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Verizon, 3 Phones, Contracts, and more

My carrier is Verizon. I have 2 smartphones and 1 basic phone. Two phones are on month to month service due to contract lapses. The other phone's contract ends May 2015.

My problem is I really need a new phone (smartphone), but I don't want to sign up for a new 2 year contract. I currently have a discounted data plan for my phone (4gb for $30) where as my husband's phone has only 2gb at the same price. I don't want to loose my locked-in rate, but my phone is starting to lag to the point of irritation.

Now, I can replace my phone through my insurance (GRIP), but I would be paying $100 for the deductible. Research has told me I can purchase the same model on ebay or amazon for less than $50. Hence, I am dropping the insurance tomorrow!! I should have done it months ago. Besides, GRIP is increasing charges starting next month.

Continuing... If I upgrade...

I have a Samsung Stratosphere. If I get a Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere 2, it would run $80 to $160.00, I think. The price is good, but the only disadvantage is my husband has the same model and he uses data without even trying. He can whisper word "data" across the phone and use .2 gigs.

Okay. I need a new smartphone. It doesn't need to be "new", but I am open to suggestions. I like no contracts. AND it has to be an android based phone because I use Square for by business. What's your advice?

Concerns:
I have NEVER replaced a phone without a contract. I am in uncharted territory, so be kind and explain as much as possible. Example: I recently found out I can take my sim card and put it into my replacement phone. By doing so, I transfer my phone number, files, and apps to my new phone. WOW! What a concept!!! Honestly, I had no clue!

Questions: (And these are naive questions...)
Does Verizon have to be notified of my new phone? Are they going to press me for a new contract? Can they cancel service because I went behind their back? Can they screw with my service at all?

Also, I should replace the basic phone too, which is an LG Accolade. It is used by my mother who is in a different state. Does it have a sim card too? If not, what is the protocol for replacing it without a contract?

Goodness, I hope I have asked all the right questions and haven't frightened away all the helpful people with answers.

Warmly,
Sassafras
 
Does Verizon have to be notified of my new phone? Are they going to press me for a new contract? Can they cancel service because I went behind their back? Can they screw with my service at all?
They will be notified as soon as you make a change but nothing will change. When you buy a new phone (check swappa.com!) and activate it it updates the system but your plan remains the same for that line and you do not need a new contract.

Also, I should replace the basic phone too, which is an LG Accolade. It is used by my mother who is in a different state. Does it have a sim card too? If not, what is the protocol for replacing it without a contract?
No, it would not have a SIM. You would buy a new phone on ebay or wherever and do one of two things for her: Activate it on the Verizon site through your account (you will need to enter the MEID, ESN or IMEI number). It's very easy to do. Or, you could take it to a store and ask them to do it (I believe it would be free but am not positive on that, they like to charge for stuff). If you get all the info off the phone you can activate it after you send it to her. I would think you would want to be sure her contacts are backed up so they can just be imported to the new phone. Honestly not sure how Verizon's backup service is or works so look into that if it's not already set up.

As far as just switching SIM cards, yes, in general that's what you do. BUT, if you are going from a 3G only phone to a 4G/LTE phone you will need a new SIM. There are different sizes too so you may need a new one anyway. They are free at Verizon, you do have to bring it in so they can make the change (and they should not charge you anything or change anything!). If you don't want to go to a Verizon store and have them touch your phone you can buy (~$10) a SIM at a Verizon non-corporate store and enter the SIM id online, then just pop it in and turn the new phone on. I've always changed my phones online or changed SIM cards, I don't have a store do it. If you have a 3G only phone and are staying with 3G only then I think you still have to use the online tools, I don't believe you can just switch those cards but I could be very wrong about that part.
Do check swappa.com for phones, prices are reasonable and they are guarenteed to have clean ESN's.
 
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I had a chance to check out swappa.com which is a really great site. Thank you!! I have a quick question, though. Does anyone know if there is another smartphone out there which can use the same extended life battery as the Samsung Stratsosphere? I have 3 of them and a charger because my current phone can't be charged with a power cord, ac or dc. (Another reason why I am looking for a replacement.) I tried to do a search for such a request, but all google gives me are sites selling the battery.

Your help is appreciated.
_______________
Sass
 
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