I went to buy a new phone on a $700 promo yesterday and found the only option to be a 36 month term. 24 and 30 month options are gone. This is irritating because Verizon is locking people into three year contracts (yes, they’re contacts) and spinning it as “you can have a lower device payment”. I liked the 24 month terms (with a promo) because it felt like I was getting something back from Verizon in the form of a subsidy which was a perk from the most expensive provider and was easily able to upgrade every two years. Now if you decide you want to upgrade after two years, you still owe them money. I understand you can pay the device off early and am just referring to promos. It’s irritating and another thing Verizon is throwing at customers that will be advertised as better for the customer when it’s just predatory and greedy.
After looking around some more, Verizon also killed off the ability to upgrade early once your device is 50% paid off. You now have to pay it completely off before you are able to upgrade.
To clarify my issue with the 36 month only contract that is now standard - Verizon is essentially lowering their subsidy by 33% while locking in customers for longer. I’d be ok with it if the promos went up 33% and it was just a retention move, but it didn’t, it’s purely a bottom line move.
its the same here on an $800 credit for a new 13 pro max? verizon is cocky and overpriced. i will NEVER do 36 months and after being with verizon 25 years i think its time to split.
It breaks our heart to hear you feel this way, we understand your concern regarding the length of time for your Device Payment Agreement, we are happy to discuss this matter with you, because we don't want to lose you as a family member.
*Lisa
I set up an appointment yesterday to get a new iPhone at Verizon, I guess that is the new normal. I was told I have to move to a new unlimited plan along with my 3 other family members if I get the new iPhone 13 (currently we share 15G data on a plan that Verizon recommended). We have all bought our phones outright so we don't all have 36-month contracts that do not have the same start/end date. Anyway, my sales lady said this is because of the new 5G, but she could not really explain why. Hmmm, okay fine, I said I will do that, so I tried to order a new phone (I have a iPhone 6 currently) and I want the iPhone 13. She says I need to take the $350 discount along with the new unlimited plan and that the payments will run 36 months. I said, no, I have saved the money and will purchase it outright today. She said she cannot sell me a phone that way and I will have to go to and Apple store and buy a phone. What? Now I have gone to 2 Verizon stores and a Best Buy and no one could sell me a iPhone 13. I have also been a Verizon customer for a very long time. Is what this salesperson told me true? It sure is not easy to get a person to talk to, I needed to make an appointment to even talk to her, then I could not buy a new phone. Very frustrating.
Good morning, MarkRR. This is strange. I want you to get the phone the way you want it and be able to buy it at full price so that you have an excellent experience as that is what you want to do.
Please visit this link https://www.verizon.com/smartphones/apple-iphone-13/ and click the arrow next to "Storage and price" then select full retail price and process your purchase.
-Antonio
Do I have to change me plan to a 5G unlimited with the iPhone 13? Or can we all stay on current plan?
Thank you for reaching out to the Social Media team, MarkRR. It depends on your current plan, and if it supports 5G coverage as well. Please, send us a Private Note for more information.
*Haley
You are not required to change your plan in order to get a 5G phone. You won’t have 5G service, but in many areas that’s more of a problem than it is a benefit. Most of the deals that are advertised do require a current unlimited plan so you will be paying for your phones.
This is another reason you might want to consider using Apple directly. Apple will give you a lump sum value for a traded in device off the top and financing is two years not three. And Apple still has an upgrade every year option for those who prefer to get the newest device every 12 months.
I think you are right. It doesn't make much sense to do business with verizon for devices any longer. With the poor customer service and all the work arounds necessary to get reasonable deals on equipment you have to wonder if it even makes sense to have their service.
I don’t believe purchasing phones through any service provider benefits the customer. I was with AT&T from early 2014 until August 2019 when I switched back to Verizon. My reason for switching to AT&T at that particular time was because they were offering installments and a much lower price on service. I had my mother and my ex-husband as well as my two sons and myself all on the same plan. Even with three additional lines (for two phones and one tablet) my bill was substantially less than it had been on Verizon, and I had twice as much data.
We paid for all of our phones upfront, or shortly after the switch. That was the last time I purchased a phone from a service provider. Since then I have purchased anywhere else to get the best deal possible and have an unlocked device.
I came back to Verizon with all BYOD phones and tablet.
I have purchased directly through Google, or Samsung, or Best Buy, or Amazon. (My last score was $200 off an S22 on prime day)
Yeah I haven't explored other device purchase options with other carriers but I have looked into prices for service. I can get unlimited everything for less than half what verizon is charging. They may have an advantage with 5g coverage, but 4g speed was never an issue for me. I've been with Verizon for around 17 years, and always thought the extra money was worth better coverage and better treatment from customer service. Over the years they removed tech support and customer service from their stores and whatever is happening over the phone is pathetic. As you say there is no reason to buy any equipment from them either. There is probably some areas where their coverage is significantly better, but for the rest of us the reasons to pay a premium for them are virually nil.
If the Verizon visa wasn’t good for about $30 off my bill each month, I’d be back with AT&T or Cricket. But 5 phones and a tablet on unlimited at a typical bill of $165 to $170 is hard to walk away from.
17 years of loyalty is amazing and we definitely say Thank You!-Pamela
We do offer unlimited data packages to fit all your needs at a great cost. I see that we have discussed how to locate anuy upgrade offers and you can click here to review plan offers https://www.verizonwireless.com/plans/unlimited/ to fit your account. -Pamela
We would never want to see you go!-Pamela
We always want to provide exceptional customer service and we know that every dollar counts when choosing deals for your device. Click here to view specific upgrade deals for your line and any loyalty offers that may be available based on your account https://m.vzw.com/m/hxhv -Pamela
So don’t buy from carriers. Apple, Samsung and Google all have 24 month finance offers you can pay off early next do trade ins.
They are removing the incentive to buy with the carrier, no I’m fine with it. Got a big discount on Prime day off a new phone.
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