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mashinhead

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 7, 2003
3,017
1,049
I'm thinking of doing this and I want to know if there are any issues that I might not be aware of... Can you keep the phone after??
 
I've known people who have, and in the end, it really saves them nothing, versus paying retail.

Activation fee, first month of service, and ETF. Think the one friend who did it ended up paying around 500 bucks in the end for that "one month" of service, not to mention the cost of the phone (199 I believe, though I don't even recall what phone he got).

So the plan may sound good, but in the end, cost wise, it won't be. They generally don't pro-rate the bill for the month of service either, so like I said you'd be stuck with activation, etc, and first month, plus taxes.
 
I've known people who have, and in the end, it really saves them nothing, versus paying retail.

Activation fee, first month of service, and ETF. Think the one friend who did it ended up paying around 500 bucks in the end for that "one month" of service, not to mention the cost of the phone (199 I believe, though I don't even recall what phone he got).

So the plan may sound good, but in the end, cost wise, it won't be. They generally don't pro-rate the bill for the month of service either, so like I said you'd be stuck with activation, etc, and first month, plus taxes.

Well its the only way i can get a gold iphone, unlocked. So if you're telling me that it will cost me more than retail thats one thing but if it's the same....
 
Subsidize > $ 199.00 > ETF $ 350.00 > Activation fee $ 35.00 > Total $ 584.00 not including any taxes for your State. First month usage, yes, but keep it close to end of 1st month, cancel, and go with someone else perhaps guys ? Than you are about $ 625.00 grand total with 7% tax at least here in Florida parts.

If you don't want to go with another carrier and stay with same, they don't let you keep the same phone number I do believe

Purchase un-subsidize $ 650.00 + Tax (7% Florida ) $695.00

Or am I missing a step or two ?
 
Subsidize > $ 199.00 > ETF $ 350.00 > Activation fee $ 35.00 > Total $ 584.00 not including any taxes for your State. First month usage, yes, but keep it close to end of 1st month, cancel, and go with someone else perhaps guys ? Than you are about $ 625.00 grand total with 7% tax at least here in Florida parts.

If you don't want to go with another carrier and stay with same, they don't let you keep the same phone number I do believe

Purchase un-subsidize $ 650.00 + Tax (7% Florida ) $695.00

Or am I missing a step or two ?

Looks to me like you'll save about $25 to $35.

Seems like too much work for $25 to $35.
 
think there is also a credit check involved to qualify for the phone and contract too.
 
I bought it through apple.com and when I came to pick it up at store I told them that I change my mind. I want to pay full price for the device only. Then the specialist canceled the transaction and charged me for full price.
 
I thought some carriers had a policy that if you cancelled within the first 6-months(or something like that) you had to return the device OR pay full price for the phone? Maybe that was AT&T and not Verizon.
 
I thought some carriers had a policy that if you cancelled within the first 6-months(or something like that) you had to return the device OR pay full price for the phone? Maybe that was AT&T and not Verizon.

With AT&T if you cancel in the 14 day return period you have to return the phone or pay full price. After that you can keep the phone and pay ETF (plus service).

No idea about Sprint but easy enough to google up their policy.

T-Mobile of course is pretty simple; your phone is financed and you have to pay it off to keep it.

Probably be worth reading http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/support/customer-agreement
 
I did this exact thing to buy my Verizon iPhone 5S 64gb but not really to save money but to port a VoIP # out from Sipgate (shutting down service) in order to port to Google Voice. I know it's a long process but this was the way I had to do it. I was lucky enough to find one at an Apple store nearby. They handled the port perfectly in-store plus I had a broken iPhone 4 I traded in for $48.

Ended up paying $466.92 at the store (in CA they charge tax on the unsubsidized price) plus $400.27 on my first bill including the $350 ETF. I ported out the number within 3 days of activation and they let me keep the phone. Also, I didn't pay any activation fee because Verizon was having a promotion that weekend. In the end saved $50. If you have to pay activation, it's not worth it unless you have a situation like mine.

Oh and since the Verizon phone comes unlocked I'm using it with Straight Talk $45 plan lol.
 
I did the same today.

