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Cheapest method to get an ET4G with $75 upgrade?

I only have $75 off from Sprint to upgrade, so what is the cheapest method into getting the ET4G? Many websites unfortunately only take account the upgrade price if you're 2 years in, but most don't give you an option if you're between 1 and 2 years between contracts.

adelmundo said:
I only have $75 off from Sprint to upgrade, so what is the cheapest method into getting the ET4G? Many websites unfortunately only take account the upgrade price if you're 2 years in, but most don't give you an option if you're between 1 and 2 years between contracts.
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Cheapest way is through Sprint. Their retail price is $499 for the phone at Sprint stores. That's quite a bit cheaper than through other resellers.
Depending on what your coming from, you may be able to sell your old phone on ebay or craigslist to recoup some of the cost.
The other option is to wait. I have no doubts that this phone, while impressive right now, will be outclassed in a few months. By the time you can cash in your full discounted upgrade, there will be something bigger and badder... or the E4GT will be much cheaper.
Keep in mind, you'll have to go another two years if you cash in that $75. Not worth it in my opinion... it's just a phone.

$75 is NOT worth re-upping your contract for 2 years. I went ahead and paid pull price for the phone and I will keep my full upgrade for next spring when the hopefully the LTE phones are out

Best Buy gave the phone for$399.99 and I also was only qualified for a $75 discount. That and the gave me $97 bucks for my old Epic thus I got this bad boy for about $300 and change.
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misterio53 said:
Best Buy gave the phone for$399.99 and I also was only qualified for a $75 discount. That and the gave me $97 bucks for my old Epic thus I got this bad boy for about $300 and change.
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U had to renew a contract?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Yeah I renew it, and I also had some gift cards so the price of the phone was a little under $300 with taxes
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

What i did was early terminate for $80 and started a new contract and got the phone for $199 plus acctivation. If you already got the phone wih only a 75 discount have ur accout reversed and do the early termination thing
p.s. If u do the account reversal you will need an old sprint phone to temperarily put ur number back on or they will charge u a restocking fee of 35 dollars

xx8todiefor6xx said:
What i did was early terminate for $80 and started a new contract and got the phone for $199 plus acctivation. If you already got the phone wih only a 75 discount have ur accout reversed and do the early termination thing
p.s. If u do the account reversal you will need an old sprint phone to temperarily put ur number back on or they will charge u a restocking fee of 35 dollars
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I was thinking of early terminating too. I am 1 year into my contract so it would be $100 for the ETF. Start a new contract and get the phone for $100 at Wal-Mart plus tax and $36 activation fee. The only thing is I want to keep my number so I would have to port it over maybe a prepaid phone or Google voice and then port it back to Sprint?

xx8todiefor6xx said:
What i did was early terminate for $80 and started a new contract and got the phone for $199 plus acctivation. If you already got the phone wih only a 75 discount have ur accout reversed and do the early termination thing
p.s. If u do the account reversal you will need an old sprint phone to temperarily put ur number back on or they will charge u a restocking fee of 35 dollars
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I did this exactly and traded in an Evo which they gave me an 87 credit for. I know I could of got more but it was too easy this way, totally off set the ETA. Phone number change for me wasn't a problem as I give out my Google voice number. I asked the guy at the store if he would just give me the full upgrade price instead of doing this but he said no. It was easy enough.

I was in the same situation. Got one from sprint, did not use it and sent it back because I realize that I could get a brand new one from eBay for cheaper and not use my $75 upgrade and be eligible for the next s3.

Maybe I might wait until after October 11 and see if Samsung and Google will announce the new Galaxy Nexus for Sprint hopefully. If it does come to Sprint I may just ETF and port my number out to a cheap prepaid phone and open a new contract.

Whats your current phone now? I personally think its worth it if you can sell your current phone for a decent amount and use it towards the 4g touch on eBay.

The best way is the Best Buy method. I sold my Evo and a Zune HD straight to Best Buy for about $210...I ended up paying $14 for mine (I had a full upgrade though).
If you've got some other old electronics you never use, I suggest going that route, Best Buy pays out pretty well.
Also, they won't be announcing the Nexus S in October. It'll be the iPhone 5 and MAYBE switching to LTE. IF we get the Nexus S, it won't be til later on.

