Any reason to NOT use Amazon for phone upgades?

[Nintendesert]

I'm due for an upgrade here and have been checking prices at Verizon and I'm finding Amazon is a good $50 cheaper on the same phone. Amazon says they do upgrades with existing contracts and all that, so why would I go into a Verizon store other than to get hands on with the phone?

Anyone with experience with Amazon wireless?

 

[Dulanic]

No reason. Amazon rules.

 

[thescreensavers]

You sign two contracts, one with amazon and another with vzw, att.... Ect

So if you canceled your plan you would need to pay both

 

[alent1234]

if you ETF on the phone you owe verizon and amazon. probably $500 or more together. reason is that amazon wants their commission

 

[shortylickens]

Still havent tried them for cell service.
Dont see why I would, they dont seem to offer any special deals with contracts.

Off contract you can get much cheaper phones from them, I got my moms Blackberry about a hundred bucks cheaper than any place else.
But next time around I plan to use Virgin Mobile and they are pretty much the same price everywhere.

 

[s44]

if you ETF on the phone you owe verizon and amazon.

Correct, but Amazon only requires 6 months, not the full contract term.

 

[preslove]

For 3rd party sellers like Amazon, there is a second ETF. It usually only lasts for around 180 days, though.

 

[Nintendesert]

I ended up getting an HTC Trophy from Amazon for $99. I went to Verizon and tried some of them out and I just couldn't justify any of the 4G phones since there's no service here, there were no Droid X2s to try and even the Incredible 2 didn't impress me that much. There was something about the UI that kept stuttering and lagging with all the Android phones.

When I tried out the Trophy it was just very smooth and felt more like the UI of an IPhone in presentation. It was also pretty cheap and I had a hard time wanting to pay 300 bucks or 200 bucks for a phone. California taxes add another big chunk to that as well.

So we'll see how it goes, but I haven't switched from Verizon in a decade so I don't think the 181 days or whatever you need to keep the phone from Amazon without incurring a $250 fee will be much of a problem.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[s44]

If you'd waited a few days, you could apparently have gotten the Charge, Revolution, or Thunderbolt for free. Insane deal.

 

[sciwizam]

Rumors of huge deals on Amazon for 4G phones on Memorial Day and Memorial Day weekend.

Also, even if you go buy a Windows Phone, looks like there's a $25 gift card.

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2011/05...exus-s-4g-and-more-for-free-on-amazon-monday/

 

[preslove]

Rumor's of huge deals on Amazon for 4G phones on Memorial Day and Memorial Day weekend.

Also,even if you go by Windows Phone, looks like there's a $25 gift card.

http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2011/05...exus-s-4g-and-more-for-free-on-amazon-monday/

Apparently the reason not to get a phone on amazon is that an insane deal might be around the corner

Has your phone shipped? If not, cancel it and wait.

 

[Nintendesert]

Damn! Well I'm looking to cancel and reorder to get the deal and see how that works out.

 

[Demo24]

Just to clarify. My mom is looking to upgrade her phone (early upgrade) to probably a Charge. Since Amazon is having some great deals this weekend this is probably a good choice, and since we aren't planning to leave Verizon anytime soon I would assume this wouldn't have any negatives? I also assume it wouldn't be a problem with the early upgrade via Verizon. Anyone know about this and anything else I should know about before we buy through Amazon? (even if Monday isn't true, weekend deals are still good)

 

[randomlinh]

For 3rd party sellers like Amazon, there is a second ETF. It usually only lasts for around 180 days, though.

do you have a link to this?

 

[Raduque]

do you have a link to this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...d_i=2335752011

When you purchase your device with service from Amazon.com, we automatically pass along an instant discount from the carrier to you. This discount has been provided to you based on your agreement to (a) activate a new, or extend an existing, line of service for this device with the carrier, and (b) maintain this service in good standing for a minimum of 181 consecutive days. If you do not activate or extend a line of service in connection with this device, or if your service is canceled/disconnected before 181 consecutive days, Amazon.com will charge you $250 per device, plus applicable taxes.

This policy does not apply to prepaid phones, phones sold without service and Sprint devices.

 

[randomlinh]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...d_i=2335752011

thanks, I kept looking in the wrong place. I assume it wouldn't be a problem to return phones to amazon and get my upgrade status reinstated (assuming I'm w/in the return period)?

 

[Nintendesert]

Amazon was really good about it, if the price comes down I just contact them and they'll match the deal on my order. So we shall see Monday!