Verizon Ending Unlimited Data for Grandfathered Users

[AntimonyER]

My situation:

I got the itch to get away from Blackberry (very badly, and most likely for good) and grab one of the newer 4G LTE Android models..

I never got an email, and in the midst of taking care of minor things like my entire life, totally missed the whole "6/28 thing"..I never thought it through.

Just for opinions - I would have to be the biggest schmuck in the world to give up my grandfathered unlimited, switch over to tiered data and take on a new 4G device (which will EAT more data most likely)?

I just got the phone (RAZR MAXX) yesterday - does anyone know if I return the phone will it revert my plan back to my previous plan since that is what 'forced' me to change over to tiered?

If I call and complain to Verizon tomorrow that I never got the 'reminder email and included $100 off any 4G LTE smartphone offer', etc, blah, blah, etc, do you think I could swing them into giving me back my unlimited and perhaps keeping the upgrade as if I did it on 6/28?

If there's anything else you suggest that I do - please let me know. I feel like my brain won't work, haha. Thanks.

If you return the phone, you will be able to request you get your unlimited data back, yes.

However I think it is highly unlikely they will allow you to keep the subsidized upgrade and unlimited, they are being pretty hardcore with this.

P.S., I merged this into the existing thread on unlimited data ending. Thanks for understanding.

 

[RWil85]

If you return the phone, you will be able to request you get your unlimited data back, yes.

However I think it is highly unlikely they will allow you to keep the subsidized upgrade and unlimited, they are being pretty hardcore with this.

P.S., I merged this into the existing thread on unlimited data ending. Thanks for understanding.

Wow, I really dropped the ball on all of this; whereas, I usually comb the forums and am ahead of the game..

For some reason, too - I don't know why I thought there was some kind of up charge for using 4g vs 3g - kicking myself for staying with a 3g BB on my unlimited plan,

My plan was to return this if we got some solid news about the RAZR HD (although, I'm digging this Maxx)..

My upgrade date is 9/5 - naturally, VZW gave me no problem pushing my upgrade up to a few days ago BC I had to change plans (I'm an idiot)..I wonder if I had called them on 6/28, would they have let me? Prob not..

Eh, reason I'm freaking is BC 4g is an unknown to me and I have no frame of reference as to how much data I might consume on these new plans.

Also, what might make me feel better is the answer to this question- can VZW kill people's grandfathered unlimited eventually w/o reason BC other carriers are already there, etc?

I have so many questions and am completely ready to get the run around from a Verizon CSR on the phone today lol.

Well, rambling rant over...for now.

 

[Wizard Prang]

can VZW kill people's grandfathered unlimited eventually w/o reason BC other carriers are already there, etc?

They can do whatever they want - they're Verizon! But if you are under contract when they do it, they will be breaking the contract, which will allow you to walk away without ETFs or penalties. And if you're not under contract, you are free to walk away.

Bottom line: "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial". They could, but if they did so en masse the bloodbath that would ensue would make the story so far look like a picnic. They would lose trust and turn customers into enemies who would not only leave, but would encourage everyone they know to do so. :smokingsomb:

Bottom Bottom line: They could... but it would be incredibly stupid.

 

[Unforgiven]

bottom bottom line: They could... But it would be incredibly in line with verizon's customer service policy.

ftfy

 

[euph_22]

They can do whatever they want - they're Verizon! But if you are under contract when they do it, they will be breaking the contract, which will allow you to walk away without ETFs or penalties. And if you're not under contract, you are free to walk away.

Bottom line: "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial". They could, but if they did so en masse the bloodbath that would ensue would make the story so far look like a picnic. They would lose trust and turn customers into enemies who would not only leave, but would encourage everyone they know to do so. :smokingsomb:

Bottom Bottom line: They could... but it would be incredibly stupid.

And off contract customers are essentially a money pit for Verizon. If Verizon doesn't have to pay for phone subsidies, that is essentially $200-$400 of pure profit every 2 years. That's on top of the profit they make off that customer otherwise.

 

[RWil85]

And off contract customers are essentially a money pit for Verizon. If Verizon doesn't have to pay for phone subsidies, that is essentially $200-$400 of pure profit every 2 years. That's on top of the profit they make off that customer otherwise.

Unless that customer gets his phone from eBay or CL, right?

 

[euph_22]

Unless that customer gets his phone from eBay or CL, right?

Hmmm...I completely forgot that you could buy the Phone at full price FROM Verizon. The figure I quoted is just the money that offsets the subsidy that Verizon gets to keep instead.

If you buy a new phone from them, they get the profit from the phone itself ON TOP of the phone subsidy.

 

[Aokusman]

And off contract customers are essentially a money pit for Verizon. If Verizon doesn't have to pay for phone subsidies, that is essentially $200-$400 of pure profit every 2 years. That's on top of the profit they make off that customer otherwise.

