Favorite time of year!! Haha. So this will be my first year pre-ordering directly through Verizon. I upgrade every year and usually do it through an Apple Retail store but alas I moved and there isn't one within 150miles (and since my wife thinks I'm nuts for staying up to pre-order I think driving 150+ miles would cause her to commit me). Anyway, when you all say getting in the order "early enough" means getting it on launch day what is early enough for the Verizon website? I'm planning on ordering at 12:01 PDT but we all know how the websites get hammered and it take a while to load/get through the process. Thanks!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Carrier Verizon (Apple.com/Verizon.com) Pre-Order thread
- Thread starter KdParker
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I have a VZW business account. Has anyone thought of ordering a iPhone under the full price option, Selecting verizon as the carrier and then canceling the plan once the iPhone is received? The VZW portal always gives me issues and last year they messed up our order.
That is the best plan. I varies from year to year, but getting on early within the first 10 mins is normally a guarantee to receive phone on launch day. I say normally because if servers crash, sometime those early orders get lost.
But over all the best plan is to get on ASAP. Especially with the Verizion site IMHO.
How did you get the app to remember you? I can't find the option though the app says you can.
Ive got to deal with the same thing. Its hard to believe that they cant figure out a way to let us order from Apple. Guess I will be refreshing the VZW webpage at midnight until I can order. This will be my first iPhone since the iPhone 4. I went to a Samsung Note, but they dont have a 128GB option and no SD card anymore.
I called Verizon last night to try to figure out what the best way to go is for me. I'm off contract, I know how much data I use, I generally keep phones a while and get extended warranty (which helps if things start to fail) and I'd like to see what the most financially sound way to go is. The very nice guy I was speaking to had no idea. He kept trying to get me to take an iPhone 6.
Further, I'd like to know what kind of "enticements" they might offer, trade-ins, etc., all of which necessitates a conversation, but with someone who knows and is authorised to provide such information. (I'm also debating about how and where to sell my 5, which is a replacement model from a year ago and in good condition)
Do I have a question in there?
Yes - any advice on how to proceed? I was hoping to have all figures in my hand and make the purchase tomorrow without having to gather information, but it doesn't look like it'll work that way.
Further, I'd like to know what kind of "enticements" they might offer, trade-ins, etc., all of which necessitates a conversation, but with someone who knows and is authorised to provide such information. (I'm also debating about how and where to sell my 5, which is a replacement model from a year ago and in good condition)
Do I have a question in there?
Yes - any advice on how to proceed? I was hoping to have all figures in my hand and make the purchase tomorrow without having to gather information, but it doesn't look like it'll work that way.My situation is a bit specific so hopefully someone has some experience with it.
I'm planning on using an upgrade to pre-order tonight but I had to switch the upgrade from another line. I spoke to someone through Chat (actually multiple people because I kept getting poor assistance) and they said I could switch the upgrades myself through My Verizon. So I clicked to switch the upgrades and it looks like it does it fine. If I click 'Next' then it takes me to my available phones and says the transfer is complete.
But if I go back to My Verizon then it says my line is not available for upgrade. So it seems as if I will need to go through the 'Upgrade Device' process when I order as opposed to being able to click directly through a Pre-order page and choose my line. I consider myself fairly competent with this stuff so I'm sure I'll figure it out fairly quickly but I also know that I'll be waking up at 3am so will be slightly drowsy and will want to get my order in as quickly as possible.
Am I missing something with the "switching upgrades" process?
I'm planning on using an upgrade to pre-order tonight but I had to switch the upgrade from another line. I spoke to someone through Chat (actually multiple people because I kept getting poor assistance) and they said I could switch the upgrades myself through My Verizon. So I clicked to switch the upgrades and it looks like it does it fine. If I click 'Next' then it takes me to my available phones and says the transfer is complete.
But if I go back to My Verizon then it says my line is not available for upgrade. So it seems as if I will need to go through the 'Upgrade Device' process when I order as opposed to being able to click directly through a Pre-order page and choose my line. I consider myself fairly competent with this stuff so I'm sure I'll figure it out fairly quickly but I also know that I'll be waking up at 3am so will be slightly drowsy and will want to get my order in as quickly as possible.
