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Some questions about buying the att fuze !?

These questions might sound stupid, but the reason i don't know these things is that i don't actually live in the USA but i'll buy it from there online from att store with a friend's address in the USA and he will send it to me , so here are my questions:
1-If I buy it under contract, can i then cancel such contract ?
2-Can i buy it from att online store without the contract ?
3-Are all the phones they sell refurbished ?
4-Mail-in Rebate via AT&T Promotion Card <<< what's this and how do i get it ?
5-Is there any reliable site where i can buy the fuze with no contract for a reasonable price ?
p.s i've searched on a lot of threads but found nth, so plz help me cuz i'm only waiting for these answers to buy my fuzeeeeeeeee !

darkhalf520 said:
These questions might sound stupid, but the reason i don't know these things is that i don't actually live in the USA but i'll buy it from there online from att store with a friend's address in the USA and he will send it to me , so here are my questions:
1-If I buy it under contract, can i then cancel such contract ?
2-Can i buy it from att online store without the contract ?
3-Are all the phones they sell refurbished ?
4-Mail-in Rebate via AT&T Promotion Card <<< what's this and how do i get it ?
5-Is there any reliable site where i can buy the fuze with no contract for a reasonable price ?
p.s i've searched on a lot of threads but found nth, so plz help me cuz i'm only waiting for these answers to buy my fuzeeeeeeeee !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm surprised you haven't been flamed yet. All your answers can be found on the AT&T website.
But, since its almost Thanksgiving:
1 - Yes, within the first 30 days, after that, it's gonna cost you something like $175 to terminate your contract.
2 - You might be able to buy the Fuze without a contract for the no-commitment price. But be aware that AT&T is starting to refuse to sell to non-AT&T customers more and more, especially with "hot" phones like the Fuze. You can always walk into a store and social engineer yourself a phone ("It's a gift for my dad, who's on AT&T").
3- Phones are new, unless otherwise stated.
4- I believe you have to sign up for (and keep) a contract in order to qualify for the mail-in rebate. The AT&T promo card, basically gives you AT&T credit, not actual cash. Thus, you get a $50 AT&T card... that can't be used as cash, but can be used to buy accessories or pay your bill.
5- Probably several. Google is your friend.
An additional note: You can buy the Fuze for the no-commitment price and no contract and you still qualify for the 30 day guarantee. If you don't like the phone, you can return it within 30 days for a refund.
In order to not get charged a %15 restocking fee, keep your receipt and all the packing materials (and everything) in as pristine condition as possible.
This is a nice policy of AT&T's

thanks for not flaming me
so i can cancel the contract within the first 30 days and still keep my phone....and this can be done online ?
thnx again !

if you cancel it before 30 days, they will ask you to return the phone. so wait 30 days then cancel it, but they will charge $175 for ETF, $40 for a month of service, and $36 for activation.

LOL these guys are smart....just hoped i could get around that someway....but hey a fuze without contract is still good enough for me....is letstalk.com reliable enough ?

Be extra careful when dealing with "Authorized Resellers" which is basically anyone that is not a corporate store. Read the fine print they often time include termination fees of their own. So you may get a Fuze for $150 up front but then you cancel at day 32 and you've got AT&T ETF plus the reseller's ETF.
Do the math before you do anything else:
AT&T Corporate Store (contract):
$350 Contract price
$175 Early Term Fee
===============
$525 Total Cost
AT&T Corporate Store (no contract:
$500 Retail price
===============
$500 Total Cost
Authorized Reseller:
$200 Contract price
$175 AT&T Early Term Fee
$200 Seller Early Term Fee
===============
$575 Total Cost

[Q] T-Mobile Upgrade Discounts?

I currently have a one year contract with T-Mobile. It is going to end on October 11, 2010.
I am wondering if I can get a discount on the a phone (I am hoping to get the T-Mobile G2 or even the Vibrant)
If I can't get a decent discount price off, If I sign up for a brand new 2-yr contract, will I be able to pay the 2-yr plan price (like if I was going to sign up for T-Mobile for the first time.) The G2 will be priced around $200.
Also will I be able to turn my old phone in for a discount also? (My current phone is in my signature. If I can turn it in for a discount, I will put it back to 100% stock.)
Thanks for your answers.

