Renew contact, but not upgrading phone

[bamaredwingsfan]

My current contract expires in October. Can I renew my contract, an not get a new phone. Or does that even matter. I think if Verizon just arbitrarily starts kicking people off unlimited data plans, I want to make sure im last to go.

 

[timelord65]

You only renew a contract if you buy a phone from Verizon at a discounted price. If you don't upgrade, then when your contract ends, you simply go month to month until you upgrade or just walk away. Month to month means you simply pay your bill, but are free to walk away with no ETF since you've fulfilled your contract.

 

[Mayhem]

You might want to check with Verizon and make sure that if you go month-to-month you don't lose your current data plan. Since you'd no longer be on contract, I wonder if they can switch you.

 

[AntimonyER]

They can switch you at any time once you are out of contract, neither you or they are subject to any sort of terms and conditions regarding their service. However they have implied that at least for the time being, by not exercising a subsidized upgrade after June 28th, you will be able to keep your unlimited plan. i.e. You are paying 150-200 extra per year once your contract is up to maintain it.

 

[TzuDohNihm]

They can switch you at any time once you are out of contract, neither you or they are subject to any sort of terms and conditions regarding their service.

However they have implied that at least for the time being, by not exercising a subsidized upgrade after June 28th, you will be able to keep your unlimited plan. i.e. You are paying 150-200 extra per year once your contract is up to maintain it.

Didn't think about what you mention here but I wonder if that is why VZW has been so helpful and forthcoming with information about how to stay on your unlimited plan. VZW isn't exactly known for their helpful and forthcoming nature. They are probably all set to swoop in once they begin to see retail pricing sales tick upward and remove those of us who holdout from our unlimited plans.

 

[Doit2it]

They can switch you at any time once you are out of contract...

Technically you don't have to be out of contract for them to alter the terms (Source):

Can Verizon Wireless Change This Agreement or My Service?
We may change prices or any other term of your Service or this agreement at any time, but we’ll provide notice first, including written notice if you have Postpay Service. If you use your Service after the change takes effect, that means you’re accepting the change. If you’re a Postpay customer and a change to your Plan or this agreement has a material adverse effect on you, you can cancel the line of Service that has been affected within 60 days of receiving the notice with no Early Termination Fee if we fail to negate the change after you notify us of your objection to it.

At least you could cancel your contract without a ETF if you don't like what they do.

... I wonder if that is why VZW has been so helpful and forthcoming with information about how to stay on your unlimited plan....

I don't exactly know why, but I'm sure it's a legal issue. There's probably some consumer law somewhere that states they cannot force a change of service across the board, but they can on an individual basis (no unlimited AND subsidized phones).

 

[euph_22]

I don't exactly know why, but I'm sure it's a legal issue. There's probably some consumer law somewhere that states they cannot force a change of service across the board, but they can on an individual basis (no unlimited AND subsidized phones).

That doesn't even make any sense. Each time you buy a subsidized phone is a different, new transaction that starts a different, new contract. There is no obligation on Verizon's part to let you have a subsidized phone in the future and when you buy a subsided phone that overrules your existing contract with the new one. Lets say I sell tomatoes at a road side stand. Just because I sold you a tomato every Saturday for the past 3 weeks for a dollar doesn't mean I have to sell you next week, or that I can't raise the price to $2 (or sell them only in packs of a dozen). Each of the sales is a separate transaction.

They are letting people keep their unlimited because people who keep their plans past the contract date are essentially free money for the carrier. Think of it this way, when you bought you're phone the month fees had to cover the costs for you're share of the network, the services you used, verizon's profit margin AND the $300-$500+ that Verizon had to spend on the phone subsidy. If you stay on past your contract date the subsidy is paid for, and the rest of that money goes straight into Verizon's pocket. And since they are out of contract, and significant price increase will send those customers off in droves. If you run a business, and you have a profit generator like that the last thing you want to do is screw with that.

They are telling people how to keep it because 1) it's not like it would be a secret otherwise, 2) it encourages people to stay on unlimited and forgo the subsidy

 

[dirkbonn]

The above post by euph_22 is 100% correct.

 

[dukenilnil]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe most states have rules about month-month contract continuations that REQUIRE the terms to remain the same absent signing a new contract. That is why your fee AND benefits remain the same. The old contract is still the operative contract, it just continues on a month to month basis. This rule is in place to protect both sides of the transaction and to provide the courts with a framework (the old contract) or resolving any disputes.

 

[euph_22]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe most states have rules about month-month contract continuations that REQUIRE the terms to remain the same absent signing a new contract. That is why your fee AND benefits remain the same. The old contract is still the operative contract, it just continues on a month to month basis. This rule is in place to protect both sides of the transaction and to provide the courts with a framework (the old contract) or resolving any disputes.

I believe you're right. However, that doesn't in anyway prevent Verizon from doing anything. The most they would have to do is provide notification before hand, allowing the customer to leave before the change takes place. The same as when the contract is in force.