Question about Verizon wireless service

[slackerinabox]

Firstly, amazon sent the phone unactivated - verizon doesn't even have my info on their system. Argh! Amazon said it would take 24-48 hours to get it resolved, anyone know of a quicker way?

Anyways, I quit Sprint and switch to verizon's family plan - my parents barely use their phone and I thought it would be a nice way for me to repay them for when they paid my cellular bill. So we got 3 phones (2 rzrs and a vx 8600) and a shared play - 700 minutes and free nights/weekends/in network calling. The questions are as follows (I figure every carrier has different fine print):

1. 700 anytime minutes - does that include night minutes? Are the free night time minutes only really free after the 700 minutes are used?

2. In-network calling - do I have to add people to a list (like the my fav 5s) or is it automatic, and does it go through the 700 minutes first or is it totally free, no catch?

3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone?

Thanks for any help. Have no experience with VZ and calling customer service resulted in a 30 min hold time..

 

[db]

Why don't you call Verizon and ask them?

 

[KLin]

Call Amazon and cry to them instead of ATOT.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: db
Why don't you call Verizon and ask them?

I did - I was on hold for a while and gave up. I had to call on a payphone too - I canceled my other service prematurely and my verizon phone's not activated yet.. and it's cold!

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: KLin
Call Amazon and cry to them instead of ATOT.

I'm not crying, just asking questions..sheesh.. lighten up!

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Firstly, amazon sent the phone unactivated - verizon doesn't even have my info on their system. Argh! Amazon said it would take 24-48 hours to get it resolved, anyone know of a quicker way?

Anyways, I quit Sprint and switch to verizon's family plan - my parents barely use their phone and I thought it would be a nice way for me to repay them for when they paid my cellular bill. So we got 3 phones (2 rzrs and a vx 8600) and a shared play - 700 minutes and free nights/weekends/in network calling. The questions are as follows (I figure every carrier has different fine print):

1. 700 anytime minutes - does that include night minutes? Are the free night time minutes only really free after the 700 minutes are used?

2. In-network calling - do I have to add people to a list (like the my fav 5s) or is it automatic, and does it go through the 700 minutes first or is it totally free, no catch?

3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone?

Thanks for any help. Have no experience with VZ and calling customer service resulted in a 30 min hold time..

From my understanding:
1) The free night minutes are a seperate thing.
2) Nope, automatic
3) Something like $.15/each or unlimited for $5?/month

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Firstly, amazon sent the phone unactivated - verizon doesn't even have my info on their system. Argh! Amazon said it would take 24-48 hours to get it resolved, anyone know of a quicker way?

Anyways, I quit Sprint and switch to verizon's family plan - my parents barely use their phone and I thought it would be a nice way for me to repay them for when they paid my cellular bill. So we got 3 phones (2 rzrs and a vx 8600) and a shared play - 700 minutes and free nights/weekends/in network calling. The questions are as follows (I figure every carrier has different fine print):

1. 700 anytime minutes - does that include night minutes? Are the free night time minutes only really free after the 700 minutes are used?

2. In-network calling - do I have to add people to a list (like the my fav 5s) or is it automatic, and does it go through the 700 minutes first or is it totally free, no catch?

3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone?

Thanks for any help. Have no experience with VZ and calling customer service resulted in a 30 min hold time..

From my understanding:
1) The free night minutes are a seperate thing.
2) Nope, automatic
3) Something like $.15/each or unlimited for $5?/month

That's all I wanted to know - thanks

 

[MDE]

1) Any calls made during the "night" are free, as well as weekends
2) Any Verizon customer = free call
3) 10 cents outgoing 5 cents incoming
4) Probably, but it'll have to be a corporate store, not one of the independent mom-and-pop places.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that's how they do it.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: MDE
1) Any calls made during the "night" are free, as well as weekends
2) Any Verizon customer = free call
3) 10 cents outgoing 5 cents incoming
4) Probably, but it'll have to be a corporate store, not one of the independent mom-and-pop places.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that's how they do it.

Sweet - much better than Sprint, actually (25 cents texts). And I get bars in my previously unbarred living room - nice!

 

[SoulAssassin]

Didn't incoming txt just go up to 10cents as well? Also, even if the phone is off I think you can call Verizon at *611.

 

[Raduque]

If you bought thru Amazon, you need to contact them.

Your 700mins are peak hours (6am to 9pm weekdays), nights are free and start at 901pm.

VZW to VZW calls, as long as it's a VZW subscriber, it's free.

Txt messaging rates are currently 10 cents per sent/recvd. They go up to 15 cents March 1st. If you have a text package, overage rates stay at 1 cents per. It's $5 for 250msgs to any carrier, $10 for unlimited in with 500 out of network, $15 for unlimited in and 1000 out of network, and $20 for unlimited in 2500 out of network.

