Replacing Rezound

[StaggerLee]

Planning on replacing my Rezound but don't want to lose my unlimited data. Don't want to buy a stolen or trashed phone from Craigslist or EBay. Against my better judgement and to fulfill my need for a new shiny object I've decided to buy a new phone at the retail price.
My question is, can I simply buy the Verizon capable phone I want, say from Amazon, activate it and live happily ever after?
Is there a better way to get a non-subsidized phone?

 

[acejavelin]

Planning on replacing my Rezound but don't want to lose my unlimited data. Don't want to buy a stolen or trashed phone from Craigslist or EBay. Against my better judgement and to fulfill my need for a new shiny object I've decided to buy a new phone at the retail price.
My question is, can I simply buy the Verizon capable phone I want, say from Amazon, activate it and live happily ever after?
Is there a better way to get a non-subsidized phone?

For new, Amazon is fine as long as it a Verizon phone... Also consider LetsTalk.com, I have purchased from them before.

One thing to consider for used (sometimes new) is Swappa.com, it is much better than eBay/Craigslist for cell phones.

 

[StaggerLee]

Thanks...I will check out the sites you posted.

 

[esmith818]

Verizon just added the option to pay for unsubsidized phones over 12 months by adding partial payments to your bill. You may purchase a retail-priced phone from Verizon without losing your unlimited plan.

Verizon to offer one year payment plans on smartphones costing over $349.99 | The Verge

 

[amswink]

Isn't it more cost effective to get a subsidized phone and lose unlimited data, though? I pay the same amount for unlimited data that VZW charge for 2GB. For most people, that is sufficient (especially if you use wifi often). If you need 5GB, you'd pay an extra $20/month. So let's say that you do need 5GB and keep your phone for 18 months. You'd pay an extra $360, which could be less than the cost of a new, unsubsidized phone.

 

[jlb0305]

I am pondering the same and can't bring myself to pay $600-700 or more per phone to upgrade. I'm less worried about the need of unlimited data now as I am in the future. maybe with 5G phones or something. As it stands if I upgrade 2GB is not sufficient for me or my wife I would probably end up with the 5-6GB shared plans.
Its gonna cost me about $10-20 more a month than now over the course of the 20 months before Verizon will let me get a new phone.That is roughly $400... but $400 over 2 years plus $300 now for 2 new phones is less of a hit to me than $1300 now for 2 phones and paying the same price for my plan until I want new phones again and have to make the same decision.
I may just make up the cost of the $10-20 by dropping the warranty coverage on the phones or buying an alternate warranty like square trade or something.