Verizon Plans to Discontinue 1-year Contracts Effective April 17

[kodiak799]

Another route... In the likely event that Verizon doesn't do discounted pricing for non-contract accounts, you could get the best possible phone available every 20 months with a 2 year contract and sell it sealed in the box to fund your unsubsidized upgrade path. Yeah, it locks you up with the carrier, but if you don't care about that, you might as well get what's coming to you free than pay the same thing month-to-month, getting nothing. Definitely want to hit the 3rd party retailer channels to get better pricing.

That's what I may do. Smartphones are quickly approaching overkill as far as hardware, with quadcores just around the corner. Just like PC's, a couple year old model really won't impact you and will do everything you need. These phones are about there right now, but will need more processing power and ram to become laptop replacements.

But figure buy retail, sell in 10 months and get another, then another 10 months hit your 2-yr program discount...
new 2-yr contract for $250
sell in 10 months for $250, net $400 for a new phone
sell in 10 months for $250, net new phone with subsidy = $0.

That works out to about the same on average as phones on the 1-yr plan, you're out a bit more between upgrades but get an extra $70 or so with the 2-yr discount vs. 1-yr. So you have to hassle with EBAY, but unless you are between contracts (like myself and others), it's not a big deal. I'm going tobeeating $600 retail in here somewhere unless I can hold out 6 more months (unlikely).

 

[reefsrt4]

I think everyone that wanted to go 1 year on the bionic to wait for the quad cores are going to be sorely disappointed.

Yeah I would have to agree, but that's just too bad for those wanting the Bionic. I guess those who were unsure about hte TB and Bionic need to go ahead and get the TB if a 1 year agreement is that important to them with quad cores about 1 year away.

This is exactly what i did and why. Thunderbolt is now in my possession, Bionic is out and hopefully a new quad core owner in 10-12 months!

 

[rage151]

Most other carriers don't offer 1 yr contracts. I agree it was one nice thing that set Verizon apart, but you can still pay full-retail...which can suck, yes, but you're not forced into any contract.

The vast majority of Verizon customers don't utilize or even know about 1 yr options, and that's a fact.

Verizon customers have become relatively spoiled in the past. Free replacements on damaged phones, replacement after replacement often just due to user error, free phones, early upgrades. So yes, they are taking away a lot of that awesome stuff, but with the millions and millions of dollars they literally invest in their network every year, with 4G spreading like wildfire, believe it or not it's a lot about cutbacks. Much of the revenue goes right back into the company. It's companies like AT&T that don't invest in their network, who send you to a service center 100 miles away, who don't offer overnight shipping (with extended warranty) on a defective phone...well it's those companies who take your money and do little productive with it. Verizon is and will be on the cutting edge, and technology is getting expensive.

Every carrier offers one year contracts. The iPhone is the only exception because of Apple, not AT&T.

This is the reason they're doing away with them, consumers do not look into their options. People like this gave them the ammunition they need to pull the trigger on 1yr contracts.

Also, VZW reps get more commission on a 2yr sale, so they NEVER push a 1yr activation. They will try their hardest to push you into a 2yr.

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums

 

[shdowman]

Simply put Verizon is a joke.

Then drop them and enjoy all of your dropped calls on your new network.
Sorry for the outburst but I'd be willing to bet that a VERY few people on this thread that are talking so much trash about Verizon will actually make a change. Do these changes suck...yes, but they are not doing anything different than the other carriers are doing.
I'm not happy about the changes but I'd rather be going through this with Verizon on a top notch network than dealing with it from ATT or T-Mobile.
People constantly complain about Wal-Mart but, have you ever seen their parking lot empty?
Just my two cents!
BTW, I dont work for Verizon or anything, just have been a loyal customer for 7 years now (wireless and fios). I have been on ATT and on Sprint in the past and in my area (DFW) there is no better coverage and NO better customer service than Verizon!
Hey Verizon, I'm available for commercials if you need me! ;o)

Have a good one DROID Family!!

+1

Welcome!

Sent from my SCH-I500 using DroidForums

 

[jseah]

Most other carriers don't offer 1 yr contracts. I agree it was one nice thing that set Verizon apart, but you can still pay full-retail...which can suck, yes, but you're not forced into any contract.

The vast majority of Verizon customers don't utilize or even know about 1 yr options, and that's a fact.

Verizon customers have become relatively spoiled in the past. Free replacements on damaged phones, replacement after replacement often just due to user error, free phones, early upgrades. So yes, they are taking away a lot of that awesome stuff, but with the millions and millions of dollars they literally invest in their network every year, with 4G spreading like wildfire, believe it or not it's a lot about cutbacks. Much of the revenue goes right back into the company. It's companies like AT&T that don't invest in their network, who send you to a service center 100 miles away, who don't offer overnight shipping (with extended warranty) on a defective phone...well it's those companies who take your money and do little productive with it. Verizon is and will be on the cutting edge, and technology is getting expensive.

Every carrier offers one year contracts. The iPhone is the only exception because of Apple, not AT&T.

This is the reason they're doing away with them, consumers do not look into their options. People like this gave them the ammunition they need to pull the trigger on 1yr contracts.

Also, VZW reps get more commission on a 2yr sale, so they NEVER push a 1yr activation. They will try their hardest to push you into a 2yr.

Sent from my Droid using DroidForums

Maybe instead of announcing it, they should have just phased it out by not even offering it, or advertising that it is an option, unless someone specifically requested it. You said that every carrier offers one year contracts, but if you go to the AT&T website as a new customer and try to sign up for service, they don't show one year contracts as an option. In fact, every phone price says that it requires a two year contract, or pay full retail for no contract. Same thing with Sprint. Try to sign up on the website for service and your options are either two year contracts or full retail for no contract.

