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Want new phone, can't get out of contract

Discussion in 'Verizon Wireless Forum' started by tmsjava, Jul 17, 2006.

  1. tmsjava

    tmsjava New Member

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    Location:
    New Orleans
    My Phone:
    LG 5200
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon
    Ok, so I had to switch to Verizon after the hurricane, because the other carrier just had too many problems. So I've had Verizon for about 6 months now and I'd really like a smartphone....either the Q or the Palm 700w, but I asked and they said I couldn't "change" my plan in the middle and sign up for a new 2-yr contract with the new phone. I had to either cancel my service and be charged the full cancellation fee and then sign up for a new 2-yr contract with the new phone...OR keep my existing contract for the rest of the 6 months, purchase a NEW 2-yr contract to get the deal on the new phone (therefore having TWO accounts at the same time), OR pay FULL price on the new phone and just add it to my existing plan.

    I would have thought they would WANT me to purchase a two-yr contract and an expensive phone and waive the cancellation fee of my existing contract. I guess they don't want my money. Hmmm.....now I'll probably just have to wait it out..maybe there will be cheaper smartphones by then.

    T.
     
  2. walkguru

    walkguru Wireless Guru
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    cingular,family plan w/4 lines
    thats why i wish we could do away with contracts.:loony:
     
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  3. misterSelf

    misterSelf Junior Member
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    ...well, this is your best options. It will not extend your contract, but the retail prices are relatively expensive.
     
  4. tmsjava

    tmsjava New Member

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    But the problem with that, is that my current plan doesn't support the data (internet) for the smartphones.....I only have MobileWeb, which those smartphones don't have. You need the special $45 data plan, or however much it is. So that would also be rather useless to me. And I just can't spend $400 on a phone!!
     
  5. QLR

    QLR RIP Note!
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    You cant just purchase the smartphone and skip the data charges? I think you can do the pay uer use data if you opt for a smartphone. If you dont use data, this option may be viable.

    Just thinking... can you add a line for the PDA? You can still get promo pricing but the down side is that you have 2 lines
     
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  6. misterSelf

    misterSelf Junior Member
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    Usually they don't allow you to, but perhaps things have changed.
     
  7. BEATNIKSHA

    BEATNIKSHA Junior Member
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    I think you should call customer service and complain to them.

    You have discovered that you need a Q phone for business, or whatever. You have talked to store managers and other customer service people and all have not been at all helpful, now you find you must follow through with the decision to go ahead and close the account and get a contract with a different company. You like the service but the customer service is horrible. You need the Q phone and you need them to come to a helpful compromise that does not include you getting another number that you don't need or paying a rediculous cancellation fee because they'd rather have the $175 than a long standing contract from a customer who can bring other customers in.

    I know that the most discount they can give you if they have done you really wrong or your problem is really bad is 25% off of a retail price of a phone or $25 credit to your account.

    I think if you threaten to close your account also stating that you don't want to and all you do want is a satisfactory solution they may be able to give you at least the 25% discount on the retail price of the phone. That might not sound like much, but it makes a difference if you were leaning that way anyway.

    I know these solutions may not seem good, but they are the gangsters of the cellular industry and this, if anything may be the best you get. I hate that so much!!

    I have a problem I complain to customer service and I do always tell them I'm on the verge of canceling my service and I really don't want to, but I feel that I have no choice. Plus I've been a customer for 6 years so they work with me. Also, if one dunderhead of a customer service rep doesn't help. Hang up and call back to get another one. The best thing to do is keep calm and speak nicely to them. No attitude, no blow ups, but definately let them know how frustrated and dissatisfied you are and you are leaving it up to them to make you a satisfied and confident customer.

    I hope these tips will help you a little.
     
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  8. tmsjava

    tmsjava New Member

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    Location:
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    My Phone:
    LG 5200
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    Thanks guys.....I think I will contact customer service and see what they can do for me. Always hard to keep calm on the phone, though....but I'll try.

    T.
     
  9. vroberts

    vroberts Junior Member
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    We may be able to do that soon, but with that option phones are going to cost a lot more since the contarct helps to pay for the phone.
     
  10. lcwilson

    lcwilson New Member

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    My Phone:
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    Wireless Provider(s):
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    Just buy the new phone at retail ( if your that dissatisfied with your current phone) and add the data plan. That can be added at any time without affecting your contract. Same as with Vcast, Messaging, Etc.
     
  11. VZW-LOVER

    VZW-LOVER Senior Member
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    Contracts add value to the company. But I agree with you!
     
  12. ZaphodB

    ZaphodB Signal Go Down De Hole...
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    I don't understand. You signed a contract. Now you want out of the contract, but you don't want to abide by the terms in the contract.

    If you want a fancy new phone, you'll either have to buy it at full retail price, or you'll need to wait until you're 11 months through your 12-month contract.

    Of course they want your money. That's what companies do. They exist to make money. By cancelling your contract you would be giving them MORE money than the subsidy on your new fancy phone.

    Remember that if you lose your temper on the phone, they mark you as "irate" and it will be that much harder to get what you want. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
     
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  13. tmsjava

    tmsjava New Member

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    My Phone:
    LG 5200
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon
    Wow...someone's angry about something!!!!!

