Travel Technology - Rant, Verizon won't let me upgrade to a Treo

I went to the Verizon store today to buy a Treo Smart Phone.

I currently have a 2 year contract with them on my regular phone. I'm midway through that contract.

The Treo, after rebates cost $249. I've done all my research. I want one. :)
Cleark says if I want a phone, it will cost me full price $519. :eek:

The clerk says that I can't upgrade due to my contract. :confused: I have to wait till next April. Needless to say, I'm not happy. I asked the clerk if this was the same policy if I went to a Best Buy/Circuit City type of place. He said yes. I can't understand why they don't want my money for a new phone; and, the increased fees that I'm willing to pay. Makes no sense.

If I open a new account, it means a new phone #.

So I come to the board looking for a way around this. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

Operators only give you one discounted phone every so often. With some operators you can buy one when you are halfway through the contract, with others you need to finish most of it.

Your best option would be to check Ebay. Assuming it's the 700P you are looking at, you'll find them there for around $249.

Or, if you have any balls, call them and tell them you want to talk to retentions because you plan to cancel. Tell them you've got your mind set on an iPhone. They'll try and scare you by threatening with a termination fee but just let them know you don't care about that fee and that you are so rich you can easily spend it.

I pulled that stunt on T-mobile 2 weeks ago and ended up with $300 in savings.

Verizon has been losing customers left and right for the iPhone, so they may be able to assist you in keeping you as a customer, and equipment discounts are their most powerful tool.

Or, if you have any balls, call them and tell them you want to talk to retentions because you plan to cancel.

Of course I have a set. I'm a New Yorker. :o

ScottC, you're a genius. Just got off the phone wirh Verizon. They're allowing me an early upgrade at the sale price. ^ I could go back to the Verizon store, or order over the phone. I told him I'd think about it. ;)

Regards to ASC.
Thanks.

Of course I have a set. I'm a New Yorker. :o

ScottC, you're a genius. Just got off the phone wirh Verizon. They're allowing me an early upgrade at the sale price. ^ I could go back to the Verizon store, or order over the phone. I told him I'd think about it. ;)

Regards to ASC.
Thanks.

Playing bluff with your operator is a fun game, and the iPhone only made it easier ;)

I'll pass on the regards, thanks.

Several of my coworkers have the Verizon version of the Treo and have experienced a lot of trouble with missed or dropped calls. My boss has had to replace his at least three times!

^ Brilliant!

I don't have any experience with Verizon, but my Treo 680 on Cingular is a workhorse.

As it's already worked out, it's a moot point, but tell them you are walking usually works. Even with the fee to cancel, you can often cancel, and get another promotion with another carrier, and port your number for less than they want. They know that, and will usually back down.

I'm totally convinced that people who work at Cell Phone Companies are stupid today, this just adds to it.

We get a box of 4 new nextel's at the office, nobody here ordered them (at least nobody that is actually here). All I need to know is the attention line that should be on the invoice, packing slip, box, so I can hand them their phones. Nextel's reply:

Thank you for contacting Sprint, my name is Ian and I'll be happy to assist you in regards to the phones that you have received.

~~Verification~~

Sprint is committed to protecting customer privacy and security. Therefore, in order to provide account information, we need you to confirm the following:

a. The Account holder PCS Phone Number
b. The Account Holder email address of record
c. The Account Holder Mailing Address

Please reply to this email with the requested information and we will be happy to answer where these phones are sup[posed to be sent.

Hey there Ian the rocket scientist, if I knew the e-mail address of the account holder, and the rest of it, perhaps, just perhaps, I would just give them the phones?

Hey Mary, can you give me your e-mail and your nextel account number so I can send it to them and find out who to give the phones you ordered to? :confused:

Careful Cordelli!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_bi_ge/sprint_nextel_terminated_customers;_ylt=AtM0.kN6Jd roTYCkCaQTCIyyBhIF

And I thought I was so smart. :rolleyes:

After thinking about this the past 10 days, I started reveiwing the situation as a bump opportunity. ;)
Rule #1- when offered a bump, keep asking for additional things in addition to your voucher or ticket. ie upgrades, meals, food.

After thinking that an early upgrade for my retention wasn't as good a deal as I thought it was, I called back. Isn't that Flyertalk Rule #1? :D

My retention package is as follows:

-2 months free data plan at $44.95 per month
-travel charger
-case

Better than last week. Maybe I should wait another week and call back. ;)