Family member getting a smart phone, how do I keep my unlimited data?

[Bettie Does Droid]

So I'm considering paying full retail for a new galaxy s 3 to keep my unlimited data;I'm out of contract. I'm not a heavy data user but like the option. I know Vzw can do just about anything they want when they want. These last few posts have me thinking that may not be to smart; not too sure what to do now? Are thoughts anyone???
Thanks!

 

[mitchellpaul]

Can we order off ebay & just swap phones to keep it, since we're technically not upgrading through them?

 

[AntimonyER]

So I'm considering paying full retail for a new galaxy s 3 to keep my unlimited data;I'm out of contract. I'm not a heavy data user but like the option. I know Vzw can do just about anything they want when they want. These last few posts have me thinking that may not be to smart; not too sure what to do now? Are thoughts anyone???
Thanks!

This is always a danger, however, you will still have an eligible upgrade, so if VZW pulls this, just buy a phone subsidized, then sell it unopened, for close to their retail price, and recoup most of your retail payment.

Can we order off ebay & just swap phones to keep it, since we're technically not upgrading through them?

Yep! Just make sure it has a clean ESN!

 

[Rachel A]

So I'm considering paying full retail for a new galaxy s 3 to keep my unlimited data;I'm out of contract. I'm not a heavy data user but like the option. I know Vzw can do just about anything they want when they want. These last few posts have me thinking that may not be to smart; not too sure what to do now? Are thoughts anyone???
Thanks!

I gave up the fight and went for an 8GB plan. I just didn't feel comfortable gambling that VZW wouldn't pull unlimited for all off-contract users in the coming months - that and I do tether my Xoom off my phone and VZW's hard line on tethering on unlimited.

Now at least I can tether away and not worrying if the Big Red police are gonna track me down.

Can we order off ebay & just swap phones to keep it, since we're technically not upgrading through them?

Yes

 

[mitchellpaul]

Well crap, I'll just do that the second I get paid.

 

[Bettie Does Droid]

Thanks! I had tunnel vision; hasn't looking at the "BIG" picture!
Yep! Just make sure it has a clean ESN - I'm a novice so what's a ESN??
Thanks again!

 

[AntimonyER]

Thanks! I had tunnel vision; hasn't looking at the "BIG" picture!
Yep! Just make sure it has a clean ESN - I'm a novice so what's a ESN??

ESN is basically the unique identifier of the phone on the network (also known as IMEI). If the phone is reported lost, stolen, or the customer doesn't pay their bill, the carrier will black-list the ESN, and the phone will no longer work on that carrier.

When buying a phone on eBay, I always ask for the ESN, either prior to bidding, or prior to paying. When I sell a phone on eBay, I provide the ESN in my listing (there is no danger of someone having the ESN of your phone, they can't do anything with it, so if someone is unwilling to give you the ESN, don't go forward with the transaction, because there is a high risk it is bad, and the phone can't be activated on the network).

You can call VZW customer service, and just tell them you are purchasing a used phone, and would like to check the ESN to make sure it is clean, and they will check it for you.