Bumb-Just to make sure that it will be seen.

Don't be fooled by T-Mobiles Discounts...
UberMario said:
I currently have a one year contract with T-Mobile. It is going to end on October 11, 2010.
I am wondering if I can get a discount on the a phone (I am hoping to get the T-Mobile G2 or even the Vibrant)
If I can't get a decent discount price off, If I sign up for a brand new 2-yr contract, will I be able to pay the 2-yr plan price (like if I was going to sign up for T-Mobile for the first time.) The G2 will be priced around $200.
Also will I be able to turn my old phone in for a discount also? (My current phone is in my signature. If I can turn it in for a discount, I will put it back to 100% stock.)
Thanks for your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was hoping to make this it's on thread but for some reason it won't post, came across your thread and saw how it applies to your question, hopefully the info is not to late for you:
I see lots of people in the IRC yesterday morning discussing the price of admission on the T-Mobile G2. Since I can't figure out how to post on the IRC with Android IRC for my G2 I'll post what would have gone there here, in the hopes that I can save a few of you a little money.
Please bear in mind that these are my opinions and there may be something I am missing.
T-Mobiles Contracts are complete and total rubbish when it comes to a phone upgrade, and here's why:
The average difference between a T-mobile contract and corresponding Month to Month plan price for an individual with unlimited Data is $20. With the month to month being the cheaper of the two...
What's $20 buck extra a month for $300 bucks off the phone you ask?
Let me tell you....
@ $20/mo extra for 2 years that is $480, the G2's retail price is $500 uhh you just payed full price for that phone.. but wait there's more:
Add to that $480 the $200 you just spent for your "discounted" upgrade for extending your contract for 2yrs and that cost jumps to $680.
That's nearly $700 bucks for a $500 phone.
Here's the break down....
::::::::::::::::::::::Month to month Costs:::::::::::::::::::
G2 down payment = $200
Interest free financing = $300 over 20 months @ approx $15 per month
Total Phone Cost = $500
::::::::::::::::::::::Month to month Costs:::::::::::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::2yr Contract Costs::::::::::::::::::::::
Phone upgrade discounted price = $200
Contract monthly cost Difference = $20/mo. = $480
Total Phone Cost = $680
::::::::::::::::::::::2yr Contract Costs::::::::::::::::::::::
So your reward for being a loyal T-mobile customer and extending your contract for 2 more years is paying full price for the phone + $150.
Doesn't exactly exude the warm and fuzzy feeling of being a valued customer does it?
TO THE MOD: I couldn't post this in it's own Thread I kept getting a message about not allowing outside links on new users, if you could copy this to it's own thread or tell me what I'm doing wrong I'd appreciate it! thanks in advance!

[Q] Current lowest off contract availble?

Well, since everyone is excited on contract price, I wanted to know if anyone found the lowest off contract price on any store. I was hoping to get the phone off contract from Costco, but it seemed they don't sell it off contract. Being an Even More Plus customer, I got no choice but to buy the phone off contract.
Here are the ones I know.
T-Mobile - $499.00 + tax
Amazon - $509.00
Target - $519.00 + tax
RadioShack - $519.00 + tax
Walmart - $549.00 + tax

My local T-Mo store sold me one for $450 with $65 in accessories (car charger, screen protectors, case, and headphones).

I was able to get one for $250 and I'm an EM+ customer. I guess I got lucky. I went to a corporate store. She was even going to allow me to do the EIP, but I paid in full.
If you have some time just float around to a few and see what happens. Ask if they "can give you a deal?". Worst that could happen is they say no. I'm almost eager to put the mail in rebate form in, but wouldn't want it to backfire on me. I'll just be happy that I got the phone 50% off.

