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Verizon iPhone 5s and ETF

C

Coleman2010

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 9, 2010
1,944
173
NYC
I want to buy the Verizon iPhone 5s on contract. Then cancel the contract, pay the ETF fee and use it on T-Mobile.

How long do I have to wait before canceling the contract? Also, can I put in my T-Mobile SIM and use it right away before I cancel the contract?
 
kenknotts said:
You do know you wont get LTE on T-Mobile right?
Click to expand...

The Verizon 5s works with T-Mobile and AT&T LTE. All 3 are the same model iPhones with the same radios except the Verizon model has the CDMA enabled and the others do not.

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ant the ninja said:
After fees and taxes you will pay more for the phone than if you just buy it unlocked...
Click to expand...

From what I was told you end up paying $50 less. Do you know how long you have to wait to cancel service?


64GB $399 Down
ETF $350
Month of service $80

$829
 
Coleman2010 said:
The Verizon 5s works with T-Mobile and AT&T LTE. All 3 are the same model iPhones with the same radios except the Verizon model has the CDMA enabled and the others do not.

----------



From what I was told you end up paying $50 less. Do you know how long you have to wait to cancel service?


64GB $399 Down
ETF $350
Month of service $80

$829
Click to expand...

Correct on the Verizon model. Perhaps the guy was referring to T-Mobile not having "true" LTE in some places? Either way, the Verizon model does it all.

From what I understand, one would pay $50 less by going the contract/cancellation route. However I am seriously at odds with regard to the net gain of saving $50 by doing a credit check.
 
kenknotts said:
Incorrect.

https://discussions.apple.com/message/22781080
Click to expand...

That thread is about the Verizon iPhone 5. Not the 5s. The 5s works with T-Mobile LTE.

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Akack said:
Stop spreading blatantly incorrect info.

The thread you linked is for the verizon iPhone 5 and you won't get T-Mobile LTE.

The OP is asking about the Verizon iPhone 5s, and not the iPhone 5. You are able to get T-Mobile LTE (assuming tmob has LTE coverage in your area) with the Verizon 5s.
Click to expand...
Do you know how long I have to wait before I cancel and pay the ETF?
 
Coleman2010 said:
That thread is about the Verizon iPhone 5. Not the 5s. The 5s works with T-Mobile LTE.

----------


Do you know how long I have to wait before I cancel and pay the ETF?

----------


My post was not referring to my thread. I was referring to the thread posted by kenknotts from the Apple discussion forum about the iPhone 5.
Click to expand...
14 days
 
Coleman2010 said:
...

From what I was told you end up paying $50 less. Do you know how long you have to wait to cancel service?


64GB $399 Down
ETF $350
Month of service $80

$829
Click to expand...
If you buy directly from T-Mobile, for the phone, $349 down and $20.83 for 24 months. That totals $848.92 for the price of the phone. Just get the phone from T-Mobile and save yourself the headache you're asking for.
 
Bear said:
If you buy directly from T-Mobile, for the phone, $349 down and $20.83 for 24 months. That totals $848.92 for the price of the phone. Just get the phone from T-Mobile and save yourself the headache you're asking for.
Click to expand...
I want the 64GB Gold. T-Mobile does not have stock and is back ordered 3-4 weeks through the site. I just sold my iPhone 5 this afternoon so I'm without a phone.
 
Coleman2010 said:
Thank you
Click to expand...

I just made a phone call. The best way to do it is:

Call and cancel immediately after activation so you don't incur any "time of service" charges.

You will automatically pay the activation fee.

Pick the 500mb share plan which is their cheapest smartphone plan which is $80 plus fees so ~$90

You will be billed for 1.5 days of service.

Your total cost will be:

$400
$350
$36
~$2

$788+local sales tax.
 
Coleman2010 said:
I want the 64GB Gold. T-Mobile does not have stock and is back ordered 3-4 weeks through the site. I just sold my iPhone 5 this afternoon so I'm without a phone.
Click to expand...
Maybe a T-Mobile store has one in stock.

And if you sold you phone before getting a replacement, does that mean you don't really need a cell phone right now? In that case does a 3 week wait matter?
 
Coleman2010 said:
The Verizon 5s works with T-Mobile and AT&T LTE. All 3 are the same model iPhones with the same radios except the Verizon model has the CDMA enabled and the others do not.

