Verizon iPad 2 may require activation fee

[eff pc]

Verizon is getting closer...

"Is there an activation fee for iPad® 2?

At launch, Verizon Wireless will offer prepaid month-to-month service options payable with credit or debit card. These options do not require an activation fee."

You can take it two ways, at launch you can activate for free but then after you activate once there may be an activation fee OR at launch there will be pre-paid option which don't have an activation fee but later on there will be post-payment option that will have an activation fee...I'm going with the second option.

 

[RadicalxEdward]

I just want to buy it in store at verizon to use a giftcard I have, i don't want it activated....i can do that with itunes, and i don't want to pay for any data now, maybe at some point in the future..........Will they require you activate it?

apple and best buy were sold out for me. ordered it from verizon and the guy said it'll be at my office on TUESDAY (take that apple online ordering) so they can't make me activate it. (^_^) which means I can unbox it the way I like.

 

[gadgetmonster]

I called/visited 4 verizon stores this evening in the chicago south burbs area, none had any in stock....

 

[RadicalxEdward]

I called/visited 4 verizon stores this evening in the chicago south burbs area, none had any in stock....

they didn't offer to ship one?

 

[gadgetmonster]

Yes, they did, but i'd rather wait until they have them

 

[ewhite]

Pogue's Posts: Verizon Clarifies iPad2 Activation Fees

Relevant, from earlier today:

Full Article: CLICK HERE

TECHNOLOGY
Pogue's Posts: Verizon Clarifies iPad2 Activation Fees
By By DAVID POGUE
Published: March 11, 2011
Verizon confirms there is NO re-activation charge for the month-to-month iPad 2 cell service. There is an activation charge for those with Verizon's MiFi.

 

[RadicalxEdward]

Relevant, from earlier today:

Full Article: CLICK HERE

TECHNOLOGY
Pogue's Posts: Verizon Clarifies iPad2 Activation Fees
By By DAVID POGUE
Published: March 11, 2011
Verizon confirms there is NO re-activation charge for the month-to-month iPad 2 cell service. There is an activation charge for those with Verizon's MiFi.

which makes sense considering the mifi is a wifi modem and the ipad is more like a cell phone, except you can only do data so it's even more limited.

 

[buzzy.i.am]

Activation/Reactivation...

which makes sense considering the mifi is a wifi modem and the ipad is more like a cell phone, except you can only do data so it's even more limited.[/QUOT

Hey, just wanted to update my original rant. No activation fee"s according to Verizon. Here in Maryland, lines were also insane, except at Verizon! I got two Ipad 2's --- noproblem. Did not activate 3G, but was told, no FEE's... Will See.

I was first in line, got there @ 4:40 pm, best buy only had wifi, line wa around the store....only had 20 units...........

 

[DaveF]

"Verizon's Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Brenda Raney, also confirmed to Macworld that, like AT&T, Verizon will not charge an activation fee to begin service, or even a reactivation fee if you cancel your service and start it up again a few months later."

Glad that's there now. It wasn't in the original article nor in the post-article update. Glad MacWorld did get the full scoop, finally.

 

[aaronw1986]

Glad that's there now. It wasn't in the original article nor in the post-article update. Glad MacWorld did get the full scoop, finally.

I just called me local Verizon store. No one knows what is happening still. I was informed that there IS a re-activation fee.

 

[siurpeeman]

I just called me local Verizon store. No one knows what is happening still. I was informed that there IS a re-activation fee.

if there is no activation fee, why would there be a re-activation fee?

i wasn't charged an activation fee when i bought 1gb of verizon data friday night. will update in a few months if i'm ever charged.


http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/verizon-clarifies-ipad-activation-fes/

 

[aaronw1986]

if there is no activation fee, why would there be a re-activation fee?

i wasn't charged an activation fee when i bought 1gb of verizon data friday night. will update in a few months if i'm ever charged.


http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/verizon-clarifies-ipad-activation-fes/

Because they DO this on some devices. The Xoom is an example. If you go for a certain period without 3G service, you have to pay $35 to reactivate. This is the only thing holding me back from getting a Verizon model. I wish it was clear. Ultimately, It would be about the same to pay $20 every month than have 3G 4 months of the year but have to pay to re-activate. It would defeat the purpose of only paying for months you want.

Also, the wording from Verizon says there is no activation fees at launch...who knows what they will do in a couple months.

 

[alekona]

I spoke with a Verizon rep today and she said that there are no activation or re-activation fees. I'm still kind of hesitant after reading everyone else's posts about this.

 

[RadicalxEdward]

is this still seriously an issue?

 

[aaronw1986]

I spoke with a Verizon rep today and she said that there are no activation or re-activation fees. I'm still kind of hesitant after reading everyone else's posts about this.

I am more confident now. I e-mailed the Verizon PR contact David Pogue referenced in his article. She told me, "If you choose to let the 3G service expire and then later decide to add it after using WiFi for a few months...no activation charge."

 

[ewhite]

Good work aaronw1986, much appreciated.

 

[Thursday Next]

Doesn't look good for Verizon....

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

You are now chatting with 'Tyler'

Tyler: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

Peter: Hi - I've heard various things about your activation fees for the Ipad

Tyler: Activation fees for all devices are $35.

Tyler: Are you a new customer?

Peter: yes

Peter: so if I want to use 3G for a month, then not use it for 4 months, and then use it again for 2 months .... how may fees?

Tyler: Each time you let the plan lapse, and then re-activate on a month to month plan, you would have a $35 activation fee.

Tyler: So you would have 2 activation fees in this case.

Peter: on top of the monthly fee?

Tyler: Yes, this is correct.

Peter: wow - no concern about driving people to AT&T?

Peter: Sorry for that - I guess you can't answer but this makes no sense to me

Tyler: I'm not sure how to answer that, but this is Verizon's policy.

Peter: Stunning - ok thanks

 

[aaronw1986]

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

You are now chatting with 'Tyler'

Tyler: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

Peter: Hi - I've heard various things about your activation fees for the Ipad

Tyler: Activation fees for all devices are $35.

Tyler: Are you a new customer?

Peter: yes

Peter: so if I want to use 3G for a month, then not use it for 4 months, and then use it again for 2 months .... how may fees?

Tyler: Each time you let the plan lapse, and then re-activate on a month to month plan, you would have a $35 activation fee.

Tyler: So you would have 2 activation fees in this case.

Peter: on top of the monthly fee?

Tyler: Yes, this is correct.

Peter: wow - no concern about driving people to AT&T?

Peter: Sorry for that - I guess you can't answer but this makes no sense to me

Tyler: I'm not sure how to answer that, but this is Verizon's policy.

Peter: Stunning - ok thanks

You did not specify iPad 2. The original iPad did require a re-activation fee.

 

[brudog68]

I have yet to try using 3g, but like others, I was told no activation fee...hope this holds true.

Obviously there hasnt been enough time for someone to turn it on and off to know, but has anyone turned it on the first time and been charged an initial $35?

 

[Pballer110]

Theres no initial activation fee.

 

[physicsguy13]

I didn't pay any activation fees when I activated mine. I did find this article:

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/verizon-clarifies-ipad-activation-fes/

 

[aaronw1986]

I didn't pay any activation fees when I activated mine. I did find this article:

http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/verizon-clarifies-ipad-activation-fes/

And the cyclical thread begins! It was from this article I got the name of the Verizon press contact, who reassured me of no activation or re-activation fees.