Where's the best place to buy the Incredible?

[dm33]

Ok trying to strategize when and where to get the Incredible.

Sounds like the main choices are:

• Verizon in store
• Verizon online
• Bestbuy

Which will likely have it first?
Which has the best return policy?
Can they all handle corporate discounts?

Thanks

 

[jlb0305]

If you can wait for it to be shipped to you Newegg, Wirefly, and Amazon are cheaper than VZW or bestbuy... for certain phones Walmart is cheaper too (primary line only). This is true on new contracts or upgrades (must be 10 months into a 1 year or 20 months into a 2 year).

 

[dm33]

If you can wait for it to be shipped to you Newegg, Wirefly, and Amazon are cheaper than VZW or bestbuy... for certain phones Walmart is cheaper too (primary line only). This is true on new contracts or upgrades (must be 10 months into a 1 year or 20 months into a 2 year).

My worry with those places is how to handle the corporate discount and if the discount breaks the terms of the offer. In particular, most corporate discounts give free activation, whereas the LetsTalk website says Verizon will charge $35/phone on the 1st months bill.

 

[jlb0305]

From my experience, no matter where you buy it, upgrades aren't charged the $35 activation fee (only for new lines). As for corp discount/ NE2 discount... amazon, newegg, and wirefly don't accept them as far as I know, but the price is cheaper than my discount anyway. (Storm2 for example is $0.01 on those and droid is $19.99 upgrade as of this moment)

My corporate discount a few years ago was really great. Most blackberries and smart phones were $50 or less, if not free. Looking now, that no longer seems to be the case.

 

[bravesfan171]

If it's cheaper at Best Buy and you get it there, and you want support, can't you still take the phone to Verizon?

 

[demosthenes]

Best Buy and the other places likely won't be cheaper when the Incredible is released. My recollection is that the Moto Droid was 199 at Best Buy on release, the only advantage being that you didn't have to deal with the mail in rebate.

Eventually it will be cheaper but I don't know how long that will take. A minimum of a month I would assume. Probably longer until the Moto Shadow is released.

 

[Flaring Afro]

I've seen some really bad reviews about letstalk.com. I would never give them my card, and many online stores go through them, such as walmart.

 

[Kyreba]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Costco will have it at their kiosk. They also don't make you deal with mail in rebates & they charge the sales tax on the wholesale cost not the retail. When I was looking at the Droid that alone was worth losing the NE2 credit.

 

[Rutgerskid]

Stumbled onto this site a few days ago...Loving it so far.

I will be getting a new contract when the Incredible comes out. (Coming over from my dad's Family Plan -- New Line, don't want to deal with any porting and what not.)

Anyway, I have heard about the Corporate Discounts (I work for Staples -- I won't be able to buy the phone at our stores, one of our ethics policies). The discount should be 20 percent off bill, 25 percent off accessories... Does Best Buy offer the discounts or do I have to go the VZ store directly.

Any info would be great.

My Dare is just starting to act up, and can't wait to upgrade!

 

[QrafTee]

Probably VZN online to be honest... Maybe VZN store. It depends whether it's cheaper at Best Buy or whether Best Buy will get it sooner.

 

[schwarma]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Costco will have it at their kiosk. They also don't make you deal with mail in rebates & they charge the sales tax on the wholesale cost not the retail. When I was looking at the Droid that alone was worth losing the NE2 credit.

I agree. They have the droid with a nice bundle (car charger, etc.) for the same price as everywhere else (except the $20/$25 deals for the droid that are on-going now). They also have a 90-day return policy on the phones - not sure what happens when you activate it though.

 

[Kyreba]

They also have a 90-day return policy on the phones - not sure what happens when you activate it though.

I called VZW & asked about that. Basically after the 31st day you are locked into your new 2 yr service contract. So you can still return the hardware to Costco from 31-90 days but you would be locked into the service contract with VZW.

