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Considering that 6GB Max Plan

Z

zetroc

Android Enthusiast
Like everyone that has an unlimited plan, I don't want to get rid of mine. To be honest, it is mostly because of the idea that it is unlimited, rather than actual usage. I think I peak at 3.5GB at most, but average just under 3GB. I've never hit 5GB.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I have an unlimited plan, and I won't be able to extend, or renew my contract with that feature because it is not available anymore. Sure, I could buy a phone at retail cost, and that would ensure I don't modify my plan, but once I'm out of contract, technically, Verizon is obligation free (as I would be). Verizon could phase me out of unlimited, and let's face it, as VoLTE becomes more of a reality in late 2014, they will phase those unlimited users out as contracts expire (which should start to happen soon for most people).

So, I'm thinking, if eventually I'll be without unlimited, and currently I don't even hit 5GB of data, this 6GB data option might be good if I choose to do the EDGE program. I know that this is a waste of money, but like leasing a car, one may want to lease a phone. I am prepared to pay full cost of the phone right now, so why not just make those payments slowly over time, since I don't intend to leave Verizon, and if and when I do, I can just pay the rest of the retail cost. Hmm.

What do you think and why? :)
 
zetroc said:
Like everyone that has an unlimited plan, I don't want to get rid of mine. To be honest, it is mostly because of the idea that it is unlimited, rather than actual usage. I think I peak at 3.5GB at most, but average just under 3GB. I've never hit 5GB.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I have an unlimited plan, and I won't be able to extend, or renew my contract with that feature because it is not available anymore. Sure, I could buy a phone at retail cost, and that would ensure I don't modify my plan, but once I'm out of contract, technically, Verizon is obligation free (as I would be). Verizon could phase me out of unlimited, and let's face it, as VoLTE becomes more of a reality in late 2014, they will phase those unlimited users out as contracts expire (which should start to happen soon for most people).

So, I'm thinking, if eventually I'll be without unlimited, and currently I don't even hit 5GB of data, this 6GB data option might be good if I choose to do the EDGE program. I know that this is a waste of money, but like leasing a car, one may want to lease a phone. I am prepared to pay full cost of the phone right now, so why not just make those payments slowly over time, since I don't intend to leave Verizon, and if and when I do, I can just pay the rest of the retail cost. Hmm.

What do you think and why? :)
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i would tend to agree with you on this. makes perfect sense. no need in parting with all your money at once and if you dont like it down the road you trade in and get something else. easier than trying to sell it and hoping you get enough for it.
 
Yeah, see, there's the rub...you've spelled everything out exactly right and there is no winning really.

Unlimited is going away some day.
6GB for $30 is a good deal.
Either way you are going to pay full retail.

I honestly don't know the right answer, they have made an attractive-y-ish deal as long as you understand what you're getting yourself into. It's not something I'm considering but I certainly see where folks would. I have no answer, and it all depends on what you think is right for you anyway.

I'm just going to wait to see what the future brings, and when the future actually gets here. For now I will buy my phones outright and hold on to my unlimited. They day will come though when that is no longer viable, either because unlimited goes away or I decide to just give up the ghost. Oh, I don't know...
(what has me semi-concerned right now is that 2 lines are in need of new phones, that's a lot of up front cash all at once. ugh.)
 
all that up front cash is what makes that other deal seem so good. even subsidised it can get expensive to be hit at once with all of that.
 
Honestly.....I basically reasoned out the exact same thing you did. Ordered my Moto X & it should be here tonight. I'm fine with making installment payments once they offered the higher data amount.
 
For the past year or so, I kept hearing about Verizon phasing out unlimited but haven't seen it happen. They'll try to entice you with offers like the current Edge plan combined with cheaper 6GB or 8GB w/hot spot. There were always rumors back when everything was 3G that unlimited users wouldn't have access to 4G/4G LTE which wasn't the case. With phones having a static storage space (aside from some manufacturers like Samsung with microSD), Verizon wants users to access their cloud service which does take data usage except when using wi-fi.

With that said, if you are always around some type of wi-fi signal, it wouldn't hurt to make the switch to Edge. If you don't use anywhere near 6GB, sure, make the switch. For some, they are data hogs, so paying full retail is the way to go.

