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brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
Currently I have the iPhone 4. I'm eligible for an upgrade on 3/3/13. I called Verizon today about my bill and I was offered an upgrade today. Thought hat was great till they told me I could upgrade to any phone but he iphone 5! Isn't that some crap!
 

jharvey71884

macrumors 6502
May 3, 2011
299
27
Currently I have the iPhone 4. I'm eligible for an upgrade on 3/3/13. I called Verizon today about my bill and I was offered an upgrade today. Thought hat was great till they told me I could upgrade to any phone but he iphone 5! Isn't that some crap!

Same thing happened to me today. I wasn't rocking the iPhone 4, but got the early ugprade, but there is a catch. We can't give you the 5. Although they did give me the 4s.
 

brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
Same thing happened to me today. I wasn't rocking the iPhone 4, but got the early ugprade, but there is a catch. We can't give you the 5. Although they did give me the 4s.

Can someone explain why I couldn't get the I phone 5? I understand it's more expensive and they lose money on it but what difference does 1 month make? I told them that I wasn't upgrading to a droid and I wasn't sure that I wanted to lose my unlimited data package yet. If I did decide to try and upgrade does anyone have any ideas on how I could convince them to let me upgrade to a 5?
 

BHP41

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2010
834
2
United States of America
Can someone explain why I couldn't get the I phone 5? I understand it's more expensive and they lose money on it but what difference does 1 month make? I told them that I wasn't upgrading to a droid and I wasn't sure that I wanted to lose my unlimited data package yet. If I did decide to try and upgrade does anyone have any ideas on how I could convince them to let me upgrade to a 5?

They're probably are trying to push the "shipped/sold" units of GS3's they have in stock. Considering that the 5 made up most of their smartphone sales last quarter I'm not surprised they aren't offering it early. I'm sure it can be done its just a matter of getting the right rep on the phone.
 
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brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
They're probably are trying to push the "shipped/sold" units of GS3's they have in stock. Considering that the 5 made up most of there smartphone sales last quarter I'm not surprised they aren't offering it early. I'm sure it can be done its just a matter of getting the right rep on the phone.

Well I tried a few times today. All of the reps, although helpful, wouldn't upgrade me. I hate when they feed me lines that I know aren't true. Example: go to the apple store and see if they will upgrade you. Apple won't do it woot out Verizon giving the ok. Ugh
 

echo2011

macrumors regular
Jun 9, 2011
143
0
I walked into my local Verizon store today because I'm eligible this Saturday, 1-2-13 and they told me I can have any phone I want, just pay the purchase price and the $30 upgrade fee and it's all good. I have an iPhone 4 and am upgrading to the 5.
 

brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
I walked into my local Verizon store today because I'm eligible this Saturday, 1-2-13 and they told me I can have any phone I want, just pay the purchase price and the $30 upgrade fee and it's all good. I have an iPhone 4 and am upgrading to the 5.


Wells that's great for you. That's only a few days away so I'm sure that's why they allowed it. Maybe I'll make a trip to my store tomorrow and see if they can hook me up. I'm doubtful though. In the past the store I go to has been very stingy. I had major issues with a droid incredible and it took a lot of arguing until they finally allowed me to get a new phone, but it was their choice. It was an upgrade though.
 

Chris092881

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2012
409
3
I remember back in late September when I decided to upgrade to the 5 I called Verizon to place the order and was told that I couldn't bill the 5 to the account I was on. I share a Family Plan with someone and I've always billed my devices to the account. It's just easier to get the device charged to the next bill so I can pay it off all at once. Verizon said it was a no go. They wouldn't do it. Their reasoning? They said that "the iPhone was an iconic device and needed to be paid for up front." What? I thought that was really odd. But whatever. I threw it on the card and that was that. Sometimes things don't make a lot of sense.

----------

If you really wanna press the issue I would contact the office of Marni Walden, the COO of Verizon Wireless. The reps in her office can make things happen, believe me. Plead your case and see what they say. I wouldn't be shocked at all if they overturned the initial decision of the other reps you spoke to. Assuming, of course, you've been a solid customer in the past without any major prior issues. Her e-mail is marni.walden@verizonwireless.com. Good luck.
 

brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
I remember back in late September when I decided to upgrade to the 5 I called Verizon to place the order and was told that I couldn't bill the 5 to the account I was on. I share a Family Plan with someone and I've always billed my devices to the account. It's just easier to get the device charged to the next bill so I can pay it off all at once. Verizon said it was a no go. They wouldn't do it. Their reasoning? They said that "the iPhone was an iconic device and needed to be paid for up front." What? I thought that was really odd. But whatever. I threw it on the card and that was that. Sometimes things don't make a lot of sense.

----------

If you really wanna press the issue I would contact the office of Marni Walden, the COO of Verizon Wireless. The reps in her office can make things happen, believe me. Plead your case and see what they say. I wouldn't be shocked at all if they overturned the initial decision of the other reps you spoke to. Assuming, of course, you've been a solid customer in the past without any major prior issues. Her e-mail is marni.walden@verizonwireless.com. Good luck.

Thanks for the info! I'll email her today!
 

AppleCore77

macrumors member
Oct 10, 2012
51
0
The email worked! I got a phone call and they moved my upgrade date to tomorrow! Thanks!

Nice! I've been wanting to get my wife the iPhone 5 but haven't been able to because her contract date is February 28. Although they would do it for any other Droid phone except one...don't remember which.

Do you mind me asking what all you wrote in the email?
 

brimoody

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 1, 2011
28
0
Virginia
Nice! I've been wanting to get my wife the iPhone 5 but haven't been able to because her contract date is February 28. Although they would do it for any other Droid phone except one...don't remember which.