rukawa2k said:
Well, since everyone is excited on contract price, I wanted to know if anyone found the lowest off contract price on any store. I was hoping to get the phone off contract from Costco, but it seemed they don't sell it off contract. Being an Even More Plus customer, I got no choice but to buy the phone off contract.
Here are the ones I know.
T-Mobile - $499.00 + tax
Amazon - $509.00
Target - $519.00 + tax
RadioShack - $519.00 + tax
Walmart - $549.00 + tax
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon looks like your best bet if you have Amazon prime. I would have suggested Cellhub because I got mine for 514.00 (no tax) 2nd shipping

okplaya said:
I was able to get one for $250 and I'm an EM+ customer. I guess I got lucky. I went to a corporate store. She was even going to allow me to do the EIP, but I paid in full.
If you have some time just float around to a few and see what happens. Ask if they "can give you a deal?". Worst that could happen is they say no. I'm almost eager to put the mail in rebate form in, but wouldn't want it to backfire on me. I'll just be happy that I got the phone 50% off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well done!

EIP will let off contact customers spread the payments over 19 months. The best part is you can payoff early if you want.
XDA Mobile

I tried to get the EIP but they couldn't discount the phone and accessories if I did. I'd expected to pay full price up front and it's probably worth it in my case.

Are you sure you got it for $250? Mine was $246.11 and $20 a month after that. Are you sure you didn't get the installment plan?

What's eip? How does it work?
Edit : Sorry, Did not read above.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

btmec said:
Are you sure you got it for $250? Mine was $246.11 and $20 a month after that. Are you sure you didn't get the installment plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm pretty sure. She basically gave it to me for the cost of the phone on contract. It's $250 w/ $50 MIR. She even offered me the EIP with the $250 price. It would've been $27 down, and $12 and some change a mo. I just forked over the full amount since I would've had to pay over $100 had I been charged full price. I really lucked up man. I was all set to pay the $499, but I walked out paying $264 ($250 + tax).
Why are you paying so much anyway? $246 + (19*20) = $626. Am I missing something?

She probably snuck in a 2yr contract on you for $250 so she gets a kickback. Look online to see your plan.
I used my EIP at first but returned.it cause the screen had bad bleeding. Since I sold my Nexus One afterwards, I just decided to buy it outright. $534 in hand from a store.
I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and have it immediately vs 2 day shipping.
-sent from my LG 2Gx

She snuck in PHP which I probably should keep, but I'll probably cancel it on principle. I definitely checked and I'm still on the EM+ 1500 for families.

Just tried one local T-mobile store and immediately after I asked for discount, the sales rep said NO. She said I can upgrade to EM plan (Which I highly doubted...) Going to try other stores later.

girlfriend works at target and gets 15% off. should i get?

I say 15% off is a pretty decent deal. I'd jump on it..

Buying the Sensation 4G off-contract or on-contract and cancelling?

I'm trying to find the best (read:cheapest), and preferably (but certainly not top priority) soonest, way to get the Sensation 4G.
The prices for T-Mobile's stores have been announced:
$200 on-contract after $50 MIR
$550 off-contract
From people posting yesterday, I've seen the Wal-Mart prices as well:
$150 on-contract
$600 off-contract
T-Mobile's ETF: $200.
Currently, I'm off-contract (and want to stay that way). So, if I were to buy off-contract, I pay $550 at T-Mobile. However, on-contract, Wal-Mart is both cheaper and sooner (06/12 vs 06/15).
However, if I'm thinking correctly about this, then buying on-contract, and then cancelling would be cheaper:
Wal-Mart: $150 for device + $35 activation + $30 for half-month of service + $200 ETF = $415.
T-Mobile: $200 for device + $35 activation + $30 for half-month of service + $200 ETF = $465.
Either way, it's cheaper than buying off-contract...
The half-month of service (cheapest data plan) is for the return period (#4 in Terms/Conditions), because if you cancel then, you have to return the device too (if I understand correctly).
So the question becomes: is there any downside to buying on-contract and cancelling as opposed to buying off-contract? Or is there some other fee/limitation?

If you buy your contract is through a third party, Walmart, they may have additional fees if you cancel the contract. If you cancel your contract before you get your rebate, you might not get the rebate.

