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I'm not a Verizon employee or supporter, so your question does not offend me. Of course, any answer I give is going to be biased and subjective. Just an opinion...

Simple answer...
Verizon is not a discount carrier and they make no apologies. In my opinion, Sprint has great data options and lower prices. They even say that their 3G network is better than Verizons. *Shrug* It may be... What I DO know is that Verizon's coverage is more expansive than Sprint or T-Mobile OR AT&T for that matter. Does that matter to you? If it doesn't then I might suggest staying with T-Mobile. Their old offerings were inexpensive. These new plans they rolled out seem geared more towards enticing customers from other carriers to switch ...
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Thanks for your guidance....

But am I right in my understanding that I cannot have a family plan and use Blackberry devices?

Well...one CAN have a Nationwide Basic or Select plan and add the data feature for each smartphone individually. There is no way to have a shared data option with smartphones on Verizon as one could with "dumb" ones on the Connect plan. I do not see a tremendous value in the Connect plan personally. I think Verizon is ripping off most users on the Connect plan in any case. *Shrug* But again just my opinion...

That helps my understanding a bit.

I was under the impression that I would be 'forced' to use the Blackberry plan rather than do what you suggested above.

Thanks!

Oh no. They will happily sell you five Droids or Blackberries if you like on a family share plan. That would be ONE HAPPY REP, too! See Verizon prefers share plans to individual ones. The way it was explained to me is that customers are less likely to churn if the whole family is on a share plan.

One last question - I promise! LOL...

If I choose a Select family plan, how much does it cost to add the data feature ala carte?

Thanks for the help Azeron - I truly appreciate your time.

The smartphone data pack is 29.99 per line with a smartphone.

9.99 or 19.99 for any none smartphone

No problem. $29.99 Unlimited Email and Web which is all the average user needs. Now if you own or work for a company with a Blackberry Enterprise Server and they want to put you on it (I would never allow this with my personal device only if they are footing the bill) then you will need the $44.99 Unlimited Smartphone plan.

You guys have been awesome with me and I appreciate that....

I lied when I said I had one more question... lol.

Will a Verizon store give me the same price that their website is offering?

Well...the short answer is no. At least they shouldn't. The website reflects an instant rebate. The store SHOULD be handing out mail-in rebates. I say SHOULD because one never knows... If you are a charming and smooth negotiator or the store manager is a bit on the shady side they may give you a match. Never say never I suppose.

Oh when we do price matches yous till have to pay the rebate in store but the price will match after rebate.

I work for an indirect store so I dont know if corps are different but with us it depends. A lot of stuff we can match or will at least do our best to make the cost reasonable but sometimes they have prices on there too much to beat.

I could be mistaken but my take on it is that when you buy in a store your paying just a bit more but your getting that one on one time with someone who knows what they are talking about and who will help you at with features ect. and help get you set up. And if you come back with any questions that rep is probably going to be more willing to help you out.

I know when people come in my store and I spend all this time with them to help them figure out what they want and need and what that means to them an...
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Well with corporate stores the only difference in pricing is USUALLY the Mail-In rebate. Say the Droid is $199.99 in retail with a $50 mail in rebate...it would be $149.99 with the rebate already applied (so no double dipping. Even if you obtained a mail-in rebate your invoice would reflect that the rebate had already been applied). Of course online also offers some phones for free that retail does not. These are usually "dumb" phones that no one should want anyway like the Sway.

Not that you asked, but while we are discussing your activating service with Verizon... If you do take the plunge, I suggest one year contracts for your secondary lines. The reason is that when one signs a two year contract with Verizon, one is not eligible to upgrade until twenty months on that contract have expired UNLESS one is paying $49.99 per month for the line in question. If you activate multiple lines on a family share plan only the primary line will be eligible for an annual upgrade after a year. Phones only come with a one year warranty. Now there is an extended warranty option for $1.99 per month, but that is $48 over a two year period. I say go ahead and pay the extra $70 for a one year contract and you will be eligible to...
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