Read this if you're knowledgable in wireless companies.

[JimmyJames4626]

Ok, I have Verizon as my service provider and last May I renewed my contract for another year. When that happened, my brother, with whom I share the plan, bought Nokia 3285's for $20 apiece. I knew the phone was a piece of crap (24 hour battery life), but I thought I could put up with it. Now I'm fed up and want a new phone, but I can't afford to pay retail for the phones that I'm looking at. My question to you all is, is there any way to get a phone for the price offered when you renew for a year, before you are eligible to renew? I asked at the Verizon store and of course they said no, but I'm trying to find a way around that. Any help/creative suggestions? Thanks

BTW, I'm looking at the Motorola T720 and the Samsung A310

[SprintRocks]

Drop Verizon and Go To Sprint you won't regret it.

Originally posted by: JimmyJames4626
Ok, I have Verizon as my service provider and last May I renewed my contract for another year. When that happened, my brother, with whom I share the plan, bought Nokia 3285's for $20 apiece. I knew the phone was a piece of crap (24 hour battery life), but I thought I could put up with it. Now I'm fed up and want a new phone, but I can't afford to pay retail for the phones that I'm looking at. My question to you all is, is there any way to get a phone for the price offered when you renew for a year, before you are eligible to renew? I asked at the Verizon store and of course they said no, but I'm trying to find a way around that. Any help/creative suggestions? Thanks

BTW, I'm looking at the Motorola T720 and the Samsung A310

[Pastordonn]

I have worked for both Sprint and Verizon, now I work for neither. So this is a non biased opinion. Screw Verizon. Unless you spend alot of time in very rural areas, you do not need to put up with the BS Verizon require you to endure. Sprint is alot more fun. Also less restrictive. I just bought a Sanyo 4900 for $50 as an existing customer. It is kinda big, but it makes up for it with its versatility (hackability). I live in Columbus, Oh...I travel all over the state and never have to roam. If there are people there is Sprint service. I have never once used roaming minutes in 4 years with Sprint. Aside from the service, Sprint phones make VZW's phones look like something out of Miami Vice ('80's).

[acoysighintime]

Originally posted by: Pastordonn
Sprint phones make VZW's phones look like something out of Miami Vice ('80's).

This is hilarious, coming from the guy who totes around a Zach Morris edition Sanyo 4900. Maybe you need that really huge phone, because Sprint's network is so tiny...

Verizon was very understanding when I wanted to replace my bollocks V120c. I was a year into my two-year deal with them, and they simply made my renew the contract. No problem, new A310 for $50 after rebate.

[Mekare]

I don't know about Verizon but I can tell you this:
STAY FAR AWAY FROM AT&T!!!!!

[Pastordonn]

Verizon still treats there customers different from region to region. In my region (Ohio), Verizon was Airtouch--who was horribley strict on contract regulations and phone swapping. They have definitely gotten better, but still have a little bit of catching up to do to compete with Sprint. I have heard that they are great in other areas though. Hey Acoysighintime, I tried to think of a clever A.C. Slater reference, but I have a creative mental block I guess.

[RBOCMAN]

As an insider with Cingluar/BLS, just stay away from their service in the former bell area's(TDMA). 2yr contracts and all...they should be criminally liable for inducing consumers into an architecture they no longer are willing to maintain and scale.0.