By adding the line and then canceling it extend the 2yr contract?

also you will be forced into there 2gb max current plans.. i like my current 5gb max. did not want to lose it

Paten said:
If you buy your contract is through a third party, Walmart, they may have additional fees if you cancel the contract. If you cancel your contract before you get your rebate, you might not get the rebate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you buy it on-contract through T-Mobile and cancel, it will cost you $465, right?
BiGMERF said:
also you will be forced into there 2gb max current plans.. i like my current 5gb max. did not want to lose it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This wouldn't affect my current plan, right?

vetruvet said:
But if you buy it on-contract through T-Mobile and cancel, it will cost you $465, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't get the rebate it would be $50 more then that, making it $515. I just don't think it's worth the effort to work the system like this. Just pay the $550 and be done with it. That is probably what I will be doing.
I think I'm going to wait until the phone is absolutely boot loader unlocked and rooted before I lay my cash down though. Maybe it will be on sale by then.

vetruvet said:
I'm trying to find the best (read:cheapest), and preferably (but certainly not top priority) soonest, way to get the Sensation 4G.
The prices for T-Mobile's stores have been announced:
$200 on-contract after $50 MIR
$550 off-contract
From people posting yesterday, I've seen the Wal-Mart prices as well:
$150 on-contract
$600 off-contract
T-Mobile's ETF: $200.
Currently, I'm off-contract (and want to stay that way). So, if I were to buy off-contract, I pay $550 at T-Mobile. However, on-contract, Wal-Mart is both cheaper and sooner (06/12 vs 06/15).
However, if I'm thinking correctly about this, then buying on-contract, and then cancelling would be cheaper:
Wal-Mart: $150 for device + $35 activation + $30 for half-month of service + $200 ETF = $415.
T-Mobile: $200 for device + $35 activation + $30 for half-month of service + $200 ETF = $465.
Either way, it's cheaper than buying off-contract...
The half-month of service (cheapest data plan) is for the return period (#4 in Terms/Conditions), because if you cancel then, you have to return the device too (if I understand correctly).
So the question becomes: is there any downside to buying on-contract and cancelling as opposed to buying off-contract? Or is there some other fee/limitation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to walmart and ask them if they tack on any extra ETF. If they don't then you have your answer.

Paten said:
If you don't get the rebate it would be $50 more then that, making it $515. I just don't think it's worth the effort to work the system like this. Just pay the $550 and be done with it. That is probably what I will be doing.
I think I'm going to wait until the phone is absolutely boot loader unlocked and rooted before I lay my cash down though. Maybe it will be on sale by then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. Forgot about the rebate...
Seems they've got their bases covered then... Saving $35 isn't worth all that hassle.
As for the bootloader, there's a good chance that it will be unlocked even if HTC fail to deliver. The devs have an ENG H-BOOT (rahan95 has a rooted phone, actually), Bin4ry is working on getting recovery working, and S-OFF will probably be possible via XTC Clip (raskal is working on that). Of course, I may be overly optimistic about all this, but even so, I'd like to try and help in any way I can...

harveydent said:
Go to walmart and ask them if they tack on any extra ETF. If they don't then you have your answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called two different walmarts asking if they had the sensation, and asked about ETF while I was at it. One said yes, but didn't have the sensation. The other said no, but they don't sell T-Mobile phones on-contract (?? strange, but that's what they told me)...

I'm wondering the same thing, but I'm currently not a T-Mobile customer. I don't want to be on contract, so I'm questioning whether I should buy the phone outright or buy from Walmart, pay the ETF, then pay another activation fee which would still be cheaper than $550+activation. I read in the Walmart thread that Walmart does not charge an additional ETF on top of T-Mobile's but with all this conflicting information, it may be best to get something in writing from the Walmart we're purchasing from.

If you want it new in box, wait two weeks and get one in the classifieds or ebay, just make sure it was originally gotten from a T-Mobile store, if you have insurance/extended warranty on your account, you'll still be able to do a warranty exchange with it...

BiGMERF said:
also you will be forced into there 2gb max current plans.. i like my current 5gb max. did not want to lose it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They still have 5 GB (and even 10 GB) plans...

how bout this... would this work?
adding a line to the current plan and buying the sensation from walmart at 149, then a week later calling t-mobile and canceling that extra line under the 14 day cancellation thing and keeping the phone and not returning it to walmart.

