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New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

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FTM427
LIF Adult

Member since 1/12

1261 total posts

Name:

New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

I need a new phone. Is there any benefit to buying from Verizon vs Best Buy? Any additional fees that Verizon will charge for example if you don't buy from their store? The Iphone6s ends up being $100 cheaper (over 2 years) from Best Buy so just wondering if there's anything else I need to know about? I've read both sites but cant find anything, just looking for advice if anyone has bought from place other than Verizon store. TIA!

Posted 2/3/17 9:37 AM
 
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)

Member since 6/07

5339 total posts

Name:

New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

I always buy from best buy. I get their protection plan rather than the protection plan from my carrier and they usually have great promotions. Like a gift card with the purchase, or now lease, of a phone. which I then use to buy accessories. We have sprint now but had Verizon and there were never any extra fees associated with buying the phone elsewhere. I prefer buying from best buy. DH recently came onto my plan and switched from Verizon to sprint and we went to a sprint store and there were just way too many problems with the billing and the way the guy put everything into the system. it took two months to completely straighten it out.

Posted 2/3/17 9:45 AM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot

Posted 2/3/17 10:01 AM
 

FTM427
LIF Adult

Member since 1/12

1261 total posts

Name:

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Thanks, Normally I would do the same and just buy it at whatever the contract price is, but my contract has been up for a few months so our bill was $20 lower since I was "out of contract". So now if I buy a new phone, I pay the $99 for the phone plus our bill goes back up the $20 since I'm in contract again. Or I can lease the phone for $18.71 a month and our bill stays the $20 lower since I'm not in a contract, so in my case it actually makes sense to do the lease.

Posted 2/3/17 10:07 AM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by FTM427

Thanks, Normally I would do the same and just buy it at whatever the contract price is, but my contract has been up for a few months so our bill was $20 lower since I was "out of contract". So now if I buy a new phone, I pay the $99 for the phone plus our bill goes back up the $20 since I'm in contract again. Or I can lease the phone for $18.71 a month and our bill stays the $20 lower since I'm not in a contract, so in my case it actually makes sense to do the lease.



Ah gotcha.
Ok then I guess find out who is doing the best promotion right now in terms of freebies and go with them

Posted 2/3/17 10:19 AM
 

blu6385

Member since 5/08

8351 total posts

Name:

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




most companies don't do this anymore OR if they do they charge you a fee for $20 a month so in the end you are still basically paying full price for the phone.

Are you sure you were leasing it not financing it?

I don't have verizon but we have ATT and what you have to do now is basically pay you phone off over 2-2.5 years and at the end its yours to keep OR You can pay it off but after I think a year or you can trade it in for a new one and start the payment plans agan.


OP I would go to best buy and get the deals they have that's what I have typically done for me there has been no difference

Posted 2/3/17 10:38 AM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by blu6385

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




most companies don't do this anymore OR if they do they charge you a fee for $20 a month so in the end you are still basically paying full price for the phone.

Are you sure you were leasing it not financing it?

I don't have verizon but we have ATT and what you have to do now is basically pay you phone off over 2-2.5 years and at the end its yours to keep OR You can pay it off but after I think a year or you can trade it in for a new one and start the payment plans agan.


OP I would go to best buy and get the deals they have that's what I have typically done for me there has been no difference




He wrote it all out for me and I am NOT leasing or financing the phone
I was adamant about that so he drew out the whole plan and the billing.

The way it worked out we are paying less per month then we were before. I had a very old phone prior- I keep phones about 5 years until i absolutely HAVE to get rid of them.
As in - they are so slow or the screen is so dim I physically can't use it anymore.
I hate getting new cell phones.
I can't imagine trading a phone in for a new one after just one year


Message edited 2/3/2017 10:45:31 AM.

Posted 2/3/17 10:43 AM
 

PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!

Member since 5/11

7619 total posts

Name:
Momma <3

New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

We have Verizon but are not on a contract. We pay full retail price which means our monthly bill is lower. My DH did all the math and if you keep your phone for longer than 2 years, it's a better deal. I had my last phone for 3 years.

Posted 2/3/17 1:11 PM
 

MrsQ0520
LIF Adolescent

Member since 12/11

589 total posts

Name:
L

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.

Posted 2/3/17 2:30 PM
 

MrsT809
LIF Adult

Member since 9/09

12167 total posts

Name:

New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

I used to always go to best buy just bc they were quicker to deal with. Recently I've switched to the Verizon store bc best buy was not able to explain the options accurately at all when it came to leasing or not. I got my last phone in August and did not lease or whatever they call it. It was a few days before I was up for renewal.