Gold 64GB Verizon 5s

$434.41 $399 down plus tax

Billed to me:
$36 Activation Fee
$9 1 Day of Service Fee
$350 Early Termination Fee

Total: $829.41

I'm not sure yet if tax is added to the early termination bill but it looks like the cost was less than buying a device only AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 5s.


T-Mobile iPhone 5 with tax:
Total: $924.35
Total: -$829.41


Saved: $94.94 (Or something close to that depending on taxes.)
 
I did the same today.

Gold 64GB Verizon 5s

$434.41 $399 down plus tax

Billed to me:
$36 Activation Fee
$9 1 Day of Service Fee
$350 Early Termination Fee

Total: $829.41

I'm not sure yet if tax is added to the early termination bill but it looks like the cost was less than buying a device only AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 5s.


T-Mobile iPhone 5 with tax:
Total: $924.35
Total: -$829.41


Saved: $94.94 (Or something close to that depending on taxes.)

I just got the phone too, but my taxes are higher apparently. So they pro rate the service for the month? Did you have to do anything special to cancel? Just call them up? Was it pretty easy?
 
I did the same today.

Gold 64GB Verizon 5s

$434.41 $399 down plus tax

Billed to me:
$36 Activation Fee
$9 1 Day of Service Fee
$350 Early Termination Fee

Total: $829.41

I'm not sure yet if tax is added to the early termination bill but it looks like the cost was less than buying a device only AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 5s.


T-Mobile iPhone 5 with tax:
Total:$924.35
Total: -$829.41


Saved: $94.94 (Or something close to that depending on taxes.)

Sony only had it for 1 day before canceling?
 
I just got the phone too, but my taxes are higher apparently. So they pro rate the service for the month? Did you have to do anything special to cancel? Just call them up? Was it pretty easy?
I called customer service and said a family member will add me to their plan so I want to break the contract but keep the phone and asked what are the charges to do that. That was it.

Sony only had it for 1 day before canceling?
I had it about 3 hours and never used it besides Apple turning it on in the store when they activated it. As soon as I left the store I swapped in my T-Mobile SIM.
 
So let me get this straight all I need to do is sign up for new contract for $49 cancel it and just pay for the early termination fee?

I have to pay for one month of service as well?
 
So let me get this straight all I need to do is sign up for new contract for $49 cancel it and just pay for the early termination fee?

I have to pay for one month of service as well?

They charged me for one day of service, ETF and activation fee.
 
I picked up my Verizon 5s device only phone through in-store pick-up...
I'm currently an AT&T customer...

1) I selected "create new account" & entered my information. Then placed my order.

NOTES: I entered "dummy" information for my personal information,
e.g. SSN = 123-45-6789, First Name = First Initial and Last Name = Last Name (You need to provide Last Name so you can pick up the phone), Address = Random Street Address - e.g. Starbucks near my house


2) I went to the store to "pick up" the phone. NOTE: this will sign you up for a new Verizon account. And will activate the phone.

3) The specialist will then return the device. My specialist was kind enough to call Verizon support to ensure my device is deactivated.

4) Wait 5 minutes -- this will put the phone back into the store inventory & make the phone available for sale again

5) Specialist will then ring you up for the new phone as device only

I was NOT charged any activation fee :)

attachment.php
 
So you basically bought the phone for full price. we were talking about buying the phone with a contract and paying the early termination fee
 
I picked up my Verizon 5s device only phone through in-store pick-up...
I'm currently an AT&T customer...

1) I selected "create new account" & entered my information. Then placed my order.

NOTES: I entered "dummy" information for my personal information,
e.g. SSN = 123-45-6789, First Name = First Initial and Last Name = Last Name (You need to provide Last Name so you can pick up the phone), Address = Random Street Address - e.g. Starbucks near my house


2) I went to the store to "pick up" the phone. NOTE: this will sign you up for a new Verizon account. And will activate the phone.

3) The specialist will then return the device. My specialist was kind enough to call Verizon support to ensure my device is deactivated.

4) Wait 5 minutes -- this will put the phone back into the store inventory & make the phone available for sale again

5) Specialist will then ring you up for the new phone as device only

I was NOT charged any activation fee :)

Image

the same happened with me. however, I entered the true info about my self and the Verizon sim card still active! the specialist said do not worry I canceled the contract. I called Verizon and they said do not worry, and it is weird because the number is active until now with full service! it has been more than week !
 
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