Maybe I'm just slow on the pick up here....I realize Samsung is sponsoring the actual rebate, but part of the rebate is to trade a device into Verizon. If Verizon will not accept a trade in then how do you participate? I have gone through the upgrade process online as well as in the store and I get a message stating "no trade in available for this device". This is the same message received from customer service 800 number as well.
Advise from someone who has actually successfully traded a device towards the Note 4 would be much more helpful than allot of people who read the same rebate form as I did; I don't need an interpretation of the details, as my reading skills are up to par.
It's not as complicated as it appears. Here's the long and short of what I've done as I'm on verizon too.
1 - Pre-ordered phone at store (or online if you want). I'm paying full retail to keep my unlimited data plan. Paid $699 plus taxes ($759 total). I have a receipt that says I pre-ordered on Oct 8th. Verizon buyers must preorder by Oct 22 ( Oct 16 for all other carriers).
2 - I bought cheap $20 smartphone on eBay. Traded cheap phone in at Verizon for $21. Verizon applies $21 to my phone bill as requested. I'm given a trade-in receipt showing I traded in a phone for $21.
3 - After Oct 23, I'll upload copy of the pre-order receipt (for $759) and trade-in receipt (for $21) plus other required info. Samsung will then send me the difference between $200 and my trade in of $21. So, I get back $179 from Samsung.
This is a Samsung promotion. That's why many carriers stores will have no idea what you are talking about.
Thing to note is that
you do not have to trade in your phone at Verizon. You can trade in at Sprint, T-Mobile, ATT, Amazon, Gazelle or Best Buy or wherever. The trade in value of your phone MUST be $10 or more. If it's $9 or less then you do not get a rebate from Samsung. So if Verizon will not accept your trade in, try other places. And if they don't either, then find a phone on ebay or craigslist that qualifies. That's what I did. Just because you have a used phone does not mean it qualifies. All carriers website can tell you what phones they accept for trade-in and the value. If it says "no trade in available for this device" then they don't want your phone. Look for a phone that qualifies. Must be worth $10 for the Samsung promo.
Additionally, I will sell my current Galaxy Note 2 once I receive my GN4. Let's say I get $190 for it on craigslist. That's more money for me. So my GN4 cost will be $759 + $20 - $21 - $179 - $190 = $380. Some people are trading in their one or two year old current phone. Why do that? If I did then Verizon pays me $118 for my GN2 and Samsung sends me $82. But then that's $759 - $200 for a phone cost of $559 vs $380 when I bought and traded in a used eBay phone.
The $200 rebate is free money. Take advantage of it.
Btw, going thru Best Buy is a different issue as you get instant $200 with any trade in. Then you cannot do Samsung promo if Best Buy gives you $200. But Best Buy will not sell me an off contract phone unless I upgrade or sign a new 2 yr contract. They don't sell full retail off contract so I had to go buy at verizon (or Amazon too). If you are not on the grandfathered unlimited plan and are renewing then you could get the N4 for basically free with the scenario above.
I have talked to two people at the Verizon 800 number today and both were could not even answer basic questions. I guess I can try calling my local store again and asking about this to see what they say. I will probably go by there tomorrow but it would be helpful to know before I waste any time driving there. If I can't get the trade in rebate I am not preordering.