----------



From what I was told you end up paying $50 less. Do you know how long you have to wait to cancel service?


64GB $399 Down
ETF $350
Month of service $80

$829
Click to expand...

$36 Activation fee

+ $15 taxes and fees

+ proration

I worked for Sprint until last month. I can tell you that you are missing a few fees here and there
 
Fedmahn Kassad said:
Correct on the Verizon model. Perhaps the guy was referring to T-Mobile not having "true" LTE in some places? Either way, the Verizon model does it all.

From what I understand, one would pay $50 less by going the contract/cancellation route. However I am seriously at odds with regard to the net gain of saving $50 by doing a credit check.
Click to expand...

Canceling a carrier contract with an ETF has zero impact on your credit, as long as you pay the ETF.
 
Bear said:
If you buy directly from T-Mobile, for the phone, $349 down and $20.83 for 24 months. That totals $848.92 for the price of the phone. Just get the phone from T-Mobile and save yourself the headache you're asking for.
Click to expand...
If you buy DIRECTLY FROM T-MOBILE the phone is NOT unlocked. If you buy the T-Mobile phone from APPLE STORE it IS unlocked. PLUS they won't sell it to you without having an account so you have to pay 1 month service. PLUS the T-mo version doesn't have the CDMA radio.
 
TB07-NJ said:
If you buy DIRECTLY FROM T-MOBILE the phone is NOT unlocked. If you buy the T-Mobile phone from APPLE STORE it IS unlocked. PLUS they won't sell it to you without having an account so you have to pay 1 month service. PLUS the T-mo version doesn't have the CDMA radio.
Click to expand...
I really don't need the CDMA radio and I would not mind being locked to T-Mobile. I would wait the 40 days to get the unlock by T-Mobile. T-Mobile does not have 64GB in stock in store and the Gold is 3-4 weeks back ordered through their site.

Verizon stock is easier to come by so I'm going with a Verizon model since it's GSM unlocked.

----------
Bear said:
Maybe a T-Mobile store has one in stock.

And if you sold you phone before getting a replacement, does that mean you don't really need a cell phone right now? In that case does a 3 week wait matter?
Click to expand...
I sold my personal cell. I still have my work cell which is a POC Blackberry.
 
Verizon is better because it has additional bands (just in case you are in the middle of nowhere and you need to use prepaid verizon). You may be charged tax on ETF too (~$30 depending on state).
 
So this morning I bought a Gold Verizon 64GB iPhone 5s in store on a 2 year contract. When I got home I called and cancelled the contract. My total fees look like this:

$434.41 $399 down plus tax

Billed to me:
$36 Activation Fee
$9 1 Day of Service Fee
$350 Early Termination Fee

Total: $829.41

I'm not sure yet if tax is added to the early termination bill but it looks like the cost was less than buying a device only AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 5s.


T-Mobile iPhone 5 with tax:
Total: $924.35
Total: -$829.41


Saved: $94.94 (Or something close to that depending on taxes.)
 
Last edited:
Coleman2010 said:
So this morning I bought a Gold Verizon 64GB iPhone 5s in store on a 2 year contract. When I got home I called and cancelled the contract. My total fees look like this:

$434.41 $399 down plus tax

Billed to me:
$36 Activation Fee
$9 1 Day of Service Fee
$350 Early Termination Fee

Total: $829.41

I'm not sure yet if tax is added to the early termination bill but it looks like the cost was less than buying a device only AT&T or T-Mobile iPhone 5s.


T-Mobile iPhone 5 with tax:
Total: $924.35
Total: -$829.41


Saved: $94.94 (Or something close to that depending on taxes.)
Click to expand...

Let us know in a month when you get your final bill. I'm sure its less than paying full price. Only negative is you lose some points on your credit history every time they run it when setting up new postpaid account.

I think you was supposed to cancel it after 14 days of service and not within buyers remorse period when you have to take the phone back and they cant charge you ETF yet according to the law.
 
nox5 said:
Let us know in a month when you get your final bill. I'm sure its less than paying full price. Only negative is you lose some points on your credit history every time they run it when setting up new postpaid account.

I think you was supposed to cancel it after 14 days of service and not within buyers remorse period when you have to take the phone back and they cant charge you ETF yet according to the law.
Click to expand...

Same day they didn't ask for it back and just charged me the ETF. Plus I'm being charged for 1 day of services instead of a month.
 
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