Add a line for 9.99 - use Eris on other line?

[BiscoJosh]

So, I am really trying to get my hands on an eris, but (1) We do not have any upgrades available and; (2) Even if I had one available, I dont think I would want to use it as I am thinking that by the time they become due, the Nexus One/Maybe Iphone will be on Verizon. Regardless, I was wondering if anyone else has added a line for 9.99 a month and got the Eris at 1 year pricing (2.69 minus 100 rebate), then used the eris on an already established line, and just put an old flip phone on the new 9.99 line. I think it is possible, but I just want to make sure. Or does anyone have any other ideas on how to get the eris through verizon (so i can get insurance) on the semi-cheap?

Thanks!

 

[kyler13]

So, I am really trying to get my hands on an eris, but (1) We do not have any upgrades available and; (2) Even if I had one available, I dont think I would want to use it as I am thinking that by the time they become due, the Nexus One/Maybe Iphone will be on Verizon. Regardless, I was wondering if anyone else has added a line for 9.99 a month and got the Eris at 1 year pricing (2.69 minus 100 rebate), then used the eris on an already established line, and just put an old flip phone on the new 9.99 line. I think it is possible, but I just want to make sure. Or does anyone have any other ideas on how to get the eris through verizon (so i can get insurance) on the semi-cheap?

Thanks!

Somebody asked this before. If you add an extra line, it'll be $9.99 plus $29.99 for the mandatory data plan, regardless of what phone you put on that line (the mandatory data plan drives the subsidized price). If you move the Eris to your primary line, they may require you to pick up data there, too, so your total plan increase is $70 in this scheme. So, if you look at the outlay for a year (assuming you expected to pay the data for your eris on your primary line), what you thought would be an extra $120 cost really ends up being $480 over the next year for the line you're not using. Might as well by the Eris outright for $469. If you're willing to absorb a little cost to save your NE2, my advice is try to score one off ebay for $300-$350 and within the next few months (assuming the release of the phone you want is soon), re-sell it for $150-$200. It'll end up costing you $100-$200 extra in the long run, depending on the going rate for a used Eris by then. Oh, and make sure you take care of the phone to get top dollar. That's your best bet. Good luck.

 

[Wolfedude88]

Not true, I was going to do something like this a few weeks back. Yes you would have to add a line for 9.99, and add data for 29.99. But lets say that you use the eris on primary line, all you have to do is let Verizon know and they can transfer it. You do not have to a data plan on the the other line anymore.

So all in all you will be paying, about 40 bucks and then whatever insurance is a month. But regardless you are going to have to get a data plan if you get a smart phone.

 

[canrunin]

Not true, I was going to do something like this a few weeks back. Yes you would have to add a line for 9.99, and add data for 29.99. But lets say that you use the eris on primary line, all you have to do is let Verizon know and they can transfer it. You do not have to a data plan on the the other line anymore.

So all in all you will be paying, about 40 bucks and then whatever insurance is a month. But regardless you are going to have to get a data plan if you get a smart phone.

i think this is correct,they told me if i changed my mind on my eris at some point i could cancel the data plan but not my 2 yr contract.

 

[DankyDroid]

Droid Eris is 470 w/ no contract, the way you want to do it, it'll cost you 400 after it's all said and done. The add line is 10 a month, for 2 years, that is how you are getting it at 100 after rebate, and that is ADDITIONAL cost on top of what your bill would be w/out the ADD LINE, so....
You could just pay 470 up front, get it w/ no contract, basically buy out the contract for 70 bucks, may be worth while if you are having issues now due to being tied into a contract, then, you would be eligible whenever, since the full retail purchase does not add more time to you existing contract, and you won't have an extra line that you don't really need or use.
That's just one way to look at it though, I guess. Good luck whatever you do hope you like you Eris.

 

[BiscoJosh]

just an update on this - wolf and can were right - I was able to open a new line with ONE year contract, and get the eris at the one year price (279 w/ 100 rebate), and put the eris on the line I had my BB Storm on. In fact, I didnt even have to actually put a phone on the new line which is kind of funny. So, the only extra per month is 9.99. And they actually gave us a 50 credit, so, technically, the 9.99 x 12 is reduced by 50 bucks. So...279-100 rebate + (9.99 x 12) - 50 = 248 for the phone and I didnt waste my upgrate on the established line. Not a bad deal.

 

[kyler13]

just an update on this - wolf and can were right - I was able to open a new line with ONE year contract, and get the eris at the one year price (279 w/ 100 rebate), and put the eris on the line I had my BB Storm on. In fact, I didnt even have to actually put a phone on the new line which is kind of funny. So, the only extra per month is 9.99. And they actually gave us a 50 credit, so, technically, the 9.99 x 12 is reduced by 50 bucks. So...279-100 rebate + (9.99 x 12) - 50 = 248 for the phone and I didnt waste my upgrate on the established line. Not a bad deal.

Wow, that's cool. So how did they handle the data plan issue? I mean, you added a line but you didn't have to carry data on that line? I find that odd. I may try doing this next week, particularly if I can get a good price.

 

[BiscoJosh]

yeah, they didnt require the data on the 9.99 line. I had an already established data line (my BB Storm). So really, besides the phone cost, only 9.99 extra a month.