Insurance is provided by a 3rd party company named Asurion - you'll need to contact them for a claim. A Verizon store will only exchange phones for any reason during the 15-day WFG, and if it's a manufacturer defect during the warranty period.

 

[Eos]

I miss the old days when night minutes started at 8:00...

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Firstly, amazon sent the phone unactivated - verizon doesn't even have my info on their system. Argh! Amazon said it would take 24-48 hours to get it resolved, anyone know of a quicker way?

Anyways, I quit Sprint and switch to verizon's family plan - my parents barely use their phone and I thought it would be a nice way for me to repay them for when they paid my cellular bill. So we got 3 phones (2 rzrs and a vx 8600) and a shared play - 700 minutes and free nights/weekends/in network calling. The questions are as follows (I figure every carrier has different fine print):

1. 700 anytime minutes - does that include night minutes? Are the free night time minutes only really free after the 700 minutes are used?

2. In-network calling - do I have to add people to a list (like the my fav 5s) or is it automatic, and does it go through the 700 minutes first or is it totally free, no catch?

3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone?

Thanks for any help. Have no experience with VZ and calling customer service resulted in a 30 min hold time..

shouldn't it be obvious?

1. what would be the point of calling them free minutes if they are part of the 700?
700 minutes is prime time only, nights weekends and in network are all not part of the 700.

2. answere above, no 5, no list, anyone with verizon wireless is included in free minutes.

3. don't remember, but i think it's $10.00 / month for unlimited text messages.

4. yes, insurance is good anywhere they sell verizon wireless phones officially, not at those chinese / korean shops that sell phones from asia.

 

[UNCjigga]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Firstly, amazon sent the phone unactivated - verizon doesn't even have my info on their system. Argh! Amazon said it would take 24-48 hours to get it resolved, anyone know of a quicker way? Why do you think it was cheaper to buy from Amazon?

Anyways, I quit Sprint and switch to verizon's family plan - my parents barely use their phone and I thought it would be a nice way for me to repay them for when they paid my cellular bill. So we got 3 phones (2 rzrs and a vx 8600) and a shared play - 700 minutes and free nights/weekends/in network calling. The questions are as follows (I figure every carrier has different fine print):

1. 700 anytime minutes - does that include night minutes? Are the free night time minutes only really free after the 700 minutes are used? Huh? No carrier will deduct your anytime minutes between 9pm-6am (or is it 7am) or anytime on Saturday or Sunday. Free nights and weekends are free--and with In Calling all Verizon network calls are free.

2. In-network calling - do I have to add people to a list (like the my fav 5s) or is it automatic, and does it go through the 700 minutes first or is it totally free, no catch? Its automatic--no catch--however there ARE occasional issues with ported numbers and resellers like Amazon.com. Check your first month's bill if you ported from Sprint and make sure you're not getting charged for family plan calls. If you are, call customer service and they'll fix it.

3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere. Wasn't there just a huge thread about this? Its "American Idol" season again. Every carrier just raised their standard message rate to $0.15/message. Your best bet with Verizon is to pony up for a $15 VCast plan, though there are cheaper text-only bundles available.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone? Not sure about which insurance policies are available in which states, but last I heard all insurance claim phones are sent thru mail from Asurion or whoever the provider is (the insurance company is not related to Verizon Wireless.

Thanks for any help. Have no experience with VZ and calling customer service resulted in a 30 min hold time..Sorry to disappoint, but when you buy from a reseller your customer service experience won't be good if you have issues in your first month.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: UNCjigga

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
3. Anyone know how much text messaging costs? I'm trying to figure out if I should get an unlimited plan but I can't find their text message rates anywhere. Wasn't there just a huge thread about this? Its "American Idol" season again. Every carrier just raised their standard message rate to $0.15/message. Your best bet with Verizon is to pony up for a $15 VCast plan, though there are cheaper text-only bundles available.

4. Their insurance ($6 month) - even though I got it through Amazon, can I go to a local vz store for a swap if I lose the phone? Not sure about which insurance policies are available in which states, but last I heard all insurance claim phones are sent thru mail from Asurion or whoever the provider is (the insurance company is not related to Verizon Wireless.

Vcast Vpak for $15 doesn't include text messaging. You can have Vpak without texting and vice versa.

Asurion is the only insurance sold through the carriers. Some resellers (Radio Shack, local retailers) have their own insurance providers and you have to go through them to do a claim. If you ask me, Asurion is a bit of a monopoly/scam. Your $50 deductible doesn't guarantee you a brand-new phone, you have a chance to get a refurb (same with an FRU - highly likely a warranty replacement is going to be a refurb). Asurion has a couple lawsuits against them right now, too.