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Knowlege Bomb

macrumors G3
Original poster
Feb 14, 2008
9,948
8,439
US
In my email confirmation for my order this morning, there is a line showing a $40 upgrade fee through Verizon. Can't I just toss the SIM card that comes in the new phone and switch my current SIM over to avoid this fee or am I missing something?
 

Boatdrinks

macrumors newbie
May 18, 2012
6
3
Same question here, seems ridiculous to be charged 40$ and Verizon isn't even touching the transaction.
 

Boatdrinks

macrumors newbie
May 18, 2012
6
3
upload_2019-9-13_9-39-23.png
 
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GloriousAndrew

macrumors regular
Oct 20, 2017
242
295
Depending on how long you have been a Verizon customer, you can typically call and get that waived.

I did that last year. I have been a Verizon customer for almost 14 years. I called and said that and the agent gave me a credit on my account for the amount of the upgrade fee. If it doesn't work on one, call again and try a sob story on the other. Someone will feel for you and waive.
 

RetiredInFl

macrumors 68020
Jul 7, 2008
2,399
228
FORMERLY NJ now FL
At least with Verizon , if you buy the "sim free" version without going through a carrier directly from Apple you won't pay an upgrade fee. You just do a SIM swap. At least that's how it has been for me with Verizon the last 3 upgrades.
 
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DDustiNN

macrumors 68020
Jan 27, 2011
2,341
1,235
In my email confirmation for my order this morning, there is a line showing a $40 upgrade fee through Verizon. Can't I just toss the SIM card that comes in the new phone and switch my current SIM over to avoid this fee or am I missing something?
Yes, that is exactly what I do.
 
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GloriousAndrew

macrumors regular
Oct 20, 2017
242
295
Thanks, Glorious, In my case I'm buying multiple phones so the fees add up quickly.
You are welcome. Now I can't say with 100% certainty that it will work. I am just letting you know that it has worked for me twice now ever since I found out that you could do that. It all depends on which customer service agent you get.
 

compwiz1202

macrumors 604
May 20, 2010
7,293
5,679
Yea if you do the Verizon model instead of SIM Free, you need to pay the fee.

My question is with the Verizon Model, will Apple upgrade the devices onto the correct CTNs in store, or do we need to contact Verizon/go on verizonwireless.com to do it?
 

Knowlege Bomb

macrumors G3
Original poster
Feb 14, 2008
9,948
8,439
US
I've always had an issue with the concept of an "upgrade fee" be it $1 or $100, it's just wrong. I could go on and on but it's a moot point I guess we all know that.
It's absolute robbery. As has been mentioned, Verizon has no involvement with this transaction whatsoever.

Yes, that is exactly what I do.

Thanks for the confirmation.
 
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timeconsumer

macrumors 68020
Aug 1, 2008
2,026
1,988
Portland
I hate upgrade fees. I can understand if you go into a store and use up time of a sales associate and they transfer all of your data to the new phone, etc, but if you order it yourself on their website then there should be no upgrade fee at all. I usually order my devices from Best Buy when they have $100-200 off, and they put a down payment so it’s not a monthly credit, this does require getting them on a device payment plan although you can pay them off after I think 14 days. But, with the $40 upgrade fee the deals aren’t as good so I’ll probably just order directly from Apple and trade in my device with Apple each year.
 

dtrj787

macrumors 6502
Oct 23, 2013
315
180
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Depending on how long you have been a Verizon customer, you can typically call and get that waived.

I did that last year. I have been a Verizon customer for almost 14 years. I called and said that and the agent gave me a credit on my account for the amount of the upgrade fee. If it doesn't work on one, call again and try a sob story on the other. Someone will feel for you and waive.


The call agent is required to say no on the first ask. Just ask them again and they will cave and waive it. I do it every year.
 

DougFNJ

macrumors 65816
Jan 22, 2008
1,435
1,100
NJ
Verizon is terrible to current customers. I remember they were advertising all kinds of discounts and incentives. I tried getting one for my wife's line, they would only give anything if she was switching to Verizon.....they figure once they have you, they assume they keep you. After 3 tries, she switched to AT&T.
Now I am looking to purchase the new phone, seeing on MacRumors all these discounts for switching, nothing for existing customers. And for my trouble, they hit me with the $40 activation, my stupidity for not choosing the unlocked sim free option. I will definitely be calling Verizon to waive that....it's ridiculous.
 

