Am I eligible to get the $650 to switch offer if I just paid off a significant balance on my phone 2 weeks ago?

[runslats]

So, I inquired at the Verizon store about the offer of a $650 gift card for switching.  I'm with AT&T now and, in anticipation of switching, paid off my phone in full ($700+).  When I went to switch, the representative at the store told me that I would only qualify for the offer if I still had a balance on my phone.  This seems illogical: if I had waited for ATT to force me to pay it off, I would be eligible, but because I chose to pay it off I am not - I'd love confirmation from anyone else (or Verizon directly, since the rep seemed very unsure of himself) that this is indeed the case.

[rcschnoor]

First of all, it is UP TO $650, which in MANY cases ends up being MUCH LESS than $650.

Second, it is for reimbursement for any cost you would have for leaving AT&T. If you have no cost to leave AT&T, then you would not receive anything. If you have no phone to pay off or any ETF, you would get nothing to switch.

Third, to qualify you have to turn in your AT&T phone which was on the line associated with the cost you incurred, i.e. either the phone you had an ETF to pay or the phone you still had payments on which you had not yet paid.

[runslats]

I understand it all and I did pay a cost to leave - $715.  I just did it prior to ATT forcing me to . . .

[rcschnoor]

No, you made those payments prior to leaving. It is unlikely these costs would be covered under the offer.

They are costs you incur WHEN you leave, not BEFORE you leave.

I would suggest simply paying off the remaining balance of your phone, then you get to keep it to do what you would like with it, including selling it on a site such as swappa.com. You will likely get as much if not more than you would have gotten from Verizon AND you will likely get it MUCH sooner.

$715 balance left on your phone when switching? You must have purchased it recently, why switch so soon after purchasing a new phone?

[naansalad]

when did you left AT&T when did you join V and when did you pay AT&T ...Did you get final bill from att if yes when ?

that info may be helpful to help you somehow

[pherson]

IF you paid your bill prior to leaving, as was said there is nothing to reimburse.

[Weth · Accepted solution]

You should have gone to Verizon, requested to port your numbers. This would have triggered AT&T to have your account cancelled and then AT&T would have sent you a bill for any early terminations and the cost of the phones. If you paid off your phones and then decided to switch after, that will not work with the offer - or any of the offers the other companies are making. You should have researched a bit before paying off the phone to understand what the offer exactly states. What phones do you have? There is a chance you can use them on Verizon, but it depends on what you have.

[runslats]

Thanks all for your help. My bad for being proactive and for not reading

the offer details. Oh well, I'll just stay at AT&T.

[Backlash365]

Actually, you did the right thing, as Verizon is having issues with the Switch Program.  I've been trying to get reimbursed for my phones since January and still no payment.  I'm thinking about switching to another carrier and taking the hit on my Sprint phones.   How do you like AT&T?

[runslats]

I've generally had good luck with AT&T. They and Verizon have very good

service here in New England. I was only going to switch because of the

offer.