Paying full Price? Read on.........

[jdaud]

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this phone since I started reading about it. I will be purchasing 2 of them at full MSRP to replace two Crap-Berrys I currently use for my business. Well I stopped in at a Verizon Corp store this morning to see about what time they were opening, inventory, etc. and the CSR told me....

She just left a meeting where she was informed that you CANNOT purchase this phone in store unless you are upgrading/adding a line. I said, "WHAT!!!!?!???!". She said that I could not walk in and plop down the $1138.00 and walk out with two phones. They would have to be ordered. Whether they have extras or not.

Needless to say, for anyone planning on this, beware

 

[swazedahustla]

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this phone since I started reading about it. I will be purchasing 2 of them at full MSRP to replace two Crap-Berrys I currently use for my business. Well I stopped in at a Verizon Corp store this morning to see about what time they were opening, inventory, etc. and the CSR told me....

She just left a meeting where she was informed that you CANNOT purchase this phone in store unless you are upgrading/adding a line. I said, "WHAT!!!!?!???!". She said that I could not walk in and plop down the $1138.00 and walk out with two phones. They would have to be ordered. Whether they have extras or not.

Needless to say, for anyone planning on this, beware

Same thing with the EVO. There were alot of unhappy people after hearing that news. But it kinda makes sense, they are making their money off the contracts, not really the phones. Im sure you will be able to get them off contract but it might take some creativity on your part to make it happen.

 

[bsutton1]

I talked to a CSR this morning and she said I could buy the phone out right.

 

[jdaud]

I talked to a CSR this morning and she said I could buy the phone out right.

WTF?

Do I order at midnight and wait till Friday? Or do I roll the dice and try to buy one outright?

 

[jroc]

That sounds crazy. Someone buying at retail is alot more money than someone upgrading or adding a line. They are willing to turn down extra money?

 

[phobic]

That sounds crazy. Someone buying at retail is alot more money than someone upgrading or adding a line. They are willing to turn down extra money?

From the carrier's point of view, they could potentially lose more money if someone were to purchase the phone out right instead of being "forced" into a 1-2 year contract.

 

[Vihzel]

Anyone know if this is the same case at Best Buy?

 

[jroc]

From the carrier's point of view, they could potentially lose more money if someone were to purchase the phone out right instead of being "forced" into a 1-2 year contract.

Good point.

 

[jdaud]

Anyone know if this is the same case at Best Buy?

I just called my local Best Buy and was told they had a 'few' pre-orders and if they had extra I could "absolutely" purchase at MSRP

 

[Sinder]

I just talked to my buddy at VZW and he said that was total nonsense. You can pay full retail and get it without adding to a/your contract. FWIW.

 

[Vihzel]

Perhaps the CSR in the OP just wanted to make as much money as possible for the store.

 

[JA1234]

I was told the same thing by a sales rep at one local store. and that I could buy at full MSRP at another local store...the one that said I couldnt only has 20 devices and the one that said I could has 60

 

[jdaud]

I just talked to my buddy at VZW and he said that was total nonsense. You can pay full retail and get it without adding to a/your contract. FWIW.

Why is it that there is so much contradiction within Verizon? This whole DroidX forum is filled with sooooooo many different he said/she says from Verizon. Can't they all just get along?

That said, Verizon opens at 8, Best Buy at 10. I'm crossing my fingers

 

[JA1234]

Why is it that there is so much contradiction within Verizon? This whole DroidX forum is filled with sooooooo many different he said/she says from Verizon. Can't they all just get along?

That said, Verizon opens at 8, Best Buy at 10. I'm crossing my fingers

I email my area regional President and asked that very question today...will see what they say

but I will be at the store at 8 and see what happens. if I cant then I will order it from my phone and hope to atleast have it before the next week ends.. the whole HTC deal has left me sore mouthed...

 

[JA1234]

lol just called store that said i could buy at full price on the 15th and was told no by manager this time... what a crock

 

[Deleted User]

GTFO... There has to be something illegal with that.

 

[Vihzel]

I talked with all 3 of my Verizon stores and 1 told me that they REALLY prefer for you to not buy at full MSRP but the other 2 were like "Sure. That's fine."

 

[JubbaTheHutt]

From the carrier's point of view, they could potentially lose more money if someone were to purchase the phone out right instead of being "forced" into a 1-2 year contract.

This.

You do realize wireless companies make little to nothing on cellphone purchases yes? They get most of their bread and butter from plans, add-ons, and extended features. Just like a movie theater gets a majority of its profit from concessions, not from actual ticket sales.

 

[JA1234]

This.

You do realize wireless companies make little to nothing on cellphone purchases yes? They get most of their bread and butter from plans, add-ons, and extended features. Just like a movie theater gets a majority of its profit from concessions, not from actual ticket sales.

I could see that being the case at BB or other non corp. stores, but corp stores should be there as a convenience for their customers and to serve their customers JMO

 

[jroc]

I just thought about something. Since I'm already under contract with Verizon, Imma see if I can haggle the price down some.

And it shouldnt matter to them for people already on contracts if we buy it at full price. What we gonna do, buy it and cancel our contracts? lol

Maybe that no retail sale at launch thing is for ppl coming from other carriers or for ppl thats month to month.

 

[genxgeek]

I email my area regional President and asked that very question today...will see what they say

but I will be at the store at 8 and see what happens. if I cant then I will order it from my phone and hope to atleast have it before the next week ends.. the whole HTC deal has left me sore mouthed...

How did you determine your regional president?

 

[JA1234]

How did you determine your regional president?

Region Presidents Then selected my area person clicked on the about them link and a contact link was at the bottom of his bio


you can go here Executive Leadership and find all the higher ups

 

[Sheba611]

Anyone know if this is the same case at Best Buy?

Best Buy charges more for the phone if you pay full retail than VZW. I know when I went looking for the Incredible, Best Buy retail price was $599.99, where VZW online the price is $529.99. Best Buy gets paid more if they get customers to sign up for a 2 year contract and if they charged the same retail price as VZW they wouldn't make any money on the sale.

 

[Vihzel]

Best Buy charges more for the phone if you pay full retail than VZW. I know when I went looking for the Incredible, Best Buy retail price was $599.99, where VZW online the price is $529.99. Best Buy gets paid more if they get customers to sign up for a 2 year contract and if they charged the same retail price as VZW they wouldn't make any money on the sale.

Ooooh really? Well I have to take my name off that list then. lol

 

[Ryobi]

This vzw policy or lack thereof regarding purchasing devices at full retail vs having to buy with contract is very troublesome.

When I went to a vzw corp store to buy the Incredible at full retail, they told me no. Can only be purchased with a new contract or a renew. I called the corp store across the street to find out what they had to say. I mostly frequent that store but because they had no stock of the phone and the other store did, I went there.

They said that it was total nonsense. You can buy at full retail and all stores should allow you to do so. They called the store I wanted to purchase from and informed the manager that he was to sell the phone at full retail, period, end of discussion.

I went back a few hours later and bought the phone at full retail but the guy who sold me the phone was an asshole. My feeling about it is this. To turn away a customer with cash in hand is a no-no. Regardless of what the CSR or company make on the equipment.

I'm paying $500 + for a phone, you better treat me right. I don't care if you make a nickel or a dime on the phone. I'm not paying a monthly fee for the phone.

vzw needs to get this straight.