Lost/stolen phone, where to get A530?

My cellphone was lost or stolen. I tried to get a replacement from Verizon
for $69 for the Samsung A530 for my existing contract. They wont budge.
They want 359.99. I threatened to cancel and everything and they wont do
anything for me except a $50 rebate for that cellphone. However I declined
it because I could order a phone with 2 year contract for $175 cancel fee
and $69 which comes to $244 for the phone for the Samsung A530. Is $244 the
cheapest I could get this phone for?

If I kept the contract it would be $39 x 24 + my existing contract and $69
which doesnt pay.

Any other suggestions on places which may be able to do better than $244 for
this phone with contract and then cancelling or without contract to begin
with?

you can get one on ebay for half that price or get a like new one for 50-75
bucks. I hate paying my 4.99 for insurance but i can't afford to be paying
retail if something happened.

brian s.

"Adam Julius" <aj@example.com> wrote in message
news:7dE8c.9829$LX.1771404@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net ...
> My cellphone was lost or stolen. I tried to get a replacement from
Verizon
> for $69 for the Samsung A530 for my existing contract. They wont budge.
> They want 359.99. I threatened to cancel and everything and they wont do
> anything for me except a $50 rebate for that cellphone. However I
declined
> it because I could order a phone with 2 year contract for $175 cancel fee
> and $69 which comes to $244 for the phone for the Samsung A530. Is $244
the
> cheapest I could get this phone for?
>
> If I kept the contract it would be $39 x 24 + my existing contract and $69
> which doesnt pay.
>
> Any other suggestions on places which may be able to do better than $244
for
> this phone with contract and then cancelling or without contract to begin
> with?
>
>
>

On 2004-03-25, Brian S. <deadhead73@comcast.net> wrote:
> you can get one on ebay for half that price or get a like new one for 50-75
> bucks. I hate paying my 4.99 for insurance but i can't afford to be paying
> retail if something happened.


Agreed. I never get a high end phone these days because im afraid something
its gonna happen to it. When i DO go through a contract and not pay insurance,
i make sure I have a backup phone (usually the one from the contract before)
so I can do an ESN swap until i can get myself a replacement

--
______ ______
..-----.|__ ||__ | eXistenZ32
| -__||__ || __|
|_____||______||______|

I will never again use Verizon. I decided to just pay out the contract then
when its over to go with another carrier with a new phone. Verizon was rude
and lied upfront to me even about my contract terms. I will be filing a
complaint with the FTC. They told me my cancellation fee was $175 when it
says UP TO 175. I asked the rep when they charge less than $175 for
cancellation fee and she told me they dont. Therefore the contract terms
are in complete violation of the law and I will be taking Verizon to small
claims court. And the phones, they dont even cost Verizon $350. I asked
why the cost was high, they told me thats what it costs them which is
clearly not the case. The Samsung A530 does not cost $359 new for Verizon
to buy from Samsung. Phones probably cost around $100 a piece new for the
big companies.

Since I wont be staying with Verizon, which phone can I get as a replacement
thats cheap just to tide me over till I switch? I dont know who Ill wind up
using.






"Adam Julius" <aj@example.com> wrote in message
news:7dE8c.9829$LX.1771404@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net ...
> My cellphone was lost or stolen. I tried to get a replacement from
Verizon
> for $69 for the Samsung A530 for my existing contract. They wont budge.
> They want 359.99. I threatened to cancel and everything and they wont do
> anything for me except a $50 rebate for that cellphone. However I
declined
> it because I could order a phone with 2 year contract for $175 cancel fee
> and $69 which comes to $244 for the phone for the Samsung A530. Is $244
the
> cheapest I could get this phone for?
>
> If I kept the contract it would be $39 x 24 + my existing contract and $69
> which doesnt pay.
>
> Any other suggestions on places which may be able to do better than $244
for
> this phone with contract and then cancelling or without contract to begin
> with?
>
>
>

"Adam Julius" <aj@example.com> wrote
> I will never again use Verizon. I decided to just pay out the contract
then
> when its over to go with another carrier with a new phone. Verizon was
rude
> and lied upfront to me even about my contract terms. I will be filing a
> complaint with the FTC. They told me my cancellation fee was $175 when it
> says UP TO 175. I asked the rep when they charge less than $175 for
> cancellation fee and she told me they dont. Therefore the contract terms
> are in complete violation of the law and I will be taking Verizon to small
> claims court.

Good luck on that one...

The early termination fee is primarily to recoup the cost of subsidizing
your phone when you cancel early. A secondary reason would be to
reduce churn.

> And the phones, they dont even cost Verizon $350. I asked
> why the cost was high, they told me thats what it costs them which is
> clearly not the case. The Samsung A530 does not cost $359 new for Verizon
> to buy from Samsung. Phones probably cost around $100 a piece new for the
> big companies.

Doesn't matter what they get them for. What matters is what
they charge everybody/anybody in your situation. If I walk into
a VZW store and buy a A530 without a plan that is what they
would sell it to me for. I'm guessing you were made aware of
the insurance option when you got your plan and/or equipment.

> Since I wont be staying with Verizon, which phone can I get as a
replacement
> thats cheap just to tide me over till I switch? I dont know who Ill wind
up
> using.

*any* cdma phone that is not locked by another provider or can
be unlocked.