So it's still only a 30 day return in order to not be locked into the 2 yr contract. They also warned that sometimes the stores are slow to report you as "reset" when you do return to them so to make sure they do it promptly if you want something new right away.

 

[sequre]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Costco will have it at their kiosk. They also don't make you deal with mail in rebates & they charge the sales tax on the wholesale cost not the retail. When I was looking at the Droid that alone was worth losing the NE2 credit.

So does only a Verizon store use mail in rebates? I'm trying to avoid a 'mail in' if i can.

 

[Camslam]

I got my last phone through Wirefly and I don't know how you could beat it. They always have prices lower than Verizon or any other place I have seen.

It made me wonder how they make enough money to stay in business, but on their website they answer the question of why they are able to sell for less, based on the number of customers and subsequent compensation they get from Verizon and other companies for 2 year agreements and such from the customers.

Depending on price, that is definitely the way I will be going. They also have a 30 day guarantee as well as free shipping to and back.

Pretty good place to get a phone if you ask me.

 

[jikhead]

What you do is buy it from your brother who is a business account executive. Give him your debit card #, have him run the contact mgr. to load your contacts, and then have him drive 50 minutes to hand deliver it to you! Boom!

 

[TheSultan]

Is BestBuy able to give the $50/100 discount when you buy there?

 

[bravesfan171]

Can you do an upgrade at BB for your "after 20 months of 2 yr contract" plan? And will VZW support it if you buy it at BB?

 

[nut bunnies]

When does Wirefly usually get new releases in?

 

[elrabin]

My worry with those places is how to handle the corporate discount and if the discount breaks the terms of the offer. In particular, most corporate discounts give free activation, whereas the LetsTalk website says Verizon will charge $35/phone on the 1st months bill.

I had this exact concern.

I spoke with Amazon.com's wireless division and they said that you basically sign a contract online, but the actual number porting and activation is done once you receive the phone at home.

You have the option to do that yourself over the phone with Verizon or in a VZW store.

They had no info on the date/price for the incredible, but i had them run the numbers for a droid.

new 2 year contract, $19 initial cost. Free overnight shipping, no activation fee.

They also said that corporate discounts are ABSOLUTELY applicable, you just need to either sign up online or fax verizon a copy of a paystub or ID badge.

 

[Flaring Afro]

Does anyone know how amazon handles problems with phones you get? Or do you have to deal with the manufacturer? A trusted company with as huge a discount as they may have would be too good to pass up.

Also, does amazon usually get the phones right away or is there a delay?

 

[bravesfan171]

Does anyone know how amazon handles problems with phones you get? Or do you have to deal with the manufacturer? A trusted company with as huge a discount as they may have would be too good to pass up.

Also, does amazon usually get the phones right away or is there a delay?

That's what I'm wondering. I'd hope VZW would support it, but I'm not sure.

I also would want to know the same if it was bought at Best Buy.

Can you do your after 20 month upgrade at BB?

 

[jlb0305]

BB, Wirefly, Newegg, Amazon, Walmart all do the 10 mo (1 yr contract)/ 20 mo (2 yr contract) upgrades. Just watch their requirements to make sure you agree with them.

Returns/exchanges depend on what your trying to do. Heres what I know from my experience and what I've heard.

Returns need to go to where you bought it (remember 30 days until your locked into new contract no matter how long you are allowed to return it.)

Exchange for different phone need to go to where you bought it (remember 30 days until your locked into new contract no matter how long you are allowed to return it.)

Problems/ exchange for same phone can go to a VZ corporate store and go to tech support dept.

Hope this helps

 

[nut bunnies]

When does Wirefly usually get new releases in?

anyone?

 

[Rubik76]

FYI: Corp discounts typically do not apply to phones - just to accessories.

 

[nickacs]

FYI: Corp discounts typically do not apply to phones - just to accessories.

Yup, 100% true. Never on phones, just the plans and accessories. We have it and it's confirmed.