Verizon May Start a JUMP Program

[saptech]

According to Droid-Life, Verizon is preparing to announce a new program that would allow subscribers to upgrade their smartphones more often to

 

[Frisco]

According to Droid-Life, Verizon is preparing to announce a new program that would allow subscribers to upgrade their smartphones more often to

 

[AntimonyER]

Based on my math, you will be able to upgrade every 5th month at the subsidized price with this program, and assuming you get top of the line phones, your bill will increase by 35-40 per month.

 

[saptech]

Also it looks like Vzw single user plan is more expensive then the SEP. I don't know, I'm due for an upgrade with them in Aug. but I sure don't want to get another 2 year plan. The wife is due for an upgrade later this month and we're on the SEP.

 

[jhawkkw]

Yeah, I didn't expect Verizon to do this unless they could be making money somehow in the process. The AT&T version of T-Mobile's jump is also pretty 1-sided cost wise as well.

 

[Clementine_3]

I decided a while back that I'm not signing new contracts with Verizon. I'm locked in (on 1 line) 'til 02-14 and have 3 upgrades available. I've picked up a few phones on the classifieds here and through Swappa.

I'm going to continue to do so and go contractless for a few reasons:
A) I have unlimited data on 3 of 4 lines for my family plan (1 has 2 GBs/$30)
B) I think the whole cell phone scene is changing too quickly to get locked into anything right now and that brings us to
C) I refuse to pay a $30 fee on top of everything else because I buy a new phone and commit to 2 more years!
Now, with this new "plan" if I can get a new phone through Verizon with no contract and no change to my plan and no upgrade fee I might consider it.

Verizon is going to go VoLTE semi-soon, curious about how that will work and be priced. AT&T is working hard on coverage so they may eventually be an option for me. Everyone is buying everyone to bolster coverage, again, someone else may be an option down the road. There is a lot of change happening, I don't want to be locked into anything, at least until the dust settles. I'll probably stick with Verizon but want to do so by choice, not contract/ETF's etc.

 

[trophynuts]

it seems to me that it would still be cheaper to just pay off contract.

 

[jhawkkw]

it seems to me that it would still be cheaper to just pay off contract.

Indeed, just save the money you would use normally for the payments on this plan. At least the math on the T-Mobile plan seems to work in one's favor if they upgrade every 6 months. This is assuming you don't buy Nexus devices from Google Play, then it comes out nearly a wash.

 

[AntimonyER]

it seems to me that it would still be cheaper to just pay off contract.

Considering there is also a $24 finance charge, you would be correct! (yes, not only is Verizon making you pay for the phone twice (subsidy priced into plan cost, plus phone cost) but they are charging you a fee for the privilege!

 

[trophynuts]

plus the stupid upgrade fee of 30$ or whatever it is.

 

[ekyle]

The leaked documents show that there will be no upgrade fees but show no signs of lowering plan costs which already include a subsidy. The plan looks cool but aren't you more or less paying for your phone twice? Once in your plan and also the full retail price...

 

[Clementine_3]

Where did you see that? I'd love it if they did that but I'm sure it's only for the SE plans, which I won't move to (unless it suddenly becomes REALLY cheap!). Jerk bastards. lol

edit: or wait, did you mean NO or NOW when you said " but show now signs of lowering plan costs"

 

[jhawkkw]

The leaked documents show that there will be no upgrade fees but show now signs of lowering plan costs which already include a subsidy. The plan looks cool but aren't you more or less paying for your phone twice? Once in your plan and also the full retail price...

Yeah, just like with AT&T.

 

[ekyle]

Where did you see that? I'd love it if they did that but I'm sure it's only for the SE plans, which I won't move to (unless it suddenly becomes REALLY cheap!). Jerk bastards. lol

edit: or wait, did you mean NO or NOW when you said " but show now signs of lowering plan costs"

No* [Fixed]

 

[ekyle]

Yeah, just like with AT&T.

As sad as this is... I might still take advantage of it... There are going to be enough people that don't understand how it works that will pay into VZW so they most likely won't drop the cost of their plans anyway.

 

[AntimonyER]

It only makes even partial sense for folks on unlimited, IF they let you use this with unlimited. I do believe they allow unlimited customers to use the payment plan. So I'm optimistic that they will do the same here.

 

[Clementine_3]

No* [Fixed]

After I re-read it I realized what you (probably) meant...too much to hope for lower rates.

 

[ekyle]

It only makes even partial sense for folks on unlimited, IF they let you use this with unlimited. I do believe they allow unlimited customers to use the payment plan. So I'm optimistic that they will do the same here.

I honestly think this is their way to get rid of unlimited. If people are out of contract then VZW can remove the unlimited options from their plans.

 

[damewolf13]

I honestly think this is their way to get rid of unlimited. If people are out of contract then VZW can remove the unlimited options from their plans.

You just may be onto something here.
If there is no contract to break, they can change the available plans and you will have to either choose from one of the newly implemented plans (whatever they may be at the time) or go elsewhere.

 

[daveydog]

This program is a total rip off, you get hosed... You are FAR better off taking their subsidy every two years and then just selling the phone on eBay when you want to upgrade.... Their program is at least double the price. Now if you need a way to finance a no contract phone then maybe this helps you but either way, you are still better off buying and selling it yourself... Shoot just go to bestbuy and take their standard 0% 18 month financing if you need that. VZ and att are both just trying to get you to pay more for your phones. I just hope this draws attention to the subsidy scam...

 

[Rxpert83]

Its also more expensive to leave early on this program

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/0...ke-leaving-your-carrier-early-more-expensive/

Consumers lose with this one. IMO tmobiles is a much better deal

 

[daveydog]

Verizon Announces VZ Edge Upgrade Plan – No Contracts, Month-to-Month Phone Payments, Early Upgrades – Droid Life

Hmmmm. A little better than originally sounded... Spreading it over 24... No other fees at all? This may be the Trojan horse to lure you off your unlimited.

26.50 a month perpetually to have a new 600 (plus tax etc) device every 6 months? Equals 318/yr?

What am I missing...

Ahhh that's right, you wouldn't have it half paid off at that rate... You'd have to pay twice that.. Ok temporary excitement over

 

[jhawkkw]

They apparently updated that is not available for unlimited data customers.

 

[jhawkkw]

Verizon Announces VZ Edge Upgrade Plan

 

[rabidhunter]

Leave it to Verizon to turn a good thing into into a sham. It would be cool but it's fees on top of fees on top of the regular rate. Would seriously think about switching to T-Mo if I knew that they had good signal in my area.