Buy EVO then port number 3 weeks later?

[eyc]

I am currently (and always have been) a Verizon customer. I recently purchased the HTC Incredible, but plan on trying out the EVO 4G.

I hear that Sprint has great reception in Chicago, but I won't know until I actually try using the phone. Here's my question:

Can I purchase the EVO 4G without canceling my Verizon plan, then test both phones for 3 weeks, before making a final decision? If, I decide to drop Verizon, can I then port my personal mobile phone number to Sprint, even though I've been using a newly-assigned mobile number on Sprint for three weeks?

** The reason I want to hang onto Verizon while I purchase the EVO 4G is that I want to make sure I can go back to Verizon if Sprint does not provide enough coverage.

 

[GeneralPatton]

I am currently (and always have been) a Verizon customer. I recently purchased the HTC Incredible, but plan on trying out the EVO 4G.

I hear that Sprint has great reception in Chicago, but I won't know until I actually try using the phone. Here's my question:

Can I purchase the EVO 4G without canceling my Verizon plan, then test both phones for 3 weeks, before making a final decision? If, I decide to drop Verizon, can I then port my personal mobile phone number to Sprint, even though I've been using a newly-assigned mobile number on Sprint for three weeks?

I know Sprint Stores have devices where they can connected the two phones and transfer contacts over to whichever phone you want. (I assume this tool works for all carriers, as it simply depends on the phones plug)

I believe Sprint offers the 30-Day Money Back Gaurantee for new Sprint Customers so you should be able to do your idea. Verizon is another story, not sure about Verizon's policy.

 

[SprintFun]

Can I purchase the EVO 4G without canceling my Verizon plan, then test both phones for 3 weeks, before making a final decision? If, I decide to drop Verizon, can I then port my personal mobile phone number to Sprint, even though I've been using a newly-assigned mobile number on Sprint for three weeks?

** The reason I want to hang onto Verizon while I purchase the EVO 4G is that I want to make sure I can go back to Verizon if Sprint does not provide enough coverage.

Yes regarding changing your number over after 3 weeks. Should not really be a problem as a lot of people will be in a similar position I think.

 

[hookem12387]

I would love to know as well

 

[Berner]

Yes, you can do this. I am doing this (also Chicago resident, btw).

Note: porting your number is equivalent to terminating your contract with Verizon. So be sure you're ready to pay whatever the ETF might be before starting the port process.

 

[eyc]

Yes, you can do this. I am doing this (also Chicago resident, btw).

Note: porting your number is equivalent to terminating your contract with Verizon. So be sure you're ready to pay whatever the ETF might be before starting the port process.

Good to know. I think it was rather fortunate that the EVO drops 30 days after the Incredible, so that Incredible users can jump ship if they so choose. For me, I absolutely love the Incredible and Verizon, but my Incredible has terrible call quality (i.e., garbled voices regardless of signal strength) -- and this "garbled voice" issue seems to be rampant if you hop over to that forum. I just hope that the EVO does not have the same issues. The BB that I'm coming from had absolutely pristine call quality in comparison to the Incredible.

 

[Berner]

Good to know. I think it was rather fortunate that the EVO drops 30 days after the Incredible, so that Incredible users can jump ship if they so choose. For me, I absolutely love the Incredible and Verizon, but my Incredible has terrible call quality (i.e., garbled voices regardless of signal strength) -- and this "garbled voice" issue seems to be rampant if you hop over to that forum. I just hope that the EVO does not have the same issues. The BB that I'm coming from had absolutely pristine call quality in comparison to the Incredible.

Similar experience for me. When asked, people I'm talking to on the Incredible say it sounds like I'm on a cell phone. They never said that when I was using my Storm (lord knows there are things wrong with that phone, but it gets good radio reception).

I'm very curious to see what kind of service I get with Sprint. The research I've done indicates that signal strength is excellent where I live (better than Verizon, in fact) but I won't trust it until I experience it.

Although I dislike the thought of paying two carriers during the 30-day overlap, I think its worth it to give Sprint/EVO a fair test -- and to make sure my backup plan is there if I decide I need it.

 

[alewifebp]

I just stopped at a Sprint store tonight to see if they had at least a mockup available. They didn't, but I asked the rep this same question, since I'm considering doing the same. He said that it would be no problem. You can get a number with Sprint and port your number later. With the 30 day guarantee, that makes it quite easy to try out Sprint and see if it will work with you without messing up your current contract.