 

[kyler13]

yeah, they didnt require the data on the 9.99 line. I had an already established data line (my BB Storm). So really, besides the phone cost, only 9.99 extra a month.

I would definitely need to do this online. My online account is linked through my employer so the Eris shows up as $129 for 1 year due to promotional pricing. The problem is that if I go through the motions of adding the line and then move the phone to my primary, I'm wondering if I'll get any flak about trying to drop the data from the extra line. Sounds like you set yourself up in-store. I might try to chat with an on-line rep tomorrow. This would be a nice holdover until something better comes along and if that happens within a month or two, I can probably recoop a good portion of the phone by selling it on ebay. Gotta give props on this idea.

Edit: Wolf, I rep'ed you for setting this straight. Thanks!

 

[Wolfedude88]

Thanks for that, I appreciate it. I am glad everything worked out well for you.

 

[ggp]

... I'm wondering if I'll get any flak about trying to drop the data from the extra line.

No flak to be had... data goes with the device, not the line. You can switch weekly between a smart phone and a regular phone, taking your data off and on, no one at VZW would blink.

OP, great plan, especially if you know someone that could use (and maybe even pitch in) for your additional line. Otherwise keep it in your car in case of emergency.

 

[kyler13]

No flak to be had... data goes with the device, not the line. You can switch weekly between a smart phone and a regular phone, taking your data off and on, no one at VZW would blink.

OP, great plan, especially if you know someone that could use (and maybe even pitch in) for your additional line. Otherwise keep it in your car in case of emergency.

Even under contract? I figured the subsidy was predicated on the data plan requirement. That is, the reduced price is based on not just the voice plan projected earnings for the carrier, but the data plan as well. The full retail price tends to be much higher on smart phones, but subsidized pricing is only marginally more than dumb or feature phones.

I was thinking of a use for an extra line because I'd probably just swap my razr onto it. Hmmm.

 

[ggp]

Tis true, trust me. I'm sure they figure you'll have the data plan on some line, so they'll get their money back... unless you replace an old smartphone on a different line with the new one. But data is a feature, and per phone requirements, you can add and remove features all you want. In fact, the $29.99 smart phone feature is not compatible with a regular phone, so the system will not even allow it to be on the same line. You can take a look in your online account at features on a regular line, and see that you couldn't add it if you wanted to.

 

[kyler13]

Tis true, trust me. I'm sure they figure you'll have the data plan on some line, so they'll get their money back... unless you replace an old smartphone on a different line with the new one. But data is a feature, and per phone requirements, you can add and remove features all you want. In fact, the $29.99 smart phone feature is not compatible with a regular phone, so the system will not even allow it to be on the same line. You can take a look in your online account at features on a regular line, and see that you couldn't add it if you wanted to.

Plus, the 30 days still applies to the added line. If it doesn't work out OR my phone of choice hits Verizon within 30 days, I can always box it up, return it, and cancel the line. Beyond that, I might play the ebay game. I'll keep my eye on the rumor mill through Sunday and then I might pull the trigger Sunday night using this "scheme". Good stuff.

 

[SmallTownGypsy]

Sorry to bring this older thread back around, but I have a question, just want to make sure I understand this.
In doing this little "scheme", rather than giving the Eris a new phone number, it could be made the primary number and...then what? You get a random POS phone to chill on the other line? That seems like getting two phones.
How did the guy with the Storm manage this? Extra curious on that as a Storm is what I have. Been thinking about getting the Eris to tide me over to til something as good as the N1 but better looking comes along.

 

[kyler13]

Sorry to bring this older thread back around, but I have a question, just want to make sure I understand this.
In doing this little "scheme", rather than giving the Eris a new phone number, it could be made the primary number and...then what? You get a random POS phone to chill on the other line? That seems like getting two phones.
How did the guy with the Storm manage this? Extra curious on that as a Storm is what I have. Been thinking about getting the Eris to tide me over to til something as good as the N1 but better looking comes along.

Well you're just swapping phones so no need to get an extra one. But is the phone you're swapping out a smart phone? That will put you in a bind with the data plan requirement. Do you not have an old dumbphone laying around, or do you have a friend with a spare? Can you pick one up for $15-$20 on ebay? I'm coming from a run-of-the-mill flip phone and I also have an old spare and my wife's old razr. I keep these things around in case I ever get in a bind with a broken phone that I can't immediately replace, and I've loaned them out a couple times to people who have been in a bind, holding out for their contract renewal.

 

[SmallTownGypsy]

Well you're just swapping phones so no need to get an extra one. But is the phone you're swapping out a smart phone? That will put you in a bind with the data plan requirement. Do you not have an old dumbphone laying around, or do you have a friend with a spare? Can you pick one up for $15-$20 on ebay? I'm coming from a run-of-the-mill flip phone and I also have an old spare and my wife's old razr. I keep these things around in case I ever get in a bind with a broken phone that I can't immediately replace, and I've loaned them out a couple times to people who have been in a bind, holding out for their contract renewal.

Yeah, after thinking further about it, I realized that the once the phone comes out that I want for my NE2, I would still have the Eris' data plan to pay for. Sorry to have brought all this back up, only to change my mind. Thank you, though!