Upgrade your device & maintain UDP using Best Buy

[Samsmome]

Like I said previously, I can't see how BB/Verizon can deactivate a sim card just by signing that you received the phone. I will be chatting with Verizon sometime this week. I'll keep you posted of the outcome.
Yeah, I too a line with 2gig of data but it's not upgradable until December of 2015. I also have a dumb phone. On that line I can't see adding a data plan for $30.00 a month when in 20 months I'll have paid $600.00. For now, I'll just keep watching. Thanks to all for your replys. If I do bite the bullet and do it through BB I'll let you know.

 

[quiksilvr]

To those of you who think that receipts matter, they do not.
I ordered my phone on the best buy website, with nothing indicating I would loose my UDP, but still lost it.

I forwarded my screenshots and receipts to a Tracy Waldon, a customer relations executive. She told me that the receipts do not change anything because their policy is to deny a UDP if a subsidized phone is purchased. I asked her why Verizon wouldn't uphold a sale made by their authorized dealer, and that my screenshots count for something; to which she actually said that my screenshots could be altered, so she refuses to reinstate my UDP.

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

To those of you who think that receipts matter, they do not.
I ordered my phone on the best buy website, with nothing indicating I would loose my UDP, but still lost it.

I forwarded my screenshots and receipts to a Tracy Waldon, a customer relations executive. She told me that the receipts do not change anything because their policy is to deny a UDP if a subsidized phone is purchased. I asked her why Verizon wouldn't uphold a sale made by their authorized dealer, and that my screenshots count for something; to which she actually said that my screenshots could be altered, so she refuses to reinstate my UDP.

Wow, that's messed up. Seems like you have two options in this scenario; return the phone (and probably pay a restocking fee) in order to have your UDP reinstated, or keep escalating your issue until they reinstate your UDP. Not sure why you're having such an issue though when other people in the thread linked in OP had little trouble getting the CS reps to return their UDP plan after showing their receipt/screenshot.

 

[Verizonguy]

Just a little insight from a Verizon Employee who has to do alternate upgrades to keep My unlimited data, I can tell you NO the Sim cards have nothing to do with you keeping or losing your unlimited data. That honestly makes no sense from a cell phone stand point. The issue is that when you order the device and you choose the tiered data plan it puts the device into a order system, when you go to activate your order be it BB or VZW it will then change you to tier pricing, you could put your old sim and it would work for a bit possibly, but the IVR system is in place for the purpose of the contract, it basically adds the contract when you do the activation process, so you have to accept the contract to make the phone work and thats when the tier pricing starts. If you don't have a alternate upgrade you can use, your either looking at the retail price or we have a 6gb plan for the same 30 bucks or 8gb for 50. The only other thing I've seen really desperate ppl do is add a line, then move the new phone over to their number thus keeping their unlimited data, but then u have a extra line you have to do something with. Best of luck, I'm sure someone will have something mean to say but honestly just trying to help been doing this for 8 years seen plenty of changes, don't like it anymore than anyone else does.

 

[quiksilvr]

Wow, that's messed up. Seems like you have two options in this scenario; return the phone (and probably pay a restocking fee) in order to have your UDP reinstated, or keep escalating your issue until they reinstate your UDP. Not sure why you're having such an issue though when other people in the thread linked in OP had little trouble getting the CS reps to return their UDP plan after showing their receipt/screenshot.

I thought it was messed up too. I really tried to escalate it further, and asked about others who were able to keep their UDP. But Tracy just said that she couldn't discuss others accounts with me, and that there was nowhere left to escalate it to because she was the highest it could go.

I'm sure others will go through what I did, so my only advice is to file a complaint with the BBB, FTC, FCC, and Attorney General. It may get some notice if enough of us file. Bait and switch is a big deal, and when we get our phones, they take the opportunity to say, "Well, since you already have the phone, why don't you just take the 6GB plan and be happy. Or pay an upwards of $400 to keep both your plan and phone."

Fact of the matter is that I have documentation proving the terms of a sale, by a verizon authorized dealer, that specifically says keep existing data plan. If Verizon has an issue with that, they need to take it up with Best Buy, because everyone else's system only gives you tiered plan options. In the meantime, I will be going to arbitration to see how much further this can go.

 

[Lodingi]

To those of you who think that receipts matter, they do not.
I ordered my phone on the best buy website, with nothing indicating I would loose my UDP, but still lost it.

I forwarded my screenshots and receipts to a Tracy Waldon, a customer relations executive. She told me that the receipts do not change anything because their policy is to deny a UDP if a subsidized phone is purchased. I asked her why Verizon wouldn't uphold a sale made by their authorized dealer, and that my screenshots count for something; to which she actually said that my screenshots could be altered, so she refuses to reinstate my UDP.

Screenshots can be altered, but your receipt cannot. Tell them your receipt is your contract acknowledgement. I am certain you will maintain your UDP. Don't give up.

