Verizon WWYD

[jiminyC_fan]

Bumping this to say thanks for posting this OP.

You are very welcome. I made the decision just yesterday. I got a different guy that was able to get the unlimited on my existing phone. The other guy told me it wasn't possible. It pays to shop around!

 

[Abbie]

You are very welcome. I made the decision just yesterday. I got a different guy that was able to get the unlimited on my existing phone. The other guy told me it wasn't possible. It pays to shop around!

I'm still figuring all this out but from what I was told by the Verizon rep when I called was that even if you have the $29.99 data plan on an existing phone, that when you upgrade to a smart phone, you go to the tiered plan. The unlimited plan does not transfer over.

What I want to do (and don't think I can) is when DS upgrades to a smart phone in Aug. is transfer the unlimited data plan DH has to DS's new phone and have DH take the tiered plan. He won't use 2GB of data while DS very well could. Ugh, I'm getting to hate Verizon and all their plans!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I know how you feel and I am still a bit skeptical but I did get a Verizon rep that told us that you will be grandfathered in. It is in your agreement and you are not changing that. Sooooo confusing for sure!

 

[bicker]

I mentioned this in the other thread about this topic - folks should be well aware that even if they get grandfathered-in with regard to the unlimited data option, that that does not guarantee that the price for that option won't go up substantially. Indeed, it is likely that over time it will go up and for many people will cost more than metered service. As the article mentioned, this change is good news for more casual users, since they'll be able to pay less (to get the less that they need), but that means that they're no longer going to be subsidizing the heavy (read: unlimited) users, and so that offering is going to have to go up in price significantly in order to remain as profitable.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

That is a possiblity but with all my years with Verizon not once have they raised a price from my agreement.

 

[IDoDis]

You are very welcome. I made the decision just yesterday. I got a different guy that was able to get the unlimited on my existing phone. The other guy told me it wasn't possible. It pays to shop around!

Anyone can add unlimited data to a feature phone. The problem is that the coding system is different because the data for a smart phone has different qualities. When you go to upgrade your feature phone later on, your unlimited data that you just added won't transfer over. This has now been made clear.

So here's what I did. I went ahead and ordered a non-contract Verizon phone (the Palm Pixie Plus) for $48 from Amazon. It's a smart phone. I did one day shipping (I have Amazon Prime) so it was only $4.00 more for one day shipping. The phone will be here tomorrow. We'll transfer that phone to my DD's line with the smart phone unlimited data plan.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IPAC10

When the iPhone 5 comes out in September, we'll get her that for her upgraded discount price. The iPhone 4 price is going to significantly drop when the iPhone 5 comes out which is supposed to be way better. Also, the Droid 3 is due out July 7th for ordering and will be in Verizon stores by July 14th. No surprise there as to why the change is happening now -- because the better phones with more data sucking capabilities are due out soon.

Remember years ago when we thought 550mb was enough for a home computer? The same thing will happen to phones. That's why it's good to get the unlimited data now if possible.

Something I read others are also doing is going to Coscto and getting the iphone there (it's even a bit cheaper than at Verizon) and signing a 2 year contract. Costco has a 90 day exchange policy on their phones, so even if a better phone comes out (like the iPhone 5 or Droid 3), customers can lock in with the iPhone 4 now and then just go exchange it for an iPhone 5 in September. I know it's hard to believe Costco would exchange for a newer phone, but this is their policy -- even though the Verizon stores only give you 14 days.

 

[bicker]

Yup, indeed. However, this is a major change in the structure of the plans (again) taking a great number of casual users out of the unlimited product offering and putting them into lower-cost product offerings. They've never done that before.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

IDoDis, I'm going to print your post out and take it in tomorrow to a Verizon store. This back and forth stuff is for the birds. Bad business not making it 100% clear to their employees and customers.

 

[golfgal]

I mentioned this in the other thread about this topic - folks should be well aware that even if they get grandfathered-in with regard to the unlimited data option, that that does not guarantee that the price for that option won't go up substantially. Indeed, it is likely that over time it will go up and for many people will cost more than metered service. As the article mentioned, this change is good news for more casual users, since they'll be able to pay less (to get the less that they need), but that means that they're no longer going to be subsidizing the heavy (read: unlimited) users, and so that offering is going to have to go up in price significantly in order to remain as profitable.

Even if that does happen, the base plan is the same as the unlimited plan now and people can switch over to that if they need to watch their budgets.

IDoDis, I'm going to print your post out and take it in tomorrow to a Verizon store. This back and forth stuff is for the birds. Bad business not making it 100% clear to their employees and customers.