Yes it is. Off contract customers should pay less per month, like it is on tmobile.

 

[AntimonyER]

Yes it is. Off contract customers should pay less per month, like it is on tmobile.

I would like to say, yes, when you view it from our eyes, and based on what unlimited data costs us on our plan, Verizon is making extra profit off those of us who decide to buy unsubsidized to keep unlimited. However, with Verizon's repricing of data, they most likely view it as the opposite, they are losing tons of money by not having us on tiers, where we have to pay for our usage. As time goes on, having unlimited data will work more and more in our favor, as we are going to a wireless world. Not getting a subsidy is a small price to pay in my mind.

 

[GandalfTehGray]

I would like to say, yes, when you view it from our eyes, and based on what unlimited data costs us on our plan, Verizon is making extra profit off those of us who decide to buy unsubsidized to keep unlimited. However, with Verizon's repricing of data, they most likely view it as the opposite, they are losing tons of money by not having us on tiers, where we have to pay for our usage. As time goes on, having unlimited data will work more and more in our favor, as we are going to a wireless world. Not getting a subsidy is a small price to pay in my mind.

This exactly, there is no guarantee that you will get any better pricing for a set amount of gigs. I'll pay extra for a phone to keep the unlimited and not worry about it.

 

[Aokusman]

I would like to say, yes, when you view it from our eyes, and based on what unlimited data costs us on our plan, Verizon is making extra profit off those of us who decide to buy unsubsidized to keep unlimited. However, with Verizon's repricing of data, they most likely view it as the opposite, they are losing tons of money by not having us on tiers, where we have to pay for our usage. As time goes on, having unlimited data will work more and more in our favor, as we are going to a wireless world. Not getting a subsidy is a small price to pay in my mind.

I made my statement in the context of all carriers, and not verizon, and not their new plans. It's has nothing to do with what plan you are on. The American cellular consumer is being screwed royally. The major European carriers will give you a premium smart phone for free, if your bill is up to xxx amount every month.

 

[MrB206]

This exactly, there is no guarantee that you will get any better pricing for a set amount of gigs. I'll pay extra for a phone to keep the unlimited and not worry about it.

Which makes sense only if the price paid for the phone doesn't exceed the amount you'd pay for the data. Otherwise, you're wasting money for the piece of mind, which is exactly what they want you to do.

 

[AntimonyER]

I made my statement in the context of all carriers, and not verizon, and not their new plans. It's has nothing to do with what plan you are on. The American cellular consumer is being screwed royally. The major European carriers will give you a premium smart phone for free, if your bill is up to xxx amount every month.

Yeah, I can't deny Americans pay WAY more than European folks, on the other hand, looks at our data networks compared to theirs.

 

[GandalfTehGray]

Which makes sense only if the price paid for the phone doesn't exceed the amount you'd pay for the data. Otherwise, you're wasting money for the piece of mind, which is exactly what they want you to do.

Got the phone for 320 from someone selling it used. So no $ for Verizon.
4-5 gigs a month. Likely to go up once summer is over and I'm at school longer a day. Unlimited $30 a month. Tiered plan i would take 6 gigs to be safe which costs $80. I'm pretty sure they would love to get me off the unlimited.

 

[RWil85]

Got the phone for 320 from someone selling it used. So no $ for Verizon.
4-5 gigs a month. Likely to go up once summer is over and I'm at school longer a day. Unlimited $30 a month. Tiered plan i would take 6 gigs to be safe which costs $80. I'm pretty sure they would love to get me off the unlimited.

Sorry if I missed it somewhere - which phone did you get?

 

[GandalfTehGray]

Sorry if I missed it somewhere - which phone did you get?

Galaxy Nexus

 

[RWil85]

Galaxy Nexus

Very nice..

For anyone who was following my above rambling rant..I ended up getting Verizon to switch me back to my unlimited data as long as I return the Maxx they sent me..

And then.....just bought a Maxx last night on Craigslist brand new in the box. Unlimited 4G goodness. Perfect timing

 

[Aokusman]

Yeah, I can't deny Americans pay WAY more than European folks, on the other hand, looks at our data networks compared to theirs.

What's wrong with it.

 

[redwood66]

Just before the 28th June we bought a certified pre-owned Razr for $349 from Verizon to change out the DroidX my hubby uses. It carries their replacement warranty. We don't need the brand newest phone as I have a Razr from launch date and it is plenty fine. I would buy a refurb through Verizon rather than buying one elsewhere just for the replacement benefit if I have a problem. We will keep doing this in order to keep our unlimited plan until Verizon figures out some way to nix this grandfathered way of keeping it.

FYI if you talk to a CSR on the phone they have access to more phones than are available online. Online did not even show a refurb Razr available when we got ours. Now I see them and they are $420.

