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And here we go...Share Everything plans

AntimonyER said:
How so? Verizon is not eliminating their existing plans, (YET). You still have the option to choose an existing family plan, with limited minutes, where messaging, and data is a la carte. As long as that is true, you can use the upgrade from the upgrade line to get a new phone for your main line. Since you aren't renewing the contract on the main line to do that, you get to keep unlimited.
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Im confused by this. Even on the existing plans when I upgraded a line from feature phone to smart phone, the new contact price was contingent on opening a $29.99 per month data plan for that line.

So if line A is on unlimited data and line B is a feature phone with an upgrade. I could.......

1) officially transfer the upgrade to A, then upgrade to new phone (good bye unlimited data)

Or

2) upgrade line B and elect a new smart phone. Then activate the new phone on line A instead. (but line B would be stuck with the new $29.99 per month data plan)

see verizon existing plans:
Plans - Verizon Wireless

The A La Carte option is "only for basic phones" if you order a "smart phone" for Line B, Line B will need to sign up for, at minimum the 2GB $30 data plan. If you officially transfer the upgrade to line A before the purchase, then the upgrade will happen on line A directly, and removed the unlimited data.

HOWEVER, using your strategy I believe this could be used to maintain 1 of 2 data lines as unlimited though while still receiving discount phones. Here me out.


Line A (On grandfathered unlimited data plan) Eligible for upgrade

Line B (On tiered 2GB for $29.99 data plan) Eligible for upgrade

Step 1: Order a new phone for Line B, using its upgrade.

Step 2: Activate new phone on Line A instead (this should be treated as if you are bringing in a full re-tail purchase and keep unlimited data without new contract)

Step 3: Officially transfer Line A's intact upgrade to Line B.

Step 4: Us the second upgrade to get a new device for Line B:

Step 5: Wait for 2 years, Rinse, Repeat.

I can see this working with a tiered data plan maintaining an unlimited data plan into eternity. I can't see how it works with a voice only line maintaining an unlimited data plan into eternity.

Just my understanding of how these upgrades would work.
 
1stAndroid said:
Im confused by this. Even on the existing plans when I upgraded a line from feature phone to smart phone, the new contact price was contingent on opening a $29.99 per month data plan for that line.

So if line A is on unlimited data and line B is a feature phone with an upgrade. I could.......

1) officially transfer the upgrade to A, then upgrade to new phone (good bye unlimited data)

Or

2) upgrade line B and elect a new smart phone. Then activate the new phone on line A instead. (but line B would be stuck with the new $29.99 per month data plan)

see verizon existing plans:
Plans - Verizon Wireless

The A La Carte option is "only for basic phones" if you order a "smart phone" for Line B, Line B will need to sign up for, at minimum the 2GB $30 data plan. If you officially transfer the upgrade to line A before the purchase, then the upgrade will happen on line A directly, and removed the unlimited data.

HOWEVER, using your strategy I believe this could be used to maintain 1 of 2 data lines as unlimited though while still receiving discount phones. Here me out.


Line A (On grandfathered unlimited data plan) Eligible for upgrade

Line B (On tiered 2GB for $29.99 data plan) Eligible for upgrade

Step 1: Order a new phone for Line B, using its upgrade.

Step 2: Activate new phone on Line A instead (this should be treated as if you are bringing in a full re-tail purchase and keep unlimited data without new contract)

Step 3: Officially transfer Line A's intact upgrade to Line B.

Step 4: Us the second upgrade to get a new device for Line B:

Step 5: Wait for 2 years, Rinse, Repeat.

I can see this working with a tiered data plan maintaining an unlimited data plan into eternity. I can't see how it works with a voice only line maintaining an unlimited data plan into eternity.

Just my understanding of how these upgrades would work.
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Ok, will type this here and then merge.

You don't need the $30 plan if you keep a dumbphone on Line B. Yes you will upgrade to a smartphone, but then immediately move the dumbphone back on, and the $30 data fee will drop off.

Your step by step won't work because the contract will be renewed on Line A in step 4, ending unlimited data on Line A, even though you are using the upgrade on Line B.
 
Reverting back to a dumb-phone plan and canceling the newly signed for $29.99 data plan wouldn't warrant an ETF?

I would not have expected this would be possible but will gladly accept it if true :D

I just want to re-affirm I'm not trying to be argumentative or starting fights, just trying to clarify how VZW actually works, and compare that with my current understanding of how it works so I know whats going on. thanks for helping me out with all the information.
 
1stAndroid said:
Reverting back to a dumb-phone plan and canceling the newly signed for $29.99 data plan wouldn't warrant an ETF?

I would not have expected this would be possible but will gladly accept it if true :D

I just want to re-affirm I'm not trying to be argumentative or starting fights, just trying to clarify how VZW actually works, and compare that with my current understanding of how it works so I know whats going on. thanks for helping me out with all the information.
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The way the data plans work, they are a feature, and removing features does not violate the contract terms. I have done this twice in the past year, so can vouch for its validity :D
 
I just sat down with a pen and paper and decided I'm ready to jump ship.

