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Thunderbolt off contract

Curt941

Curt941

Android Enthusiast
I am thinking about buying a thunderbolt, but my contract isn't up for another year.

I currently have a droid x.

Would I be better off buying a thunderbolt off of ebay/craigslist, or through verizon?

How is warranty if I buy one off of ebay?
 
Depends really. I haven't bought a phone off eBay in years. I would say if you go that route, make sure its new, ESN is clean, positive seller rating. Careful on Craigslist, many scam's out there. If it were me, I would just buy through Verizon.
 
Curt941 said:
I am thinking about buying a thunderbolt, but my contract isn't up for another year.

I currently have a droid x.

Would I be better off buying a thunderbolt off of ebay/craigslist, or through verizon?

How is warranty if I buy one off of ebay?
Click to expand...

If you have mutiple lines and you are the primary account holder you should be able to get the 1 year upgrade for primary account holders. Thats what I might do, call Verzionwireless CS they are known to let you upgrade early if you are the primary account holder.
 
It seems like the TB's on eBay aren't going for much less than buying brand new from Verizon. I would probably go the Verizon route. I haven't really had many (maybe two as a buyer and seller) bad experiences on eBay, but with a purchase that big, it might be better to play it safe.

If it helps, I just sold my husband's X on eBay for $320. That might help cushion the price a little. :)
 
Nice, that would be awesome.

I actually have a brand new droid x on the way as a warranty replacement as mine got dust under the glass.

Is the 1 year renewal for primary account holders something they advertise?
 
Curt941 said:
Nice, that would be awesome.

I actually have a brand new droid x on the way as a warranty replacement as mine got dust under the glass.

Is the 1 year renewal for primary account holders something they advertise?
Click to expand...

They've actually done away with the annual upgrade as of January, but if you were an existing customer at that time, you may still be eligible. I just used mine.

And if you have a brand new X on the way, cha-ching!:D

ETA: My annual showed up online, so you may want to try looking there.
 
Well, I won't technically have been a customer for a year until June/july, but i get my first upgrade in march 2012...so that is a year away.

But i'll check in June.
 
Curt941 said:
Nice, that would be awesome.

I actually have a brand new droid x on the way as a warranty replacement as mine got dust under the glass.

Is the 1 year renewal for primary account holders something they advertise?
Click to expand...
No they do not advertise it. My yearly upgrade is April 28th. When I called Verzion on Sunday they were willing to waive the month and give me the TB for $229
 
I'm on a 10mo upgrade cycle...you guys should really move to 1y contracts. It's $50 more up front for the phone and you are only locked in for 12mo and every 10mo you reach your upgrade time. For $50, it's a bargain.
 
I bought Droid X first day it came out and I wasn't eligible for upgrade til March 2012. I called in to Loyalty Department and they let me have T-Bolt at 2 year pricing.

You should give it a try.
 
chris2k5 said:
I bought Droid X first day it came out and I wasn't eligible for upgrade til March 2012. I called in to Loyalty Department and they let me have T-Bolt at 2 year pricing.

You should give it a try.
Click to expand...
What is the # for loyality department?
 
chris2k5 said:
I bought Droid X first day it came out and I wasn't eligible for upgrade til March 2012. I called in to Loyalty Department and they let me have T-Bolt at 2 year pricing.

You should give it a try.
Click to expand...

Did they make you sign up for an extra 2 years?


Also a question for all the TB owners, i read that I will have to order a 4g sim card.

Will I be able to activate the phone without a 4g sim card and use it only on 3g to start with by dialing *228?
 
rob316 said:
What is the # for loyality department?
Click to expand...

I just usually dial 611 then press 0 til I get a rep then ask for loyalty department. If the rep says no such thing exists, hang up and try again. There is a loyalty department.

Curt941 said:
Did they make you sign up for an extra 2 years?


Also a question for all the TB owners, i read that I will have to order a 4g sim card.

