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Adding a dummy line to a grandfathered unlimited plan

bamaredwingsfan

bamaredwingsfan

Android Enthusiast
I have a single plan with unlimited data that I'd like to add a dummy line to so I can use to get a new phone once ever two years an not expose my grandfathered line to getting axed. How do I go about doing this?
The dummy line won't be used, an will be turned off in my house. So could I just get a pay as you go data so I don't have much expense on the line?
 
You just call up VZW, tell them what you want to do, (it's perfectly kosher) and they'll set it up. As long as you activate an old dumb phone on the new line, you won't have any charges except the $10 access fee. If you put a smart phone on the new line, you will also be forced to carry the $30 2gig data plan. You can even block the new line from receiving texts, so you won't have to deal with spam text charges.
 
It'll be around $14 a month with taxes, not $10. It may or may not save you any money in the long run really, you may just want to put that money aside each month to put towards a new phone.
$200. (new subsidized phone) + $280 (line charge for 20 months) + $30 (upgrade fee) = $510, you are close to the cost of a new phone really.
Who knows what Verizon is going to do 20 months from now anyway. If they say no more upgrades 'til the full 2 year mark then you would be paying another $56. There are a lot of people adding lines so they have something to move around. It's like you are taking a future loan out now on your next phone, you are pre-paying for something down the road...and the rules may change along the way.
I'm not telling you not to do it, just saying think about it. Maybe opening a savings account and slapping $15 a month in it might be the better option. Why give Verizon your money when you don't know exactly, for sure, what you are getting out of it?
 
Clementine_3 said:
It'll be around $14 a month with taxes, not $10. It may or may not save you any money in the long run really, you may just want to put that money aside each month to put towards a new phone.
$200. (new subsidized phone) + $280 (line charge for 20 months) + $30 (upgrade fee) = $510, you are close to the cost of a new phone really.
Who knows what Verizon is going to do 20 months from now anyway. If they say no more upgrades 'til the full 2 year mark then you would be paying another $56. There are a lot of people adding lines so they have something to move around. It's like you are taking a future loan out now on your next phone, you are pre-paying for something down the road...and the rules may change along the way.
I'm not telling you not to do it, just saying think about it. Maybe opening a savings account and slapping $15 a month in it might be the better option. Why give Verizon your money when you don't know exactly, for sure, what you are getting out of it?
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Actually I just did what the op was asking about. There is no upgrade fee for adding a line. Also $480 is better than $600 plus.
Also he may be in need of a phone now rather than later.
 
digdug1 said:
Actually I just did what the op was asking about. There is no upgrade fee for adding a line. Also $480 is better than $600 plus.
Also he may be in need of a phone now rather than later.
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This. No upgrade fee. Cost of a full retail phone is 600 plus taxes so around 660. Even if it were only $50 savings you're getting a good ROI.
 
There will be an upgrade fee when you upgrade, not when you add the line. I was doing general final math, provided nothing changes.
As I said, it's not a bad plan, I was just offering alternatives ;)
 
My idea was to have a way to get the new iPhone 5 when it hits later this year for my wife. I already have the s3 lined up for me via my wife's upgrade now.
 
Clementine_3 said:
There will be an upgrade fee when you upgrade, not when you add the line. I was doing general final math, provided nothing changes.
As I said, it's not a bad plan, I was just offering alternatives ;)
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But there is the $35 activation fee. They get you one way or another.
 
tdperry said:
But there is the $35 activation fee. They get you one way or another.
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I believe you can get this activation fee waived if you're ordering online (I think). Either that or you can call and complain and get it reimbursed.
 
They don't charge an activation fee for adding a new line. That's only for first time customer activations I believe.
 
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