I sold my Epic on Facebook in 20 minutes for $150, then used the $75 discount. I put down another $75 and billed the rest to my account. Ill have a huge bill next month, but I'm OK with that. But that's really the cheapest route.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

adelmundo said:
I only have $75 off from Sprint to upgrade, so what is the cheapest method into getting the ET4G? Many websites unfortunately only take account the upgrade price if you're 2 years in, but most don't give you an option if you're between 1 and 2 years between contracts.
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I had the same problem and I was willing to just buy the Epic Touch full price without renewing my contract BUT I decided it was worth a shot calling customer service to see what they could do for me.
I got:
$100 account credit
$75 renewal
$75+ phone buyback (I had a bunch of old phones)
Which left me at less than $249 out of pocket.
Then I transfered my OG Epic to my wife, and she ended up getting a brand new OG Epic because the Sprint store couldn't figure out how to swap things over to her correctly and I wasn't about to tell them how
I'm happy with it because we both have brand new phones and like I said before I was ready to just buy it full price... and I still have a full upgrade next spring...

walord said:
I had the same problem and I was willing to just buy the Epic Touch full price without renewing my contract BUT I decided it was worth a shot calling customer service to see what they could do for me.
I got:
$100 account credit
$75 renewal
$75+ phone buyback (I had a bunch of old phones)
Which left me at less than $249 out of pocket.
Then I transfered my OG Epic to my wife, and she ended up getting a brand new OG Epic because the Sprint store couldn't figure out how to swap things over to her correctly and I wasn't about to tell them how
I'm happy with it because we both have brand new phones and like I said before I was ready to just buy it full price... and I still have a full upgrade next spring...
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I did something like that. I get my $75 upgrade tomorrow, I chatted and got $100 credit when I use the $75 and I told a buddy of mine if he wanted my phone for $100 and he said yes so my phone will be around $225.

Subiegsr said:
Whats your current phone now? I personally think its worth it if you can sell your current phone for a decent amount and use it towards the 4g touch on eBay.
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Have an OG Epic right now. I know the going rate is $150 on ebay and Craigslist. But I want to see what they announce on the 11th.

Darkshneider said:
I did something like that. I get my $75 upgrade tomorrow, I chatted and got $100 credit when I use the $75 and I told a buddy of mine if he wanted my phone for $100 and he said yes so my phone will be around $225.
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Wow, you guys are lucky. I must have spoke with 4 Sprint reps to try to get some sort of deal going on. Two over the phone and 2 online. Even one of the guy was telling me to just keep my Evo and wait til next year, "since there will be a newer phone out every year."
adelmundo said:
Have an OG Epic right now. I know the going rate is $150 on ebay and Craigslist. But I want to see what they announce on the 11th.
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I see, yeah the 11th is coming up pretty soon anyways. I've noticed that the epic 4g touch prices have dropped quit a bit since I bought mine on eBay. I believe the going rate now is close to $450-60 shipped, I paid $480 for mine. Hopefully I can see my Evo for a decent amount. If you opt out for the new Nexus the price might be a bit lower too for the epic 4g touch.

OK I really want the Nexus but I'm not due for an upgrade. You're all smart, help!

Like the title says, I'm not due for an upgrade until next December but I'd really like to dump my current phone for a Nexus... it's just dog-slow, has no support from any Dev communities nor support from Samsung themselves...
With that said I'm wondering if anyone has found a way around having to pay the full $800 to get a new Nexus device. I went in to Best Buy today to see if I could extend my contract by another 2 years but he said the best I could do is to start a Family Plan, move my number to that and add a new line so I'd be paying $130 a month. I don't think so.
It's important that I keep my current plan too since I have unlimited data.
If anyone knows any little life-hacks to getting a new Nexus at $300 or less, let me know!
Oh, I'm on Verizon. So, LTE please!

