taz157
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:50:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,934
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Post by taz157 on Jul 20, 2013 21:41:50 GMT -5
DH and I have our cell phones through a family plan with Verizon. Both are smartphones so we do have a data plan. DH upgraded his about 6 months ago and I've had mine for 2.5 years. I would love to get a new cell phone, but I really don't want to renew my portion of the contract. I've heard of people getting a phone through eBay, Amazon, etc. and using it with their plan. How do you do that? FWIW, I'm semi-techy, I just don't know how it's done.   |
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raeoflyte
Senior Associate
Joined: Feb 3, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -5
Posts: 14,997
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Post by raeoflyte on Jul 21, 2013 9:41:38 GMT -5
You just call Verizon (or might be able to do it online) with the phones ID # and they activate it. Super easy.  You can save your contacts and such on Verizons back up system and download those to the new phone too. |
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wvugurl26
Distinguished Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 15:25:30 GMT -5
Posts: 21,880
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jul 21, 2013 12:06:14 GMT -5
When I got mine off eBay, I went into the store and had it switched. I had to though I was going from 3g to 4g so I needed a new sim card. I will say make sure they do not change your plan. The lady tried to change me from unlimited to 2g/month. I told her no, I was not changing my plan because I did not buy the phone from them. She agreed with me and then changed my plan anyway. I noticed it a couple days later. I called customer service and they very quickly changed it back. Just something to watch out for.
Otherwise I had zero issues until Verizon/Motorola broke my phone with that damn Jelly Bean update.
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Apple
Junior Associate
Always travel with a sense of humor
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 15:51:04 GMT -5
Posts: 9,938
Mini-Profile Name Color: dc0e29
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Post by Apple on Jul 21, 2013 14:26:03 GMT -5
Just be sure that the phone you get works with your carrier. I have US Cellular and they don't us SIM cards, so I'm pretty limited...
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lurkyloo
Junior Associate
“Time means nothing now,” said Toad. “It is just the thing that happens between snacks.”
Joined: Jan 8, 2011 11:26:56 GMT -5
Posts: 6,049
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Post by lurkyloo on Jul 21, 2013 15:44:42 GMT -5
I always buy phones off Amazon (not a dis on ebay, I just don't use ebay much). All there is to it for me is making sure the phone is either unlocked or compatible with my carrier, and inserting my existing sim card when it arrives. I save my contacts to my sim card; if yours are saved to your phone you might need to bring the phone in to have them transferred at the store. I also don't have a data plan; not sure if that changes anything?
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toomuchreality
Senior Associate
Joined: Sept 3, 2011 10:28:25 GMT -5
Posts: 16,865 
Favorite Drink: Sometimes I drink water... just to surprise my liver!
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Post by toomuchreality on Jul 22, 2013 3:27:57 GMT -5
I have Verizon, and get my phones off ebay all the time. I've never had a Verizon phone with a SIM card though. I didn't even know what a SIM card was until a few months ago, when I got a new SafeLink phone. I prefer my Verizon phone- If I could get or use the same phone, on my SafeLink acct., I would in a heartbeat! It's the phone I like, not the carrier. If you get a used phone, make sure the S/N is clear before you buy it, is my only suggestion. I transferred my contacts etc using the bluetooth, so I didn't have to go in, and didn't have to enter each one individually. FYI- I don't have a data plan, with Verizon. -I have a Grandfathered prepay plan. But that shouldn't matter, so far as just switching the phone, I wouldn't think. Is there a new(er) phone out there that you want? Can you get it cheaper privately? I hate the idea of a two year contract. Makes my feel claustrophobic or something! Good luck! (If I can do it, you definitely can figure it out!)  |
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