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Left AT&T for Verizon. Can I go back?

K

KapitanIksrog

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 12, 2007
122
8
I have a messy situation and am looking for some additional information before deciding what to do next.

My wife and I both had AT&T iPhones (4/3GS) and have been on AT&T for a while. She doesn't use much data and we get a discount through my employer and my bill ended up being around $105 total per month. This included 550 shared min w/rollover, 250 texts (just my line), Unlimited data (me), 250MB data for her.

Due to some coverage frustrations in my area, I decided to move us to Verizon with the iPhone 4S launch. I got myself the 64GB ($399) and her the $16 GB ($199) and planned to pay an ETF on 1 AT&T line. I sold my old 4 and 3GS to recoup most of the cost. Verizon was 700 shared min ($69), 2x2GB ($60), and 250 text ($5)

Before doing this I contacted Verizon twice to confirm that I would have a 21% discount on the minutes and 20% discount on data (essentially the exact same as AT&T - Corp Discount). I got around to heading into a store to show my proof of employment and was told that I could get 21% off $50 (the shared minutes not including the line access) and nothing else. The data discount now requires a 5 GB ($50) plan. I was told this is a "new thing."

So I'm pissed. I accepted that Verizon would be slower data, a little more expensive, and I was giving up my Unlimited from AT&T in exchange for better coverage. Now it looks like an approximate $45 increase in my cell plan per month. I can't accept that.

So my question is... do I have any options? My first thought was that I am within 30 days so I could return everything to Verizon and cancel but then I have no iPhones.
 
I looked into doing this myself. This is what I "remember" - Verizon states you have 14 days to cancel service and 30 days to exchange phones. Where AT&T gives you 30 days for both.

I almost jumped ship too, but stayed with AT&T - at least for another two years.

Why can't you just go back to AT&T and start with new iPhones from them? You obviously won't get back your unlimited data, but the rest should be fine. You'll have to see what AT&T has in stock - I've heard of loaner phones until your iPhones arrive. Not sure if it's true, but worth a shot.
 
You can go back to ATT if it's within 14 days on Verizon's end. If you're asking if you can get back your unlimited data, you're SOL on that. You shot yourself in the foot on that.
 
Honestly staying with Verizon seems to be the only way to keep iPhones but Att will allow you to do early upgrades on iPhones +$250 on top of the 2yr contract price. So if you return your phones to Verizon you can somewhat avoid paying the total on both phones to early upgrade. Now with your wife I don't know if she uses Siri or 16g of space on her 4s but att has 8g iPhone 4's for $99. So you would pay $349 and it depends on what version you get for you as well. Thats the only thing I can come up with. Hope it helps mate...
 
Gotta remember, if you go back to AT&T, you wont have unlimited data anymore plus they dont offer the $5 for 200 txt msgs plan anymore, it's either unlimited or nothing.
 
mom333 said:
I looked into doing this myself. This is what I "remember" - Verizon states you have 14 days to cancel service and 30 days to exchange phones. Where AT&T gives you 30 days for both.

I almost jumped ship too, but stayed with AT&T - at least for another two years.

Why can't you just go back to AT&T and start with new iPhones from them? You obviously won't get back your unlimited data, but the rest should be fine. You'll have to see what AT&T has in stock - I've heard of loaner phones until your iPhones arrive. Not sure if it's true, but worth a shot.
Click to expand...

Att doesn't do loaner phones. Just get a cheap prepaid and put your sim in until your phone arrives if you order one.
 
KapitanIksrog said:
So I'm pissed. I accepted that Verizon would be slower data, a little more expensive, and I was giving up my Unlimited from AT&T in exchange for better coverage. Now it looks like an approximate $45 increase in my cell plan per month. I can't accept that.
Click to expand...

Sprint? You're already willing to go with a slower data speed, you'll return to unlimited, and they'll be cheaper.... not to mention, you probably won't face the coverage issues you've been having with AT&T.
 
Last edited:
I had been with AT&T since August 2009 and pre-ordered the 4S with Verizon on 10/7/11. Verizon was slow data and the phone had a bad static issue. You have 14 days from the day you activate your phone on Verizon to return everything and get the money back.

AT&T gave me back my rollover minutes and unlimited data once I reactivated the 3G on their network again on 10/26/11. They said I would have had 59 days to do so.

I now have the 4S on AT&T and couldnt be happier. Data speeds are like 3 times faster than Verizon.

You should just order new iphones through AT&T. They'll likely give you back your unlimited data. AT&T was $30 a month cheaper than Verizon for me.

