Getting the new S3 cheap from Verizon

[blackjaguar25]

Hello everyone! Just like everyone else, I want to get the new Samsung Galaxy S3. Unfortunately, I don't have an upgrade available and don't have the money to spend. My Thunderbolt shorted out after charging so I had to activate an old OG Droid, but that phone just broke tonight, so I am in need of a new phone. I am a poor college kid, and I chatted Verizon online the other day to see if this would work. Personally, I don't think it works, and it just might be another typical Verizon rep, but I just wanted to clear this up.

Basically, it's adding a line for $10, getting a new phone at the subsidized pricing, transferring the phone to my line, and then canceling the new line for $15, which apparently also cancels the $10 new line fee. Let me know what you think.

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.
You are now chatting with 'Joshua'
Joshua: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Christian: Yeah I just have a few questions about switching phones.
Christian: My Thunderbolt just completely died today for no apparent reason, and I've tried everything to try to get it to turn on, but to no avail. I took it into Verizon and they couldn't replace it.
Joshua: Do you have an upgrade today?
Christian: No I don't.
Joshua: Then the only way to get a new phone is to add a line to your account.
Christian: But I don't have the money to buy a new 4G phone, so if I switch to a 3G smartphone, will I be able to keep my unlimited data when I switch to the 3G phone and when I switch to a 4G phone again, assuming I don't do it through Verizon because you guys are getting rid of unlimited for family data plans?
Joshua: currently if you added a line and moved the new phone to your line you would be able to keep your unlimited data no matter if it was a 3G or a 4G phones.
Christian: Okay, but adding a new line costs money, so basically what I'm asking is if I get a 3G phone, I'll still have unlimited, and then when I'm able to switch back to 4G again, I'll still have my unlimited?
Joshua: yes, that would not be an issue. If you add a line you could get the Casio G'zOne Commando for free today.
Christian: But then I would have to pay the extra money to add the line, plus the extra money for a feature phone to put on my current line.
Joshua: No, you already have data on your current line and you could suspend the new line for a fee of only 15 dollars.
Christian: So you're saying that I could add the line, get a new smartphone for free (or subsidized pricing), activate it on my current line, and then suspend the new line for $15?
Joshua: That is correct. Would you like to go ahead and add a line to your account?
Christian: I just have a few more questions now. I had no idea I could do any of this. Sorry for being such a pain!
Joshua: you are fine.
Christian: So I can do this even though I'm behind on payments? I mean, my bill is already through the roof so it's hard to spend more money to do it.
Joshua: you would be able to add a new line yes.
Christian: And I would get the new line pricing?
Joshua: that is correct.
Christian: So could I do that with the Samsung Galaxy S3 around mid july? And just pay the $200 for the phone and $15 line suspension out of pocket so it doesn't affect the bill?
Joshua: That would be an option as well.
Joshua: but you cant get that phone for 200 unless you are adding a line or upgrading.
Christian: Right, but just to clarify, I could add the line, pay the $200, put the phone on my line, and then suspend the line for $15. And there's a fee to add the line of $10?
Joshua: when you suspend the line the 10 dollar line fee goes away.
Christian: So I could do all of that for $215?
Joshua: That is correct.
Christian: And there's no $30 upgrade fee?
Joshua: not when you add a line.
Christian: Okay! That's fantastic to hear.
Joshua: is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Christian: I guess my final question is do you know anything about the family data share plans? I feel like that would really help my bill.
Joshua: Yes, I do. You can go with 700 minutes, unlimited text, and 2GB plan for 129.98
Christian: That's one of the options for the upcoming family data share plans? 2 GB is pretty small for a family.
Joshua: oh the family share data? I dont have access to what that is going to be.
Christian: Oh okay you scared me for a second there!
Christian: Is there any way to get emailed a log of this conversation, so I can look back on it for future reference? You were very helpful today.
Joshua: sure once the caht ends it will ask you if you want to email yourself a copy.
Joshua: Is there anything else I can assist you with today?
Christian: Nope! Unless you can knock my bill off by 20% haha
Christian: But seriously, thank you.
Joshua: I'm sorry I dont have access to do that.
Joshua: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless; it

 

[ben7337]

I searched on this line suspension which I had no heard of either, and here is what I got.

Suspending a line is allowed 2 times over the length of a contract, for up to 3 months at a time. However suspended time does not count towards your contract. So even if you could have 2 suspensions back to back and only pay $30 for them over the next 6 months, once that 6 months ends you would still be stuck with a 24 month contract for a $10/month line. In the end no matter what you do you are paying for the phone you get plus $240 to verizon, or paying an ETF.

Also activations have a fee of $35 so while you avoid the $30 upgrade fee, you get a bigger activation fee, though requesting them to waive it may work or they may not charge it over weekends online, I believe that may have been something they offer.

Also now that i have covered your chat in full I would just like to add that you could buy a used phone. A used HTC Thunderbolt is just over $100 on ebay, I paid $110 for one a couple months ago, and then ended up getting a used Samsung Stratosphere for $86 shipped and it is in great condition. So you could get a used 3g or 4g phone for less than the upgrade price and just wait it out until your actual upgrade date which is 20 months into your contract.