    Like you've never wanted to get out of something you committed to before....everyone has. Besides...I was in a desparate situation, after the hurricane. I HAD to change services fast.....I wasn't getting any service with my previous provider. What would you have liked me to do???? Not have any communications at all??? Would have been rough trying to get through to friends and family to tell them I was ok, or whose couch I was going to next......
     
  14. TelcomJunkie

    TelcomJunkie Bad Handoff Investigator
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    Unfortunately your situation at the time and now won't help you with a new phone. I understand you were desperate but you signed a contract with certain stipulations on both ends. You pay for so long, they give you a "deal" after so many months. You agreed to that deal and they'll be more than happy to give you the $100 credit towards a new phone on your New Every Two plan. You're also not asking for a cheap phone either, you're asking for a $300-$400 phone. I'm not going to go down the path of wants and needs but if $400 is too much to spend on a phone then you should look at alternatives until you can afford that phone or a lower priced model comes out.

    Also, you don't have to purchase it through them, you can purchase it on eBay and do an ESN swap which is free online.
     
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  15. vroberts

    vroberts Junior Member
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    You were in a difficult situation, but I still don't agree with your solution. You could have purchsed a pre-paid cell phone until you figured out which company you wanted to stay with for the 1-year term. And I disagree that "everyone" enteres into agreements knowing that they will not fulfill the terms.
     
  16. Fathead

    Fathead In the Industry
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    You don't seem to understand that Verizon paid a lot of money to get you the phone you have, for the price you paid for it. The contract was there to be certain you stayed long enough to recoup that cost. They've fulfilled their end of the bargain, now you want them to do you another favor. I doubt it will happen. Pay full price for the phone or pay the ETF.


    This forum gets threads like this every other week.
     
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  17. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
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    I agree with this statement. Why would Verizon give you a discounted phone halfway through your contract? They have certain upgrade rules(which actually are quite good)- see if another company would even give you as good of an upgrade option after your contract runs out.
     
  18. Jsgetbusylgz

    Jsgetbusylgz New Member

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    Ya i can see where your coming from with that and i totally realize that. But ive been in a similiar situation where the phone i had was just not working and i got the same phone after phone until FINALLY one of them worked right. But when u want to opt out of your contract and get a new phone,you just need to lay down the law with them,or else theyre not gona do anything for you. Do what was said before,call customer service and tell them,im the customer,im the one whos not happy here with you,so you fix it and at least make things a little easier for me,the customer. :D
     
  19. Andy

    Andy Diamond Senior Member
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    With Verizon after 3 phone exchanges you can ask for a different phone, no problem.
    Verizon does phone exchanges right there in-store with usually no questions asked(at least that's how it has been in my area) whereas with Cingular, for example, you need to send in your phone and wait for them to send you a new one back.
     
  20. RJB

    RJB Gold Senior Member
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    I know how to get out of a Verizon contract but I will never spill the beans. Just letting you know it can be done.
     
  21. TelcomJunkie

    TelcomJunkie Bad Handoff Investigator
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    Customer: "I need to cancel my contract"
    CSR: "Why?"
    Customer: "I died"

    :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: Give it a whirl...
     
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  22. tmsjava

    tmsjava New Member

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    LG 5200
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon
    I never said that "everyone enters into agreements knowing that they will not fulfill the terms".....definitely a misquote. Do you work for a newspaper???
     
  23. Jsgetbusylgz

    Jsgetbusylgz New Member

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    Yea thats kind of what i had done. 3 times they had to mail me another phone. And unfortunately now i want to get a better phone but im under a 2 year contract with barely 1 year passing by now. I have the V265 and frankly its pretty crappy. I asked just recently if i would b able to get a new phone,but i first have to cancel my contract and pay the fee which is $175,AND(i didnt know this b4) i have to wait 6 months to start another contract again. All's i want is a better phone,but i have to pay $175 smackeroos and go w/out a phone for 6 months(unless i get a prepaid phone from watever company,but itd b another thing id have to do). Im just thinkin maybe after all i'll just wait a year instead of havin to pay and wait,itd b better farther down the road. I really want the VX9800.but who knows,maybe in about a year they'll have a similiar/better phone. Waiting is hard,but will be worth it = D
     
  24. TelcomJunkie

    TelcomJunkie Bad Handoff Investigator
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    I don't get what the problem is here. If you want a better phone, then buy one. Buy it independantly of Verizon, do an ESN swap online. What's so difficult about this?

    If you don't want to pay full price for a new phone then it's time to wait until you've met a certain financial commitment to the carrier. In no way shape or form are you truely getting a "deal" on a phone. The cost of a phone has been factored into your monthly plan rate.
     
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  25. Jsgetbusylgz

    Jsgetbusylgz New Member

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    Ok,but one question. What is an ESN swap?
     
  26. Jsgetbusylgz

    Jsgetbusylgz New Member

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    Ok,found out what esn swap is. So basically i can buy a phone from say ebay at watever price and i can go to verizon and have them do an esn swap without making me cancel my contract or anything like that? And do they charge a fee for that? Thanks and if i truely can do that then i think thats probally the route im going to take =]
     

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