Yesterday, we talked to Brenda Raney who confirmed that as of tomorrow, July 7, Verizon will switch to usage-based data pricing. Calling Verizon customer support today may take some time. We were on hold for several minutes.
Current Verizon customers with unlimited data for smartphones will be grandfathered and will continue with unlimited data for either 3G or 4G LTE network use.
You can still sign up for an unlimited plan today for a smartphone.
If you don't want to be tied to the smartphone you buy today, you can either have a hand-me-down or used smartphone activated to get an unlimited data plan. To get it activated, you will have to go in into a Verizon store. Most Verizon stores are open until 9:00 pm.
We asked our local Verizon store rep if we could activate a used Verizon smartphone over the phone and were transferred to customer service, where we waited for quite some time to get a customer service associate. We finally gave up being on hold.
Verizon Wireless
online is also offering some great deals on smartphones, including
free refurbished smartphones. The website may get busy, so we
suggest that you try to sign up as soon as you can.
Online retailers also have some great deals on Verizon smartphones.
Amazon has deals on the HTC ThunderBolt, Droid X2, Droid Incredible 2, Droid 2 Global, Droid Pro, Samsung Fascinate, LG Vortex, Samsung Continuum, Motorola Citrus, and Samsung Droid Charge (read reviews).
If Amazon online is busy, you can check out deals at Wirefly or LetsTalk.com.
LetsTalk is giving away a Bonus $25 Android Market Card with select Verizon Android smartphones while supplies last. To receive 5% off the entire shopping cart, up to $25 on LetsTalk.com, use coupon code 'LTCART5.
Wirefly has similar special prices, and you can get a free SD card with a coupon. Use Coupon Code WIREFLY4G44 for a FREE 4GB memory card with any phone purchase.
But what should you do if you really want a Droid Bionic or Samsung Galaxy S II Function with 4G LTE access? You'll be tied to the smartphone you buy today if you sign a contract.
Some of our readers have bought a Verizon smartphone with
unlimited data at Costco, where they were told there is a 90-day return policy. They plan to return what they bought to buy a Droid Bionic when it comes out. Note that many Costco stores close at 8:30 pm. Please read the comment below, a reader went to Costco and was told he only had 14 days to return a smartphone with a $35 restocking fee (the same as the Verizon policy).
After July 7, the only carrier to offer truly unlimited data will be
Sprint, but they do charge ten dollars more for WiMAX access.
I checked at Costco today and they said that the 90 day return policy only gives you the opportunity to exchange a broken xyz phone for a replacement xyz phone. They have a 14 day exchange program where you can pay $35 to exchange a phone of one type to another.
I hope that people don't gamble and lose on making the transition with data plans.
Thank you for clarifying. We are not Costco members. Our readers have told us that Costco has a 90-day return policy.
We will correct the article.