Where to buy a verizon phone?

polktiger
polktiger Posts: 556
edited April 2013 in The Clubhouse
I know this sounds stupid, were do you buy Verizon phones? Is the only place the Verizon store?

Over the last 10 years I have owned 2 phones. I fell in the water yesterday and killed my current phone, so I want to replace it. The 2 times I have purchased phones it was when I signed up or changed service.

My current contract is long since out of its term, and it is much cheaper than a comperable plan today, so I don't want a new plan. But it looks like if I buy a phone at a verizon store without some kind of contract it is full retail at an absurd price.

Any suggestions? Amazon had a couple, but even those weren't very cheap.
Post edited by polktiger on

Comments

  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited July 2009
    Verizon and other carriers sell phones at a discounted price in exchange for your signing up for a contract. Basically they make up for the loss of the cost of the phone in exchange for your guarantee of service.

    If you want a phone without a contract, you have to pay full retail. Why else woudl someone subsidize the phone for you?

    If you want cheaper prices, use Froogle or something to find the best price, but you're probably not going to find a substantial difference unless you take the risk of using eBay.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
  • Pauly
    Pauly Posts: 4,519
    edited July 2009
    Craigslist...


    Pauly
    Life without music would
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited July 2009
    You don't have to get into a contract if you don't want. You will just have to pay full retail price for the phone. Though if I were you why not get into a contract? You have had a phone now for over 10 years and unless you see yourself not having a phone in the next two years why would you want to pay full retail price for a phone.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited July 2009
    You should be able to get a new contract without changing your current plan. They are two separate things. you will still have to sign a 2 year agreement (the standard now) but you can keep your existing plan.

    I have sprint and do not know if Verison is the same, but with some phones (like blackberrys) you have to make changes to your plan. Just go to the version store and say you are out of contract but have no interest in changing your current plan - what phones are available that fit those criteria. I am sure they will be able to do something for you,

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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited July 2009
    What kind, manufacturer, model of Verizon cell phone that got water soaked ?
  • polktiger
    polktiger Posts: 556
    edited July 2009
    jvc wrote: »
    What kind, manufacturer, model of Verizon cell phone that got water soaked ?

    It was an LG flip phone. I don't know the model, but it was the most basic LG flip they had. It was actually an Alltel phone - Verizon bought Alltel. Also why I don't want to mess with contract, etc, because it is an old Alltel plan. In our area, Alltel has always been 20%+ cheaper than a similar plan from Verizon.

    Replacement, thats all I really want. I don't text, my phone stays on vibrate so ringtones are n/a, i don't use the web via phone, etc. I really don't want a camera either. All I want is a flip that can send/receive calls.
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited July 2009
    I too am in the same boat as you where my older plan is far better then their plans they have now. I (and you) can get a new phone at the discounted rate if you sign a new contract to stay with them for "x" amt. of time and you do not have to change your current plan just sign an agreement to stay with them for the term. I have a the new G'z One phone and still have the same plan I got over 5yrs ago, I just signed a two year agreement to stay with them.

    Dave

    FWIW the G'z One is water proof./ shock proof, pretty nice phone IMO
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited July 2009
    FWIW the G'z One is water proof./ shock proof, pretty nice phone IMO

    I also have that phone. I like it a lot.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
  • John30_30
    John30_30 Posts: 1,024
    edited July 2009
    polktiger wrote: »
    It was an LG flip phone. I don't know the model, but it was the most basic LG flip they had. It was actually an Alltel phone - Verizon bought Alltel. Also why I don't want to mess with contract, etc, because it is an old Alltel plan. In our area, Alltel has always been 20%+ cheaper than a similar plan from Verizon.

    Replacement, thats all I really want. I don't text, my phone stays on vibrate so ringtones are n/a, i don't use the web via phone, etc. I really don't want a camera either. All I want is a flip that can send/receive calls.

    Like someone already said, your local Craigslist Electronics. People sell them all the time for various carriers or unlocked. Take it down to the Verizon store and have them activate it & transfer your addresses, etc.
  • wizzy
    wizzy Posts: 867
    edited July 2009
    Used phone. Craigslist is good as you can check out the phone. Lots of old $10 phones on e*bay. Keep in mind any phone 2-3+ yo will probably need a new battery, so make sure parts are still available.

    Get something that is "like" your old phone. Getting phones w/ different features can trigger verizon forcing you into new features/plans.

