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DGrayson · 02-08-2003, 10:53 PM

Does anyone have experience purchasing phones from a 3rd party dealer? Radio Shack has quoted me the same prices as Verizon for the VX10 & VX4400, and I will only be required to sign for a one year extension. Verizon said a two year contract extension is required. It sounds too good. Should I be concerned about dealing with Radio Shack? Are there hidden fees/commitments?

vixen · 02-09-2003, 8:18 AM

Considering thats where I got my phone, no. I used to work for them and there as far as I know there isnt any fees.

The only thing I noticed, is if you want the equipment replacement program, you have to sign up for that yourself, they dont do that, they offer their warranty for 2 years for i think $39 (not quite sure), and they will fix the phone and get a free battery every 6 months.

Another reason why I got it there is because I can get a discount on accessories [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] also, the nearest Verizon store from me is about a 30 min drive and radio shack is only 2 minutes from my house.

AnthroMatt · 02-09-2003, 8:50 AM

If your phone is fine there is nothing to fear from buying at Radio Shack. If your phone is defective or needs warranty work, RS won't provide a loaner phone (as far as I know) and will not swap out your old phone for a new one. If you buy direct from Verizon, they will often just give you a new phone if you can demonstrate/replicate the issues with your phone within the warranty period. This saves you from having to use a loaner phone and shipping your phone off for service. Given some of the problems people have had with LG's (they seem buggy based on comments in here, but I have never used one) in the past, I might steer clear of RS. The recent LG's do seem to be getting better reviews though. Take all this with a grain of salt though, my phone was never sold by any Verizon corporate store, most all customer service reps think it is a GSM phone when I pull it out and are not even aware it exists, and I bought it from someone on eBay. I guess you could say I don't listen to my own advice, but I have a great backup phone (Motorola 270c) in case something goes wrong.

As for their store issued extended warranty, while I don't know about RS's policies, other retailers such as Best Buy will stop at nothing to get out of having to honor the extended warranty, so sometimes those things are no good. If they give you a battery every 6 months I guess it is worth it, though you shuldn't nee done every six months. More toxic waste for the landfills I guess.

Oppie · 02-09-2003, 10:32 AM

If there is a problem with the phone, take it to Verizon and don't say you got it at a 3rd party dealer. I understand that has worked for others in the past.

AnthroMatt · 02-09-2003, 10:35 AM

Now why didn't I think of that?

Of course it would never work for my phone, as no Verizon stores ever have or ever will sell it, but it would certainly work for others. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Oppie · 02-09-2003, 11:11 AM

Anthro, Perhaps you hadn't thought of that as you are an upstanding, respectible and honest person!

DGrayson · 02-09-2003, 12:13 PM

Great input. Thank you Vixen, Anthro and Oppie! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

AnthroMatt · 02-09-2003, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Anthro, Perhaps you hadn't thought of that as you are an upstanding, respectible and honest person!

That explains it!

Letitride · 02-10-2003, 9:04 AM

Just be careful with the fine print - hidden or extra ETF or Early Termination Fees. With RS, they charge you $200 additional on top of VZW's $175 fee if your phone is not returned to them - that's their policy & also posted on RS website as I recalled. If you are on AC Family Share Plan - that's easily $750 for cancelling 2 lines of services if you got a 2 year contract (so much for one-time saving $30 per phone per line on promotional pricing & having no warranty - unless paying extra insurance - after the 12 month period).

Other independent indirect or authorized dealers have their own policies, it's best to ask & read the fine prints. I've been using a trusted authorized VZW for past 8 years without any problems and I get good deals along with additional accessories as a package at no extra costs. I even got a free loaner phone for a month before qualifying for an equipment upgrade after 10 months - that's personalized service.

AnthroMatt · 02-10-2003, 9:13 AM

Quote:

With RS, they charge you $200 additional on top of VZW's $175 fee if your phone is not returned to them - that's their policy & also posted on RS website as I recalled. If you are on AC Family Share Plan - that's easily $750 for cancelling 2 lines of services if you got a 2 year contract (so much for one-time saving $30 per phone per line on promotional pricing & having no warranty - unless paying extra insurance - after the 12 month period).

That's downright scary!! But how would they ever know what you did with your phone once you buy it from them?