What phone do you have right now?
Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

U could always add a line. Get a hold of an old verizon flip phone that doesn't require data and put the new line on that. This way you always get revolving upgrades too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Getting an extra is not a bad plan, but the cost adds up eventually. And correct me if I'm wrong, but verizon is not doing the traditional new every two years updates anymore. I think your best plan is to wait until the year and a half marker (I know I get some discount at that point) or buy a phone full retail.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium

chbennett said:
Getting an extra is not a bad plan, but the cost adds up eventually. And correct me if I'm wrong, but verizon is not doing the traditional new every two years updates anymore. I think your best plan is to wait until the year and a half marker (I know I get some discount at that point) or buy a phone full retail.
Sent from my Xoom using xda premium
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It's, what, $10 to add a line a month, dummyphone of course. $240 +
$300 = $540 still $110 below retail.

Smokeey said:
It's, what, $10 to add a line a month, dummyphone of course. $240 +
$300 = $540 still $110 below retail.
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Done know where the 240 came from. I added a line and out the door I paid 300+ CA tax
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

justin94 said:
Done know where the 240 came from. I added a line and out the door I paid 300+ CA tax
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
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Nm. Just realized you probably did 10x 12 for a 2 year contract. Yea, that's the thought process I had too. It'll basically be like getting a loan for the phone, without interest
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Retail is $650, not $800.
Frankly dude, take it from someone that HATES contracts and doesn't do them, just save up some cash.
What's the ETF on your current device now? Sounds like it might be cheaper to pay the ETF on your current line, and sign a contract for a new line and get the phone for $299.

The problem with getting another line is I'm currently on an individual plan paying about $80 a month.
Moving to a plan that I could add a line would put me at $130 a month... definitely not worth it when I'm already ready to fork over $300 for a phone.
I'm thinking best bet is getting lucky on eBay or Craigslist

chbennett said:
And correct me if I'm wrong, but verizon is not doing the traditional new every two years updates anymore. I think your best plan is to wait until the year and a half marker (I know I get some discount at that point) or buy a phone full retail.
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I think you can upgrade at the 20 month mark now actually. I know a buddy of mine that is a long time VZW customer is eligible for full upgrades @ 18 months.

KWKSLVR said:
Retail is $650, not $800.
Frankly dude, take it from someone that HATES contracts and doesn't do them, just save up some cash.
What's the ETF on your current device now? Sounds like it might be cheaper to pay the ETF on your current line, and sign a contract for a new line and get the phone for $299.
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Verizon's site says "You may terminate service for any reason within 14 days of activation. If you purchased a wireless device at a promotional price at the time of activation, you must return it within the device return period to avoid being assessed an Early Termination Fee of $175, or $350 if you purchased an Advanced Device" so I'm assuming $350 to terminate.
Not only that but by making a new contract I'd lose my unlimited data, and I use a TON of data.

ZeppelinJ0 said:
Verizon's site says "You may terminate service for any reason within 14 days of activation. If you purchased a wireless device at a promotional price at the time of activation, you must return it within the device return period to avoid being assessed an Early Termination Fee of $175, or $350 if you purchased an Advanced Device" so I'm assuming $350 to terminate.
Not only that but by making a new contract I'd lose my unlimited data, and I use a TON of data.
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If you get a new line from say amazon... You can just cancel the line within 14 days and keep the phone. Amazon will charge you 250 eventually for it though.
I just did it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.

Go Prepaid on TMO if you want phones more often.

blestsol said:
If you get a new line from say amazon... You can just cancel the line within 14 days and keep the phone. Amazon will charge you 250 eventually for it though.
I just did it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.
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Lol. And you did not read the fine print. It amazes me what people will or wont do to pay retail for a phone. And that is why american cellular service and prices are what they are.
Crazy world, ay?

Ummmmm
blestsol said:
If you get a new line from say amazon... You can just cancel the line within 14 days and keep the phone. Amazon will charge you 250 eventually for it though.
I just did it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.
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LOL like the other person said, you better go back and read the fine print. That $250 is a seperate Amazon fee in addition to Verizon's ETF. Basically you just screwed yourself $350 Verizon Fee + $250 Amazon Fee = $600.

blestsol said:
If you get a new line from say amazon... You can just cancel the line within 14 days and keep the phone. Amazon will charge you 250 eventually for it though.
I just did it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.
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So you paid for $600 no tax for your Rezound and are not on contract? That's not too bad. Saved $50 plus tax over getting it from Verizon.

