Preordering and Switching experience

I have the exact same problem. I'm actually signing up 2 people since my wife and I are both switching from ATT to Verizon with teh shared plans. The only way to do that through the Apple site is by making 2 individual orders. I know Verizon allows you to put in an order for both. You can port over the numbers online though so no worries there. They'll give you that option during the checkout process.

DO NOT cancel your contract before you preorder....that's how you lose your number. I believe everything is taken care of during the porting process and once your phone is activated on Verizon it's deactivated on ATT. Do not cancel before.

 

^ thanks, this is what I'm doing exactly too. I'll go to Verizon's site.

so the activation would happen upon shipping? Or when you get the phones? Because I'd hate to be without service for the entirety of order > receipt.