Personally, I don't like the Edge plan. Verizon is double dipping as their current plans are really all include a subsidized price in their monthly bills, so you're paying that plus the Edge deal; please correct me if I'm wrong.
 
john248 said:
Personally, I don't like the Edge plan. Verizon is double dipping as their current plans are really all include a subsidized price in their monthly bills, so you're paying that plus the Edge deal; please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Nope, you're not wrong at all. It's not just the Edge plan that is a double-dipper though, it's any plan where the phone is not subsidized. It honestly makes the most sense to renew your contract with a new phone every 2 years, you are paying for it no matter what.
Anyone (me! me!) who is off contract is paying too much, subject to the cursed double-dip. I won't re-sign though, holding on to that unlimited at the price of retail/used phones and a trip to the dip each month. Hate them.
 
john248 said:
Personally, I don't like the Edge plan. Verizon is double dipping as their current plans are really all include a subsidized price in their monthly bills, so you're paying that plus the Edge deal; please correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Clementine_3 said:
Anyone (me! me!) who is off contract is paying too much, subject to the cursed double-dip.
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Both these statements are correct. People keep talking about how our plans include a device subsidy therefore, Edge is a way for Verizon to get twice as much from you. However, the cost of your monthly access fee (your plan/services) is the same if you go month-to-month, or on a two year agreement. On a Share Everything Plan, it's going to cost you $40 for a smartphone and $60 for 2GB whether you signed a two year agreement, or purchased phones at retail or got used phones. You will pay the same monthly plan regardless. So Verizon is already "double dipping" into your wallet. (Verizon, reportedly, has been elusive about the "subsidy fee" the have worked into their plans, and while I don't doubt it or put it past Verizon to do so, it's nor confirmed that these subsidies exist... but let's face it, they probably do).

Edge isn't about paying for the phone. You're not paying for the phone, and if you think you are, I'd politely suggest you stop thinking about it that way. Much like a car lease, you pay the monthly Edge fee to have the latest device in your pocket. And just as you do with cars that you lease, you can lease to buy... at the end of your lease period you can pay in full or finance what is owed on the vehicle. Well, with Edge, at 6 months you can trade in your old model and get a new one with no down payment. Or you can pay out what is owed an keep it (lease to buy type thing).

If you participate in Edge, you're paying $25 for convenience and luxury, not for the phone. The phone is free, it's basically a loaner :)
 
Yea, personally, there's nothing about Edge that makes me want to participate. A Moto X would be $24.99/month extra according to the website. Then I'd be swapping my unlimited for 6 GB (wait... what? lol). Meanwhile, I can just pay for the phone up front and keep my plan. So let's say I just purchase the Moto X outright for $600, I might lose a bit on it if this phone is worth less than $300 12 months from now when I try to sell it. Something like the GS3 is selling for $250 used though it is almost a year and a half old. Still, I'd rather just stick to my plan as it is much better value.
 
I just went online and checked my data usage: with 18 days to go in my billing cycle, I'm right at 3.5GB used. That puts me square in the 8GB tiered range (which is what? $50 a month?). My son - the other data hog - is sitting on 2GB, putting him in the 6GB tier.

All things considered, I'd be taking a bath by switching from unlimited to Edge, even with data at a sale price. It actually PAYS for me to let them double-dip me. I'm still making out.
 
The_Chief said:
I just went online and checked my data usage: with 18 days to go in my billing cycle, I'm right at 3.5GB used. That puts me square in the 8GB tiered range (which is what? $50 a month?). My son - the other data hog - is sitting on 2GB, putting him in the 6GB tier.
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My son used over 100GB two consecutive months...yes, that's 100, not 10.

 
Not to be rude, but I feel like I use my phone a lot, what could you possibly stream to hit that much usage? Is he also using his phone as a hotspot? Or is this literally just phone usage?
 
zetroc said:
Not to be rude, but I feel like I use my phone a lot, what could you possibly stream to hit that much usage? Is he also using his phone as a hotspot? Or is this literally just phone usage?
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You're not being rude at all. That's why I posted the picture. I figured people would call BS. :)

He moved to the western part of the state for the summer. He used it as a hotspot...it was his TV and internet. He streamed EVERYTHING (obviously). My other son uses about 5GB per month with no hot spot. I was told that was the most data usage the rep at the store had ever seen on one line.
 
Correct me if I am wrong, but the edge with 6gb of data is really not that bad. currently a 5gb plan cost $50 and the 6gb with edge cost $30. Take this $30 plus the cost of you edge phone, lets say $25 per month and your only paying $55 per month. So for $5 extra you can upgrade your phone at will. That is of course if you're willing to drop your unlimited which I am not. But for some people this isn't too bad a deal, if I understand it correctly.
 
zetroc said:
Like everyone that has an unlimited plan, I don't want to get rid of mine. To be honest, it is mostly because of the idea that it is unlimited, rather than actual usage. I think I peak at 3.5GB at most, but average just under 3GB. I've never hit 5GB.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I have an unlimited plan, and I won't be able to extend, or renew my contract with that feature because it is not available anymore. Sure, I could buy a phone at retail cost, and that would ensure I don't modify my plan, but once I'm out of contract, technically, Verizon is obligation free (as I would be). Verizon could phase me out of unlimited, and let's face it, as VoLTE becomes more of a reality in late 2014, they will phase those unlimited users out as contracts expire (which should start to happen soon for most people).