I currently have the 700 minute talk plan with 3 smartphones and 1 dumbphone. Over the last year, my talk minutes averaged 250 per month. So I definitely DO NOT need unlimited talk. I currently pay $210/month with my wifes 19% corporate discount. When my current contract runs out, I will be adding one smartphone in place of the dumbphone. At my current pricing, my new monthly charge will be $240ish. This would give me 2 smartphones with unlimited data, one smartphone with 4GB of Data and the new line would have 2GB of data. As a collective group of 3 we currently average between 4 and 5 GB of data each month.

On Verizon's new plan my monthly charge for 4 smartphones with 6 GB of Date will be $240ish. It sounds like a wash, but I just went to the Sprint site and priced a plan with 1400 shared minutes, unlimited messaging, 4 smartphones and unlimited data on all the phones and the grand total was $210/month. Assuming that Sprint decides to keep this type of pricing plan, I will be very tempted to jump ship come contract renewal time. Of course, I have another year on my current contract so we'll see in a year what things look like.

Just FWIW,
BigRedGonzo
 
BigRedGonzo said:
On Verizon's new plan my monthly charge for 4 smartphones with 6 GB of Date will be $240ish. It sounds like a wash, but I just went to the Sprint site and priced a plan with 1400 shared minutes, unlimited messaging, 4 smartphones and unlimited data on all the phones and the grand total was $210/month. Assuming that Sprint decides to keep this type of pricing plan, I will be very tempted to jump ship come contract renewal time. Of course, I have another year on my current contract so we'll see in a year what things look like.

Just FWIW,
BigRedGonzo
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Same here. I'll move to Sprint when I need a new phone. Hopefully Sprint's pricing will stay the same. I live near LA so switching carriers is no biggie. I've had Sprint before and I didn't have too many problems with their service.

If Sprint decides to do away with unlimited data prior to my phone conking out or my VZW contract expires, then maybe I'll just eat the ETF fee and switch early.

This sucks! So many things to think about now.
 
I keep seeing some people post(in the articles comment sections) that this will save them $10-$20 a month, but when I run their numbers they either pay the exact same amount(for less) or, more often, they pay more. I think a lot of the people who think they like this change will be in for a surprise come bill time.
 
I suspect that many people see some savings when comparing the calculator to their bill, but are not taking into account the fact that the calculator does not include taxes and fees.

I was hopeful that the shared data plans would be a significant savings for us, but it doesn't look like it. I'm upgrading soon and sticking with our unlimited plans.
 
AntimonyER said:
Your step by step won't work because the contract will be renewed on Line A in step 4, ending unlimited data on Line A, even though you are using the upgrade on Line B.
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The contract won't be renewed(as in, starting the 2-year clock over) on line A, but they will definitely switch you off of unlimited when you activate the new phone on line A.

Now what if you just stick your existing sim in it without telling anyone anything?
 
I foresee a double your data promo by VZW during the holiday season to stop a mass exodus to other carrier options. VzW the master of smoke and mirrors. :p
 
This pricing is atrocious. I really hope MANY people leave Verizon for these shenanigans. Imagine if ATT took over T-Mobile as planned, people would be pinned into a corner.
 
IOWA said:
This pricing is atrocious. I really hope MANY people leave Verizon for these shenanigans. Imagine if ATT took over T-Mobile as planned, people would be pinned into a corner.
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I actually find the pricing, at least in my situation, not too bad. $7 more per month, but I go from 700 to unlimited minutes, and one unlimited and one 150 MB plan to 4GB shared. Eh.
 
AntimonyER said:
I actually find the pricing, at least in my situation, not too bad. $7 more per month, but I go from 700 to unlimited minutes, and one unlimited and one 150 MB plan to 4GB shared. Eh.
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Curious to see an item-by-item breakdown of you cost comparison here.
 
jackdubl said:
The contract won't be renewed(as in, starting the 2-year clock over) on line A, but they will definitely switch you off of unlimited when you activate the new phone on line A.

Now what if you just stick your existing sim in it without telling anyone anything?
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Activating a phone on a line is not what triggers the end of unlimited. It's the contract renewal that does it. You can pay full price for a phone, but you still have to activate it on the line. Since Verizon stated you can do this and not lose unlimited, proves that it is all contract related, not activation related. That's why my suggestion for the upgrade line would work. :)
 
jackdubl said:
Curious to see an item-by-item breakdown of you cost comparison here.
Click to expand...

Current Plan:

700 Minutes, unlimited texts: 99.99 (81.99 after discount)
Data plan 1, unlimited : 29.99 (23.99 after discount)
Data plan 2, 150 MB : 15.00 (no discount)

New plan

Smartphone 1: $40 ($32 after discount)
Smartphone 2: $40 (no discount)
Data bucket (4GB) $70 ($56 after discount)

Plan 1: 144.98 (120.98 after discount)
Plan 2: $150 (128 after discount)

DIfference of $7.02
 
The fail is they are pushing unlimited minutes, I don't care. Wife and I together use maybe 100, drop my plan even lower.