Just a little insight from a Verizon Employee who has to do alternate upgrades to keep My unlimited data, I can tell you NO the Sim cards have nothing to do with you keeping or losing your unlimited data. That honestly makes no sense from a cell phone stand point. The issue is that when you order the device and you choose the tiered data plan it puts the device into a order system, when you go to activate your order be it BB or VZW it will then change you to tier pricing, you could put your old sim and it would work for a bit possibly, but the IVR system is in place for the purpose of the contract, it basically adds the contract when you do the activation process, so you have to accept the contract to make the phone work and thats when the tier pricing starts. If you don't have a alternate upgrade you can use, your either looking at the retail price or we have a 6gb plan for the same 30 bucks or 8gb for 50. The only other thing I've seen really desperate ppl do is add a line, then move the new phone over to their number thus keeping their unlimited data, but then u have a extra line you have to do something with. Best of luck, I'm sure someone will have something mean to say but honestly just trying to help been doing this for 8 years seen plenty of changes, don't like it anymore than anyone else does.

The sim card has everything to do with your data. The sim card included in your new device has the tiered data plan tied to that sim. Now I'm not saying everything goes as planned, but I think the person I quoted above will get his/her UDP back.

My billing cycle resets this weekend, so we'll see if I maintain UDP.

 

[Diabl0]

Wow, that's messed up. Seems like you have two options in this scenario; return the phone (and probably pay a restocking fee) in order to have your UDP reinstated, or keep escalating your issue until they reinstate your UDP. Not sure why you're having such an issue though when other people in the thread linked in OP had little trouble getting the CS reps to return their UDP plan after showing their receipt/screenshot.

I had this happen to me. I was part of the original thread over at Android Central. In that thread I stated that having screenshots means absolutely nothing. They won't do anything at all to reinstate your UDP no matter what you do. I escalated it so far that I talked to some guy from corporate relations (I forget his exact title). He told me basically my only choice was to return the phone or pay full price.


So, I returned the phone, had my UDP reinstated, and did the process again. I still have my UDP and my new phone.


My problem is documented from here (post 205):

http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...nlimited-data-plan-verizon-6.html#post3464194

To post 248.

 

[Diabl0]

I thought it was messed up too. I really tried to escalate it further, and asked about others who were able to keep their UDP. But Tracy just said that she couldn't discuss others accounts with me, and that there was nowhere left to escalate it to because she was the highest it could go.

I'm sure others will go through what I did, so my only advice is to file a complaint with the BBB, FTC, FCC, and Attorney General. It may get some notice if enough of us file. Bait and switch is a big deal, and when we get our phones, they take the opportunity to say, "Well, since you already have the phone, why don't you just take the 6GB plan and be happy. Or pay an upwards of $400 to keep both your plan and phone."

Fact of the matter is that I have documentation proving the terms of a sale, by a verizon authorized dealer, that specifically says keep existing data plan. If Verizon has an issue with that, they need to take it up with Best Buy, because everyone else's system only gives you tiered plan options. In the meantime, I will be going to arbitration to see how much further this can go.

Good luck. I made a complaint with the BBB and got nowhere with the Verizon rep that tried to handle that.

Interested in seeing how it turns out for you, so keep us posted.

 

[AGood]

I have been reading this thread and it has been very informative. Thank you all for your contributions. I have a question about my situation. My wife and I have an older Verizon plan that we are on and she has an iPhone 4. I have unlimited data and she has just 2gb of data.I realize that to go through with this whole BB thing that we would need to purchase separately from BB online. How would she get a SIM card to retain her existing plan through Verizon since the iPhone 4 does not use one? Is that even doable without her plan changing?

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

I have been reading this thread and it has been very informative. Thank you all for your contributions. I have a question about my situation. My wife and I have an older Verizon plan that we are on and she has an iPhone 4. I have unlimited data and she has just 2gb of data.I realize that to go through with this whole BB thing that we would need to purchase separately from BB online. How would she get a SIM card to retain her existing plan through Verizon since the iPhone 4 does not use one? Is that even doable without her plan changing?

I just had a similar scenario. I don't think this Best Buy Method will work for you very well because you don't have a SIM already.

So here's what I recommend; transfer your upgrade to the 2GB line on Verizon's site and order the phone that way. You will keep unlimited data on your line and the new phone will come with a pre-programmed SIM card for the 2GB line since that's what you transferred the upgrade too.

I just had to do the same thing for my mom who's on an old iPhone 4. My wife's line, with UDP, was eligible for upgrade, so I transferred her upgrade to my mom's 2GB line and ordered my One M8 for myself. But I wanted to get my mom a new phone for Mothers Day too, so I ordered her a Moto X off Swappa. I'm going to give her the Moto X this weekend with the SIM card that came with my One M8 because that's the line/SIM that my phone was originally intended and programmed for. So now she has a new SIM card for her Moto X and I'm keeping the phone that I upgraded on her line.