Do you mind me asking what all you wrote in the email?

I was very honest. I have been having issues with my 4 that I haven't been able to get resolved. I explained them and what I have done already, which included tech support and store. Because I have been loyal and paid on time for over 7 years they made an exception this time.
 

comptr

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2007
1,902
470
Arizona
I was very honest. I have been having issues with my 4 that I haven't been able to get resolved. I explained them and what I have done already, which included tech support and store. Because I have been loyal and paid on time for over 7 years they made an exception this time.

I will have to try that out as my upgrade date is February 27th and I have had troubles with all of the android phones I have had since I signed up with Verizon. I have had a lot of phones been replaced due to having problems with the phones and I have had a terrible time and still stuck with some what non working problems. I will try to email that person and see what they say I hope they can help me.
 

Dweez

macrumors 65816
Jun 13, 2011
1,248
10
Down by the river
Currently I have the iPhone 4. I'm eligible for an upgrade on 3/3/13. I called Verizon today about my bill and I was offered an upgrade today. Thought hat was great till they told me I could upgrade to any phone but he iphone 5! Isn't that some crap!

Wait until your upgrade date and get the device you want.
 

iphone46

macrumors regular
Jun 18, 2011
116
0
Currently I have the iPhone 4. I'm eligible for an upgrade on 3/3/13. I called Verizon today about my bill and I was offered an upgrade today. Thought hat was great till they told me I could upgrade to any phone but he iphone 5! Isn't that some crap!
The phone has to be removed from the iconic portal first(I had that problem with the 4S and now the 5 for an early upgrade). Call then and say "I was offered an early upgrade. I was told that I was able to order the iPhone 5 once it is off the iconic portal. Could you check if it is still on the portal?" I did this last year(3 months after 4S release) and after a few calls they told me that the 4S was off the portal and got the 4S two months early. The 5 should probably be removed from the portal soon. The guy today said that they were told that it will probably be removed soon and they had been making notes on people's accounts that had called in about it and they should expect a call/text/email when the phone is no longer iconic. You should be able to ask your rep to do this. VZ has always called me back about related stuff.
Edit:Just saw that post with the e-mail. I will try right now
 

iphone46

macrumors regular
Jun 18, 2011
116
0
Just wanted to post an update. I emailed that address. Got a call from the "District Supervisor" who told me they probably wouldn't be able to upgrade me . Called me again the next day and told me that if I would give them my 4, they would give me the 5(they don't even care that I am using a custom iPhone back glass they just want a somewhat working phone that they can refurbish). They are also giving it to me at the store so no waiting for it to be shipped to me! I will be getting it on Sunday and let you know what happens!
 

thehustleman

macrumors 65816
Jan 3, 2013
1,123
1
Currently I have the iPhone 4. I'm eligible for an upgrade on 3/3/13. I called Verizon today about my bill and I was offered an upgrade today. Thought hat was great till they told me I could upgrade to any phone but he iphone 5! Isn't that some crap!

just get a better phone and call it a day
 

Chris092881

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2012
409
3
Glad that address worked out for you guys. It took me awhile to unlock the VZW code. You guys owe me lunch sometime.
 

comptr

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2007
1,902
470
Arizona
Thanks to all for the email address it helped me. Once I sent a email I got a call the next day and I got the date moved 4 weeks before it was the set date for my upgrade.
 

terroralpha

macrumors newbie
Sep 16, 2012
25
12
NYC
They're probably are trying to push the "shipped/sold" units of GS3's they have in stock.

The iPhone 5 costs the carriers too much money. No other device even comes close. You MIGHT be able to get the iPhone 5 on an early upgrade if you are a business customer with a 10k+/month bill and in good standing. but that override takes 24 hours to do and can only be done by a business specialist. But i'm glad you were somehow able to involve Samsung in this.

I remember back in late September when I decided to upgrade to the 5 I called Verizon to place the order and was told that I couldn't bill the 5 to the account I was on.

The iPhone 5 cannot be billed at full price to the account because all Verizon iPhone 5 are unlocked. every single one of them. I have a Verizon iPhone 5. I popped an AT&T sim in there and bam, I was on AT&T. They want you to open a new line of service or renew a line for another 2 years so they can get their money's worth from that iPhone 5 sale. Business accounts were allowed to buy a single iPhone 5 a full price a month in the past, but it had to be a phone order, couldn't be done at a store. The rest had to be upgrades or new lines. I don't know if that still stands.

I'm glad I was able to clear things up for you guys.
 
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BHP41

macrumors 6502a
Jul 21, 2010
834
2
United States of America
The iPhone 5 costs the carriers too much money. No other device even comes close. You MIGHT be able to get the iPhone 5 on an early upgrade if you are a business customer with a 10k+/month bill and in good standing. but that override takes 24 hours to do and can only be done by a business specialist. But i'm glad you were somehow able to involve Samsung in this.


Kind of late to the party aren't you. Show m documentation of where the 5 costs the more. I'd like to see this proof you speak of.
 

terroralpha

macrumors newbie
Sep 16, 2012
25
12
NYC
Kind of late to the party aren't you. Show m documentation of where the 5 costs the more. I'd like to see this proof you speak of.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/22/us-iphone-margins-idUSBRE88L04J20120922

You have to be EXTREMELY dense to believe that iPhones cost the same to subsidize as other devices. A person needs to look no further then the cost of unlocked iPhones on amazon compared to competing unlocked devices to deduce that iPhone is indeed more expensive than any other device.
 
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