Frequent phone upgrades?

[smacky]

Someone explain to me how you guys upgrade your phones so frequently. I am the only one in my household with a Verizon phone, so I'm the primary account, but I still only get the new-every-two thing. I've been with Verizon since August of 2007, had an EnV, didn't upgrade until this past November, well past my two years upgrade.

How are people on here moving from one Blackberry to a Storm2 (relatively recent) to an Eris (current) and are now planning to get the N1 when it comes out in a few months? Is there something I'm missing about upgrading? Are you guys really ditching the Eris to spend some $400 on a Nexus at full price? Or are you somehow getting discounts all the time?

I'm really confused at how quickly people, not just on this forum, move through their new phones. It's like, every six months is a new phone for them and I doubt they're spending the $400+ everytime for a new one.

 

[Bswartz95]

I was one year into my contract and Verizon sent me an email that allowed me to upgrade at the two year pricing.

Although, a Verizon phone rep once told me that many store managers will allow you to upgrade at almost anytime because they want to increase sales at their particular store. It's all about the manager. If you aren't successful at one store, try another.

In many cases you can threaten to buy out your contract because in the end that would be cheaper than paying full price for a phone. Verizon doesn't want to lose that monthly bill - that's where they make their money. Not from the phones.

 

[40_LTDShooter]

I was able to upgrade my phone (with the discount) at exactly 20 months into my contract.

 

[smacky]

Since it's my second time around now, you think by the Holidays of 2010, I'll be able to nab the latest Android phone and sell this Eris? I love it, but Android is moving too fast and it's starting to take its toll on me.

 

[Bswartz95]

Since it's my second time around now, you think by the Holidays of 2010, I'll be able to nab the latest Android phone and sell this Eris? I love it, but Android is moving too fast and it's starting to take its toll on me.

I don't think you'll have a problem toward the end of 2010. They always want to boost sales before the year ends.

In the email I got, my discount applied to the Eris, Droid, or Storm 2. Look for something similar if they release an iPhone.

 

[OfTheDamned]

If you are paying for a calling plan that is more than $40 a month (not including data) then you can upgrade annually.

 

[hrbib21]

^I have found that to be very true in my experience. I got my Eris in November but my NE2 was technically June. I've done the same in the past with other phones.

I'll be doing the same thing in the fall, seeing what Android phone is around and get one. I'm hooked on Android now.

 

[smacky]

If you are paying for a calling plan that is more than $40 a month (not including data) then you can upgrade annually.

Really? I have the 450 minutes, unlimited text, and data plan. Not sure how much the 450 mins. is, but I think it's the Nationwide one for $59.99. That should work. So I upgraded last November, this Nov. should be no problem, then?

 

[Bswartz95]

Really? I have the 450 minutes, unlimited text, and data plan. Not sure how much the 450 mins. is, but I think it's the Nationwide one for $59.99. That should work. So I upgraded last November, this Nov. should be no problem, then?

I think the voice plan on the 450 minutes is $39.99. There's the catch. Adding the text probably makes it $59.99.

 

[canrunin]

If you are paying for a calling plan that is more than $40 a month (not including data) then you can upgrade annually.

are you sure about this???? before my 2 yrs is up i usually buy one from ebay (so im behin a little on the technology) and use it till my second year is up. then i get the new stuff.

 

[weihl165]

are you sure about this???? before my 2 yrs is up i usually buy one from ebay (so im behin a little on the technology) and use it till my second year is up. then i get the new stuff.

Yes this is true, I am not sure how much you have to pay each month for it 40? but it all depends on your plan. I have always had the 900 min. nationwide plan and I have always gotten a new phone every year.

 

[ChiTownJim]

You can upgrade at the new contract price every year, you get the $100 credit every 2 years...
However When I had my Dare I used my upgrade for a family member in need, and then I was having to go into Verizon every 2-4 weeks for a new one , when finally I was asked "looks like you've had this replaced a lot , do you just really like this phone" to which I responded "I like it when it works but I can't afford to pay full retail on a phone"
Then they just gave me an upgrade 7 months early .. Bought a Droid had it for about a week and exchanged it for the eris... Now in the summer if a better android device comes out that wows me I'll get a new phone pay the full retail of probably $550 and sell my eris on line for $300 and bam I'm only out $250 for the new phone

Your used phones are still worth money, I sold my Dare right after I got the Droid fore $180 on Craigslist

 

[doogald]

You can upgrade at the new contract price every year, you get the $100 credit every 2 years...

I actually think that it's every twenty months. I upgraded in December and I am eligible for a "new every two" upgrade in August 2011.

 

[smacky]

I had a $50 credit towards my Eris, not $100.

 

[OfTheDamned]

I generally find the best way to do things is to just call and ask. I have had several upgrades that I was not technically ready for. We were on a family plan with two lines and BlackBerries in early December. I decided in October that I want the Droid or Eris and started looking at ways to do this. My girls upgrade was scheduled for December 25th (no idea how that happened) and she was eligible for the NE2 because we set her as the primary line. I was set for a 2 year upgrade on January 15th (I only get upgrades every 2 years because my calling plan is listed as $9.99). When the Bogo came around in December I really wanted to set us both up with new phones and we had decided to cancel the home phone and just add another line to our account ($9.99 beats $59.99 any day). I called Verizon and they would not budge my girl's upgrade date, but they decided to move mine up a month so I could what I wanted to. Since we already spend over $180 a month with Verizon they are really willing to bend over backwards for us. I have noticed that they are willing to do this for almost anyone that has had an account for a while and pays their bill on time. Do not EVER try and get them to do something if you owe them money.

 

[mpaquette]

If you are paying for a calling plan that is more than $40 a month (not including data) then you can upgrade annually.

That is how I typically get my upgrades as well. I have been known to pay full retail for a phone. Typically whichever phone I'm replacing isn't that old so I can sell it and use that money to cover most of the expense of the new phone.

 

[OfTheDamned]

That is how I typically get my upgrades as well. I have been known to pay full retail for a phone. Typically whichever phone I'm replacing isn't that old so I can sell it and use that money to cover most of the expense of the new phone.

I really need to start doing that. I have the makings of a cellular museum at my house.

 

[mpaquette]

I really need to start doing that. I have the makings of a cellular museum at my house.

You'd be surprised what you can get for phones on Ebay.

 

[OfTheDamned]

You'd be surprised what you can get for phones on Ebay.

I have actually heard that you can get a tax deduction for donating phones too.