Where to purchase a Thunderbolt? VZW/Wirefly/Amazon?

[jimmyf101]

I'm planning on getting a Thunderbolt (coming from a Storm 1) but am unsure if I should get it from Wirefly or Amazon since their prices are $50-75 cheaper than the Verizon store.

I am currently out of contract on a Family plan with my wife.

I have heard that if you get the phone from somewhere other than VZW and you make a change to your plan in the 1st 90 days, they jack you for some additional $$.

I may make changes to the plan or I may not, I'm not sure yet.

Is this true and should I just buck up and pay the $250? $250 just seems like $50 more than I really want to spend for a phone.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[lgonzal3]

Why would you want to pay all that extra money when you can go with a place like Wirefly? Its really up to how often you change your plan i go months without changing my plan but i know what plan best fits my needs. Should you have a plan that you know you wont change then that makes it well worth it to save those 90 dollars by going with Wirefly. I shop with them all the time and they never let me down. oh and they have free activation running right now so you can save those extra 35 dollars for a fancy new case.

 

[bluenik25]

I purchased a bolt through Wirefly and when I opened the shipping box there was a bright yellow papper with their terms of sale. It stated that you cannot make any changes to your plan or transfer the phone to another account within 181 days of activation. If you do your credit card will be charged an additional $300. I sent the phone back and it took two weeks to get a refund and my upgrade eligibility reinstated. Not to mention many calls to both Wirefly and Verizon customer service. There are to many unknowns for me to be comfortable with those terms of service. Amazon has the same terms.

 

[ruddogg]

get it on eBay off contract... I did. I switched from a Droid Incredible. No additional charges. I'm also on the family plan ($69.99) with my wife.

 

[anthony66619]

I haven't heard anything about VZW ramping up charges on you for buying from anywhere else but VZW... I just bought a TB for my mifey from amazon, $179 out the door no taxes! Saved myself a nice $70... and the have great customer svc and no questions aked return policies... Worked out fine just for me.

 

[Debesciak]

how are you people getting 179 from amazon? I want to order now and I am getting 199?

Also what do I choose when selecting plan, leave it unchanched and add the data option?

 

[gnwes]

how are you people getting 179 from amazon? I want to order now and I am getting 199?

Also what do I choose when selecting plan, leave it unchanched and add the data option?

Seems like whenver you select existing family plan it gives you 199. But if you select anything else it gives it to you for 174. I'm not sure why there is a difference in this case.

 

[AustinTech]

Got mine from amazon. Their terms are somewhat similar to wirefly, but not the exact same. You can make changes to your plan as long as you keep a voice plan and 29.99 data service. They don't care if you change the text messages,etc.

My Amazon experience was great and as always, the customer service was top-notch.