^^ yeah I don't think that would work

LGS1231 said:
^^ yeah I don't think that would work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curious... why wouldn't this work? I'm not saying that gaming the system is right, but if Walmart doesn't tack on their own ETF, you're only out the cost of the phone, T-Mobile's ETF, and any service-related costs incurred during that line's use. It could turn out to be a tad cheaper than buying the phone outright.

jankyboy said:
Curious... why wouldn't this work? I'm not saying that gaming the system is right, but if Walmart doesn't tack on their own ETF, you're only out the cost of the phone, T-Mobile's ETF, and any service-related costs incurred during that line's use. It could turn out to be a tad cheaper than buying the phone outright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
personally, i decided it's too much hassle. i'm just gonna pay the off-contract price and avoid all complications...

Guys, from your experiences, does walmart really track the pre-14 days cancellations from T-Mobile? Would they come after someone who has cancelled service during the trial period and not returned the phone? I mean they got their 150.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

shattered my S4 screen

basically as the title says... I dropped my phone and shattered the screen at the top and bottom corners... it's still operable at the moment but it'll get worse over time. I have an upgrade available on my account that I can use or I could enter the Verizon edge program... I really don't know what i should do. it's obvious the edge program is only useful if I upgrade every ~12 months and I have a tendency to switch phones quite often but with a newborn son I may lose interest in upgrading/getting new phones so much... I'm mostly looking at the HTC M8 only because ive had the galaxy for a while and im ready for something other than touchwiz. use upgrade, pay 250 and sign another 2 year contract or enter Verizon edge program and pay nothing now and be able to upgrade again in a year... opinions?

Edge is regarded by most as a waste of money. you're always going to pay at least half of full retail, which is always more than the 2 yr contract price.
but more importantly, think about this: Maybe Edge is exactly what you want. Maybe you'll do it for the next 5 years and go thru 5 awesome phones. and then maybe then you'll want to save money and switch to another carrier. Hey, you're not on contract. go ahead. but if you get a high end device that's $700 full, and it's been 1 year, you've paid $350 so far, and you're still gonna owe $350 to cut loose, where as if you went the 2 year contract, you maybe for the phone paid $99 (instead of $350 over 12 months), and the ETF with Verizon will only be $230 so basically, you save, after the ETF, around $370. So Edge is great... for people who plan to keep doing edge/jump/whatever every year until they die, never changing carriers. Oh, and if a carrier (Tmobile) offers to buy out your contract and pay your ETF, guess what? an installment plan is not a termination fee. you're on your own, buddy. I'm not trying to sound overly dramatic, but that's the math, man.
finally, Edge is NOT "pay nothing up front". you pay tax on the full price, and you pay the first month's payment up front as well. since you're always billed one month in advance with Verizon, if you didn't pay the first month in store, you next bill would be 2 months worth of payments. Carriers take the first month up front to prevent bill-shock
so that's my feelings towards edge (I used to work in the Cell industry. quit late last year.). As for the M8, this phone rules. why? there's 1000 reviews already out there, so I'm not gonna bother with the why.

Well said .. covers everything.

TidusWulf said:
Edge is regarded by most as a waste of money. you're always going to pay at least half of full retail, which is always more than the 2 yr contract price.
but more importantly, think about this: Maybe Edge is exactly what you want. Maybe you'll do it for the next 5 years and go thru 5 awesome phones. and then maybe then you'll want to save money and switch to another carrier. Hey, you're not on contract. go ahead. but if you get a high end device that's $700 full, and it's been 1 year, you've paid $350 so far, and you're still gonna owe $350 to cut loose, where as if you went the 2 year contract, you maybe for the phone paid $99 (instead of $350 over 12 months), and the ETF with Verizon will only be $230 so basically, you save, after the ETF, around $370. So Edge is great... for people who plan to keep doing edge/jump/whatever every year until they die, never changing carriers. Oh, and if a carrier (Tmobile) offers to buy out your contract and pay your ETF, guess what? an installment plan is not a termination fee. you're on your own, buddy. I'm not trying to sound overly dramatic, but that's the math, man.
finally, Edge is NOT "pay nothing up front". you pay tax on the full price, and you pay the first month's payment up front as well. since you're always billed one month in advance with Verizon, if you didn't pay the first month in store, you next bill would be 2 months worth of payments. Carriers take the first month up front to prevent bill-shock
so that's my feelings towards edge (I used to work in the Cell industry. quit late last year.). As for the M8, this phone rules. why? there's 1000 reviews already out there, so I'm not gonna bother with the why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
soooooo..... get the m8 but use my available upgrade? lol...

