new/used verizon phone

[cjnix29]

My current cell phone has a cracked screen, and some of the features don't work right. I didn't buy the insurance, and I have over a year left on my contract. I am wondering if I buy another phone, will they charge me an activation fee? I also have an unlimited data plan, that I was grandfathered into, and I am worried I will lose that. I currently have a palm pre, and got it specifically because it acts as a wi fi hotspot when we travel. The broken phone is driving me crazy, but I don't want to just throw money away because I am annoyed!

 

[kelby86]

I didn't buy the insurance, and I have over a year left on my contract. I am wondering if I buy another phone, will they charge me an activation fee? I also have an unlimited data plan, that I was grandfathered into, and I am worried I will lose that. I currently have a palm pre, and got it specifically because it acts as a wi fi hotspot when we travel. The broken phone is driving me crazy, but I don't want to just throw money away because I am annoyed!

Is it within a year of when you got the phone? For the first year you can take it to them to have it fixed without having insurance.

If you want to purchase another phone they will charge you a penalty (super high price on the new phone) because you are "breaking your contract" on the current phone.

Verizon has not taken away their unlimited data plans as of yet but it is in the plans for the future.

Another option is to purchase a second hand (maybe used or new) phone from eBay or similar site that works with Verizon and you can activate that phone on your line without penalty. If you got through Verizon they will charge you for breaking your contract on that current phone.

I understand your point of view! I am in the same situation, trying to decide what to do about my phone when my contract is not up yet.

Hope this helps!

 

[cjnix29]

I am within a year of purchase, but when I took it to get it fixed, they said that because it isn't a manufacturer defect, that I can't do anything about it. I thought about getting a second hand phone, but wasn't sure if they would charge the activation, since it is a different device. I don't want to break my contract, I will keep Verizon, but just want to have a non broken phone! Thanks for the help.

 

[kelby86]

I am within a year of purchase, but when I took it to get it fixed, they said that because it isn't a manufacturer defect, that I can't do anything about it. I thought about getting a second hand phone, but wasn't sure if they would charge the activation, since it is a different device. I don't want to break my contract, I will keep Verizon, but just want to have a non broken phone! Thanks for the help.

If you get a second hand phone (you could even use a previous/old phone of yours or a family member if you have one) and activate it online they will not charge you. If it is not a 'smart phone' though you will need to remove the data plan which means you could lose the unlimited plan in the future.

Lots of luck!!!

 

[Katy Belle]

I washed DS16s phone. I tried all of the drying out tricks, it didn't work. He had the phone about a month.

I went to Verizon and bought the same phone, cheapest phone $150... It just cost me that, no activation fee or any other fees, other than tax, of course. Its his same #, same plan, etc.

 

[cjnix29]

thanks for the replies. I will have to find a phone. anyone have a good suggestion where to find a good deal on a used smartphone? or anyone have any cautionary tales about them? never bought a used phone before, didn't know if there was anything I should know.

 

[matdamom]

I have bought several used phones through Overstock.com auctions, from the Best Buy Outlet. DH & I have Verizon prepaid. DD has Virgin Mobile. All of our phones were bought from there, and have never had a problem activating them. DDs is a smart phone.

 

[tar heel]

Both of my younger sons had problems with the phone we got from Verizon and replaced them via Craig's List. The first took his to the store to be activated and they charged him (I think) $20. We activated the other one online and there was no charge.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

As far as I know, they won't charge you an activation fee if you do it yourself at least...a trick school kids do is keeping a backup phone, if they get theirs confiscated, they do something online to change their service to the backup til they get their original phone back.

As far as used ones, I guess it depends on what you want to spend. eBay or Craigslist are a couple places to find one. When I was with AT&T I bought a used iPhone and it worked well, in fact I still use it as an iPod after I switched to Verizon last summer. You just really have to find a trustworthy seller.