Am I missing something with the "switching upgrades" process?
Anytime before Pre-orders goes live go to the pre-order page and click Verizon. Below if should say check eligibility. Once all your info is placed, you should see your prices. If your a current VZ customer you can keep your line and pay $199 or higher depending on storage choice (16,64 or 128GB) or add a line.
Addendum:
I spoke with a cheery young woman who outlined things very simply. Even as an existing customer, it doesn't seem to make much sense to go on the "subsidized plan." Whether I buy the phone from Apple or Verizon is the question, price-wise, but they won't figure out their monthly pricing until tonight apparently. So...tomorrow on the phone to figure that out, and away we go.
It's a large amount upfront vs. monthly payments, basically. And the old plan ultimately costs more money for me it seems.
And now, reading laurarh's comment, I wonder about "upgrades" - that didn't enter into our conversation at all. Sigh.
I spoke with a cheery young woman who outlined things very simply. Even as an existing customer, it doesn't seem to make much sense to go on the "subsidized plan." Whether I buy the phone from Apple or Verizon is the question, price-wise, but they won't figure out their monthly pricing until tonight apparently. So...tomorrow on the phone to figure that out, and away we go.
It's a large amount upfront vs. monthly payments, basically. And the old plan ultimately costs more money for me it seems.
And now, reading laurarh's comment, I wonder about "upgrades" - that didn't enter into our conversation at all. Sigh.
I called Verizon last night to try to figure out what the best way to go is for me. I'm off contract, I know how much data I use, I generally keep phones a while and get extended warranty (which helps if things start to fail) and I'd like to see what the most financially sound way to go is. The very nice guy I was speaking to had no idea. He kept trying to get me to take an iPhone 6.
Further, I'd like to know what kind of "enticements" they might offer, trade-ins, etc., all of which necessitates a conversation, but with someone who knows and is authorised to provide such information. (I'm also debating about how and where to sell my 5, which is a replacement model from a year ago and in good condition)
Do I have a question in there?
Let me preface with (NOT an authorized anyone but I can tell you from experience, pricing things out and being an accountant what, most likely, is the best financial way to go).
There are two routes:
1. Do you mind a credit account and check on your credit report?
While I cannot say with certainty it looks from the available resources that after the initial purchase there would be a retail credit or CC on your credit report when going through the Apple Upgrade process. I am not sure, but considering it is financed by a bank and there is no other link to you (like a phone service) I would imagine this is the case. With that being said, since you buy extended warranties and IF you living within proximity of an Apple Store, the best financial way is Apple's new upgrade process. Reason being: first you get to use someone else's money at no interest! That's great. Take the listed amount of the monthly payment, multiply by 24 and add $130 for AppleCare+ and you see that the "loan" is interest free. Also, since they spread that AppleCare price out over 24 months and you get to upgrade after 12 payments you only pay half of the AppleCare price... Which means you are out LESS than if you did payment options through Verizon as you would either pay them for their extended warranty or pay the full $130 for AppleCare+. The benefit here is if you will upgrade again next year, but if you keep the phone for 2 years there isn't a downside just less benefit.
Keep in mind whether or not it shows on the CC report as debt Apple's plan WILL show as a credit check which affects you very slightly for 2 yrs (bigger effects if you have just gone crazy lately and opened a bunch of new CCs or bought a car or house etc).
2. Verizon payment plan. Always best to use someone else's money if it is either free or you can make more on the retained cash than the interest you are paying. 0% interest from Verizon so it is the way to go and since you have a monthly service with Verizon there is no debt showing on the old Credit Report (I know this to be true as I have done their payment plans in the past). I am not sure if there is a credit check to start the payment plans but since you have established service and presumably are in good standing I doubt it.
tldr: Apple's new upgrade program is probably the best route if you don't mind a credit check and potential account in your Credit report because you save on paying half of AppleCare+. Other wise Verizon's payment plan is the best "financial" decision in my opinion.
I say just upgrade what ever line is available and when the phone comes either switch the SIMs if it is a newer device and call Verizon and tell them what you did (or if an older device is in the mix call Verizon give them the MEID for the respective phone and lines) and your good to go.