I couldn't be happier with my m8.. I had the s4 previously the only down side is cropping photos with this camera it can be pixely. If you do get the m8 I recommend that you really look at where the speaker grill on top and bottom meet the screen. make sure it's flush this may be just me being picky but I have seen a few that were slightly raised above the screen and it kind of sticks out. Play some music and make sure the sound isn't distorted at a higher volume. I had a couple friends that noticed some static but had to make the trip back for an exchange. There are a number of threads about build quality you can read. sorry to hear your screen shattered on your s4.

Don't know where you get $250 from (unless you're not up for a new device), the M8 is $99 with 2 year contract.

TidusWulf said:
Edge is regarded by most as a waste of money. you're always going to pay at least half of full retail, which is always more than the 2 yr contract price.
but more importantly, think about this: Maybe Edge is exactly what you want. Maybe you'll do it for the next 5 years and go thru 5 awesome phones. and then maybe then you'll want to save money and switch to another carrier. Hey, you're not on contract. go ahead. but if you get a high end device that's $700 full, and it's been 1 year, you've paid $350 so far, and you're still gonna owe $350 to cut loose, where as if you went the 2 year contract, you maybe for the phone paid $99 (instead of $350 over 12 months), and the ETF with Verizon will only be $230 so basically, you save, after the ETF, around $370. So Edge is great... for people who plan to keep doing edge/jump/whatever every year until they die, never changing carriers. Oh, and if a carrier (Tmobile) offers to buy out your contract and pay your ETF, guess what? an installment plan is not a termination fee. you're on your own, buddy. I'm not trying to sound overly dramatic, but that's the math, man.
finally, Edge is NOT "pay nothing up front". you pay tax on the full price, and you pay the first month's payment up front as well. since you're always billed one month in advance with Verizon, if you didn't pay the first month in store, you next bill would be 2 months worth of payments. Carriers take the first month up front to prevent bill-shock
so that's my feelings towards edge (I used to work in the Cell industry. quit late last year.). As for the M8, this phone rules. why? there's 1000 reviews already out there, so I'm not gonna bother with the why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know where you get that he is going to pay $350 for the phone on edge the first year.
I just got on the early edge upgrade and they offer a $10/month discount off of the $25/month price.(That is for the 3 gig plan. Discount is steeper on higher data plans) So I am paying $15/month for my M8. I will have paid $180 for the first year. And then I can get a new phone.
BB has them for $199 on 2 year contract.
I know some think I am wasting my money with edge, but I will be able to get a new phone in a year.
Tell me how you can do that cheaper by buying?

85gallon said:
I don't know where you get that he is going to pay $350 for the phone on edge the first year.
I just got on the early edge upgrade and they offer a $10/month discount off of the $25/month price.(That is for the 3 gig plan. Discount is steeper on higher data plans) So I am paying $15/month for my M8. I will have paid $180 for the first year. And then I can get a new phone.
BB has them for $199 on 2 year contract.
I know some think I am wasting my money with edge, but I will be able to get a new phone in a year.
Tell me how you can do that cheaper by buying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not disagreeing with you, as EDGE is fine for people who upgrade a lot, and really isn't really that much of a waste of money as some make it seem, but I wouldn't say you are paying $15/mo for the M8. It's more like you're paying $25/mo for it, but you get $10 off per month from the bill itself.
Just taking in to account that they discount your bill by ~$10 (depending on data, again) even on More Everything plans, they're just trying to compensate for the fact that you are not in a contract, and thus, no subsidy.
I'm sure some reps are just saying, "and you get $10 off the monthly payment for being on EDGE" to entice people to sign up. If you were really paying $15/mo, it would take longer for you to pay off the phone... of course, I could be completely wrong, as I don't see the bill in front of me to see the break down, but that's just what I assume the breakdown is.
----
I feel like with EDGE it's almost a wash when comparing it with a 2-Year contract, though you can come out slightly ahead with a contract. If you upgrade a lot, and assuming a single line, then you can get a "cheap" phone for the first year, the sell it for ~ $250-300 (or more, depending on device of course), then the next flagship you pick up second hand from someone (saving tax at least). If you keep reselling in $300 range, it's almost the same thing as EDGE (paying off half to "edge up"). With EDGE, however, you save yourself the hassle of re-selling/shipping/etc.