They may hook you up with an early upgrade. I went in ready to pay full retail as my contract was not up until November of next year. The guy asked me why I didn't want to upgrade, not sure why I was able to upgrade but I did.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

If you have unlimited data, don't do an ETF since they don't offer unlimited any more. I'm heading out to BB-they told me if i pay full retail I have 30 day return policy. I'll sell my TBolt by that time, and cover the balance with my Xmas bonus.

Buddy Revell said:
So you paid for $600 no tax for your Rezound and are not on contract? That's not too bad. Saved $50 plus tax over getting it from Verizon.
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Nah I paid 150 for it on contract and canceled the trial then payed amazon their 250 cancel fee to keep it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.

blestsol said:
Nah I paid 150 for it on contract and canceled the trial then payed amazon their 250 cancel fee to keep it.
Sent from a Rezound, crappie camera included.
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Wait, you didn't have to pay the $350 ETF from Verizon?

Financing on Bestbuy

There is an option on best-buy to do a 18 month financing on the Galaxy Note 2 I dont want to sign a contract so I'd be paying $47 a month for the phone, Is that a good idea I need some opinions Im new to this financing stuff

If you're looking for opinions, then no. It's not a good deal. Financing on a credit card rarely is. In the long run you'll probably end up paying more by financing, than if you signed a 2 yr contract and actually ended up opting out of the contract early. That's just my opinion

it's 18 month interest free financing. you just have to make sure you pay it off by the 18th month or all that interest over those 18 months will be put on your card. so try to not use the card until the interest free charge is paid off. if you happen to make further purchases your payments will be split among the purchases but i'm not sure what they use to determine which purchase get the bulk of the payment - each has it's minimum taken first then the rest goes to, possibly, the oldest purchase.
it's a good deal as long as you have self control. don't forget to have them do a price match before you buy. they count price matches as refunds and the retail equation may count that as a non-receipt return if it's an online order. too many returns will put you on RE **** list and you won't be able to make any returns to a lot of stores for 90 days.

Why would you be paying $847 for the phone interest free if its $649.99 + tax off contract?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

bmoreboy02 said:
Why would you be paying $847 for the phone interest free if its $649.99 + tax off contract?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
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Because Best Buy charges $799 for the phone without contract.

thunderwagn said:
If you're looking for opinions, then no. It's not a good deal. Financing on a credit card rarely is. In the long run you'll probably end up paying more by financing, than if you signed a 2 yr contract and actually ended up opting out of the contract early. That's just my opinion
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I have to COMPLETELY agree!!! Here is the thing... I understand it sucks to sign a contract... BUT... Once you buy the phone after 6 months your Early Termination Fee (ETF) goes down every month that you keep the phone by $10 a month... After just one year your ETF is $240... Saying that you only kept the thing for a year... If you were to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note II at WireFly for an upgrade at the moment you would spend $249... A year from now you get pissed off at Sprint, say FU, and cancel paying the $240... That's still WAY FRIGGIN LESS That's $490 vs. $799... That's a savings of $309... Or $25 a month savings for that year... I think it's a no brainer...

DarkManX4lf said:
Because Best Buy charges $799 for the phone without contract.
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Bestbuy will pricematch sprint or amazon. I paid $649.99 + tax for my phone on launch day. Idk why it is so many people dont know this by now bc its really a secret they tell you in there commercials. Ive walked into bestbuy and paid $30 for otterbox defenders that they were sellin for $54.99 bc amazon had it cheaper
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

ourprisonplanet said:
I have to COMPLETELY agree!!! Here is the thing... I understand it sucks to sign a contract... BUT... Once you buy the phone after 6 months your Early Termination Fee (ETF) goes down every month that you keep the phone by $10 a month... After just one year your ETF is $240... Saying that you only kept the thing for a year... If you were to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note II at WireFly for an upgrade at the moment you would spend $249... A year from now you get pissed off at Sprint, say FU, and cancel paying the $240... That's still WAY FRIGGIN LESS That's $490 vs. $799... That's a savings of $309... Or $25 a month savings for that year... I think it's a no brainer...
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you can only pay that etf to get out if you quit sprint. i don't want a contract nor do i want to quit since if i quit i lose my sero - $57 for unlimited data and 500 min. not worth it to do that if i ever decide to come back to sprint after quitting.