Will I be able to activate the phone without a 4g sim card and use it only on 3g to start with by dialing *228?
Click to expand...

I think I did get a new 2 years but...My upgrade date only shifted by like 10 months. It went from March 2012 to October/November 2012.

I got the TB for $249 + tax. In the box there was a 4G SIM Card package included for me. There was a number you call to activate 4G with a different phone. I activated the actual voice/data by using MyVerizon online on my computer.
 
I had the X and it is like new was replaced at local store 30 days ago out of the box. I bought the Tbolt at retail and it is the second time I have done this. Think I may do this in the future because didn't have to extend contract. Selling the X and that will pay for about half. So basically I am only out of pocket what the upgrade price would be without a contract extension. Just a thought.
 
chris2k5 said:
I just usually dial 611 then press 0 til I get a rep then ask for loyalty department. If the rep says no such thing exists, hang up and try again. There is a loyalty department.
Click to expand...

I think the proper name is Retentions Dept... They try to keep you from switching...You dont ask for them, you just let them know you arent happy and may leave with your numbers.... When Sprint offered the $150 a line to switch, I called Verizon and said I may be leaving and they gave me my TB upgrade 2 months early...



Curt941 said:
I am thinking about buying a thunderbolt, but my contract isn't up for another year.

I currently have a droid x.
Click to expand...


I really like my TB, but if your not in 4g range I would wait... The X is a super device, and the difference you would spend in the two may not be worth it.... I would go hold one in person or check out a friends first... You already have the big camera, big screen, and a currently supported device just like with the TB....
 
Outlaw.99 said:
I think the proper name is Retentions Dept... They try to keep you from switching...You dont ask for them, you just let them know you arent happy and may leave with your numbers.... When Sprint offered the $150 a line to switch, I called Verizon and said I may be leaving and they gave me my TB upgrade 2 months early...






I really like my TB, but if your not in 4g range I would wait... The X is a super device, and the difference you would spend in the two may not be worth it.... I would go hold one in person or check out a friends first... You already have the big camera, big screen, and a currently supported device just like with the TB....
Click to expand...


Good point. I would check the 4G map or call to see if or when 4g will be available in ur area. If it is going to be a a while then just hang on to the x. Both are great phones. Dont just buy the TB because of the hype.
 
copr165 said:
I had the X and it is like new was replaced at local store 30 days ago out of the box. I bought the Tbolt at retail and it is the second time I have done this. Think I may do this in the future because didn't have to extend contract. Selling the X and that will pay for about half. So basically I am only out of pocket what the upgrade price would be without a contract extension. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing much better than getting locked into a contract when I can buy it off contract and sell my old phone for half or more than what the new phone will cost me.
 
Mine, from VZW came with the SIM card, your's should too. Also, you will still get the one year warranty from when that user bought the phone...so you get whatever is left. And well, they couldn't have bought it before March 17th, so you would be given to at least March 17th, 2012. I have had VZW replace MANY older phones that I purchased on eBay...and a lot of times the warranty then starts over on the new device. That's how it worked for me...as usual, if you call or complain and threaten to leave, you usually get your way with these corporations.

I'd say great switch, my gf has an X and I do not like it, bulky, square, just doesn't look clean like the TB does. enjoy it! and I would definitely sell the X brand new on eBay.
 
Will I be able to do the insurance/warranty through verizon even with a phone bought off of ebay?
 
It depends. Personally, if I have to buy a phone for full retail, I'm going eBay. I got the TB for 500 brand spankin new. Much better than 600 through Verizon.
 
scottd34 said:
No, its activated as a customer provided which means if you need warranty service youll have to go through htc.
Click to expand...


Not based on my experiences. As far as insurance goes, I agree that they won't let you get insurance when you purchase elsewhere. But for warranty coverage it doesn't matter. As long as it's still under the 1 year manufacturer warranty you can take it to a Verizon store if you have problems with it. At least this is what I've experienced.
 
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