Upgrading to iPhone 6 by signing up for Edge - store employee insisted that I have no choice but to purchase a $180 accessories bundle. Scam?

[Philipshin]

I was surprised that the Verizon Wireless store employee told me that to upgrade my phone with Edge, it's a great deal since I would qualify for a $25 / mo line discount (10GB shared family data plan), but I would have to pay $180 upfront to get "free accessories". Except to me, it sounded like he was trying to force me to buy a $180 accessories bundle. I decided to do more research instead of making the decision to buy, and I don't see anything online about the $180 upfront "required" payment to upgrade a phone with Edge. Was the salesperson just trying to rip me off?

[dilbertaz]

Yes you are being "scammed" there is absolutely no requirement to purchase anything for Edge, you must qualify and be out of contract but no requirements to purchase any accessories bundle.  The only thing they could make you pay is around a 20% down payment in cases where you don't fully qualify on the credit check but that is simply paying off part of the cost of the phone which reduces the monthly amount you would pay.

[Weth]

Agree, he us ripping you off.  Stay away from this salesperson. 

[Snn5]

Only thing I can figure is that he used the $25 a month savings to translate the minimum period before you could pay off an Edge phone after the 6 month min of time on plan.

[mama23dogs]

The only thing you pay up front is the sales tax (if any in your state).  I suspect this is not a Verizon corporate store, but an "authorized retailer".

[pherson]

I agree. He said it's required only to boost his commission or spiff. I'd shop elsewhere or online.