So, I'm thinking, if eventually I'll be without unlimited, and currently I don't even hit 5GB of data, this 6GB data option might be good if I choose to do the EDGE program. I know that this is a waste of money, but like leasing a car, one may want to lease a phone. I am prepared to pay full cost of the phone right now, so why not just make those payments slowly over time, since I don't intend to leave Verizon, and if and when I do, I can just pay the rest of the retail cost. Hmm.

What do you think and why? :)
Click to expand...


I also had a grandfathered unlimited data plan, but I never get anywhere near 2GB..., so when deciding how to handle getting a Moto X, I discovered that people are willing to buy unlimited data plans for anywhere between 2-300 bucks.

I contacted a guy selling one on eBay, to inquire about the possibility of keeping the phone number, and he offered to buy my plan for 225 bucks.

Sold.

I then sold my S3 on eBay for 250 bucks.

Ordered the Moto X for 139 (60 dollar off coupon code) and started a new line with VZW for the 2GB.

I won't miss the unlimited data plan, and was happy to make cash on it while I could. I bet that they will eventually pull the plug on all of them anyway, so why not cash out now, if I'm not using it?

So... there's another option besides EDGE/MAX.

Justin
 
zetroc said:
Like everyone that has an unlimited plan, I don't want to get rid of mine. To be honest, it is mostly because of the idea that it is unlimited, rather than actual usage. I think I peak at 3.5GB at most, but average just under 3GB. I've never hit 5GB.

Correct me if I'm wrong. I have an unlimited plan, and I won't be able to extend, or renew my contract with that feature because it is not available anymore. Sure, I could buy a phone at retail cost, and that would ensure I don't modify my plan, but once I'm out of contract, technically, Verizon is obligation free (as I would be). Verizon could phase me out of unlimited, and let's face it, as VoLTE becomes more of a reality in late 2014, they will phase those unlimited users out as contracts expire (which should start to happen soon for most people).

So, I'm thinking, if eventually I'll be without unlimited, and currently I don't even hit 5GB of data, this 6GB data option might be good if I choose to do the EDGE program. I know that this is a waste of money, but like leasing a car, one may want to lease a phone. I am prepared to pay full cost of the phone right now, so why not just make those payments slowly over time, since I don't intend to leave Verizon, and if and when I do, I can just pay the rest of the retail cost. Hmm.

What do you think and why? :)
Click to expand...


I just bit the bullet and ordered a Moto X, going with the Edge Max, and losing my unlimited data. Haven't got the phone yet, but no regrets.
 
I finally pulled the plug and got the X yesterday. I was concerned losing unlimited data too. I travel a lot for work and stream quite a bit of music everyday. Average monthly usage is about 20 gb. The way I was able to keep unlimited was buying the phone using The Device Payment Plan. It basically lets you make 12 equal monthly payments. There's a $2 finance charge per month also. I was totally unaware that they offered anything like that. Might be an option for those not wanting to switch to the edge plan
 
1981dla said:
I finally pulled the plug and got the X yesterday. I was concerned losing unlimited data too. I travel a lot for work and stream quite a bit of music everyday. Average monthly usage is about 20 gb. The way I was able to keep unlimited was buying the phone using The Device Payment Plan. It basically lets you make 12 equal monthly payments. There's a $2 finance charge per month also. I was totally unaware that they offered anything like that. Might be an option for those not wanting to switch to the edge plan
Click to expand...

So did you keep unlimited this way? Also, does the device payment plan keep you under contract with Verizon? (i.e. if you paid phone off early are you still under a service agreement?)
 
jwbeeler said:
My son used over 100GB two consecutive months...yes, that's 100, not 10.

Click to expand...

Holy... That is insane! Does he spend every moment connected? I use the crap out of my phone and have never had the need for more than a 12gb plan... :smokingsomb:
 
I watched 4 HD netflix movies/ weekend earlier in the summer until I realized my VZW 4GLte mifi hotspot data plan at 20 gb/month was insufficient... that was only 61 gb including all other internetting I did from my PC... Good thing I bought it from an afterseller and was not taxed by verizon wiht my overages. :smokingsomb:;)
 
Stopped by Verizon today(read this thread yesterday and was interested to see what Verizon would tell me) Basically (we will call him Bob) Bob told me that it was a waste of money to consider the edge plan. He also told me I could do the 6gb maxx plan but my plan would not change. Bob said that unless there was a phone I really wanted to not consider that either. I also asked about the device payment plan and Bob had no clue what I was talking about. Ill try another Verizon tomorrow. Anyone else have a different experience?
 
^^ Bob is a very interesting VZW employee. I don't think VZW likes interesting employees, like Bob.
 
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