Problem is I saw this coming, there was no way they plan to save us money, they want to cram down our throats more services we do not want at bloated prices. T-Mobile and Sprint need to step up and get better coverage. FCC needs to give, not sell them more frequencies and help get them more viable. We need more competition desperately.
 
IOWA said:
I just sent Verizon an e-mail letting them know how bad I think their pricing is.

https://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/contact/email.jsp

I suggest everyone else do the same.
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What you said. I called VZW this morning, and the csr I spoke with said and I quote, "Take to the internet and complain.". Her reasoning was that if there was a big enough hue and cry, VZW would have to take note.

When shared data was first announced, I was angry. Then I adopted a wait an see attitude. If implemented right it could save me money. But my thought process revolved around the current 2gigs for $30 pricing. If they think $50 for 1 shared gig is a good deal, someone is smokin' something! If we were to switch over, the new pricing would raise our bill by $30+ taxes and fees.

None of our lines are due for an upgrade until after the new pricing goes into affect, so I'm adding a ghost line, preordering the GSIII and putting it on the unlimited pine when it comes. I've already confirmed with a csr that this will allow me to keep unlimited. I'll be setting up a phone savings account and buying all future phones off contract.
 
Well, it would work well for some folks, but I have a sinking feeling that it'll be like the airline ticket price "discounts" where they charge you what looks like a good price and then nickle and dime you to death with other things. I liked Verizon because they had simple plans and great service. Unfortunately, I'm noticing the customer and network service is starting to slide for me and the plans are way too much math for me to follow to make sure I always get the best deal.

Like any change, there are folks who will benefit and those who don't. In the end, the math just doesn't wash for me. We upgraded my wife in February so she's good until 2014 on Verizon. But for me, it was either jump ship for AT&T or I'd have to upgrade and increase the bill for all of us (2 smart phones & 1 dumb) come November. So, she'll keep unlimited data (1 Smartphone and one dumb phone) and I'll work with AT&T for the same time period. In 2 years, we'll see who has the best deal and worry about it from there. After all, the only certainty is change! :D

As the old curse goes - May you live in interesting times........:pcguru:
 
AntimonyER said:
The way the data plans work, they are a feature, and removing features does not violate the contract terms. I have done this twice in the past year, so can vouch for its validity :D
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I tried that on one of my Droid Xs because I wanted to do wifi for data only but still have the phone be a phone. No way would they let me. I called multiple times and talked with different CS reps but to no avail.
 
sorka said:
I tried that on one of my Droid Xs because I wanted to do wifi for data only but still have the phone be a phone. No way would they let me. I called multiple times and talked with different CS reps but to no avail.
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Right. You have to activate a dumb phone on the new line to avoid data charges.
 
AntimonyER said:
Current Plan:

700 Minutes, unlimited texts: 99.99 (81.99 after discount)
Data plan 1, unlimited : 29.99 (23.99 after discount)
Data plan 2, 150 MB : 15.00 (no discount)

New plan

Smartphone 1: $40 ($32 after discount)
Smartphone 2: $40 (no discount)
Data bucket (4GB) $70 ($56 after discount)

Plan 1: 144.98 (120.98 after discount)
Plan 2: $150 (128 after discount)

DIfference of $7.02
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According to the DL story, corp discounts won't apply to the monthly access fees for the device only the data portion.
 
The biggest problem I see with this is the lack of tiered minute pricing. I doubt many people need unlimited minutes. If they added minute tiers for the pricing as well this could very well save me some money even with the current discounts I get on my data...however without that I would pay more monthly.
 
AntimonyER said:
Activating a phone on a line is not what triggers the end of unlimited. It's the contract renewal that does it. You can pay full price for a phone, but you still have to activate it on the line. Since Verizon stated you can do this and not lose unlimited, proves that it is all contract related, not activation related. That's why my suggestion for the upgrade line would work. :)
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I am thinking this will work as well. Now that I think about it, I upgraded my wife to a smartphone, she didn't like it, put her back on a dumbphone and dropped her data plan. And she still has the smartphone. So I guess I could activate it on my line if I want. Therefore, since I am the only line on my three-line plan with unlimited(and the only one who cares about phones) I COULD still use the other two upgrades for myself and keep unlimited. I just lose the upgrade on MY line. Can it be that simple?
 
Yeahha said:
The biggest problem I see with this is the lack of tiered minute pricing. I doubt many people need unlimited minutes. If they added minute tiers for the pricing as well this could very well save me some money even with the current discounts I get on my data...however without that I would pay more monthly.
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But they want you to spend more money for less. That is why these changes. Record profits and they had to come up with a way to make even more of a record profit at everyone's expense.
 
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