verizon deal: Possibly hot for goverment employees

[ncage]

OK here is the deal. I really wanted to get a cell phone i have not had one for about 2 years. I don't use a cell phone that much but its nice to have once in a while. I also do not like spending $50 a month for something i rarely use (39.99 (base package) + taxes). A guy at work told me that i could maybe get a discount for verizon (the cell carrier i like) since i was a state employee. I thought i would check it out today. So i went to a local verizon store. Yep sure as s$it. I could get a 18% discount since i was a state worker. That got me to thinking. I wonder if i would get this discount if i went with letstalk.com. The phone would be free that way instead of $100-50.00 rebate. I called verizon when i got home and yep its FREE. Oh and they gave me some other good news. No activiation and the lady said (there is no early termination). I said that means there is no contract right and she said yes. I was like WOW.

So here is how it all breaks down. If you go through like letstalk you can get some very good phones for free and you will have to do some leg work. After you get the phone you can either go to your local verizon store and give them your state ID you can do everything online. So you get a 18% discount on your plan, no activation, and no contract. What could be better.

Ncage

 

[KK]

Yeah, most companies will have some sort of discount. I work for a competing phone company and I still got a discount.

 

[TheGizmo]

this doesnt just apply to government employees... there are tons of companies that get equivalent or slightly less, and some companies that give even more.... just call verizon and ask if who you work for offers a discount

 

[ncage]

I am just saying you might want to check this out. Our branch of the state tells us nothing about this deal. I had to go dig to be able to find it. When you go to verizons web site it ask you to enter your email to check if you can get an employee discount. It said i could not. I called and apparently this system does not work for a lot of people. At least in IL all state employees are eligable. This is a great deal especially considering no contract.

 

[rothchilds]

most cell companies do this. I know Sprint and Nextel do, they have signs all over the store that say "where do you work" to spark the conversation. I'd be highly skeptical that you are not in a contract though, regardless of what someone said on the phone. Phone companies make money with the contracts, and generally do not give discounted phones out without them.

 

[isekii]

The only problem is

if you sign up a contract through Letstalk, you gotta keep the plan for 180 days
if not you'll be charged the discount that letstalk.com gave you.. in signing a contract.

 

[cyberkost]

... also NEVER trust whatever VZW reps tell you on the phone. Write everything down with dates, times, names, etc. Even that might not get you out of trouble when they hit you with all the charges for the things they told you would be free.

 

[tommyz]

I don't see the advantage to going through letstalk. It seems I would pay less if I went directly to the Verizon store.
Verizon also offers a discount if you have AAA motorclub, so yes there are many ways to save on cell service.

 

[ncage]

Originally posted by: tommyz
I don't see the advantage to going through letstalk. It seems I would pay less if I went directly to the Verizon store.
Verizon also offers a discount if you have AAA motorclub, so yes there are many ways to save on cell service.

Whats the advantage of going through letstalk? Ok through verizon the phone i wanted (vx8300) was $100 - $50 MIR = $50. Through letstalk it was $0 (no MIR) so you decide.

 

[tommyz]

Originally posted by: ncage

Originally posted by: tommyz
I don't see the advantage to going through letstalk. It seems I would pay less if I went directly to the Verizon store.
Verizon also offers a discount if you have AAA motorclub, so yes there are many ways to save on cell service.

Whats the advantage of going through letstalk? Ok through verizon the phone i wanted (vx8300) was $100 - $50 MIR = $50. Through letstalk it was $0 (no MIR) so you decide.

Maybe it's because I'm a current customer that the prices are less for me from Verizon directly. Phones I can get for free cost money on letstalk.

 

[hongkongfever]

any discounts for educators for sprint?

 

[Greg04]

Originally posted by: ncage
OK here is the deal. I really wanted to get a cell phone i have not had one for about 2 years. I don't use a cell phone that much but its nice to have once in a while. I also do not like spending $50 a month for something i rarely use (39.99 (base package) + taxes).
Ncage

>Have considered a pay as you go deal? I have had virgin mobile (in NYC) now for a tear and spend about $8/month total. No contract. No term. fee, nothing.

 

[bigfil]

i too am a state worker
they are picking up a blackberry 7130 for me for free
i'll be porting my cell number over

it will come with 400 any time minutes
i don't go over that at any point with my current cell
and i won't have to pay for it at all now thats a hot deal hehe