TOTAL RIPOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $39 EXTRA charge for UNWANTED FEATURES!!!

[rq24915]

Why in heavens name are all the companies allowed to rip us off by charging $30 extra for features I do  not want/use, i.e., e-mail and internet????????????????????

GRR.

[fezzik]

WHY in heaven's name would you buy a smart phone if you don't want to use it?

[supitsmike]

---

rq24915 wrote:

Why in heavens name are all the companies allowed to rip us off by charging $30 extra for features I do  not want/use, i.e., e-mail and internet????????????????????

GRR.

---

I see what you did there! You used BIG letters to show that you are YELLIING, and the color RED to support the "GRR" comment illustrating you mean business! Though I'm going to have to say you used one too many question marks -- potentially enough for this whole thread.

Anyway, you are required to have a data plan with your new smartphone. In fact, Verizon calls it an "advanced phone." It's a data plan that covers internet/e-mail options. No, you can't get it without one, and even if you're constantly connected to Wi-Fi you're still gonna be charged for the MB that you use.

All in all you should have been told this, and you should have reviewed your services prior to recieving the phone.

[M_R_L]

Might not be a bad idea for a carrier to offer a semi-smart phone that supported apps that did not need the 3G Internet - kind of an advanced PDA/phone.  I'll bet that there would be a market for that.  You would only pay for a phone plan. Connecting to home or office WiFi networks would not involve the carrier at all so there should not a charge for that or even an awareness by the carrier that Wifi network access was in progress.

[willanaya]

WHY DIDNT SUPITSMIKE AND M_R_L USE RED LETTERS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE!!!!!GRRRRRR. THEY'RE GRRRREEEEAAAATTT!

but seriously, i believe when the rogue came out, it was touted as the smartphone that was not a smartphone. you might want to look there.

[Zehan]

You know, there used to be devices that offered the smartphone experience without all those pesky monthly charges. Palm Pilot anyone? The original PDA? Those are still selling HUGE right now......

[FredCDobbs]

Remember folks this is America. Its about harvesting money NOT providing a service. So buck up and enjoy capitalism. "Must support the corporations". Say it with me. I believe!!!!!!

why would you buy a data mining ad delivery phone anyway???

Merry Christmas

[lowcarbdoug]

The reason you need to have a data plan is because Verizon Wireless is running a business and they have invested billions of dollars on data to generate revenue.  The advanced devices that you purchase are heavily subsidized and for Verizon (or any other carrier) to recoup costs they need to get that from the data plan.

It's simple economics and it's Verizon's way on getting return on their investment and device subsidy.

[Zehan]

Heeeyyyy, that sounds like common sense! Get outta here with that, ya crazy person!

[bkfist]

I might be missing something here, but where are you getting $39 extra?  The unlimited data plan is $30, not $39

If you are looking at a plan on Verizon that say "Email and Internet" you are looking at the wrong plan for the Moto Droid, or the Droid Eris.

All you *have* to have is the basic plan, plus unlimited data.

You might be able to look at a completely different plan and find out that your total bill would be a lot less than you think.