 

[RWil85]

Just before the 28th June we bought a certified pre-owned Razr for $349 from Verizon to change out the DroidX my hubby uses. It carries their replacement warranty. We don't need the brand newest phone as I have a Razr from launch date and it is plenty fine. I would buy a refurb through Verizon rather than buying one elsewhere just for the replacement benefit if I have a problem. We will keep doing this in order to keep our unlimited plan until Verizon figures out some way to nix this grandfathered way of keeping it.

FYI if you talk to a CSR on the phone they have access to more phones than are available online. Online did not even show a refurb Razr available when we got ours. Now I see them and they are $420.

Refurb original RAZR for $349?

Doesn't sound right. Is that with or without a contract?

Reason I ask is that a new RAZR Maxx w/ contract is $299 through VZW..if you ordered prior to 6/28, I'm presuming it was to get a phone WITH upgrade pricing to preserve unlimited data? If that's the case, I hope a recertified OG RAZR would be cheaper than $200.

 

[redwood66]

Refurb original RAZR for $349?

Doesn't sound right. Is that with or without a contract?

Reason I ask is that a new RAZR Maxx w/ contract is $299 through VZW..if you ordered prior to 6/28, I'm presuming it was to get a phone WITH upgrade pricing to preserve unlimited data? If that's the case, I hope a recertified OG RAZR would be cheaper than $200.

Without contract certified pre-owned. Just checked our bill and it was $369 not $349 but still better than the $420 it is now. I got this deal by talking on the phone with a CSR on 6/12/12 and she looked at what was available for certified pre-owned. The Razr was not showing up to purchase online but she found 1 available for that price so I snapped it up. It seems to be a better deal to talk to them on the phone than buy online as they can do a better search over more warehouses than online availability. Yes this was to preserve unlimited data and to not have an issue with moving to 4G from 3G on the DroidX. Since learned this is not an issue but I did not want any problems with keeping both our phones on unlimited data. This was not done with an upgrade though as that was not available until November. Hence the retail (refurb) purchase price. We purchased this instead of a new retail one at $599.

 

[RWil85]

Without contract certified pre-owned. Just checked our bill and it was $369 not $349 but still better than the $420 it is now. I got this deal by talking on the phone with a CSR on 6/12/12 and she looked at what was available for certified pre-owned. The Razr was not showing up to purchase online but she found 1 available for that price so I snapped it up. It seems to be a better deal to talk to them on the phone than buy online as they can do a better search over more warehouses than online availability. Yes this was to preserve unlimited data and to not have an issue with moving to 4G from 3G on the DroidX. Since learned this is not an issue but I did not want any problems with keeping both our phones on unlimited data. This was not done with an upgrade though as that was not available until November. Hence the retail (refurb) purchase price. We purchased this instead of a new retail one at $599.

You do know that you did not need to buy your unsubsidized (retail) phone through Verizon, don't you? Many users in the forums have recommended swappa.com, Craigslist, etc and then simply activaging it in your account.

Since you weren't trying to buy a phone with an upgrade - the whole 6/28 thing is irrelevant to you. Changes on 6/28 stated that users who used an upgrade after that date would need to change to a Share Everything plan; thus, losing their unlimited data if they had it. I was also assured by a few different CSRs that 3G/4G doesn't matter billing wise and all you would have to do if you bought a 4G phone from elsewhere is get a 4G sum card from Verizon - I was told they'd overnight you one for free if you called or give you one of you went into a store - no questions asked.

From what you're saying, it doesn't seem to me that you fully understand what's going on with Verizon's policies and, maybe, got a CSR that didn't really know either. That price you paid is too high for a refurbished original RAZR - you can do much better.

I actually thought I'd be alright with 4gb, leave my unlimited and order a Maxx (I'm an idiot, I know) - only to return it within the 14 day worry free policy and revert back to unlimited - then buy/activate a Maxx off of Craigslist 2 nights ago. All is good in the world again and I was assured (and had it noted on my account) that my next billing cycle would revert back to unlimited data.

 

[redwood66]

My biggest reason for buying from Verizon was that they will replace the phone for a year if I have a problem with it. Ebay Craigslist etc. not so much. And it looks like sold razrs on Ebay range from $250-$400 so price difference is not much for peace of mind for me.

But thanks for your input.

 

[RWil85]

My biggest reason for buying from Verizon was that they will replace the phone for a year if I have a problem with it. Ebay Craigslist etc. not so much. And it looks like sold razrs on Ebay range from $250-$400 so price difference is not much for peace of mind for me.

But thanks for your input.

Fair enough..

I'm glad there was a method to the madness. i would hate to see somebody be swayed adversely by a verizon csr, that's all.

 

[redwood66]

Fair enough..

I'm glad there was a method to the madness. i would hate to see somebody be swayed adversely by a verizon csr, that's all.

Thanks for that. We could have waited until later but when the Razr was available I just bought it and now we are good for how ever long these phones last. I have never had a problem with a rude CSR at Verizon (couple dumb ones though).