The only way I can see this Best Buy method working for you is if you buy a cheap/used 4G/LTE phone so you can take it to Verizon and say I need a SIM card for this phone I just bought off-contract. Then take that SIM they give you and use it with whatever phone you get from Best Buy with this method.

 

[AGood]

What I failed to mention is that I already have a Galaxy Note 2. So I am good on that part. We are off contract right now and I was looking to feed my addiction for a new device without having to pay full price for a phone. In the process I wanted to get my wife upgraded from the IP 4 to an LTE device. That is why I asked about getting her a sim. Is it possible to get her a sim with all her current info on it and then upgrade seperately online through BB?

 

[PhilosoRaptor]

What I failed to mention is that I already have a Galaxy Note 2. So I am good on that part. We are off contract right now and I was looking to feed my addiction for a new device without having to pay full price for a phone. In the process I wanted to get my wife upgraded from the IP 4 to an LTE device. That is why I asked about getting her a sim. Is it possible to get her a sim with all her current info on it and then upgrade seperately online through BB?

Well in that case, replace everywhere I said "your" with "your wife's".

 

[davisjen]

I just want to confirm that this would work for my case:

I have several phone lines and do have UD on one phone line that I don't want to lose. With my other phones, it is upgradeable at this time. Can anyone confirm that I can upgrade on that other line, have it activated once it comes in...then swap sim cards with my line that does have UD?

To be clear, this is what I plan on doing:

UD - Samsung Note 2
Upgradable line - iPhone4 (no UD on this line)
Upgrading to Samsung Note 3

1. I plan to upgrade on line with iPhone for Samsung Note 3
2. When the phone comes in I'll activate it like normal
3. Once activated, I will take the SIM on my Note 2 and put it into the Note 3
4. Now here's the question, how do I get the iPhone 4 back onto its original line?

Thanks fellas.

 

[Samsmome]

Call Verizon after you swap sim cards tell them you want to reactivate the ip4. They don't care what line has the new phone.
I did this back in April 2013 with my mom's line and she has a basic line. I then called Verizon reactivated her basic phone and dropped the 2gig data plan. No penalty.

 

[davisjen]

My only hesitation now is that the VZ rep said that I will lose UDP because they are now "tracking phone by serial number". Is there any truth to this? Or is this bs?

 

[Lodingi]

My only hesitation now is that the VZ rep said that I will lose UDP because they are now "tracking phone by serial number". Is there any truth to this? Or is this bs?

Again, your receipt is your contract acknowledgement. It's BS.

 

[Samsmome]

If you upgrade through Amazon you have to keep the phone on that particular line for 180 days, otherwise you get charged full price. I don't believe Verizon does this as of yet. At least they didn't in December 2013, again I used my son's upgrade, got a free LG G2. I activated it on my line which has UD and his only has 2gig. 5 months yesterday and I still have UD. My contract was up end of February 2014, now I'm on a month to month.
Hope this helps.

 

[davisjen]

If you upgrade through Amazon you have to keep the phone on that particular line for 180 days, otherwise you get charged full price. I don't believe Verizon does this as of yet. At least they didn't in December 2013, again I used my son's upgrade, got a free LG G2. I activated it on my line which has UD and his only has 2gig. 5 months yesterday and I still have UD. My contract was up end of February 2014, now I'm on a month to month.
Hope this helps.

Thank you. I was just a bit thrown off when I dropped into a VZ store and spoke to the representative there. They were adamant that VZ tracks it by serial # as "they've caught on", and if I do the upgrade through another line, then swap phone, they will eliminate my UDP. Scare tactic perhaps?

 

[Samsmome]

Do a chat online with Verizon CS. You could also call CS. I have not heard of this. I'm sure if this were true Droid-Life would have had some info.
My belief is that it's a scare tactic, Verizon wants everyone off UD.

 

[cnotes2019]

Never talk to or trust what a rep says ...

 

[Fadelight]

I just did the best buy method for upgrading one UDP line, then upgraded another UDP that wasn't yet eligible by buying a new phone for a different line, then swapping Sims. This was Friday, and everything still works. I did not lose UDP on either of the lines.

 

[wilmer369]

I am currently getting this message... is it ok to continue?

 

[hoodieNation]

Looks like this doesn't work anymore. As soon as you click on a phone there is a note at the bottom of a popup that says ULD plans on Verizon will be switched to a 2 gig plan. This is probably old news at this point lol, just the first time I've looked into the Best Buy method.

 

[heyeaglefn]

Looks like this doesn't work anymore. As soon as you click on a phone there is a note at the bottom of a popup that says ULD plans on Verizon will be switched to a 2 gig plan. This is probably old news at this point lol, just the first time I've looked into the Best Buy method.

That has always been the case. Nothing has changed.

 

[mrnyjet]

i got rid of the big red a long time ago.
What difference does the phone make when they are going to throttle you after 4.7 gb? Their 3g service is about 25% the speed of hspa+ on at&t or t mobile! and, they may slow you down to 2g.