Interesting... so then I *don't* need to buy the Assurion coverage for an extra $7 a month? Or do I?
Also, I will be replacing an almost-three-year-old Blackberry (finally! can't wait!). Do you have any idea what kind of data plan I'll have to purchase? I currently have unlimited. Would I be able to keep that, or will I forfeit it for changing phones now? I can't figure out how that all works and I've tried looking on Verizon's site... it's as clear as mud!
Thanks so much for all your helpful information!
I think I could start a thread on our return policy alone. lol
We cannot return a damaged phone. You have 90 days to return the phone for the same phone, in case there's some kind of defect with the phone. In some instances, we may exchange for a diff phone. But any damage to your phone, and we cannot return or exchange it. It's def best to buy insurance, else you have no prob purchasing a new Bionic for $600 or so.
someone asked about cases in another thread which got me thinkin.....
so going to costco I'm giving up my ne2 discount ($50) to get a car dock, a desk dock and a battery & charger.
as soon as the Seidio case comes out I plan on ordering one which will make the docks a PITA to use. So do I order through verizon and get my ne2 discount and just buy an extra battery? Sounds like it still might be worth it for the battery alone.
decisions........
I did notice that with the OG Droid. Loved the desktop dock, but hated that you couldn't dock it with a case on it. Taking it on and off scraped the hell out of my Droid, too. I believe when Seido came out with a case, they also came out with a dock that would work with it. So perhaps it'd be better for you to use your NE2 at a VZW. Or get the Bionic at Costco, and sell the accessories you don't want. Think the docks are going for $40 a piece last I checked.
I was referred to this thread from someone on Droid Prime forum regarding Costco return policy. It's surprising to me that some of you think their 90 days return is only for the same phone. Unless their policy changed very recently, that's not true. I actually returned my phone and got different one in 80 days for only subsidized pricing difference. I checked on it on two local stores before trying that and also know several others on this forum who did the same at Costco. So far I haven't seen anyone who got denied for exchanging in 90 days. Of course you can return for the same one if the first one is faulty or lemon. But they also let you get difference one for price difference under the same contract. You better ask your local stores about it to find out.
They're under that impression because of me, actually.
VZW's policy is that after 14 days, you are locked into the phone you have. You can return the phone for the exact same device for up to 30 days in case you have a lemon. After that, you're picked up by the manufacturer's warranty. Costco merely extends that policy from 30 days to 90 days.
Now, we're going to take care of our customers and if someone's truly not happy, we'll make sure they get what they need. I do it with regularity. These are people with complaints about the phones they purchased. You don't just get to buy a phone, and decide 2 1/2 months later that a better phone is out, so I can return and get that new one.
Costco pays for the phone. Wireless Advocates pays for the instant rebate. WA doesn't get that rebate back when you repurchase a second phone, and Costco is out of a sale on that first phone the return. That means the company is losing money every time someone decides they're going to get the next best thing out there.
BTW, VZW still gets their money. Not as much as if you purchased from them, but they're still getting paid. Costco will get the money the paid for getting the phone back, but be out the potential to make money on that phone. WA actually loses money.
Most people don't think that way, and I understand that. It's why I'm offering the perspective.
For those new to 4G LTE, the old *228 option no longer works because of the sim card that is in the phone. If you call *228 it will say it's updating the sim card and do nothing else. When I swapped from a Charge back to my X, I called *228 and was able to get my phone activated but the person getting the charge had to go to VZW and get a new sim card because mine only works for my number.
To the person(s) having another person get them their Bionic then swapping phones, you will need to get another sim card too. If you're swapping 4G phones, you'll have to swap sims.
Just something to be aware of.
Yanno, you're right and I didn't even think of that. We have to activate the phone first, and then place the SIM in a 4G phone. Otherwise, you'll lose that SIM. So if they activate the phone, and the SIM is never put in, then you will probably be ok doing the *228 method. Or just call 611 and talk to someone who knows what they're doing. lol
On a normal day, it wouldn't be an issue at all.
arghh... I can't get to Costco until tomorrow evening after work, hopefully they'll have one left in Naples, FL. 