02-08-2003, 10:53 PM	#1
DGrayson Fresh Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Does anyone have experience purchasing phones from a 3rd party dealer? Radio Shack has quoted me the same prices as Verizon for the VX10 & VX4400, and I will only be required to sign for a one year extension. Verizon said a two year contract extension is required. It sounds too good. Should I be concerned about dealing with Radio Shack? Are there hidden fees/commitments?

02-09-2003, 8:18 AM	#2
vixen Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Considering thats where I got my phone, no. I used to work for them and there as far as I know there isnt any fees. The only thing I noticed, is if you want the equipment replacement program, you have to sign up for that yourself, they dont do that, they offer their warranty for 2 years for i think $39 (not quite sure), and they will fix the phone and get a free battery every 6 months. Another reason why I got it there is because I can get a discount on accessories [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] also, the nearest Verizon store from me is about a 30 min drive and radio shack is only 2 minutes from my house.

02-09-2003, 8:50 AM	#3
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,630 Phone(s): BlackBerry Tour, Sanyo 4920 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 11 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts Images: 1	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers If your phone is fine there is nothing to fear from buying at Radio Shack. If your phone is defective or needs warranty work, RS won't provide a loaner phone (as far as I know) and will not swap out your old phone for a new one. If you buy direct from Verizon, they will often just give you a new phone if you can demonstrate/replicate the issues with your phone within the warranty period. This saves you from having to use a loaner phone and shipping your phone off for service. Given some of the problems people have had with LG's (they seem buggy based on comments in here, but I have never used one) in the past, I might steer clear of RS. The recent LG's do seem to be getting better reviews though. Take all this with a grain of salt though, my phone was never sold by any Verizon corporate store, most all customer service reps think it is a GSM phone when I pull it out and are not even aware it exists, and I bought it from someone on eBay. I guess you could say I don't listen to my own advice, but I have a great backup phone (Motorola 270c) in case something goes wrong. As for their store issued extended warranty, while I don't know about RS's policies, other retailers such as Best Buy will stop at nothing to get out of having to honor the extended warranty, so sometimes those things are no good. If they give you a battery every 6 months I guess it is worth it, though you shuldn't nee done every six months. More toxic waste for the landfills I guess. __________________ Twitter

02-09-2003, 10:32 AM	#4
Oppie Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 316 Phone(s): LG VX-9400, Samsung A930 Provider(s): VZW Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers If there is a problem with the phone, take it to Verizon and don't say you got it at a 3rd party dealer. I understand that has worked for others in the past. __________________ It's about the recovery, stupid!

02-09-2003, 10:35 AM	#5
AnthroMatt Big Meanie Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 8,630 Phone(s): BlackBerry Tour, Sanyo 4920 Provider(s): Sprint + Airave Thanks: 11 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts Images: 1	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Now why didn't I think of that? Of course it would never work for my phone, as no Verizon stores ever have or ever will sell it, but it would certainly work for others. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] __________________ Twitter

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02-09-2003, 11:11 AM	#6
Oppie Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 316 Phone(s): LG VX-9400, Samsung A930 Provider(s): VZW Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Anthro, Perhaps you hadn't thought of that as you are an upstanding, respectible and honest person! __________________ It's about the recovery, stupid!

02-09-2003, 12:13 PM	Original Poster #7
DGrayson Fresh Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Great input. Thank you Vixen, Anthro and Oppie! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

02-10-2003, 9:04 AM	#9
Letitride Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Metro NY Posts: 218 Phone(s): Moto K1m/V3m/E815//V60s, LG VX4500/4400/3100/TM510, MotoQ GSM/L6i/SamsungA310, Qualcomm & Nokia Provider(s): VZW, AT&T Devices: PDA, Pager, 800 Mhz digital radio Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Verizon 3rd Party Dealers Just be careful with the fine print - hidden or extra ETF or Early Termination Fees. With RS, they charge you $200 additional on top of VZW's $175 fee if your phone is not returned to them - that's their policy & also posted on RS website as I recalled. If you are on AC Family Share Plan - that's easily $750 for cancelling 2 lines of services if you got a 2 year contract (so much for one-time saving $30 per phone per line on promotional pricing & having no warranty - unless paying extra insurance - after the 12 month period). Other independent indirect or authorized dealers have their own policies, it's best to ask & read the fine prints. I've been using a trusted authorized VZW for past 8 years without any problems and I get good deals along with additional accessories as a package at no extra costs. I even got a free loaner phone for a month before qualifying for an equipment upgrade after 10 months - that's personalized service.

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