Posted 2/3/17 2:37 PM
 

blu6385

Member since 5/08

8351 total posts

Name:

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by MrsQ0520

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.



I think all companies now from I am told are basically forcing you to pay for the whole price of phone even if they allow you to be in a contract.

Just an example say you get an iphone it use to be say $199 if you sign a 2 year contract ATT was charging you I think it was $20 a month to be in a contract. So at the end of the 2 year you paid $480 to be in a "contract" so you really are paying full price for the phone.

Where now att you can either pay full retail for the phone upfront of basically finance it over 24-36 months. The appeal to people who like to get new phones all the time is that now you can trade your phone in before you pay it all off and get the latest phone and start paying off that phone.

It sucks that companies no longer give you deals on phones.

Posted 2/3/17 2:46 PM
 

ali120206
2 Boys

Member since 7/06

17792 total posts

Name:

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by MrsQ0520

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.



Yes - they only allow you to do the $200 two year contract if you are an existing customer and that was your previous plan type - once you switch to the monthly payments - you can't switch back.

Like PP said - the pricing ends up being similar - it's just presented differently and allows people who like to be first movers the ability to change earlier.

I still stick to the 2 year schedule for the most part (because I'm entitled to a new phone through work every two years).

Posted 2/3/17 2:59 PM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by ali120206

Posted by MrsQ0520

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.



Yes - they only allow you to do the $200 two year contract if you are an existing customer and that was your previous plan type - once you switch to the monthly payments - you can't switch back.

Like PP said - the pricing ends up being similar - it's just presented differently and allows people who like to be first movers the ability to change earlier.

I still stick to the 2 year schedule for the most part (because I'm entitled to a new phone through work every two years).



This.
I think I'm grandfathered in

Posted 2/3/17 3:21 PM
 

jerseypanda
Life is good.

Member since 1/07

9164 total posts

Name:
Amanda

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by ali120206

Posted by MrsQ0520

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.



Yes - they only allow you to do the $200 two year contract if you are an existing customer and that was your previous plan type - once you switch to the monthly payments - you can't switch back.

Like PP said - the pricing ends up being similar - it's just presented differently and allows people who like to be first movers the ability to change earlier.

I still stick to the 2 year schedule for the most part (because I'm entitled to a new phone through work every two years).



This.
I think I'm grandfathered in



Enjoy it while you can. I guarantee you there will come a time when they will not give you the option of the 2 year anymore. Most carriers are pretty much done with them now.

Posted 2/3/17 3:36 PM
 

NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..

Member since 11/09

54921 total posts

Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!

Re: New phone...buying from Best Buy vs Verizon

Posted by jerseypanda

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by ali120206

Posted by MrsQ0520

Posted by NervousNell

I refuse to lease a phone. I went to Best Buy and they said I'd have to lease it.
I went to Verizon store- which was right next door -and he kept me on my original plan- no lease.
2 year contract, got the phone for like $100 for signing the 2 year contract- at the end of the 2 years it's still my phone and i can keep it for as long as i want.
I don't get a new phone every 2 years.

They also had a holiday promotion going on so we ended up with a lower monthly bill and got a free wifi hotspot




wait - you didn't have to lease your phone?! I was told i HAD to lease if i got a new one now. I was due in December, and they told me if i wanted to get a new phone and new contract etc, i would have to lease it. well not lease per say - but monthly payments, and at the end it would be mine to keep - so technically buy it... BUT - the payments added up to me paying retail for the phone. I REFUSE to spend $650 or whatever on a phone. no way.



Yes - they only allow you to do the $200 two year contract if you are an existing customer and that was your previous plan type - once you switch to the monthly payments - you can't switch back.

Like PP said - the pricing ends up being similar - it's just presented differently and allows people who like to be first movers the ability to change earlier.

I still stick to the 2 year schedule for the most part (because I'm entitled to a new phone through work every two years).



This.
I think I'm grandfathered in



Enjoy it while you can. I guarantee you there will come a time when they will not give you the option of the 2 year anymore. Most carriers are pretty much done with them now.



I'm taking full advantage! Chat Icon
I once kept a phone for 5 years because I didn't want to lose my grandfathered in unlimited data- and once i upgraded the phone/signed a new contract I would lose it.

Posted 2/3/17 3:45 PM
 
 

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