Buying IPhone at Apple or Verizon...
- Thread starter Robert H.
- Start date
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You should be able to get one a discount from your provider with a renewal of your contract.
Check your contract with Verizon first.
My wife still has a true unlimited data plan, which is no longer offered, but she still gets it because she has not taken advantage of her discounted phone upgrades Verizon in a long time. If she ever took a discounted phone from Verizon, it would automatically discontinue her unlimited data plan.
So what we do is this -> I always get the most up-to-date phone that I want, with my Verizon upgrade, and give her my "old" phone, which we have reprogrammed (by Verizon) to her number, etc. So all she ever has is -1 generation away from what ever is new.
I had an iPhone 4. I got a "free upgrade" with Verizon for the 4S, so I took it (cost me $99). Gave the 4 to the wife. She was happy and fine with it.
When the iPhone 5 came out, and I qualified for a "free upgrade" a month later, I got the 5 (cost me $99), and gave the 4S to my wife. She was happy and fine with it.
We activated the mobile hotspot feature with her phone (one time charge of $30), and use the heck out of it, and it costs us nothing extra.
Also, because of this, I try to take very good care of my phones, so that the wife will always get one in like-new condition. I'm not sure how long we'll be able to keep this up, but I was just in Verizon on Monday this week and talked to a rep to fix a billing issue that I had, and he confirmed that Verizon can't kick people off their unlimited data packages because they're both contractually obligated to it, unless they take an upgrade.
Sp if you have an unlimited data package... and you like to use a lot of data... it might be worth buying an iPhone outright.
My wife still has a true unlimited data plan, which is no longer offered, but she still gets it because she has not taken advantage of her discounted phone upgrades Verizon in a long time. If she ever took a discounted phone from Verizon, it would automatically discontinue her unlimited data plan.
So what we do is this -> I always get the most up-to-date phone that I want, with my Verizon upgrade, and give her my "old" phone, which we have reprogrammed (by Verizon) to her number, etc. So all she ever has is -1 generation away from what ever is new.
I had an iPhone 4. I got a "free upgrade" with Verizon for the 4S, so I took it (cost me $99). Gave the 4 to the wife. She was happy and fine with it.
When the iPhone 5 came out, and I qualified for a "free upgrade" a month later, I got the 5 (cost me $99), and gave the 4S to my wife. She was happy and fine with it.
We activated the mobile hotspot feature with her phone (one time charge of $30), and use the heck out of it, and it costs us nothing extra.
Also, because of this, I try to take very good care of my phones, so that the wife will always get one in like-new condition. I'm not sure how long we'll be able to keep this up, but I was just in Verizon on Monday this week and talked to a rep to fix a billing issue that I had, and he confirmed that Verizon can't kick people off their unlimited data packages because they're both contractually obligated to it, unless they take an upgrade.
Sp if you have an unlimited data package... and you like to use a lot of data... it might be worth buying an iPhone outright.
Fearnot
Poster Extraordinaire
When I got my iPhone, the Verizon store told me repeatedly that my 'new every two' discount didn't apply to iPhones. But when I went into the Apple Store, I got the discount. The setup was effortless, too. A great experience all 'round.
TheGoodTexan: technically she's able to keep her unlimited data plan because she is not getting a new contract. Verizon won't renew those old unlimited plans anymore. They force you into a new contract with a new discounted phone.
Fearnot: You spoke to idiots. Verizon has always offered discounts on iPhones.
As far as I know, the Apple store never runs promotions on the current iPhones, so you can only get them at the standard contract discount price (or full price). Sometimes Verizon does have promotions, so sometimes you'll save a little money by going directly through Verizon.
Fearnot: You spoke to idiots. Verizon has always offered discounts on iPhones.
As far as I know, the Apple store never runs promotions on the current iPhones, so you can only get them at the standard contract discount price (or full price). Sometimes Verizon does have promotions, so sometimes you'll save a little money by going directly through Verizon.
tap4154
Doctor of Teleocity
I just got a Razr M from Verizon free with contract renewal, but they also had the iPhone 4 free (only white), and iPhone 5 for $199 with contract. I was coming from a flip phone so didn't lose anything in re-upping the contract.
4string
Friend of Leo's
Don't know about Verizon. AT&T has iPhone 4 for 99 cents with a sign-up. Got one for my wife a couple months ago. It is her 1st smart phone, so she loves it. It has voice recognition to work with a bluetooth also.
Fearnot
Poster Extraordinaire
reverbbb
Friend of Leo's
I was able to get my Samsung Skyrocket Galaxy IIs at Walmart for $0.10 plus tax ($0.11). I had to sign a two year contract with ATT. But I have been renewing my ATT contracts every few years since 1997, so no problem there. The price at the ATT store was $149 and two year contract.
I won't dis iPhone. But my wife & I love our matching Galaxy phones with Android. Larger screen and lots of access to apps.
Back you your question. Apple has strict agreements with all of its VARs. You can buy an iPhone at the Verizon store. But once you finish the purchase transaction, ALL repairs and support for that phone must be done through an Apple store. That means if you walk out of the store and the phone malfunctions before you even get to your car, ATT cannot trade it or repair it. Therefore, you might as well go to the Apple store to begin with - unless you can get a better deal at Verizon or Walmart.
I won't dis iPhone. But my wife & I love our matching Galaxy phones with Android. Larger screen and lots of access to apps.
Back you your question. Apple has strict agreements with all of its VARs. You can buy an iPhone at the Verizon store. But once you finish the purchase transaction, ALL repairs and support for that phone must be done through an Apple store. That means if you walk out of the store and the phone malfunctions before you even get to your car, ATT cannot trade it or repair it. Therefore, you might as well go to the Apple store to begin with - unless you can get a better deal at Verizon or Walmart.
tap4154
Doctor of Teleocity
Yes, I suspected as much. My point is, the people at the Apple Store weren't idiots.
But you can avoid the stupid people
I did my shopping on the Verizon website, which lists all the phones, features, prices, data plans etc. You order it there and choose your plan (which can be changed later according to your usage) and can either have the phone shipped to you, or (as I did) check stock at your local Verizon stores and pick it up within one hour. After you complete your order online and pick a nearby store they'll email when your order is ready, and when you hit the store you get bumped to the front of the line. I ordered my free Droid Razr M at 8:30 AM, arrived at the store at 10:00 AM, and was out the door with the phone all set up by about 10:30.
BTW, of course "free" in CA means you pay sales tax on the MSRP, which was $549 for the Razr M (sales tax $44).
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