I do not qualify for the Verizon edge plan, even though I have been customer ever since they bought Alltel. Has anyone else had this problem.

Question

Today I went to the Verizon store to upgrade my girlfriends phone which is on my account b/c I wanted to use the edge plan to buy the iPhone 5c. I had read in several different places that I could upgrade using edge and not loose my unlimited data, turns out I was misinformed, which the guy at the store told me after he had my information pulled up using my cell number. I told the guy I was not willing to give up my unlimited plan AND pay full price for the phone, I thanked him for his time and we left. When we left the store I called the Verizon number that is given on the website and told them I was interested in the edge plan for the 5c and asked for more information, ( I thought the guy at the store was wrong and I was checking). The woman I talked.......long story short, I talked to 8 people including 2 managers and none of them could tell me why I did not qualify for the edge financing (even if switching the plan), SO I was hoping someone on here might could help. I have been a customer since Verizon bought out Alltel, I have automatic payments set up with no late payments for as long as I can remember, and was eligible for an upgrade on 01/03/2013. Any experience or advice in this area would be appreciated.
Thank You!

Answer 1

rjg030585 wrote:
I told the guy I was not willing to give up my unlimited plan AND pay full price for the phone, I thanked him for his time and we left.
Here is my advice, at least. Not sure if anyone will agree, but it is my take on the problem.
With the Edge program, there is a "possibility" that someone will pay full price for a phone. This is not always the case, though. IF you do not complete ALL of the 24 months of payments, then you WILL NOT have paid full price for the phone, but simply a portion of the full price. THAT is why it does not make the plan "eligible" to keep your unlimited data. With the Edge plan, technically you only have to pay 50% of the full price before you can trade it in for another phone on the Edge plan. The way the plan is designed, the majority of people WILL NOT ever pay full price for the phone, but only a portion of the full price before they exchange their phone for a new device. That is what Verizon is hoping for, at least.
As Ann154 has pointed out, you can use the Device Payment Plan and keep your unlimited data. At no time during your contract can you trade THAT phone in to get another phone. You would have to continue making the payments on THAT phone along with any other phone you upgraded to. THAT is the difference between the 2 plans. You WILL end up paying full price for the phone on the Device Payment Plan, where you can STOP making payments on a phone with the Edge Plan if you turn it in for another device.
Good luck.