I agree, I did go into to Verizon and they called into headquarters and they said there that adding an unlimited plan to a feature phone now will roll over to a smartphone purchase in the future--now, new information seems to contradict that so don't expect they will know any better than us . I might just bite the bullet and get the dang smartphone now.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Like I said, I'm going in tomorrow (maybe even tonight if the hail doesn't show up) and get something in writing.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Well, we went to unlimited data to get grandfathered in with (eventually) smart phones. If that doesn't happen, I'm going back to my $10.00 per month for 75 mB data. However, I don't think Verizon has handled this well from a customer service perspective and when our contract comes up for renewal, we'll be shopping around. We may stay with Verizon, we may not. Depends on what deals we find.

Very disappointed with Verizon regarding their customer service.

 

[golfgal]

Well, we went to unlimited data to get grandfathered in with (eventually) smart phones. If that doesn't happen, I'm going back to my $10.00 per month for 75 mB data. However, I don't think Verizon has handled this well from a customer service perspective and when our contract comes up for renewal, we'll be shopping around. We may stay with Verizon, we may not. Depends on what deals we find.

Very disappointed with Verizon regarding their customer service.

They won't have the 10/plan when they change over though-the minimum plan will be 29.99 for 2GB of data.

 

[IDoDis]

Like I said, I'm going in tomorrow (maybe even tonight if the hail doesn't show up) and get something in writing.

Good luck getting something in writing! There are certain things they are not allowed to tell customers until the actual date of the change. Verizon is sneaky that way. So try to get in writing that yes, the unlimited data plan WILL be grandfathered in for someone who switches from a feature phone to a smart phone at a later time.

Read this link and print it out to take along with you:

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/06/24/more-on-verizons-tiered-data-plans-and-how-long-you-get-to-stay-unlimited/

Post back here what you find out.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Good luck getting something in writing! There are certain things they are not allowed to tell customers until the actual date of the change. Verizon is sneaky that way. So try to get in writing that yes, the unlimited data plan WILL be grandfathered in for someone who switches from a feature phone to a smart phone at a later time.

Read this link and print it out to take along with you:

http://www.droid-life.com/2011/06/24/more-on-verizons-tiered-data-plans-and-how-long-you-get-to-stay-unlimited/

Post back here what you find out.

THANK YOU!!! I have printed it out. I'm not a happy camper after reading that. I will get back either tonight or tomorrow.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I mentioned this in the other thread about this topic - folks should be well aware that even if they get grandfathered-in with regard to the unlimited data option, that that does not guarantee that the price for that option won't go up substantially. Indeed, it is likely that over time it will go up and for many people will cost more than metered service. As the article mentioned, this change is good news for more casual users, since they'll be able to pay less (to get the less that they need), but that means that they're no longer going to be subsidizing the heavy (read: unlimited) users, and so that offering is going to have to go up in price significantly in order to remain as profitable.

There is always that possibility but AT&T hasn't done that to their grandfathered customers (including the unlimited ipad plans which use more data than a phone) so I don't see Verizon doing it anytime soon. If they do I will just switch to the 2 GB plan.

Until then I will continue to enjoy my unlimited data.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Back from Verizon. Feature phones will not be grandfathered in if you upgrade to a smart phone. I ended up adding a ghost line and getting a Vortex. Phone was free with 50.00 rebate. Ghost line for me will be until Jan 2012 so all this ended up costing me about 60.00.

 

[Mikelly1221]

They won't have the 10/plan when they change over though-the minimum plan will be 29.99 for 2GB of data.

Even for a feature phone? Feature phones now have it but it's not available to smart phones.

 

[Mikelly1221]

Back from Verizon. Feature phones will not be grandfathered in if you upgrade to a smart phone. I ended up adding a ghost line and getting a Vortex. Phone was free with 50.00 rebate. Ghost line for me will be until Jan 2012 so all this ended up costing me about 60.00.

What is a ghost line?

 

[sam_gordon]

However, I don't think Verizon has handled this well from a customer service perspective and when our contract comes up for renewal, we'll be shopping around. We may stay with Verizon, we may not. Depends on what deals we find.

Very disappointed with Verizon regarding their customer service.

I'm curious what people expect Verizon to do. Verizon's goal (as far as I can tell) is to limit data usage, or at least if someone goes over the limit to make some $$$. Now, I'm guessing they can't change existing contracts by law which is why people will be grandfathered in.

So what motivation does Verizon have to suggest current customers upgrade to the unlimited plan before 7/7?

For what it's worth, when I added unlimited data to DW's feature phone on Sunday, the store rep said they don't KNOW if that will be grandfathered in if she upgrades to a smart phone.

 

[golfgal]

Back from Verizon. Feature phones will not be grandfathered in if you upgrade to a smart phone. I ended up adding a ghost line and getting a Vortex. Phone was free with 50.00 rebate. Ghost line for me will be until Jan 2012 so all this ended up costing me about 60.00.

Which is the exact opposite of what the Verizon people told me after going in the other day