Getting on father's national plan - questions/Catch22s?
My father offered to add me to his Verizon national calling plan. I pay activation, the $20/month FamilySharePlan fee, and buy the phone... looks like a good reason to switch from AttWs. I have some questions.
Distance
He lives near York, PA; I'm in eastern PA near Philadelphia.
I'm worried that adding me to his plan will upset Verizon (because I'm not nearby - Verizon is significantly more expensive where I live). Is this a problem? If so, what is Verizon likely to do?
Will I lose features because I'm not nearby? Example: Verizon's website says I get "unlimited night and weekend home airtime minutes". I'm guessing that the HOME part of the "home airtime minutes" means that since I'm not nearby, I lose the night and weekend minutes...
(continues)
Distance
He lives near York, PA; I'm in eastern PA near Philadelphia.
I'm worried that adding me to his plan will upset Verizon (because I'm not nearby - Verizon is significantly more expensive where I live). Is this a problem? If so, what is Verizon likely to do?
Will I lose features because I'm not nearby? Example: Verizon's website says I get "unlimited night and weekend home airtime minutes". I'm guessing that the HOME part of the "home airtime minutes" means that since I'm not nearby, I lose the night and weekend minutes...
(continues)
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It will not upset VZW if you were added, only if you're in a VZW covered area. Other than that it's ok, because its a national plan; you're home area on a national plan is the US. As for phones I would recomend the LG3200 if you don't want an external caller ID--I would step up to a LG 4500
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Would love an external caller ID, but the Audiovox 8600 is rated way too low, and the LG 4500 has no analog, which I need out in the country/on vacation/visiting relatives in the boonies/etc.
Anyhow thanks for the info, schnozejt.
Anyhow thanks for the info, schnozejt.
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You should have your father add your line using Verizon Wireless directly instead of Radio Shack. He can call 1-877-807-4372 to sign up your line and he can have the phone shipped directly to you. The reason why is because if you purchase it from Radio Shack you will have to return it to Radio Shack for any repairs/replacements and this usually takes 2-3 weeks or longer. With Verizon Wireless direct you will be able to take to any Verizon Wireless corporate store (even in your area) and get he phone replaced or repaired while you wait. Pick an LG phone for best quality. Hope this helps!
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Here is something to be aware of. The $20 monthly fee for additional lines does NOT include In-network calling. You can call your dad and anyone else who is on his family account and it will be free, but if you call anyone one else who has Verizon, it will be deducted out of daytime minutes. You can get the in-network feature for an additional $10 a month on your line.
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As of 8/17/2004 (I think earlier not sure anymore) the $20 a month family share add-on INCLUDES IN-network calling. There is no longer any additional charges.
As of august ALL family share customers in VZW were converted to this. I know cause not only do I sell VZW but being a customer I also got the mailer explaining to me the change.
In other words you will get all the exact same functionality as your dad when attached to his plan as a family share. Caller ID, voicemail, IN-calling (VZW to VZW), nights/weekends, call forwarding, call waiting, 3-way calling, etc etc.
Did this help?
As of august ALL family share customers in VZW were converted to this. I know cause not only do I sell VZW but being a customer I also got the mailer explaining to me the change.
In other words you will get all the exact same functionality as your dad when attached to his plan as a family share. Caller ID, voicemail, IN-calling (VZW to VZW), nights/weekends, call forwarding, call waiting, 3-way calling, etc etc.
Did this help?
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I checked with my father... he's trying to take advantage of the "National IN Calling" promotion. Per VzW's website: "Get Unlimited IN Calling on all lines, plus unlimited night & weekend minutes!" This seems to agree with GWFox's post.
If we load up all 5 lines (primary + 4 add-ons), that's $24/line (plus tax, plus surcharges, plusplusplus), but that's about as cheep as Verizon gets for non-insiders. We'll have to split 400 minutes 5 ways, so we MUST use IN and N/W instead of standard minutes.
Yes, GWFox (and everyone), that helped - thanks much. The RadShack has an LG3200 reserved for me; I'm planning to pick it up/get added to the account tonight. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!
If we load up all 5 lines (primary + 4 add-ons), that's $24/line (plus tax, plus surcharges, plusplusplus), but that's about as cheep as Verizon gets for non-insiders. We'll have to split 400 minutes 5 ways, so we MUST use IN and N/W instead of standard minutes.
Yes, GWFox (and everyone), that helped - thanks much. The RadShack has an LG3200 reserved for me; I'm planning to pick it up/get added to the account tonight. I'm sure I'll have more questions soon!
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*shudder* That doesn't sound like such a good plan. AWS and cingular has a plan that for 5 lines you it works out to 19.99 per line and you split 900 (850 but roll over on cingular) on a national and the same stuff. Nights start at 7pm (dunno when Verizons starts).
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I'm guessing he and his family are looking for coverage and reliability. Cingular could offer a million minutes for the same price but can't offer whats most important. 😲
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The Timeless debate. Frankly neither of us can argue this point successfully unless one of us has a Cingular phone and a Verizon phone in the area that he wants to use his phone. I've heard people that say the Cingular or AWS phones suck in their area and Verizon phones are crystal clear and I've heard people tell me they sound like the commertial guy and are always asking if they can be heard with Verizon but get great reception with AWS. We can both quote stats and reports untill our hair falls out but its all area. That's why you have to take advantage of the trial periods with wireless providers. Most its 14 or 15 days, AWS is 30 so take advantage of them.
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No idea about relative merits of Cingular/AWS plan but it no longer matters. Father dropped AttWs due to coverage problems and signed for two year VzW plan, two other relatives have already been added. My choices: keep my $16/mo AttWs plan or jump on the bandwagon. Checked VzW coverage at my house/office/father's house; good signal all 3 places.
VoxDei - I'll keep my AttWs phone at least through the trial period; may the best service win!
VoxDei - I'll keep my AttWs phone at least through the trial period; may the best service win!
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