 

[portermac]

What everyone is forgetting is that early upgrades and special upgrading promotions are over. I never worried about getting a one year contact because I still would end up upgrading little over a year anyway. Now with all the changes you are forced to keep the phone for 20 months minimum. That is something probably a lot of people haven't experienced. I was planning on doing the one year contract next time but thats out the window. I have a feeling verizon will get so much negative feedback from all their changes that something will have to change for the better for us. It really is a joke to me and am feeling trapped because the sad thing is there isnt a better place to be then verizon.

 

[reefsrt4]

What everyone is forgetting is that early upgrades and special upgrading promotions are over. I never worried about getting a one year contact because I still would end up upgrading little over a year anyway. Now with all the changes you are forced to keep the phone for 20 months minimum. That is something probably a lot of people haven't experienced. I was planning on doing the one year contract next time but thats out the window. I have a feeling verizon will get so much negative feedback from all their changes that something will have to change for the better for us. It really is a joke to me and am feeling trapped because the sad thing is there isnt a better place to be then verizon.

Are they really over? My 20 month mark is July. The My Verizon site says I cannot upgrade until July. However, when I went into the store and inquired, they informed me I could upgrade at the discounted price now. So, I did. I chose to do so, so that i could lock down one more year of unlimited data and grab a one year contract while they're still around.

PS - The rep did not offer the one year contract either, I had to specifically ask for it.

 

[portermac]

That makes me feel better about upgrading sooner but I'm not eligible until december so they probably wouldn't be able to upgrade this early. All I know is what I've read and they are doing away with easy upgrades two.

 

[dafischman]

What everyone is forgetting is that early upgrades and special upgrading promotions are over. I never worried about getting a one year contact because I still would end up upgrading little over a year anyway. Now with all the changes you are forced to keep the phone for 20 months minimum. That is something probably a lot of people haven't experienced. I was planning on doing the one year contract next time but thats out the window. I have a feeling verizon will get so much negative feedback from all their changes that something will have to change for the better for us. It really is a joke to me and am feeling trapped because the sad thing is there isnt a better place to be then verizon.

Are they really over? My 20 month mark is July. The My Verizon site says I cannot upgrade until July. However, when I went into the store and inquired, they informed me I could upgrade at the discounted price now. So, I did. I chose to do so, so that i could lock down one more year of unlimited data and grab a one year contract while they're still around.

PS - The rep did not offer the one year contract either, I had to specifically ask for it.

They are over, however for those of us that were eligable for the early upgrade we get one last one. After that it will be at 10 moths for a 1 yr contract(soon to be gone) or 20 months on a 2 year.

Josh

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

 

[jaycemiskel]

What everyone is forgetting is that early upgrades and special upgrading promotions are over. I never worried about getting a one year contact because I still would end up upgrading little over a year anyway. Now with all the changes you are forced to keep the phone for 20 months minimum. That is something probably a lot of people haven't experienced. I was planning on doing the one year contract next time but thats out the window. I have a feeling verizon will get so much negative feedback from all their changes that something will have to change for the better for us. It really is a joke to me and am feeling trapped because the sad thing is there isnt a better place to be then verizon.

Are they really over? My 20 month mark is July. The My Verizon site says I cannot upgrade until July. However, when I went into the store and inquired, they informed me I could upgrade at the discounted price now. So, I did. I chose to do so, so that i could lock down one more year of unlimited data and grab a one year contract while they're still around.

PS - The rep did not offer the one year contract either, I had to specifically ask for it.

They are over, however for those of us that were eligable for the early upgrade we get one last one. After that it will be at 10 moths for a 1 yr contract(soon to be gone) or 20 months on a 2 year.

Josh

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Josh is correct. You just got your last early upgrade.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

 

[reefsrt4]

Ok, that makes sense. Fine by me then. Early upgrade to TB and upgrade again when the quads begin to show up. Hopefully by the 12 month mark. Happy I was able to get a one year before they were gone.

 

[d.hong87]

i better lock in my early upgrade before the 17th..
quick question.. how do you change the 2 year plan to the 1 year plan on the VZW website? im trying to order the TB but it seems as if theres no option for the 1 year?

 

[kdkinc]

i better lock in my early upgrade before the 17th..
quick question.. how do you change the 2 year plan to the 1 year plan on the VZW website? im trying to order the TB but it seems as if theres no option for the 1 year?

click on the drop down box above the phone on the VZW page

 

[scarrz]

There should be a little drop down next to "PRICING FOR", they certainly don't make it very noticeable and it of course defaults to 2 year.

i better lock in my early upgrade before the 17th..
quick question.. how do you change the 2 year plan to the 1 year plan on the VZW website? im trying to order the TB but it seems as if theres no option for the 1 year?

 

[d.hong87]

There should be a little drop down next to "PRICING FOR", they certainly don't make it very noticeable and it of course defaults to 2 year.

i better lock in my early upgrade before the 17th..
quick question.. how do you change the 2 year plan to the 1 year plan on the VZW website? im trying to order the TB but it seems as if theres no option for the 1 year?

i better lock in my early upgrade before the 17th..
quick question.. how do you change the 2 year plan to the 1 year plan on the VZW website? im trying to order the TB but it seems as if theres no option for the 1 year?

click on the drop down box above the phone on the VZW page

thanks for the quick responses fellas