    If you get a like enough phone, you can activate it on Verizon's "My Verizon" web portal to your account. No calling, going in, etc. just go into your account and type in your MEID
  • Gadabout
    Gadabout Posts: 1,072
    edited July 2009
    FWIW.....
    The last couple additional or replacement phones I have bought have been direct from the manufacturer. I just go to Motorola's or Nokia's web page.

    I have been able to find phones that they are discontinuing for a pretty decent prices. . I hated the cheapo work phone they gave me. Went to Motorola's web page and got a basic flip phone for the Verizon service. The last one I bought was $60 shipping included. Just called Verizon and told them the other one wasn't working and gave them the phone ID of the new one. Working in like 10 minutes after the call.

    Scott
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited April 2013
    laurensoon reported
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    edited April 2013
    Shoot me a pm I might have a LG flip phone available my daughter wants off our plan so she can get a HTC phone with a hot spot so hers would be available. It is a Verizon.
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  • goofyGAguy
    goofyGAguy Posts: 545
    edited April 2013
    ^^ Did you check the date of the OP? :lol: ^^
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,114
    edited April 2013
    I guess I did not just woke up disregard. Whats the point of reviving an old thread such as this?
    Home Theater
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    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
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  • goofyGAguy
    goofyGAguy Posts: 545
    edited April 2013
    gudnoyez wrote: »
    I guess I did not just woke up disregard. Whats the point of reviving an old thread such as this?

    See post #15. Should be self-explanatory.
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    ...is no more. :cry:
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,398
    edited April 2013
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  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited April 2013
    polktiger wrote: »
    I know this sounds stupid, were do you buy Verizon phones? Is the only place the Verizon store?

    Over the last 10 years I have owned 2 phones. I fell in the water yesterday and killed my current phone, so I want to replace it. The 2 times I have purchased phones it was when I signed up or changed service.

    My current contract is long since out of its term, and it is much cheaper than a comperable plan today, so I don't want a new plan. But it looks like if I buy a phone at a verizon store without some kind of contract it is full retail at an absurd price.

    Any suggestions? Amazon had a couple, but even those weren't very cheap.



    U may be able to save the phone. Did the same thing, remove batt berry phone and batt in rice for 24 hours may pull all the moisture out. Did for me phone worked fine after that.
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited April 2013
    U may be able to save the phone. Did the same thing, remove batt berry phone and batt in rice for 24 hours may pull all the moisture out. Did for me phone worked fine after that.

    Fail! :razz:
  • soundfreak1
    soundfreak1 Posts: 3,414
    edited April 2013
    polktiger wrote: »
    It was an LG flip phone. I don't know the model, but it was the most basic LG flip they had. It was actually an Alltel phone - Verizon bought Alltel. Also why I don't want to mess with contract, etc, because it is an old Alltel plan. In our area, Alltel has always been 20%+ cheaper than a similar plan from Verizon.

    Replacement, thats all I really want. I don't text, my phone stays on vibrate so ringtones are n/a, i don't use the web via phone, etc. I really don't want a camera either. All I want is a flip that can send/receive calls.


    Thats too wierd, same model that got wet on me! Try the rice thing may work for you like it did for me. Nothing too lose.
    Main Rig:
    Krell KAV 250a biamped to mid/highs
    Parasound HCA1500A biamped to lows
    Nakamichi EC100 Active xover
    MIT exp 1 ic's
    Perreaux SA33 class A preamp
    AQ kingcobra ic's
    OPPO 83 CDP
    Lehmann audio black cube SE phono pre, Audioquest phono wire (ITA1/1)
    Denon DP-1200 TT. AToc9ML MC cart.
    Monster HTS 3600 power conditioner
    ADS L1590/2 Biamped
    MIT exps2 speaker cable
  • Jimbo18
    Jimbo18 Posts: 2,334
    edited April 2013
    Thats too wierd, same model that got wet on me! Try the rice thing may work for you like it did for me. Nothing too lose.
    I just recently ran my cheap LG flip phone through the washer in a pair of jeans. My wife told me about the rice trick and it works perfectly again. I left it in 24 hours or so and the screen still looked a bit cloudy, so I put it back for several more days with the battery out and the phone open and it all cleared up. Like the OP, I just use it for sending/receiving calls, and I like the way it works, so was very happy when the rice worked.