Why can't I upgrade at a discounted price?

[JASRUTH]

I have a phone available for upgrade but prices are exactly the same for it as for anyone. Is there no longer a discount for having a phone under contract for 2 years. If not then what is the reason for staying with the highest prices cell service provider with the highest priced phones. At least with huge discounts there was a reason to stay.

[rcschnoor · Accepted solution]

That "huge" discount you thought you were getting was not actually a discount at all. You were paying that discount back over the life of your contract, basically a "service" charge or "finance" charge for your phone purchase.

You have the option to purchase your phone over time, which gives you the SAME(actually a BIT better) discount as you would receive had you purchased a phone on contract as you used to be able to do.

Verizon's current plans have you pay a $40 line access fee if you are under contract. They have you pay a $20 line access fee if you are not under contract. If  you take the life of a contract(24 months) and multiply that by the $20 LESS you are paying for your line access fee, that equates to a $480 discount over the life of your contract. Compared to the maximum $450 discount Verizon gives on the price of a phone purchased under contract and you come with a discount of an ADDITIONAL $30.

You are no worse off than if Verizon still offered service contracts on Verizon's current service plans. You will pay no more monthly by purchasing a phone on contract than if you were paying for that phone with monthly payments IF you take the SAME amount you would have paid for your contract phone and use it as a down payment for the phone you purchase on payments. In fact, your monthly bill will be LOWER than it would be if you were under contract.

[vzw_customer_support]

We want to make sure you get a phone you totally love. As mentioned, our new Device Payment agreement lets you pay off your device over 24 months, making the initial cost very small, while receiving a discount to your line access charge. You can find out more about our Device Payment agreements by following this link, https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/device-payment-faqs/.

JavierMD_VZW

Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport If my response answered your question please click the Correct Answer button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!  

[duderino123235456]

so I can get a locked phone and extend my contract for 2 years for the same price as purchasing that phone unlocked from a retailer without extending my contract at all? sounds like a deal!!! thanks verizon!!!

[jav6]

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@duderino123235456 wrote:

so I can get a locked phone and extend my contract for 2 years for the same price as purchasing that phone unlocked from a retailer without extending my contract at all? sounds like a deal!!! thanks verizon!!!

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So you're banking on a statement in a THREE YEAR OLD post?  You might check what is CURRENT.

[KH-Michael]

Due to the age of this thread, it will be locked in order to keep discussions current. If you have the same or a similar question/issue we invite you to start a new thread on the topic.