brandogg said:
Don't know where you get $250 from (unless you're not up for a new device), the M8 is $99 with 2 year contract.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just saw this on the Verizon site. The store I went to last night while working had a 250 price tag.
I'm still not sure what to do lol... I feel like if I really like a phone and I'm not ready to get rid of it after 12 months and keep it then I'm throwing money away...
The Verizon variant is completely unlockable right? Is there any ota upgrade I should avoid out of the box if I decide to get it?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app

I wasn't aware of the $10 EDGE plan discount. I left before that started, I guess.
As for where to buy the phone, Amazon or Costco are generally the best prices, but sometimes bestbuy has a good sale going on. ($100 blue M7 the day it was released), I would never buy a phone from Verizon's corporate store or website.
The Verizon phone is unlocked by default. there is nothing the user needs to do. it's Verizon policy (yay!). As for the OTA upgrade, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter, from what I've read, but I would just root the phone and flash the rooted update, anyway, to be safe.

TidusWulf said:
I wasn't aware of the $10 EDGE plan discount. I left before that started, I guess.
As for where to buy the phone, Amazon or Costco are generally the best prices, but sometimes bestbuy has a good sale going on. ($100 blue M7 the day it was released), I would never buy a phone from Verizon's corporate store or website.
The Verizon phone is unlocked by default. there is nothing the user needs to do. it's Verizon policy (yay!). As for the OTA upgrade, I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter, from what I've read, but I would just root the phone and flash the rooted update, anyway, to be safe.
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Since when does Verizon release a phone unlocked from factory?! That's shocking. ??
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app

Powell730 said:
Just saw this on the Verizon site. The store I went to last night while working had a 250 price tag.
I'm still not sure what to do lol... I feel like if I really like a phone and I'm not ready to get rid of it after 12 months and keep it then I'm throwing money away...
The Verizon variant is completely unlockable right? Is there any ota upgrade I should avoid out of the box if I decide to get it?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
I think the M8 should be good for a long time, as most devices are, we just tend to want to upgrade/switch devices when the new one comes out =\
If you don't want to use up the upgrade, have you tried looking on Swappa for a used device?
** Factory unlock meaning for the SIM, you will still need to root and S-OFF on your own. Just to clarify haha

Powell730 said:
Since when does Verizon release a phone unlocked from factory?! That's shocking. ??
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Verizon LTE phones are factory unlocked when you buy them. Been this way for a couple of years.

about 2 years, now. I think Verizon had to hit a certain population coverage percentage for LTE and it became mandatory by some FCC rule when they purchased the spectrum. sad that other carriers aren't also tied to this.

raichur0xx0rz said:
I think the M8 should be good for a long time, as most devices are, we just tend to want to upgrade/switch devices when the new one comes out =\
If you don't want to use up the upgrade, have you tried looking on Swappa for a used device?
** Factory unlock meaning for the SIM, you will still need to root and S-OFF on your own. Just to clarify haha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh. Yeah I was referring to the bootloader not sim lol. I actually looked at swappA last night. Good deals but I'd rather use the upgrade as opposed to that site. I really just need to decide if I want to keep the phone for two years or buy it with the intent to upgrade again in ~1 year.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using XDA Free mobile app

i believe amazon has it for 99 with 2 year, and OTA is safe, i temprooted -> soff'd; took OTA then xposed/customized.
as for swappa, site is completely legit, have bought and sold on there. just read descriptions/pics and know what you are getting.