Carrier Verizon - use ETF to upgrade early?

[Kevsta26]

My mom really wants an iPhone 5C, but her contract with her current phone isn't up until 9/22/15.

Now I'm wondering is it possible to pay the early termination fee (which I've calculated to be $230 by the 22nd of this month) and then keep her current line/number and then get the 8GB iPhone 5C for $0 with a new 2 year contract with the same line?

 

[miamialley]

I can only check ATT, but from the looks of it you can get the phone now for $250 if you sign a new 2 year contract. That would seem easier. I'd try to get her to get the 5S because of Touch ID and it will get upgrades for longer for just $99 more (and more storage, 8GB ain't much). How much does it show it would cost for the phone if you signed a new 2 year contract?

 

[Kevsta26]

I can only check ATT, but from the looks of it you can get the phone now for $250 if you sign a new 2 year contract. That would seem easier. I'd try to get her to get the 5S because of Touch ID and it will get upgrades for longer for just $99 more (and more storage, 8GB ain't much). How much does it show it would cost for the phone if you signed a new 2 year contract?

Well if I check it only gives me the option to buy now for $450 (which is kinda a lot for a 8GB 5C) or wait till the contract is up to buy for $0. Maybe AT&T is different? But I also read that if you pay the ETF you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can get back with Verizon and my mom doesn't want to loose her number or be stuck without service, so I guess she'll just have to wait? As for getting the 5S, all she really wants is the 5C lol.

 

[miamialley]

Well if I check it only gives me the option to buy now for $450 (which is kinda a lot for a 8GB 5C) or wait till the contract is up to buy for $0. Maybe AT&T is different? But I also read that if you pay the ETF you have to wait a certain amount of time before you can get back with Verizon and my mom doesn't want to loose her number or be stuck without service, so I guess she'll just have to wait? As for getting the 5S, all she really wants is the 5C lol.

My contract has a few less months on it, so that's the difference I guess.

Have you looked at Tmobile or Sprint? They've been promoting paying ETFs.

 

[Kevsta26]

My contract has a few less months on it, so that's the difference I guess.

Have you looked at Tmobile or Sprint? They've been promoting paying ETFs.

I just think Verizon makes you pay full price or nothing till the contract is up, cause I checked another line that's contract is up in less than 2 months and it still says $450 or wait till it ends.

And we've been with Verizon for over 15 years now and have been very satisfied, so we don't really want to switch carriers.

I guess she'll just have to wait another year, which she's okay with, but she does only have an iPhone 4 still, haha. But $450 for a iPhone 5C? Seems kind of a lot.