If you don't want to wait for the end of your contract:
1) pay the $175 termination fee.
2) pay the monthly charge for the remainder of the contract.
This can be cheaper than the termination fee depending
on how much you have remaining of your contract. Remember
to use the cheapest plan you can switch to in your calculations.
If you switch plans be sure not to take *any* promotions
(including free ones) as this might extend your contract.

-Quick

Fact: the $175 early termination fee is primarily "?" Does it matter what
the reason or how much? The terms of signing up with verizon were clear and
agreed to a $175, per line, early termination fee. Don't agree, then
respectfully, don't sign up. Oh, you got a phone without insurance? Wasn't
worth it to you to buy insurance? Too Expensive wasn't it? Someone did
tell you it was a $300+ phone being subsidized.... and you thought it was
only worth $49.99? Oooops? Fair Profit are not dirty words, and canceling
an agreement for convenience is expensive.

At one time, it may have been to recover the "equipment" cost. But now, it
is just part of the agreement, and can't say what it is based upon. I'm
thinking that they add billions of dollars to improve the system, because
customers like you/me commit to 1 or 2 yr agreements and expect quality
service. Based on that agreement, vzw continues to grown/improve their
network. If you change your mind after the fact, you pay.

But I'll offer this:
a) buy a phone at retail, and still the disconnect fee is 175
b) activate your own phone, and still the disconnect fee is 175

For sure, I can tell you, as an agent, that money doesn't go to me. And as
you've heard before in this forum, if you keep a new plan less than a
"vesting period" then the agent's commission is reversed (or charged back if
you prefer). There is no free lunch when it comes to canceling early.
Don't quit, make VZW accountable for the service level's you need. And it
is easiest to do that when your a customer, not as a former customer.
--
Dr. wireMORE (don't accept "less", demand "more")
Wireless Consultant/Engineer & Midwest VZW Master Agent
Data, wi-fi, national access, smartphones, and home
computer healthchecks, stop worrying... just ask for the Dr.

If you need specific help, leave your email address & we'll try to contact
you.


> "Adam Julius" <aj@example.com> wrote
<snip>
> The early termination fee is primarily to recoup the cost of subsidizing
> your phone when you cancel early. A secondary reason would be to
> reduce churn.

If I may continue this theme for a moment:

In reading the various good discussions I realized that I had perhaps
unwisely turned down the insurance when I signed up with Verizon and got
2 phones last week. So I quickly called the corporate store and found
I could still add the insurance and so I did.

Thanks again to all who discussed this most intelligently. Perhaps I
have saved myself some headaches down the road.
Mahl

Dr.wireMORE wrote:
> ........................ Oh, you got a phone without insurance? Wasn't
> worth it to you to buy insurance? Too Expensive wasn't it? Someone did
> tell you it was a $300+ phone being subsidized.... and you thought it was
> only worth $49.99? Oooops? Fair Profit are not dirty words, and canceling
> an agreement for convenience is expensive.
>

If you still need the A530, let me know. I have one in great shape with the
extra battery never used. I also have a LG VX 3100, & the new LG4500.


"Adam Julius" <aj@example.com> wrote in message
news:7dE8c.9829$LX.1771404@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net ...
> My cellphone was lost or stolen. I tried to get a replacement from
Verizon
> for $69 for the Samsung A530 for my existing contract. They wont budge.
> They want 359.99. I threatened to cancel and everything and they wont do
> anything for me except a $50 rebate for that cellphone. However I
declined
> it because I could order a phone with 2 year contract for $175 cancel fee
> and $69 which comes to $244 for the phone for the Samsung A530. Is $244
the
> cheapest I could get this phone for?
>
> If I kept the contract it would be $39 x 24 + my existing contract and $69
> which doesnt pay.
>
> Any other suggestions on places which may be able to do better than $244
for
> this phone with contract and then cancelling or without contract to begin
> with?
>
>
>

"Mahlon Wagner" <mwagner2@twcny.rr.com> wrote
> If I may continue this theme for a moment:
>
> In reading the various good discussions I realized that I had perhaps
> unwisely turned down the insurance when I signed up with Verizon and got
> 2 phones last week. So I quickly called the corporate store and found
> I could still add the insurance and so I did.
>
> Thanks again to all who discussed this most intelligently. Perhaps I
> have saved myself some headaches down the road.
> Mahl

Insurance is not always a good value. Depends on your
financial situation, equipment (since the insurance cost is
not porportional to the cost of your equipment), and the
probability you will need it.

I have never made a claim on insurance. My wife
made one when she lost her phone. I have never damaged
any phone I've owned (knock on wood). My wife
tosses her's in the center console in the car, etc.
She always demands one of the top-o-line phones
whenever I upgrade.
I've upgraded once or twice and have always had
a very usable phone for backup. My daughter is
given the very cheapest phone available and if lost or
broken *may* be replaced with something very
inexpensive (used).

I have always had insurance on my wife's phone. I never
had insurance (until recently) on my phone or my daughter's.

This was the most cost effective (probability-wise) approach
for me.

Recently (about a year ago) I got a Kyocera 7135. $600-$700
retail price. I've insured that. Same cost as insuring a $200-$300
phone. Better deal and there is the (almost) instant replacement
which is important to me since I use the PDA portion heavily.

YMMV,
-Quick