^^^^^^very well said!
sent from my hot Note 3
sent from my hot Note 3
For some people, Edge can currently be a cost savings (if they don't want the newest device, that is). The S4 is about $20/month and then take into consideration the $25 discount on 10gb+, and the consumer is saving $5/month over being in a contract. The S4 mini is about $16/month. The more I sell the Edge plan, the more I begin to see the value for some people. I was very much against it in the beginning, until I actually started working out the numbers for a customer. Even with the S5, the customer is 'breaking even ' on monthly fee with 10gb+, so some places are saying the S5 is free. Then add in being able to trade in the phone after a year and get a new device, plus no activation/upgrade fees, and it does have its perks.
I'm not so keen on turning in my phone either, but if I don't, then it just sits in a drawer collecting dust and losing its value. Sure, I could keep it as a backup, but if I was doing Edge, I'd definitely have Verizon's insurance plan and just pay $100 to get a replacement if something happens, since I would still be making those monthly payments even if I went back to the old device.
Sent from my Droid Maxx
For some people, Edge can currently be a cost savings (if they don't want the newest device, that is). The S4 is about $20/month ...
I can buy the S4 on EBAY for $350 (probably less)...and keep my unlimited. After 12 more months, the difference between buying that vs. VZW is, at most, $170 (but I still have a phone I could sell)
And WHAT DOES happen if I lose my phone and don't have one to turn-in? So you're "saving" me $5/mo but forcing me into an $8.50 insurance plan (which really is foolish to buy)?
The problem I had with keeping my unlimited was that I couldn't use an upgrade I was paying for. Meaning that the 20 or 25 dollar built in hardware fee in my bill was wasted. I was paying Verizon for hardware I wasn't getting.
It may seem ridiculous, but it's saved me a few times.
For most people, the wiser "investment" is just to pick-up a used phone on EBAY until they're eligible to upgrade, or even make do with an older phone they are a friend have until they can upgrade. Especially these days I can easily grab a good phone (sometimes brand new) off EBAY for $200-$300 - I'd have to lose/bust 1 phone a year just to break-even on the insurance.
$8.50 a month seems trivial, but that kind of bleed adds up. Most of us (myself included, certainly) pay little attention to how much money we waste. $5 here, $10 there...I could easily save hundreds of dollars a year with minimal effort. Like I have to call every 6-12 months to complain to renew my discounted bundle on cable/internet ($50/mo).
The problem I had with keeping my unlimited was that I couldn't use an upgrade I was paying for. Meaning that the 20 or 25 dollar built in hardware fee in my bill was wasted. I was paying Verizon for hardware I wasn't getting.
I usually just keep insurance for 1 year, then after that year drop it. And now that I have my old Galaxy Nexus as a backup, I can make due until I need to buy another phone.
This is what I've been using for insurance. Best thing ever!!! I've only needed to use it once within the past 3 phones I've owned, the insurance offered by Carriers is a rip-off and a scam, when I bought my devices, I bought them new. Why on Earth would I pay a monthly premium, then pay a deductible that is nearly 1/3 the cost of the phone to receive a refurbished device?
About half the price...but doesn't appear to cover a lost phone which, I'm guessing, is probably over half the claims. So maybe not such a great deal.
However, clearly a better option so long as you aren't forgetful.
@jackiescivic
Ah, okay. That makes a little more sense. So, just for fun and to simplify the math for me... the 25 dollar discount they give you could be said to cancel out the underlying or "hidden" hardware portion of your Verizon bill. If looked at like that then the rest of the device cost can be looked at more cleanly.
A 700 dollar phone's cost spread out over 20 months is about 35 bucks a month. Now, you can upgrade as early as you want as long as you have paid off (or pay) 50% of the cost of the phone (in this example $350) and give them the phone back. And thus, if you wait for 10 months to upgrade then you've paid the $350 and all you have to do is give them the old phone and get a new one and start over.
I know I over simplified it but is that about the jist of it?