Need Upgrade Advice re: Smartphones
I'm currently using a BB 8830 that was given to me by a friend. I (and my wife) have been eligible for a NE2 upgrade for quite a while based on 2 phones that we bought under contract from Alltel. Here is where I need help. 1st: When I got the BB I just added the $29.99 "unlimited" web and email to my existing (Alltel) Family Share plan. So, if I get a new smart phone under the NE2, can I keep my existing plan which was grandfathered for me when VZW bought Alltel? We also have our nights starting at 7:00 PM rather than 9:00PM. I keep hearing that the $29.99 data plan will soon go away. If it does, can I keep my old plan if I get a new Bionic, iPhone, or whatever as well as upgrading my wife's dumb-phone? I have kept the BB 8830 because I real...
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I assume that your reply means that I can keep my plan as it is as well as keeping the "unlimited" data even if VZW changes to tiered plans , etc. I had been told by a friend that if I upgraded, I would lose my "grandfathered" plan. Was he mistaken?
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largely depends on what phone you go to and what plan you're currently on but you should be fine.
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So he can get a confused answer if not an outright lie? I've had reps tell customers on grandfathered plans that if they want to upgrade they will have to give up their unlimited data plan in favor of a 5GB plan. When I inquired why they did it the answer was that the company was being taken advantage of. Personally, whenever I saw someone on the old $79.99 Unlimited plan or even fortunate to be on the $59.99 one I told them NEVER let anyone talk you out of this plan. I even suggested that they upgrade on-line to avoid misguided reps jealousy.
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What I meant was phone scoop forum members can give him advice, but the bottom line is he will have to deal with Verizon. If he's prepared he can push if they give him a "confused answer", but it seems risky for people here to give him assurances when the buck doesn't stop here.
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Especially when that assurance will leave him stuck in a Blackberry. I am not giving him assurance. I am telling him how it works from experience both as a rep and as a consumer. I have been on the same plan since my Silver Q in 2005. I know what I can and cannot do with that line. I refuse to let Verizon employees touch my plan, because there may be a hater who snatches my grandfathered feature off my line and that would be that. I never have a problem upgrading via the website. I'll be on the same plan until 2020 I have no doubt.
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If getting a new phone through the website guarantees that grandfathered features remain unchanged then by all means go that route. I've usually done it that way in the past because the phones are often cheaper online as well.
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You need to get out of that Blackberry...unless you plan on keeping Blackberries for the rest of your days. This is what I mean... Verizon has two distinct features: Unlimited Smartphone and Unlimited Blackberry. Now since you came over from Alltel...things may be different, but I don't think they are. I was still in tech when you guys were absorbed and my recollection is that we just rolled you guys into the Verizon system. Let me explain. If I want to switch my Android to my old BB8330 then Verizon will remove my existing data plan and switch me to an Unlimited Blackberry plan. The same works in reverse. Back when I worked there I had three smartphones active... Anyway, if Verizon does go to tiered data and you are stuck with a Bl...
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There are some of us who don't care about changing your plan, and even some who support you keepng your plan. Sometimes its the system that makes these changes, not us. If you were in my store I'd try your upgrade to the point where the computer would say yes or no and let you decide further. Even more so, no one should be changing your plan without your consent. If they think you need to change, ask them to try without changing your plan, or simply walk away. Simple as that.
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Yes, some changes are inescapable when using the billing system. I know not all reps are like that, but I just can't risk getting that one hater at the call center. Going into the store I could at least see the features before ordering. As to your point about the system...if I upgraded in the store NetAce or whatever they use POS these days would force a change to the new $7.99 TEC. I still have the $5.99. Sure if I ever make a claim Asurion will be ticked off... There are just so many things about on line processing to love. I can trial upgrade get down to the last step and cancel...all without wasting anyone's time.
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