 

[nyijedi]

I also plan on doing this. I REALLY want the EVO, but I'm a little hesitant to leave Verizon's solid network for Sprint.

 

[twospirits]

Well, like others have mentioned, try it out for the 30 days. With Sprints 30 day money back guarantee you should have plenty of time to see if it works better for you.

TS

 

[CRPercodani]

I'm not sure how things work if your on a new Verizon contract though, you might not be able to port the number if your using the 30 day test drive from Verizon. I know you can easily port a number no matter how long you have been on a new contract but I just wonder if you will have trouble with Verizon allowing you to take the number if your returning your Inc and canceling your contract within the first 30 days.

 

[tarponbeach]

I'm doing the same. I too have the Incredible, and even though I really like it, mine has some serious flaws. Mine suffers from the random rebooting problem, as well as the poor call quality issue. I'm also not impressed with the Incredible's build quality.

The EVO seems to be a better fit for me, although both devices being made by HTC, I am hopeful that the EVO does not suffer from the same problems as the INC.

 

[VGPOP]

I was not aware you can do this.

I am still under contract with T-Mobile, if I terminate my contract now or June 4th, I have to pay a partial ETF, which for me is now $100.00

If I wait until June 25th, then I enter the 90 or less day remaining in my contract and pay only $50.00

So, I can buy EVO on June 4th, sign a contract and then on June 25th, go to Sprint and have port my number and only pay T-mobile $50.00 ETF + any remaining balance I have?

Obviously between June 4th and June 25th I will have a new telephone number from Sprint until I port my T-mobile phone#.

Is that an option I can do?

 

[CRPercodani]

Yes VGPOP, you can do that. Just to be safe though I would wait until the 26th in case it doesn't go into effect until midnight or something. Carriers always playing some kind of game.

 

[0837s]

I'm doing the same thing. I'm with Verizon now and have an Evo preordered. I went into the Sprint store last night to find out about coverage and such where I live (Madison, WI), and all I was told is that Madison will be 4G by the end of 2010 and elsewhere will be roaming calls, which I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I haven't exactly had the best luck with Verizon, and I don't want to fall into a worser situation with Sprint. I'm getting a temp number for a few weeks to try it out and see what I think...

 

[companyman]

So i had a similar situation where I bought the incredible for me and my wife but was getting some problems with the phones. Reboots, call quality, etc. Nothing horrible but I noticed that I could get a better phone for a cheaper rate on Sprint. So I returned my incredibles, canceled my contract. I preordered the Evo this morning and will pick up the phones on the release date.

Now the Verizon rep told me that I would lose my cell phone numbers that I had ported over to Verizon because I'm canceling my contract. I thought they had to hold the number, no matter what, for 30 days? That way if I signed a contract within 30 days with another carrier they could port my number. The Verizon guy insisted that it's not the case and that I've lost my numbers. Not a big deal to me because not that many people have my cell #.

Anyone have any input on that Verizon rep's claim? It's not a big deal either way but the rules regarding this are somewhat vague.

 

[Berner]

... So I returned my incredibles, canceled my contract. I preordered the Evo this morning and will pick up the phones on the release date.

Now the Verizon rep told me that I would lose my cell phone numbers that I had ported over to Verizon because I'm canceling my contract. I thought they had to hold the number, no matter what, for 30 days? ...

There is no 30 day grace period. When you terminated your Verizon contract, you immediately lost all rights to that phone number.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/numbport.html

 

[companyman]

There is no 30 day grace period. When you terminated your Verizon contract, you immediately lost all rights to that phone number.

Keeping Your Telephone Number When You Change Your Service Provider

Thanks for the info.

It looks like it's a good time to get Google Voice setup.

 

[jds4000]

I too am having trouble with my Incredible. Random reboots, freezing, laggy at times. Will exchange my phone the last week in May when inventories are refreshed in my area, get a NEW 30 day trial period, buy the EVO, try it out, and then TERMINATE Verizon.

 

[wase4711]

to the OP; yes, Chicago has GREAT Sprint reception, and, coverage..I dumped them because of the horrific customer service, that had been farmed out to Pakistan/Samoa/God-Knows_where else!

I too have an Incredible,and even though I have really no beefs with it, except the call quality isnt as clear as I think it should be, the smartest thing for anyone to do, in the same situation, is to try the EVO for 30 days, with whatever temp number they give you, and keep the Verizon contract in effect until you are sure you love Sprint/EVO...as said previously, just be perpared to pay the 350.00 ETF!!