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Eligible for VZW upgrade, how does pre-order work?

L

Leonard1818

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 15, 2011
2,460
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So I've been sitting on my verizon upgrade for almost a year now waiting for the next iPhone before I use it.

I would like to order on the first day available however I've never gone through the process with the iPhone. I have a 4s right now but I bought it well after the release (nov/dec).

So the question is, how does this work? Do I HAVE to buy it through Verizon when it becomes available for order? I understand you can buy it from Apple but then how do you get your subsidized price?

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks in advance!
 
Once Apple/VZW allows pre-ordering, just go online to either website and order your iPhone - easy peasy :)
 
maflynn said:
Once Apple/VZW allows pre-ordering, just go online to either website and order your iPhone - easy peasy :)
Click to expand...

Yes, but let's say I go on the apple online store. I can pick the iPhone, pick my carrier (verizon). I'm familiar with this however how does Apple know that my carrier (Verizon) is subsidizing the cost of my phone?

I guess the question is, if I buy from Apple, do I pay the full retail price and then get a credit through Verizon once I activate (re-sign my contract)?
 
Leonard1818 said:
however how does Apple know that my carrier (Verizon) is subsidizing the cost of my phone?
Click to expand...
They communicate - simple.

Lets not over think the problem. Apple has been doing this for years and has the system down pat. If you're worried, just go online to verizon wireless and pre-order the phone when they open up pre-ordering.
 
maflynn said:
They communicate - simple.

Lets not over think the problem. Apple has been doing this for years and has the system down pat. If you're worried, just go online to verizon wireless and pre-order the phone when they open up pre-ordering.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. I would presume that they communicate somehow but I did not want to make that assumption...

I would prefer to order and deal directly with Apple which is why I asked. I'm sure I could log onto the VZW website when the preorders become available and I would certainly think that VZW would allow me to pre-order and would handle my account (subsidization) properly... I just like the apple website and dealing with apple... I just wasn't sure how Apple would know that I'm eligible and would charge me accordingly.

Thanks agian!
 
I also prefer going with apple instead of ATT, so I'll be doing the same when the time comes ;)
 
djransom said:
While I would agree, but AT&T makes it easier with the line swap situation IMO.
Click to expand...

you mean using someone elses upgrade (on your same account)?

I did that through verizon this past time and it was a PITA. The CS rep forgot to switch it in the system so when I got the phone and activated it, it activated to my wifes line. So I called and they told me that I would have to call them back from a line that is not my wifes line and not my line. Well, I don't have a home phone and it was 10:30PM.

That CS rep was an idiot. I told her "thanks! I'll deal with this later..." and hung up. Called back and got a much more knowledgable person who did the switch easily.

This time I'll be upgrading MY line (primary) so there shouldn't be any problems (famous last words).
 
I have a $50 Verizon customer loyalty credit I want to use towards the new iPhone so I am assuming I HAVE to order through Verizon's website correct?
 
bad03xtreme said:
I have a $50 Verizon customer loyalty credit I want to use towards the new iPhone so I am assuming I HAVE to order through Verizon's website correct?
Click to expand...

I'm in the same situation; I've got a $30 "New Every Two" credit, so I'll be going through VZW online to pre-order.

Since I'm no longer on contract, I wonder if I could call Customer Service, get a hold of the retention office and negotiate a discount or deal.
 
Yea I am out of contract too but I don't think they will be willing to give any discounts on the iPhone and I don't want to get roped into one of those new ****** "Share Everything" plans.
 
bad03xtreme said:
Yea I am out of contract too but I don't think they will be willing to give any discounts on the iPhone and I don't want to get roped into one of those new ****** "Share Everything" plans.
Click to expand...

I've already switched to the Share Everything plan b/c it was cheaper for my family.
 
It's only me and my wife and she doesn't want anything other than a regular phone and we have a 550/min plan for $49.99/month. I want to keep that and add the $30 for 2gb worth of data when I get an iPhone and call it a day.
 
bad03xtreme said:
It's only me and my wife and she doesn't want anything other than a regular phone and we have a 550/min plan for $49.99/month. I want to keep that and add the $30 for 2gb worth of data when I get an iPhone and call it a day.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense. Don't have a home phone and have lots of friends/family out of state, so we use quite a bit of SMS and minutes in addition to data.
 
bad03xtreme said:
Yea I am out of contract too but I don't think they will be willing to give any discounts on the iPhone and I don't want to get roped into one of those new ****** "Share Everything" plans.
Click to expand...

it is crap how much they are shafting individuals.
 
bad03xtreme said:
I have a $50 Verizon customer loyalty credit I want to use towards the new iPhone so I am assuming I HAVE to order through Verizon's website correct?
Click to expand...

