited data! I have a family plan with 4 phones and a mobile hotspot. Mine is the only smart phone, so the share everything plan doesn't fit our situation.  If I can get the iphone 5 on another network with unlimted data, I'm going to.  Any ideas? I like Verizon and having one wireless carrier is convenient.

[mctodd]

cslacko,

I bought my son an IPhone5 for Christmas.  I checked his data usage and it had never gone over 2 gig (we have been Verizon customers for YEARS and YEARS.  Now he goes over his 2 gig allowance in one week.  I contacted Verizon Customer service and they just implied that he is using more data now.  His usage history doesn't support that, but what to do?  As soon as his contract is up in 2 years (and maybe sooner, I am seriously considering buying it out because the rest of the family is out of our contract),  I will be changing carriers.  This whole data plan issue has put a  terrible taste in my mouth. 

Don't buy the IPhone5 unless you have the 12 gig plan!!!

[Heretic1989]

Hi cslacko. It's been suggested on this forum that someone in your shoes can go to ebay or swappa.

[psylaw]

I have been a loyal customer for many years since I switched from Sprint. Today, I was told that I would not be able to keep my Unlimited Data Plan, unless I agreed to pay the full price for a new phone. When I reluctantly agreed, I was told by the manager at the Pasadena Verizon Store, that he will NOT sell me the phone without a 2 year contract. The store manager refused to sell me a phone in a Verizon Store!! Instead he informed me that I must order online.

I will complete the 2 year contract period and change my plan to AT&T as they now service my cable. I am very disappointed with the process and with the customer service I received. If the company does not value long term customers, it's time to switch.

[mctodd]

It may be time to start shorting Verizon stock.  This feeling is running rampant at my workplace.  The coverage is great with Verizon, but I spend most of my time around metro areas.  The coverage perk is losing its appeal quick!

[WirelessRocks]

Hello,

Anyone can purchase any and all Verizon Wireless's devices at full retail cost no matter where you are located. A store cannot refuse to sell you a full retail device. If that's what you wanted to purchase, you got it.

Your loyalty matters the most and Verizon does care about your experiences. If it were not for loyal customers where would Verizon be?

We don't use "unlimited" data, but I really wanted to keep ours, so I called customer service. They sent me the phones I wanted to purchase full retail directly to my work address. They also advised me I could have simply purchased the phones online at full retail without contacting anyone or going anywhere. Free shipping too. I like that. Hope I was able to help.

[WirelessRocks]

Have you thought about doing an alternative upgrade on one of your non smartphone lines so that you could keep the unlimted data on your current smartphone line?

[psylaw]

Yeah, no kidding. A store can and DID refuse to sell me a phone at full price!!! I am not kidding. They said they WILL not sell it to me! They refused, period.

[asfault]

Hi folks, I am new here and find the chat very useful.  It caused me to check in with the Verizon customer help line.  What I learned is that my plan is an older plan and was started on a promotional deal.  So I have three lines, home, and two cells.  I have unlimited on my cell and the other is a basic phone, all three share the plan minutes.  Our question was what we needed to do to upgrade the basic to an iPhone 5 and what that would cost.  I learned that our best option would be to upgrade to the 5 and buy an additional $30 data plan.  This would be a simple $30.00 increase to the monthly bill.  Doing anything else would cancel my sweet promotional plan, lose the unlimited plan and increase the monthly bill by $120.00 a month.  No rocket science to that one.