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How in the WORLD do I get a Verizon iPhone 5S device only?

A

AndrewR23

Contributor
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
4,649
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Ive called Apple...my store in Sacramento...they said you can only reserve it online and pick up in store. However when I reserve online, it gives me one choice which is upgrade. I do not want to upgrade, I want device only. Apple reservation does not give me that choice.

Ive tried Best Buy, there device only price is 50$ higher, and the nearest one is pretty far from me and Ive heard numerous reports they will not sell it device only.

How in the world do I get the Verizon 5S device only? My girlfriend has a Verizon account as well.
 
Spot on! I'm in the same boat but in San Mateo. Not possible. I called my local Apple store and they said that they have a few they can spare but for walk ins only.
 
I am an AT&T customer. I just picked up my Verizon 5s device only phone through in-store pick-up...

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

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
 

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pat.micunnis said:
I am an AT&T customer. I just picked up my Verizon 5s device only phone through in-store pick-up...

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

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
Click to expand...

But dont you need to pay ETF fee for signing a new 2 year contract?

Im just so confused on how they let you return the phone and cancelling your service with no fees. My friend who works at Verizon says it doesnt work that way

----------

Edit---will this work?

My girlfriend has an upgrade for her phone. If I reserve the 5S, use her upgrade, then tomorrow when I pick it up...ill return it....her upgrade should reset right??

And then ill buy it full price which should make 0 Zero NO changes to her contract correct?
 
AndrewR23 said:
But dont you need to pay ETF fee for signing a new 2 year contract?

Im just so confused on how they let you return the phone and cancelling your service with no fees. My friend who works at Verizon says it doesnt work that way

----------

Edit---will this work?

My girlfriend has an upgrade for her phone. If I reserve the 5S, use her upgrade, then tomorrow when I pick it up...ill return it....her upgrade should reset right??

And then ill buy it full price which should make 0 Zero NO changes to her contract correct?
Click to expand...

theres no ETF if you return the phone during the "trial" period.
 
What is the advantage of doing this?
I apologize in advance if this question appears foolish, but for the life of me I'm puzzled and can't figure it out.
 
pat.micunnis said:
I am an AT&T customer. I just picked up my Verizon 5s device only phone through in-store pick-up...

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

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
Click to expand...

Caution: Anyone else thinking of doing this in this manner, because you'd signing up for new service, this will result in a hard pull on your credit report. If you're thinking about doing it this way, just be aware of that. IMO its not worth taking a hp for. If you're looking to get a mortgage in the next year or two, absolutely do not do this!! Just a friendly tip ;)
 
joeshmo2010 said:
Caution: Anyone else thinking of doing this in this manner, because you're signing up for new service, this will result in a hard pull on your credit report. If you're thinking about doing it this way, just be aware of that. IMO its not worth taking a hp for. If you're looking to get a mortgage in the next year or two, absolutely do not do this!! Just a friendly tip ;)
Click to expand...

Yes this is why Im gonna go through the upgrade route, use Gf upgrade, return phone, then re buy full price
 
braddick said:
What is the advantage of doing this?
Click to expand...

You get a contract-free unlocked phone that will work with all major carriers (excepting Sprint), because the Verizon 5s has both GSM and CDMA radios activated. The device-only / contract-free "Verizon" iPhone 5s is a true international phone. Simply swap SIMS, whether in the U.S. or overseas.

I bought one, using it on T-Mobile, working flawlessly.
 
AndrewR23 said:
So I should do the upgrade option or new contract?

How long is Verizon trial period
Click to expand...

honestly i dont know, i think its 14 days.

But honestly if you sign a new contract, then cancel, pay the ETF, you'd probably end up paying less or almost about the same as buying the phone device only.

That would probably be the least complicated option.

Think about it.

1] iphone 16gb: ~$220
2] cheapest plan: $80/month + say $10 in tax = ~$90
3] ETF: $350

total= ~$650

Cost of new iPhone device only: ~$700 after tax

I'm surprised they won't sell you the device only. You could try the best buy route and see if they will PRICE MATCH for you. Some people have had mixed luck with that, but best buy is desperate for customers.

Also you can always sign up with a verizon month-month plan and there will be no ETF when you cancel.
 
AndrewR23 said:
Yes this is why Im gonna go through the upgrade route, use Gf upgrade, return phone, then re buy full price
Click to expand...

If last year is any indication the in-store pickup system will be in place for about a month until supply catches up with demand. Then stores will sell to walk-ins again. Even now you might get lucky by showing up near closing to see if they have any leftovers from cancellations.

Another option is to buy a phone from Verizon's website for full price with a brand new prepaid plan. You can cancel the plan after the order ships but before it gets activated. Some posters here have said that in other threads.
 
I bought a Verizon iPhone 5s from Best Buy device only. They had no problem with it. I told them it was for use on a prepaid plan and they rang it up and had me on my way in no time. I left with the phone still sealed. So it can be done.
 
EvilQueen said:
If a pull for a phone is going to be the difference between you getting a mortgage or not....then maybe you shouldn't be going for the mortgage.
Click to expand...

It might not get you denied, but it could affect the rate you're offered. And the banks are still extra touchy. When we applied for a mortgage recently the agent we ended up going with said we had one of the best scores he had ever seen. Our own back saw the same score and still decided to deny our application.
 
By using my girlfriends upgrade, returning the phone and buying full price that will not have anything to do with my credit

But opening new service or line then yes. Ill be staying away from those options too
 
Walk into Best Buy, ask for whichever model/color you want and tell them you just want the phone at full price. There's no need for them to open the plastic, activate the phone or do anything other than take your money and hand you a phone. Tell them you'll do all that at home.

That's what I did on launch day and walked out with a 5S. Total time in the store? Seven minutes.

Verizon 5S 64GB. Boom.
 
in the iphone app, click 5S (NOT UPGRADE IPHONE), then click Replace this iPhone, on verizon of course, then enter all of your info. It will tell you you quality for 650 pricing only, agree and purchase.

if you get lucky, check the pickup in store option.

but that's exactly how I did it. with gold 5s on launch day. worked great.
 
orangebluedevil said:
in the iphone app, click 5S (NOT UPGRADE IPHONE), then click Replace this iPhone, on verizon of course, then enter all of your info. It will tell you you quality for 650 pricing only, agree and purchase.

if you get lucky, check the pickup in store option.

but that's exactly how I did it. with gold 5s on launch day. worked great.
Click to expand...

I think it only gives you the $650 pricing if you aren't eligible for an upgrade, otherwise they force you onto the new plan for an upgrade.

I want to buy it outright, there there is ZERO way on Apple.com to do this right now.
 
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