DevinNj

macrumors 68000
Apr 27, 2016
1,722
1,739
New Jersey
Verizon is terrible to current customers. I remember they were advertising all kinds of discounts and incentives. I tried getting one for my wife's line, they would only give anything if she was switching too.....they figure once they have you, they assume they keep you. After 3 tries, she switched to AT&T.
Now I am looking to purchase the new phone, seeing on MacRumors all these discounts for switching, nothing for existing customers. And for my trouble, they hit me with the $40 activation, my stupidity for not choosing the unloved sim free option. I will definitely be calling Verizon to waive that....it's ridiculous.
Yup, new customers they'll kiss your a** in Macy's window. Existing customer for 15yrs and it's always a battle. In my area they have the most reliable service so for the time being I'm stuck.
 

Knowlege Bomb

macrumors G3
Original poster
Feb 14, 2008
9,948
8,439
US
Verizon is terrible to current customers. I remember they were advertising all kinds of discounts and incentives. I tried getting one for my wife's line, they would only give anything if she was switching to Verizon.....they figure once they have you, they assume they keep you. After 3 tries, she switched to AT&T.
Now I am looking to purchase the new phone, seeing on MacRumors all these discounts for switching, nothing for existing customers. And for my trouble, they hit me with the $40 activation, my stupidity for not choosing the unlocked sim free option. I will definitely be calling Verizon to waive that....it's ridiculous.
I suggest attempting a second pre-order. I just did due to an issue with my payment method and was able to get the same phone for launch day pickup and I made sure to select the SIM free version this time. Worked a treat.
 

BugeyeSTI

macrumors 603
Aug 19, 2017
6,398
8,033
Arizona/Illinois
SIM free is the only way to not get charged a upgrade fee or you’ll need to call and haggle with the representative which can be hit or miss. I’ve had them waive the fee and I’ve also had them split it so it all depends on who you’re talking too. Next phone I get will be SIM free for sure..
 

DougFNJ

macrumors 65816
Jan 22, 2008
1,435
1,100
NJ
I suggest attempting a second pre-order. I just did due to an issue with my payment method and was able to get the same phone for launch day pickup and I made sure to select the SIM free version this time. Worked a treat.

Thanks, the problem is I am financing the phone through Apple interest free, I don't know if that will potentially screw that up. Also, my Apple Store ran out of Sim Free. I am going to call Verizon and tell them they need to waive it. I pay too much, have been paying for a very long time, I am never late. Ill post the results....
 

DougFNJ

macrumors 65816
Jan 22, 2008
1,435
1,100
NJ
Ok, so I called Verizon....long wait time for obvious reasons. Apparently Verizon began this Activation Fee nonsense 3 years ago for all new phones activated to Verizon no matter if you are paying through Verizon, paying in full, or on a finance or upgrade program from Apple. I had no idea because I have been purchasing phones unlocked. The nice woman on the phone said she would place a $40 credit on my phone bill.

Verizon is getting too greedy. I came into my company on a Bring your Own Device plan option, so I submit my bill and get reimbursed. Since then, they now order phones for most people through the company. Verizon apparently raised rates, and lowered discounts even though we are increasing the amount of lines. My company is now moving from Verizon to Sprint/Tmobile as they were told T-Mobile piggy backs on every Verizon Cell Tower claiming coverage is the same. Curious how that pans out, but Verizon is definitely not the same company they were even 5 years ago.
 

Rafterman

Contributor
Apr 23, 2010
5,889
6,845
In my email confirmation for my order this morning, there is a line showing a $40 upgrade fee through Verizon. Can't I just toss the SIM card that comes in the new phone and switch my current SIM over to avoid this fee or am I missing something?

Isn't it great how phone companies charge you a fee for the privilege of giving them more money?
 

willmtaylor

macrumors G4
Oct 31, 2009
10,313
8,198
Here(-ish)
I was with Verizon for 15+ years and dealt with this a few times.

In general, you’ll have far more success asking if there’s anything they can do to offset the fee vs. asking them to waive it.

They never waived it for me but I never paid it. How? The put a credit on my next bill for me.

BY THE WAY....
Complaining about how greedy Company’s X is on MRF accomplishes nothing. It’s their company and their prerogative to charge what they like. Tell the company either with your words or with your dollars or get over it.

P.S. Try to remember, it’s the company not the over-worked and under-compensated CSR on the other end of the line making the policies.
 
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