New Droid Phone Help

[RIPH]

Wow. Lots of good input here now.

SPH, that data rate must be for Boeing employee's, I can't find it in my area.

Bill, I've been with Verizon a long time and the grandfather rule only works until Verizon changes the game. We have a family plan and my not so young mom is on it. I would love to get her a phone with at least a 3 inch screen because it would be easier for her to see, but because those phones are classed as smart phones, I would be forced to put some type of data plan on that number, even though that number has been grandfathered for many years with no data plan at all....

Also, the data plans with fixed number of GB's are fact. What's not clear is how many GB's you get for the various price points. Everything that is posted on verizon wireless so far is more expensive, based on our usage, than the current $29.99 unlimited plan.

I will take your advice and keep calling too, Thanks.

[gunthermoose]

I think she's gonna go with a Razr Maxx..
We'll see if they are having any specials this weekend though

[RIPH]

Let us know how you do, dave!

[gunthermoose]

Will do George

[Bicycle Bill]

Bill, I've been with Verizon a long time and the grandfather rule only works until Verizon changes the game. We have a family plan and my not so young mom is on it. I would love to get her a phone with at least a 3 inch screen because it would be easier for her to see, but because those phones are classed as smart phones, I would be forced to put some type of data plan on that number, even though that number has been grandfathered for many years with no data plan at all....

Don't know what you mean about 'Verizon changing the game'; I've dealt already with people who have old Alltel plans still in effect as well as early Verizon plans offering minute amounts (300 min single line plan or 2100 minute family-share plans) that have long been retired. I've also seen older "America's Choice" and "Nationwide Connect" plans that predate the smartphone revolution and still allow unlimited data (for non-smartphones); again, although these plans are no longer available the customer has never done anything to cause the plan to change so it is still in place. So long as the customer does not try to upgrade to a smartphone or change their minute allowance, these plans are still in service. And while there have been rumors that these plans will eventually be "sunsetted" at some point in the future, it hasn't happened yet.

As for a 3-inch screen phone that doesn't require a data plan, might I suggest you check out either the Pantech Hotshot (3.2-inch touchscreen), the Samsung Brightside (3.1-inch touchscreen), or the LG Extravert (2.8-inch touchscreen). These are all considered 'basic phones' and while a data plan allowing 75 MB of use per month (enough to do e-mail and maybe a small amount of activity on Twitter or Facebook) is available for these it is not mandatory; any of these phones could also be activated with a 'pay-as-you-go' megabyte feature or without any data plan at all if a data block is added to the line. Any store rep should be able to do this — although they likely will claim they can't as it would impact their commission. Me? I'm on flat hourly salary so commission means nothing to me. I'm relatively free to do whatever I need to do — within reason, of course, and without giving away the company — to get satisfied customers.

-"BB"-

[Ragtop Girl]

Looks like I will be getting an iphone 4S as somthing different. Time will tell if this was a good move

[clearlakeparrot]

Been with Verizon 10 years... Going to leave at the end of this contract.

[Ragtop Girl]

Happy with Verizon just looking for a new phone and thought with both the droid razor maxx and iphone 4s being the same price thought I would give the iphone a try for 2 years.

[Bicycle Bill]

Happy with Verizon just looking for a new phone and thought with both the droid razor maxx and iphone 4s being the same price thought I would give the iphone a try for 2 years.

Just so you know — the iPhone 4S is *NOT* a 4G phone; the Razr Maxx is. The Razr Maxx also has the best battery — in terms of usable life per charge — of any cellphone currently available.

-"BB"-

[gunthermoose]

Thanks..we know...
There is no 4g in our area..(barely 3g)

[RIPH]

Thanks for the information Bill. How can I get the Verizon folks to sell me one of those phones with data blocked? I have been unsuccessful at the store and with customer service directly. I have another upgrade coming soon after July and would like to try one of the phones you suggested.

[RIPH]

Good luck with your new phone Barb! Have fun with it.

[VanillaGrl]

Been with Verizon 10 years... Going to leave at the end of this contract.

Same here.

[Bicycle Bill]

Thanks for the information Bill. How can I get the Verizon folks to sell me one of those phones with data blocked? I have been unsuccessful at the store and with customer service directly. I have another upgrade coming soon after July and would like to try one of the phones you suggested.

First of all, make sure you are actually in a Verizon direct store; not a 3rd-party retailer like Best Buy/Walmart/Costco/Radio Shack/etc. or a "Premium Retailer" — which looks like a 'real' Verizon store but is actually owned and operated by a franchisee like "Go Cellular" or "Premium Wireless" or something like that.

Once you are sure you're in the right place, then remember that YOU are the customer and the people in the store are there to serve you. Ask them — if necessary, DEMAND that they put a data block onto the line that the phone will be activated on. I can't let you use my real name or identification code, but tell them that you know that the $10.00/75-megabyte data package on a basic phone like the Hotshot or the Brightside is not mandatory; the phone can carry either a pay-as-you-go megabyte plan or the full data block can be added. Refer them to the Equipment Guide if you need to, where it will tell them that the data plan is "optional". If they still won't honor your request then tell them fine, you will not purchase the phone from them and they will get no commission whatsoever, and that you will go to another Verizon store where they will do what you want ... and then turn around, walk out, and do so. Or tell them to get customer service on the line, right there while you're in the store, and talk to the phone rep while in their presence.

Tell them the same thing about the basic phone data package. They should be able to bring up the Equipment Guide through Doorways or Infoman in the system on their computer and confirm that the package on these phones is optional. If the phone rep still insists that they can't do it, then ask to speak with their team leader or supervisor. One way or another, sooner or later, you will find someone who knows that this is possible and it will get done. I just wish there was a way I could give you a direct number to speak with me and I could make it gets done and done right, but unfortunately there isn't.

One final advisory — the 'data block' is only available for basic phones. Any smartphone, whether it's an iPhone, a Blackberry, a Windows phone, or any of the Android devices, will currently require as a minimum the $30.00/2GB data package.

-"BB"-

[RIPH]

Okay thanks Bill. I will see how it goes.

[pair8head]

I'm getting a new Droid EVO early next week. I took mine in a couple of days ago because it is acting up. Ended up being a problem with the mini USB connector and they don't replace them they just replace the whole phone.
It should arrive in the mail Tuesday or Wednesday.

[clearlakeparrot]

I have 3 phones and give Verizon $2400 a year. Now the screw with my data??!! They can go to hell.

[surfpirate]

I have 3 phones and give Verizon $2400 a year. Now the screw with my data??!! They can go to hell.

How is Verizon "screwing with your data"?

[buffettbride]

I hope they remember to use protection.

[docandjeanie]

Love my MY Touch 4G slide, with full slide out keyboard, love that. Camera is far superior, video awesome... Battery life, is not great, only drawback.

Good luck with the iphone!