Verizon Implementing $30 Upgrade Fee Starting April 22

[Frank S]

In addition to the Upgrade fee is the Activation fee still charged? For a total of ~$60?

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[veriztd]

In addition to the Upgrade fee is the Activation fee still charged? For a total of ~$60?

Nobody is being charged both fees at the same time.

Don't confuse the activation fee (charged to activate new service) and an upgrade fee (charged when buying another phone after the initial activation at a discounted price).

[Steveanderson13]

In addition to the Upgrade fee is the Activation fee still charged? For a total of ~$60?

Frankie, where you been and how's your Thunderbolt? I eventually got a Bionic which has worked well.

[BuckeyeCadet86]

I believe I had read somewhere that the fee may not apply if you choose to upgrade yourself online, vs. upgrading with a rep by phone or in a store? I may be incorrect with this. I think I had also heard this fee does not apply to customers who become outside contract and then choose to upgrade vs. people who still are still in contract when they decide to extend it. I'd like some confirmation please, thanks.

The upgrade fee is charged through all channels, including online, and is charged for an upgrade regardless of contract status (i.e. wait until outside of contract). It does not apply if you provide your own equipment by purchasing it from an outside source such as ebay, craigslist, buying full retail.

Also the upgrade fee is applied directly to the purchase if purchased at a corporate Verizon store or through the website, it is only applied to the bill through indirect channels.

[WaltA]

The upgrade fee is charged through all channels, including online, and is charged for an upgrade regardless of contract status (i.e. wait until outside of contract). It does not apply if you provide your own equipment by purchasing it from an outside source such as ebay, craigslist, buying full retail.

Also the upgrade fee is applied directly to the purchase if purchased at a corporate Verizon store or through the website, it is only applied to the bill through indirect channels.

Does it apply to third party stores like Amazon, Radio Shack, Best Buy, or independently owned ones?

[johnhere]

All I know is that my fios bill is creeping up in 180. If it goes up much more it will be cancelled

[Sam73065]

All I know is that my fios bill is creeping up in 180. If it goes up much more it will be cancelled

It has already reached the point where I realized that paying for cable tv isn't much different than paying to be advertised to. It seems like most advertising is insulting to the consumer anyway and completely out of control when measured against the amount of content actually on the air. So not only do I no longer listen to commercial radio, the cable has been shut off and the tv is used for watching dvd's every once in a blue moon. I just could no longer justify the lack of entertainment and content versus continuing price increases.

[TC_Mits]

+1

A thousand channels and nothing to watch.
Cell service at least provides mobile web, but cost to benefit ratio needs continual monitoring. This thread is entirely about corporate greed.

Perspective instantiates reality.
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[johnhere]

I enjoy the fios quality and reliability but I still don't get all the channels and the bundle bill was in the 170s which stinks. Then on top of that I have the vz cell bill. They get a decent amount from me each month.

[AlexKidd1977]

So not only do I no longer listen to commercial radio, the cable has been shut off and the tv is used for watching dvd's every once in a blue moon. I just could no longer justify the lack of entertainment and content versus continuing price increases.

Welcome to the new generation of "cord cutters". Far better entertainment value is available elsewhere (Internet, church, friends, etc.) I haven't subscribed to cable or satellite TV services for years. I've turned them back on once or twice for about 3 or 4 months and concluded again that my previous decision was of sound judgement and had it disconnected. I would be hard pressed to return at this point.

On the other hand, my cable provider has several levels of Internet service (speed-wise) available I have upgraded to the second best speed which is very helpful given the number of IP services I am consuming these days.

--Kidd

[ak1sdr]

Does it apply to third party stores like Amazon, Radio Shack, Best Buy, or independently owned ones?

Those are indirect channels.

Ergo, the fee will show up on your next bill after a subsidized upgrade.

[Frank S]

Frankie, where you been and how's your Thunderbolt? I eventually got a Bionic which has worked well.

Haha... Still have it, still love it. Not interested in upgrading it yet. I've actually been sitting on another upgrade for almost a year. Just not interested yet. Now... If we're talking VoLTE, I may be swayed.

Frank

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[TC_Mits]

... If we're talking VoLTE, I may be swayed.

What is the great attraction of voLTE? Is it really worth going back on a two-year contract and paying $30 for nothing just to get it?

I see my cellular handset more as a pocket computer with camera and phone accessories. I do make and receive calls, but a 1080p LCD display is more important to me than Hi-Fi audio quality over the telephone. The GNote ccum Journal -- if vzw doesn't mess with the SD or lock up the bootloader -- may entice me,

I pay extra for a data package for the web. I would not pay more for a 'Premium Call Quality' Plan. My mother doesn't really sing all that well.

Please enlighten me.


Perspective instantiates reality.
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[davefrdd99]

What is the great attraction of voLTE? Is it really worth going back on a two-year contract and paying $30 for nothing just to get it?

I see my cellular handset more as a pocket computer with camera and phone accessories. I do make and receive calls, but a 1080p LCD display is more important to me than Hi-Fi call quality over the telephone.

I pay extra for a data package for the web. I would not pay more for a 'Premium Call Quality' Plan. My mother doesn't really sing all that well.

Please enlighten me.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]

I don't see voLTE as being anything but eliminating cell minutes all together. Its VOIP over Cell data ? I am sure the Big Red won't see it that way though. They will undoubtedly call it enhance HD cell service and charge us dearly for using it. Just give me a Data only plan and Google Voice/talk or any other service like Skype and dump the Cellphone all together. Cell is old school and will die like 8 track tapes and Vcr's. IMHO

[TC_Mits]

+1
OK. Yes, I'm with you there.

In fact, I'm looking for an LTE Xoom that I can use my grandfathered unlimited sim in and was thinking VOIP from there. Although I don't really know how it works exactly.

With this new $30 fee-for-nothing, slightly dated hardware and staying off contract looks even more attractive to me than it did before.


Perspective instantiates reality.
[From DX by HoFo app.]