Also all: keep in mind if you do the any payment plan with Verizon you can always just pay the phone off and they have to unlock it. Then you can just leave. Assuming you don't have a contract on another line or did something funny in the past that committed you or your first born to Big Red for a while.
Verizon is obligated to unlock a phone as long you have no commitment to them either the form of time or money.
Verizon is obligated to unlock a phone as long you have no commitment to them either the form of time or money.
I hadn't thought about the AppleCare part of it. Back to the spreadsheet. Monthly costs of service are $65 regardless, so the only question then is, what is the monthly cost of the phone from Apple vs. Verizon, factoring in the AppleCare. Thank you for the detailed reply!
No problem. And even if Verizon won't tell you monthly pricing it's easy (assuming the don't add interest which would blow my theory up) just take the full retail and divide by 24 (for the additional cost for Apple's plan take 130 / 24 = $5.42 extra a month)
Here's my math so far, without knowing what Verizon will charge per month (assuming 64gb phone):
749/24 = $31.21 month
Apple Upgrade Program (includes AppleCare) = $37.23/m
AppleCare = $5.42
Verizon per month cost: ? (plus 5.42 plus monthly fee)
Relatively negligible difference between full retail and Apple Upgrade when including AppleCare. Though I now wonder, what will this do to the resale market? Will people be getting the prices they were in the past? Other than credit, why WOULDN'T someone go the Apple Upgrade route?
This seems too easy.
Last edited:
Yep assuming 6s 64gb
Apple will charge you: $36.58 (as shown on apple's site about half way down: http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program) If you calculate it out it comes out a little more than that [ (749 + 130) / 24 -> 36.63 ]... who knows why but for this purpose I'm going with Apple's published pricing.
Verizon will charge you: 31.21 (assuming they stick with their typical pricing of 0% interest over 24 months)
Who knows what it will do to resale. It will either kill it if everyone jumped to Apple's upgrade model, or theoretical help it on the concept that less used iPhones in the wild = higher demand = higher prices.
Then again I utilized Gazelle's Best price guarantee and am getting a pretty good price of $461 for my 6 Plus 64gb because they beat Verizon's offer of 460 so I don't think it was all that bad this year.
As for why not go with the Apple Model? I don't know. I can't even though I wish I could because there isn't an Apple Store near me and it requires in store pick up. If I was close to an Apple Store I would do it in a heartbeat. The other piece of the puzzle is that tonight for the Apple Model you will reserve a time to go get signed up. Will this guarantee you a phone... who knows. Apple Chat told me that you will not pay a penny until you get to the store for your appointment so... my only worry is... you get an appointment, you go in, they say... sorry we ran out. I doubt it happens because I bet they keep phones in store in relation to the number of reservations they have, but I haven't seen any confirmation of that.
I guess you wouldn't
But over all I think it is a good deal.
I guess you wouldn't
- if you didn't have the best credit
- aren't sure you want to lock into the iPhone (if you want to stop the program you will need to pay off any remaining $ before you can be all done with it)
- don't buy AppleCare (since this requires)
- aren't near a physical Apple Store (like me )
- have a stigma against having new items on your credit report (which is a whole other conversation)
But over all I think it is a good deal.
I might do better on Amazon than on gazelle or verizon on resale. I could go the self-sale route, I suppose, through swappa. Luckily, I don't have to decide that right now.
Wait, so I could ostensibly make an appointment for next week, but I'm under no obligation to buy? That's great to know. Thank you.
As always take the word of a single rep with grain of salt, but I mean if they let you make an appointment and don't take payment information and you don't sign an agreement that you will go through with it... what are they going to do?
Sort of like Gazelle they give me an offer and I have no obligation, but I know it is there if I find a better route. Which by the way thank you for the recommendations I'll check out Amazon's offerings and Swappa.
Also I don't know how the reservation system will work. Maybe it will only be for the following day, maybe they will layout a week in advance like genius bar appts... who knows until tonight.
You gotta love Verizon by the way. Go to the buy page of the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus and they still have the old pricing (old as of Wednesday on Apple's site).