NORTHEAST U.S. -- Confused re: Driod/Plan Pricing

[Robs67]

I currently have the cheapest plan available at Verizon but would love to get the Droid and understand I have to upgrade to a data plan.
I went to the Verizon store today and they told me I would have to pay full retail for the Driod. I was under the (possibly false) assumption that if I upgraded to the data plan, I would not have to pay full retail.
My "New every 2" kicks in 3/10 but I don't want to wait that long. Wouldn't changing to a data plan and extending the contract two years from now qualify me to pay the more reasonable amount for the Droid?
Or perhaps I have to cancel my current plan (don't know the $$ penalty for that) and start fresh?
I'll call Verizon about this but thought someone here might have some insight.
Thanks!

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Robs67

I currently have the cheapest plan available at Verizon but would love to get the Droid and understand I have to upgrade to a data plan.
I went to the Verizon store today and they told me I would have to pay full retail for the Driod. I was under the (possibly false) assumption that if I upgraded to the data plan, I would not have to pay full retail.
My "New every 2" kicks in 3/10 but I don't want to wait that long. Wouldn't changing to a data plan and extending the contract two years from now qualify me to pay the more reasonable amount for the Droid?
Or perhaps I have to cancel my current plan (don't know the $$ penalty for that) and start fresh?
I'll call Verizon about this but thought someone here might have some insight.
Thanks!

Upgrading to the data plan has no effect on phone pricing. Your "New Every 2" date is the effective date you can purchase a phone at a discounted price as well as whatever additional discount you're eligible for (probably $50). The NE2 discount and upgrade pricing occurs at the 20th month mark of the two year agreement.

Canceling your service to start over and get the phone discount isn't worth it. You'll lose your number and pay an early term fee. You're still going to end up paying more for the phone than just waiting it out. It's up to you what to do, but consider your decision carefully.

[Robs67]

Thanks for the info Mike.
The phone number is not an issue for me as I use Google Voice. I guess I would have to see if I can cancel this plan and get a new one for less than $360 as that's the difference between the discount and the full retail price. Or I'll have to be a patient boy and just wait. Oh well.

[MrObvious]

Will they let you keep your current plan if you pay outright price minus the $30 data plan? I think so, so that is an option.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by MrObvious

Will they let you keep your current plan if you pay outright price minus the $30 data plan? I think so, so that is an option.

All recently released Verizon smartphones require a mandatory data plan so he can't minus the extra $30.

[MrObvious]

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

All recently released Verizon smartphones require a mandatory data plan so he can't minus the extra $30.

That's about what I thought.

[Robs67]

I thought I would come back and post my Verizon experience after purchasing the Droid on Sunday.

I went to a local Verizon store and was pleased with the whole experience. The rep said that since I had my old phone for more than 12 months he could give me the $299 w/ $100 rebate price. Plus I got a discount on the media dock and car dock ($25 each) and he waived some $20 activation fee (not really sure what that was).

All in all I am pleased with the outcome and had a pleasant Verizon CS experience.

[bikebryan]

Originally Posted by Robs67

I thought I would come back and post my Verizon experience after purchasing the Droid on Sunday.

I went to a local Verizon store and was pleased with the whole experience. The rep said that since I had my old phone for more than 12 months he could give me the $299 w/ $100 rebate price. Plus I got a discount on the media dock and car dock ($25 each) and he waived some $20 activation fee (not really sure what that was).

All in all I am pleased with the outcome and had a pleasant Verizon CS experience.

The $20 was an early upgrade fee. You did an annual upgrade, which carries a $20 early upgrade fee which he waived. Nice of him; most folks won't do that.

[Robs67]

Originally Posted by bikebryan

The $20 was an early upgrade fee. You did an annual upgrade, which carries a $20 early upgrade fee which he waived. Nice of him; most folks won't do that.

Ah yes, I remember that's what he was saying.

I wanted to get the Droid on Saturday but he couldn't activate the phone. Apparently it had something to do with me being proactive and upgrading my plan days before for an effective date that happened to be the same date as the start of my billing cycle, and turned out to be the date I wanted to buy the Droid. So I had to go back on Sunday. For that hassle, he waived the $20 fee.