madsquabbles said:
you can only pay that etf to get out if you quit sprint. i don't want a contract nor do i want to quit since if i quit i lose my sero - $57 for unlimited data and 500 min. not worth it to do that if i ever decide to come back to sprint after quitting.
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Have someone else create a different account if you can. Family member, friend, anyone.
Or see if you can create a business account so you don't tinker with your current one.

garwynn said:
Have someone else create a different account if you can. Family member, friend, anyone.
Or see if you can create a business account so you don't tinker with your current one.
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Click to collapse
you also have to maintain the account for 90 days (or 60, i can't remember). otherwise you have to return the phone or pay full price. so that adds a minimum of $140 for service not used (with everyting plus referral). add the etf and the cost of the subsidized phone and you're better off just buying the phone without any headaches.

Purchasing the One on a new contract, then cancel at day 15 and pay ETF?

Ok, I'm trying to weigh my options here. I have unlimited data and have no plan on ending that until they force me to. I have looked around and have found that a new HTC One still tends to go for around $500-550.
However, Verizon's ETF is $350, and now that the One can be had on contract for $50, it seems to me I could have the phone and only be out $400.
I actually ran this plan by a Best Buy employee as well to see if they could warn me of any pitfalls, and the guy said there would be no problem. But, I seem to find you guys know more than the guys at Best Buy or Verizon! So, here's what I had in mind...:
- Start a NEW LINE of service, not at all linked to my existing account, get whatever cheapest plan they have, and get the One for $50
- Wait out the 14 days "worry free" period, so that I am past the point where they would just want me to return the phone
- Cancel the service, pay the $350 ETF (plus a possible pro-rate for the half-month of service?)
- Profit!
Are there any catches? Any pitfalls? ANY way that I can screw myself over by doing this? Also, at what point can I switch the SIM card from my current phone over to the new phone? Right away or do I have to wait til I cancel the service? Do I need to do anything on the Verizon website as well? I have bought a phone outright for my wife and just switched the SIM and it worked fine.

bast525 said:
Ok, I'm trying to weigh my options here. I have unlimited data and have no plan on ending that until they force me to. I have looked around and have found that a new HTC One still tends to go for around $500-550.
However, Verizon's ETF is $350, and now that the One can be had on contract for $50, it seems to me I could have the phone and only be out $400.
I actually ran this plan by a Best Buy employee as well to see if they could warn me of any pitfalls, and the guy said there would be no problem. But, I seem to find you guys know more than the guys at Best Buy or Verizon! So, here's what I had in mind...:
- Start a NEW LINE of service, not at all linked to my existing account, get whatever cheapest plan they have, and get the One for $50
- Wait out the 14 days "worry free" period, so that I am past the point where they would just want me to return the phone
- Cancel the service, pay the $350 ETF (plus a possible pro-rate for the half-month of service?)
- Profit!
Are there any catches? Any pitfalls? ANY way that I can screw myself over by doing this? Also, at what point can I switch the SIM card from my current phone over to the new phone? Right away or do I have to wait til I cancel the service? Do I need to do anything on the Verizon website as well? I have bought a phone outright for my wife and just switched the SIM and it worked fine.
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Other than losing tons of money I don't see an issue. Why not just pay the monthly payments and keep unlimited though?
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using xda app-developers app

bast525 said:
Ok, I'm trying to weigh my options here. I have unlimited data and have no plan on ending that until they force me to. I have looked around and have found that a new HTC One still tends to go for around $500-550.
However, Verizon's ETF is $350, and now that the One can be had on contract for $50, it seems to me I could have the phone and only be out $400.
I actually ran this plan by a Best Buy employee as well to see if they could warn me of any pitfalls, and the guy said there would be no problem. But, I seem to find you guys know more than the guys at Best Buy or Verizon! So, here's what I had in mind...:
- Start a NEW LINE of service, not at all linked to my existing account, get whatever cheapest plan they have, and get the One for $50
- Wait out the 14 days "worry free" period, so that I am past the point where they would just want me to return the phone
- Cancel the service, pay the $350 ETF (plus a possible pro-rate for the half-month of service?)
- Profit!
Are there any catches? Any pitfalls? ANY way that I can screw myself over by doing this? Also, at what point can I switch the SIM card from my current phone over to the new phone? Right away or do I have to wait til I cancel the service? Do I need to do anything on the Verizon website as well? I have bought a phone outright for my wife and just switched the SIM and it worked fine.
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They will charge full price if phone if you don't return the phone. I use to work for Verizon in Columbia TN. This was the norm for that issue.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app

