Sales tax when edging up

Question

When I bought my first phone on Edge I paid full price sales tax. When I want to Edge up, I have to pay 50% of the cost of the phone. At that point I'm charged first month (fine) and then sales tax again for the full price of the phone. Something doesn't seem right about that. Hoping someone can explain this to me.

Answer 1

When you buy a new car on credit you pay the full sales tax on the car, because the assumption is you expect you will keep the car.  However, you do have the option at any point to trade in your car (whether paid in full or not), but the car dealership/state does not prorate the sales tax based on how much of the car you actually paid off.  When you lease a car the assumption is that you do not wish to purchase the car, rather you only want to use it for a short period of time (ie a long term rental), though in most cases you have the option to buy the car if you want.  Verizon Edge assumes you seek to purchase your phone rather than lease the phone.
Edge is simply a way for you to buy your phone on credit at 0% interest, you are not leasing your phone with the option to buy.  In fact you are purchasing your phone with the option to trade it in later if you want new tech as soon as it is available.  Verizon and all other carriers that have this type of program are trying to get us accustomed to purchasing our phones at full price.  This way over time they can do away with most if not all phone subsidies.
If you were in fact leasing your phone, then Verizon would have placed a set of restrictions on your use of the phone that helped Verizon ensure that your phone when returned would be in like new condition and operational.  In addition, if you were leasing the phone Verizon would likely require you to purchase insurance for the phone to further protect their interests regarding the leased equipment.
For those already in enrolled in the Edge Program be aware, in the fine print of the Edge Terms and conditions it states
What are the eligibility requirements to Edge Up with Verizon Edge?To be eligible to Edge Up, you must:
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Have had your Edge phone for at least 30 days
Have paid at least 50% of the full retail price of the phone
Return the Edge phone in good working condition with no significant damage, as determined by Verizon Wireless
What types of replacement phones will be accepted when I seek to Edge Up?When you Edge Up to a new Edge device, you must provide to Verizon Wireless one of the following in good working condition and without significant damage, as determined by Verizon Wireless:
The original phone purchased under your Verizon Edge Agreement
An authorized replacement from a valid Verizon Wireless channel (e.g., Certified Like-New Replacement, AppleCare® or a Verizon Wireless authorized insurance replacement phone)
All that means is that Verizon does not have to grant you the option to Edge up even if your phone is 50% paid off, if your phone is not in an acceptable trade-in condition. A person in that situation would still have to continue to pay the phone off but would not be eligible to purchase another phone on Edge until that contract is paid off in full.  Just like if you trashed your car (only 50% paid) and when you went to trade it in the dealer determines it is not in a suitable condition to accept for trade in.  You will be stuck with your car (or phone) and still be required to pay it off.  In this case the dealer will (with acceptable credit check) let you finance a new car just like Verizon will allow you to add another line to you account and get a new phone on a separate Edge contract paying tax on the full retail cost of the phone.