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Paying Full Price: Best Buy or VZ?

So, I don't want to be boxed in to a 2 year contract with VZ, but right now I don't want to go anywhere. I love what I've seen from the EVO, but I'm not willing to wait until summer, due to having a brutally old smartphone (I broke my BB Tour, so now I'm using an 8830 BB Curve).

So... I've decided to pay full retail for the phone (Droid Incredible). But I'm confused on my options as far as insurance goes. From what I understand, the cost of the phone will be the same at either place. So it seems it's more a matter of who has the better insurance and at what cost. I've read the confusing PDF and it looks as if you have to sign up to a plan through Best Buy, but I'm not sure I'm reading it right.

I'm conflicted because I do drop my Blackberry a lot (and have been saved multiple times with its case. That being said, I've had an iPod touch for almost 2 years (and yes I've dropped it), but I still have it without any major scratches. I want insurance against a busted screen. Thoughts?
 
Well I work for Best Buy Mobile, and we will cover your broken screen, how ever, you don't need to pay deductibles and all that with us. We would be $9.99 a month compared to Verizon. Best Buy will cover accidental though. Pretty tired right now so don't exactly remember if Verizon is going to do that for you.
 
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Well I work for Best Buy Mobile, and we will cover your broken screen, how ever, you don't need to pay deductibles and all that with us. We would be $9.99 a month compared to Verizon. Best Buy will cover accidental though. Pretty tired right now so don't exactly remember if Verizon is going to do that for you.

Verizon does cover accidental, but they replace your phone with a refurbished phone =/

Toilet phones=bad
 
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So, I don't want to be boxed in to a 2 year contract with VZ, but right now I don't want to go anywhere.

So... I've decided to pay full retail for the phone (Droid Incredible).


Can someone explain to me the advantage to paying full retail for a phone of this price at Verizon?

I can understand at T-Mobile where they have discounted plans for those who own their phones.

But with Verizon/Sprint/ATT, I don't see the advantage.

If you quit, you pay the ETF. Isn't it $350 now minus $5/month? Add that to the $200 phone and worst case if you quit a month later, you would break even with buying it outright?
 
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Can someone explain to me the advantage to paying full retail for a phone of this price at Verizon?

I can understand at T-Mobile where they have discounted plans for those who own their phones.

But with Verizon/Sprint/ATT, I don't see the advantage.

If you quit, you pay the ETF. Isn't it $350 now minus $5/month? Add that to the $200 phone and worst case if you quit a month later, you would break even with buying it outright?

Do this. You can get the phone for 199 (or cheaper) The ETF is 350. So worst case is you are paying 550 for the phone if you were to cancel in the 2nd month. If you keep the phone more than a couple months then its cheaper in the long run. If you are worried about coming up with the ETF, then just take the difference (350) and stick it in an account and dont touch it. If you cancel, pull it out and pay for it, if you dont cancel, then when you upgrade again you will already have your phone paid for :)
 
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I was told by Verizon that if you are eligible for upgrade they will not let you use the insurance.

I called beginning of April for a repair/replacement, I was eligible for upgrade on the 15th (this being the 10th) and they said if the replacement breaks after the 15th my insurance will be void because I am eligible for upgrade.
 
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Can someone explain to me the advantage to paying full retail for a phone of this price at Verizon?

I can understand at T-Mobile where they have discounted plans for those who own their phones.

But with Verizon/Sprint/ATT, I don't see the advantage.

If you quit, you pay the ETF. Isn't it $350 now minus $5/month? Add that to the $200 phone and worst case if you quit a month later, you would break even with buying it outright?


If you're not eligiable for the discounted pricing then its mute. If you pay full price, they dont extend your contract so your ETF does not reset on purchase.
 
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Well I work for Best Buy Mobile, and we will cover your broken screen, how ever, you don't need to pay deductibles and all that with us. We would be $9.99 a month compared to Verizon. Best Buy will cover accidental though. Pretty tired right now so don't exactly remember if Verizon is going to do that for you.

Since you work there can you tell me if its 599 or 529 ? I've been getting mixed answers about this and would they charge taxes ?
 
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Please, please, please read the fine print with Best Buy. They will ATTEMPT to repair your phone first, if its something they can do, and you can be without your phone for WEEKS potentially. They do cover "accidental" damage to your phone but at a higher price per month, where Verizon is just a deductible with a cheaper per month price.

I personally chose Verizon's even though I would typically say Best Buy's plans are worth while, in the mobile area I tell everyone to avoid it.
 
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I was told by Verizon that if you are eligible for upgrade they will not let you use the insurance.

I called beginning of April for a repair/replacement, I was eligible for upgrade on the 15th (this being the 10th) and they said if the replacement breaks after the 15th my insurance will be void because I am eligible for upgrade.

that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard.insurance has nothing to do with upgrade date.
 
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So, I don't want to be boxed in to a 2 year contract with VZ, but right now I don't want to go anywhere. I love what I've seen from the EVO, but I'm not willing to wait until summer, due to having a brutally old smartphone (I broke my BB Tour, so now I'm using an 8830 BB Curve).

So... I've decided to pay full retail for the phone (Droid Incredible). But I'm confused on my options as far as insurance goes. From what I understand, the cost of the phone will be the same at either place. So it seems it's more a matter of who has the better insurance and at what cost. I've read the confusing PDF and it looks as if you have to sign up to a plan through Best Buy, but I'm not sure I'm reading it right.

I'm conflicted because I do drop my Blackberry a lot (and have been saved multiple times with its case. That being said, I've had an iPod touch for almost 2 years (and yes I've dropped it), but I still have it without any major scratches. I want insurance against a busted screen. Thoughts?

Regarding the insurance .... check with your homeowners / renter policy. My homeowners insurance will cover my phone for an extra $20 per YEAR (or something like that). Much cheaper.
 
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Well I work for Best Buy Mobile, and we will cover your broken screen, how ever, you don't need to pay deductibles and all that with us. We would be $9.99 a month compared to Verizon. Best Buy will cover accidental though. Pretty tired right now so don't exactly remember if Verizon is going to do that for you.
Verizon covers accidental damage as well. At any rate your Best Buy plan and Verizons is a complete ripoff. Square trade is the only way to go.
 
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My contract will be up in Jan of 2011, and I just don't want to be tied down after that. Basically the first company to bring 4G to Madison, Wisconsin will be where I go. I've heard LTE will be coming to VZ in 2011, and Sprint hasn't announced 4G coverage in Madison yet, so it's a waiting game for me. I'm not worried about being without my phone as I have my ole' BB curve to help me get through any times I'm without my DI.

Btw, is it Thursday yet? This feels like Christmas :D
 
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