cstrife999 said:
Other than losing tons of money I don't see an issue. Why not just pay the monthly payments and keep unlimited though?
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using xda app-developers app
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Not sure I understand? Where am I losing tons of money?
wcr84 said:
They will charge full price if phone if you don't return the phone. I use to work for Verizon in Columbia TN. This was the norm for that issue.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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Ok so as far as you know, what is the cut off where they can no longer ask me to return the phone, but will not charge me the full retail price of the phone either? After conversing with the Best Buy guy, he said this cut off is 14 days, after which they will not allow me to return the phone, and would only charge me the ETF, not the full price of the phone. Is he full of it?

wcr84 said:
They will charge full price if phone if you don't return the phone. I use to work for Verizon in Columbia TN. This was the norm for that issue.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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That's only if he does not pay the etf , if he pays the $350 they can't then charge for the phone .
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 2

NOT TRUE. I just opened up a new account to get the phone for $149. It was my only choice since I have a concession account and Verizon would not sell me the phone unless they could attach it to a consumer account and I wasn't about to pay $699 at Best Buy. I cancelled the next day over the phone. The rep told me I was within my window to return the phone. I told him that I wanted to keep it and he said that was absolutely fine. Got my final bill about 2 weeks later and was charged $350 ETF, 1 day service $3.50, and $11.48 in taxes. They tried to charge me tax on the Activation fee which they eventually reversed since the account was cancelled within the first 3 days. In the end I paid a total of $565. The cheapest retail is at a VZW corporate store at $599. I was satisified.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app[/QUOTE]

skorpyo31 said:
NOT TRUE. I just opened up a new account to get the phone for $149. It was my only choice since I have a concession account and Verizon would not sell me the phone unless they could attach it to a consumer account and I wasn't about to pay $699 at Best Buy. I cancelled the next day over the phone. The rep told me I was within my window to return the phone. I told him that I wanted to keep it and he said that was absolutely fine. Got my final bill about 2 weeks later and was charged $350 ETF, 1 day service $3.50, and $11.48 in taxes. They tried to charge me tax on the Activation fee which they eventually reversed since the account was cancelled within the first 3 days. In the end I paid a total of $565. The cheapest retail is at a VZW corporate store at $599. I was satisified.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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great info here, thank you. This is right in line with what I was expecting. Based on your experience, and the fact that the phone is now $50 on contract, I would say $465 is probably a good ballpark figure for what I should expect my total out of pocket cost to be for the phone.

wcr84 said:
They will charge full price if phone if you don't return the phone. I use to work for Verizon in Columbia TN. This was the norm for that issue.
Sent from my HTCONE using xda app-developers app
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If that is what they told you, that is complete bull****. That's a bs line that INDIRECT stores tell their customers. I know this because I was a store manager for one. The indirect retailers get paid when you buy a phone. When that phone/line is canceled a DAY before 6 months in term, they get their money taken back from them. Any new line or upgrade needs to be active for a complete 6 months before they are free and clear of returns and chargebacks. You tell them to shove it and call their bluff...Corporate Verizon should have NO problem doing this, I've seen it done. Hell....I've done it, but do it at your own risk because I don't work for corporate and never have, so idk what kind of guidelines they have about these types of things...
EDIT*** I thought you said the store TOLD you that, I misread. You WORKED for Verizon? Was it corporate or indirect? I've done this before, and have helped friends do it as well and there were no issues....

bast525 said:
great info here, thank you. This is right in line with what I was expecting. Based on your experience, and the fact that the phone is now $50 on contract, I would say $465 is probably a good ballpark figure for what I should expect my total out of pocket cost to be for the phone.
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Sounds right. I picked mine up from the same store that refused to sell the phone to me. I placed the order online and chose in store pickup. Phone was ready within an hour..