Good point. I think I have one of those too. I'm not sure how to tell though but I feel like the last time I was on the phone with them they said I had one. Do you know if there's a way to tell on the vzw website?

If I have one, looks like I'll be preordering through verizon. I hope they allow preorders the same day as Apple.
 
Leonard1818 said:
Good point. I think I have one of those too. I'm not sure how to tell though but I feel like the last time I was on the phone with them they said I had one. Do you know if there's a way to tell on the vzw website?

If I have one, looks like I'll be preordering through verizon. I hope they allow preorders the same day as Apple.
Click to expand...

If you go to Big Red's homepage and login, then go to your devices and click the upgrade button. When you select which phone/line you want to upgrade, you should be able to see if there are any credits on the account/line.

-will
 
Leonard1818 said:
Good point. I think I have one of those too. I'm not sure how to tell though but I feel like the last time I was on the phone with them they said I had one. Do you know if there's a way to tell on the vzw website?

If I have one, looks like I'll be preordering through verizon. I hope they allow preorders the same day as Apple.
Click to expand...

When I log-in if I click check upgrade status I get this screen.

upgrade_status.jpg
 
willmtaylor said:
If you go to Big Red's homepage and login, then go to your devices and click the upgrade button. When you select which phone/line you want to upgrade, you should be able to see if there are any credits on the account/line.

-will
Click to expand...

bad03xtreme said:
When I log-in if I click check upgrade status I get this screen.

Image
Click to expand...

Thanks guys!

I just looked and I too have the $50 credit so I will be ordering from VZW on launch day. I just hope that they take pre-orders on launch day...
 
Leonard1818 said:
Yes, but let's say I go on the apple online store. I can pick the iPhone, pick my carrier (verizon). I'm familiar with this however how does Apple know that my carrier (Verizon) is subsidizing the cost of my phone?

I guess the question is, if I buy from Apple, do I pay the full retail price and then get a credit through Verizon once I activate (re-sign my contract)?
Click to expand...

If you want to see how you'd upgrade through Apple.com and get the subsidized price, just go to apple.com and click on the iPhone 4S, the size you want, the carrier you use, and click "Buy Now" (you aren't actually buying it, don't worry) this will ask you all of the same information that you'd be asked if you were preordering an iPhone. It'll ask you for the mobile number of the line you are wanting to upgrade, your billing zipcode, the last 4 digits of the main account holders SSN, and your billing password. Once you enter that information hit "Continue". Apple then sends this info to Verizon, and Verizon sends a response back indicating whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade, if you are, you just click the "Continue" button and proceed to checkout/place your order. Just remove the fake iPhone 4S order from your cart and you're done.

That's most likely going to to be the same process for preordering through Apple.com. I hope I answered your question! :)
 
SR71 said:
If you want to see how you'd upgrade through Apple.com and get the subsidized price, just go to apple.com and click on the iPhone 4S, the size you want, the carrier you use, and click "Buy Now" (you aren't actually buying it, don't worry) this will ask you all of the same information that you'd be asked if you were preordering an iPhone. It'll ask you for the mobile number of the line you are wanting to upgrade, your billing zipcode, the last 4 digits of the main account holders SSN, and your billing password. Once you enter that information hit "Continue". Apple then sends this info to Verizon, and Verizon sends a response back indicating whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade, if you are, you just click the "Continue" button and proceed to checkout/place your order. Just remove the fake iPhone 4S order from your cart and you're done.

That's most likely going to to be the same process for preordering through Apple.com. I hope I answered your question! :)
Click to expand...

Thank you! That does answer my question. Unfortunately, I think I have to go thru Verizon cause I have another $50 credit just like in the picture above.
 
Leonard1818 said:
Thank you! That does answer my question. Unfortunately, I think I have to go thru Verizon cause I have another $50 credit just like in the picture above.
Click to expand...

Great! I too was wondering the same thing you were and then it dawned on me that if I want to find out what information I'll need, why not just check the source and go straight to Apple's website and make a fake order for the iPhone 4S. It'll ask me for the same account information as it would for a preorder. Glad I could answer your question, though! :)

You'll definitely need to go through Verizon when you preorder if you want to use your $50 credit, unless you can have them apply the $50 credit to your account after you order on Apple's website. I'd try asking them about that as I have no idea if they'd even be able to do that.
 
RAWphenom said:
Merely a question of curiosity, but why do you prefer to pre-order thru apple as opposed to the carriers?
Click to expand...

I've just never ordered anything from the verivon website but I have from apple. So when the latest iPad came out I got it on apples website. I'm familiar with the process which will come in handy when you have to act quick.
 
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