Your gonna lose some money with Verizon but it's better than being unhappy with their service.
 
Kevin8316 said:
I had been with AT&T since August 2009 and pre-ordered the 4S with Verizon on 10/7/11. Verizon was slow data and the phone had a bad static issue. You have 14 days from the day you activate your phone on Verizon to return everything and get the money back.

AT&T gave me back my rollover minutes and unlimited data once I reactivated the 3G on their network again on 10/26/11. They said I would have had 59 days to do so.

I now have the 4S on AT&T and couldnt be happier. Data speeds are like 3 times faster than Verizon.

You should just order new iphones through AT&T. They'll likely give you back your unlimited data. AT&T was $30 a month cheaper than Verizon for me.

Your gonna lose some money with Verizon but it's better than being unhappy with their service.
Click to expand...

I pre-ordered on 10/7 so I guess I am SOL since it has been 21 days. I always thought it was 30. This is unreal. I just called back and was AGAIN quoted 21% min and 20% data and asked the woman to record it so I could have a record of it. She then put me on hold for 10 minutes and came back and said it had changed. Unreal.
 
KapitanIksrog said:
I pre-ordered on 10/7 so I guess I am SOL since it has been 21 days. I always thought it was 30. This is unreal. I just called back and was AGAIN quoted 21% min and 20% data and asked the woman to record it so I could have a record of it. She then put me on hold for 10 minutes and came back and said it had changed. Unreal.
Click to expand...


I would try getting them to let you out of the contract since they misquoted you originally. Keep asking to talk to different reps if need be. Maybe you'll get lucky.
 
Is there anything in writing that says your discount only applies if you have the highest data plan ($50)? It seems to me that someone telling you "this is a new thing" is rather uncertain.
 
KapitanIksrog said:
I pre-ordered on 10/7 so I guess I am SOL since it has been 21 days. I always thought it was 30. This is unreal. I just called back and was AGAIN quoted 21% min and 20% data and asked the woman to record it so I could have a record of it. She then put me on hold for 10 minutes and came back and said it had changed. Unreal.
Click to expand...
I left Verizon, and paid an ETF, a few years ago because they gave preference to new customers over existing ones. It's a story for another day, but if you think you're stuck with them, here's what I would consider doing:

Selling your new devices on Craigslist or somewhere similar should, at this point, net far more $$ than Verizon's ETF will cost you. So that's one way to walk away from Verizon without taking a massive financial hit. (You may still end up down a few dollars when you factor in the activation fees and the initial purchase of new phones, but hopefully the revenue from sale will cover most of it)

I'm also guessing that AT&T would love you to come back. Most carriers will refund an ETF - and restore your original contract terms/plans - if you return within a short period of time. And if your lines at AT&T are eligible for new devices, you're good to go there too.

Only thing you may have to worry about is porting phone numbers. I think there's some kind of limit on how many times you can port within a short period, so you may end up with new phone numbers. But if you're serious about ditching Verizon, I'd definitely start by getting a conversation under way with AT&T about returning, getting that ETF back, restoring your plan(s) etc. See what they're willing to do for you.
 
If you're still within 14 days on VZW, you can avoid paying the ETF and transfer back to AT&T. Only downside to that is you will get hit with $35 per line for restocking fees.

But before you do that you want to head to AT&T first to port back your numbers. AT&T retentions allows you to port back into service, and in the process keep your previous account (unlimited data, rollover minutes, corporate discount, etc.) as if you never left. You will also get credited back any ETF you paid to AT&T when you left. Only downside is that your upgrade eligibility stays the same, so you will need to get new phones by either paying the full retail cost or doing a early upgrade if you're able to.
 
KapitanIksrog said:
I pre-ordered on 10/7 so I guess I am SOL since it has been 21 days. I always thought it was 30. This is unreal. I just called back and was AGAIN quoted 21% min and 20% data and asked the woman to record it so I could have a record of it. She then put me on hold for 10 minutes and came back and said it had changed. Unreal.
Click to expand...

I'd go back in and complain about being told one thing and being sold another. Keep going up the ladder until someone lets you out of the contract.

You may very well be SOL, but I wouldn't let this go too quick. Several people would get an earful before I settled into the current setup.
 
One more question before I figure out what to try to do.

If they don't let me out of the contract, can I use the 2 iPhone 4S's we have now on AT&T?
 
I called AT&T and they confirmed that I have 60 days from the day of contract termination to restore all services as they were (in particular roll-over minutes, unlimited data, and $5 text).

Just in case anyone else is in the same boat.
 
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