skorpyo31 said:
Sounds right. I picked mine up from the same store that refused to sell the phone to me. I placed the order online and chose in store pickup. Phone was ready within an hour..
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Pay full retail or do the 12 monthly payments split on your bill.

zetsumeikuro said:
Pay full retail or do the 12 monthly payments split on your bill.
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Orrr.... Pay less. By doing it his way?
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk 2

Ok, to play devil's advocate here.
1. Don't do it at an indirect. Best buy may be ok because they're large, and probably wouldn't notice/care enough to come after you with a chargeback. At my indirect you sign a separate contract saying if you cancel within 6 months, we will bill you full retail on the phone or you must return it to us.
2. If you cancel within the first 14 days, YES, corporate can bill your account full retail on the phone. Most carriers have a "gaming" department that handles cases like these.
(Source: I used to work in a gaming dept. Charged a guy full retail on 10 blackberry bolds )
3. You'll have the cost at the POS, a $35 activation fee, half a month of service, and the ETF. Just be aware of all of these.
4. When you call in to cancel DO NOT say it was lost/stolen. Don't want your ESN getting flagged

[Q] It it advisable?

Since Tmobile has discontinued selling devices at subsidized prices anymore, let's say, if one were to buy Note 3 from Wirefly or Staples for $299 with a new line on a classic plan (they are still allowing that), and cancel the service after 14 days and pay the ETF of $200 plus the activation $35 (which can be waived) and first month's service fees $80 (minimum), then the total comes to $579 or $614. Has anyone tried this? Will Tmobile blacklist imei once you cancel the contract?
Suhas

No reason to blacklist if u paid the money

Hmmmmm you sir might be on to something here

suhas2000 said:
Since Tmobile has discontinued selling devices at subsidized prices anymore, let's say, if one were to buy Note 3 from Wirefly or Staples for $299 with a new line on a classic plan (they are still allowing that), and cancel the service after 14 days and pay the ETF of $200 plus the activation $35 (which can be waived) and first month's service fees $80 (minimum), then the total comes to $579 or $614. Has anyone tried this? Will Tmobile blacklist imei once you cancel the contract?
Suhas
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Lol. You sure etc is $200 and not $350 or more?
sent from my sm-900t.

@rbiter said:
Lol. You sure etc is $200 and not $350 or more?
sent from my sm-900t.
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I just checked myself, you got me wondering. Looks like it is $200 Check this out:
https://t-mobile.jive-mobile.com/#jive-document?content=/api/core/v2/documents/2938
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

So, who's going to be the dare devil?

I think y'all are gonna be disappointed whoever tries. Carriers got themselves covered on this. Best thing is tmobile's monthly plan.
sent from my sm-900t.

I would do this myself but I'm out of the country on vacation. But someone should just call tmo and just ask that. But if you early term and pay etf they can't blacklist your phone. But there is still the thought if you do early terminate you may have to pay out the phone possibly. Idk.

A few years back when I worked for one of the major carriers, if you did not return the phone when you canceled within the grace period then you would have to pay the full price of the phone and if you didn't then they would send the bill to collections. This phone is awesome but not worth the harassment of debt collectors and getting your credit score screwed.

I know on amazon you had to keep the service for 6 months. If you didn't you had to return the phone or pay the full price.
Sent from my SM-N900T using xda app-developers app

I read up on all TM stipulations about 2 weeks before the note 3 came out. I'm not sure about buying the phone on amazon but if you buy it though TM, you are basically refinancing the phone. You're paying a little more each month (I think for me it's like 15 it varies depending on how much you put down), plus you get the jump program included in your insurence. Also if you cancel, you will have to pay off the remaining balance on the phone's "loan".

OP this is exactly how I got both my note 2. Tmo had just stopped the classic plan. Walmart still offered it though. I signed up then the very next day switched to a value plan, paid the 200 fee ( on one of them because I sweet talked the Rep and got the other waived) and was set. I got me and the wife note 2s for 600 bucks total (this is when they were still the hot phone)
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for that info!

Too late, both, Wirefly and Staples, have now taken down the classic plans and are showing the full price for Note 3 Oh well, you snooze, you definitely lose! I will wait for some time b4 the price comes down a little...