Lost Droid in a river, please advise replacement options!

[ryan_droid]

I lost my Motorola Droid in a river last week fly fishing and am just sick about it. I don't have insurance nor the budget for a full retail replacement. I'm looking for another Android phone, but was hoping to find something for ~$200. My wife has the other Moto Droid and though she likes the Android, I think she would like a phone with a bit smaller size. For that reason, I was considering the HTC Droid Eris, but I read posts that downplay it for the processor and for the less-than-updated OS because of the sense UI. Is this a big deal? As I know it, my options are:

1. Buy a certified pre-owned Android based phone from Verizon (Droid and Eris currently available but not Droid Incredible or LG Ally). Checked pricing as of today on a Moto Droid was $289.
2. Add a 3rd line to get the new 2-yr contract pricing on a new phone (Droid X?). At $10/mo, this adds $240 to the cost of this phone since I really don't need another line.
3. Buy an Android based phone from Ebay (and hope I don't get screwed again)
4. Other???

Please advise, thanks!

 

[IOWA]

I lost my Motorola Droid in a river last week fly fishing and am just sick about it. I don't have insurance nor the budget for a full retail replacement. I'm looking for another Android phone, but was hoping to find something for ~$200. My wife has the other Moto Droid and though she likes the Android, I think she would like a phone with a bit smaller size. For that reason, I was considering the HTC Droid Eris, but I read posts that downplay it for the processor and for the less-than-updated OS because of the sense UI. Is this a big deal? As I know it, my options are:

1. Buy a certified pre-owned Android based phone from Verizon (Droid and Eris currently available but not Droid Incredible or LG Ally). Checked pricing as of today on a Moto Droid was $289.
2. Add a 3rd line to get the new 2-yr contract pricing on a new phone (Droid X?). At $10/mo, this adds $240 to the cost of this phone since I really don't need another line.
3. Buy an Android based phone from Ebay (and hope I don't get screwed again)
4. Other???

Please advise, thanks!

The only other option I can think of is craigslist, and you have to be real careful with that too.

 

[Member138406]

Craigslist is much better then ebay I would say.. I have done many many transactions on craigslist. Never really had an issue... With phones buying or selling, I always meet the person at the Verizon store to verify it can be activated and usually just get it done on the spot, and with Droid X coming out soon you will probably find a lot of Moto Droids going up for sale.

 

[HustlinDaily]

One thing about buying a smartphone on a contract is that I think it requires a data plan so it would be more than $10/month to add the line ($40/month). If this is not the case, then I would recommend buying an Ally on a 1-year contract and adding it as an extra line (for your wife who wants something smaller).

If this is the case, then I think it would be smartest to wait until the Droid X releases so people can start selling their Droids to get one.

 

[JanuariStar]

If this is the case, then I think it would be smartest to wait until the Droid X releases so people can start selling their Droids to get one.

This is true. Last week my boyfriend and I got our first Droids off of ebay. Neither one of us had ever had a smartphone and weren't sure if we wanted the extra expense of $30/phone for the data plans. So I decided that we should buy 2 Droids off of ebay to test them out. I found 2 fantastic phones, at just under and over $250 ea. Our plan is to test them out and see how we like having them and if they're worth the added monthly expense. Turns out we love them.

I thought that I'd want the qwerty kb and the smaller size. If I wanted to keep it, I'd wait for the Droid 2 and order that for $199 on contract, then sell my Droid back on ebay hoping to get most of the $250 I spent on it. Turns out, the Droid doesn't feel nearly as big as we thought it would so both of us are planning on getting the DX next week. If we're going to spend $200+ on a phone, I'd rather get the newer faster ones under contract, and put the D1's back on ebay.

If you want me to tell you when I post them, let me know. One phone was 4 mos. old and one was a week old. We've only had them 5 days, but already know we're willing to commit to having Droids.

 

[takeshi]

For that reason, I was considering the HTC Droid Eris, but I read posts that downplay it for the processor and for the less-than-updated OS because of the sense UI. Is this a big deal?

Depends on who you ask. We're not psychic so we can't tell you if it will be a big deal for you. Have you tried any devices with Sense? Is there an Eris anywhere that you can check out in person?

One thing about buying a smartphone on a contract is that I think it requires a data plan so it would be more than $10/month to add the line ($40/month).

The device doesn't have to be activated on the new line. OP will need a suitable phone to activate on the new line though (one that doesn't require a data plan).

 

[ryan_droid]

Depends on who you ask. We're not psychic so we can't tell you if it will be a big deal for you. Have you tried any devices with Sense? Is there an Eris anywhere that you can check out in person?

Thanks, I realize this may be largely personal preference but I honestly didn't even really know what Sense is. For the hands on thing, I would need to bring my wife into a VZW store to try it out since we don't know anyone with an Eris.

 

[troynstan]

I think you can add the line for 9.99 on a family share plan and just put the DROID on your line. Check with Verizon to see if there has to be a phone on the added line. If so, buy the cheapest one you can find or use an old Verizon phone just to put on the line. Once one of your contracts expire, get rid of the extra line. I'm assuming you have at least one line with less than 2 years left on the contract.
As far as Craigslist goes, I bought both of my Droid's on Craigslist and they work great. Make sure to check the ESN number of the phone with Verizon to make sure it is not a lost/stolen phone.
Otherwise, let your wife find the phone she wants and switch the ESN numbers to match each of your phone numbers.

 

[UrbanMuppet]

No longer a contributing member. Account pending for deletion.