Verizon contacted Engadget and stated today that the activation fee and month of service for those buying the Xoom at full price is no longer necessary.
I'm curious if you had to pay the fee or not. I intend on purchasing from Costco when they open in about 3 hours. I'm going to show them the article if they give me any flack, and I'll post back here.
Update: Verizon's been in touch to inform us of a policy change: customers who purchase the off-contract Xoom will now no longer need to be on a month to month plan. That said, we still see "Month to Month" as a compulsory option at the time of updating this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought from a VZW corporate store this morning, full price, no activation required. She asked me if I was just using for wifi or if I wanted data, I said wifi and that was it.
I'm in Iraq currently, so i had to get it overnighted to my wife and she has to activate it. I paid the activation fee...then, immediately after it is activated I am calling vzw and placing it on military suspension, and getting the activation fee credited to my account. they don't ship to APO addresses, and it has to be activated over the cell network if you get it subsidized.
hopefully, I can cancel the contract later this year. I've done it on ATT before.
Sirchuk said:
Verizon contacted Engadget and stated today that the activation fee and month of service for those buying the Xoom at full price is no longer necessary.
I'm curious if you had to pay the fee or not. I intend on purchasing from Costco when they open in about 3 hours. I'm going to show them the article if they give me any flack, and I'll post back here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to know too. I am going to Costco in 3 hours and would like to just purchase the unit without activation and data plan
ghodzilla5150 said:
I need to know too. I am going to Costco in 3 hours and would like to just purchase the unit without activation and data plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The official statement is from Verizon, and it's my understanding that it's the Verizon booth in Costco that activates the 3g on the device. If someone tells me I must get 3g, I'm going to mention to them the official Verizon stance and ask if they can contact their corporate office to check.
ghodzilla5150 said:
I need to know too. I am going to Costco in 3 hours and would like to just purchase the unit without activation and data plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ditto tenchar
Got mine at Costco this morning, and they made me signup for a plan... I told him Verizon doesn't require this anymore but rep insisted he has to sign me up for plan. He even proceeds to fill out a rebate form for me, even though I told him im going to cancel within the 72hr period anyways. Oh well...
harajuka said:
Got mine at Costco this morning, and they made me signup for a plan... I told him Verizon doesn't require this anymore but rep insisted he has to sign me up for plan. He even proceeds to fill out a rebate form for me, even though I told him im going to cancel within the 72hr period anyways. Oh well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was afraid of this. Verizon probably has no intention of rushing to get the information out there hoping to still snag some undeserved money.
I got mine at Best Buy and they let me sign up without a plan... But the girl at the register didn't really know what she was doing.
I am taking my EVO with me. I already have the Engadget page ready to show if they give me an crap about fees. They are a Verizon kiosk (Verizon Representative) and should honor what Verizon is doing. If they are doing it in the Verizon stores, they should do it at their kiosks as well.
setite said:
I was afraid of this. Verizon probably has no intention of rushing to get the information out there hoping to still snag some undeserved money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's when the Costco Verizon Rep needs to call a Corp store and ask them. This is what I will tell them when I get there
ghodzilla5150 said:
That's when the Costco Verizon Rep needs to call a Corp store and ask them. This is what I will tell them when I get there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm ahead of you, I already printed out the Engadget article to show them . I will most definitely be forcing them to call whoever would be up to date.
setite said:
I'm ahead of you, I already printed out the Engadget article to show them . I will most definitely be forcing them to call whoever would be up to date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea. I will print it out as well
ghodzilla5150 said:
I need to know too. I am going to Costco in 3 hours and would like to just purchase the unit without activation and data plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At costco they make you sign up for the month to month. He even gave me the number to cancel it. Up front you pay for the device, everything else is billed later. If you cancel within 3 days everything will be good to go.
bwcorvus said:
At costco they make you sign up for the month to month. He even gave me the number to cancel it. Up front you pay for the device, everything else is billed later. If you cancel within 3 days everything will be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose that's okay. The damage is done to my credit since I let Best Buy run it two days ago and Costco yesterday.
http://blogs.computerworld.com/17867/motorola_xoom_faq said:
UPDATE: Verizon Wireless has changed its mind on this policy as of Thursday morning (thank goodness). I've just confirmed with a Verizon spokesperson that if you purchase the Xoom for $800, without a contract, you will not be required to pay the $35 activation fee or sign up for a data plan. As of now, the Verizon Wireless website is not reflecting this change; however, an online customer service representative tells me you can contact customer care to have the data plan removed after making your purchase.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the solution is to call customer care. Doing this today will hopefully avoid having to give them a single red cent in prorated data.
setite said:
I suppose that's okay. The damage is done to my credit since I let Best Buy run it two days ago and Costco yesterday.
So the solution is to call customer care. Doing this today will hopefully avoid having to give them a single red cent in prorated data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the phone with Verizon right now. She tried to tell me i can't cancel it. After i said a few things, she did it for me. Said i would be charged a pro-rated amount for any use, and if i bought under contract i would have to pay the ETF. I told her i haven't turned the device on so there better not me a charge.
bwcorvus said:
At costco they make you sign up for the month to month. He even gave me the number to cancel it. Up front you pay for the device, everything else is billed later. If you cancel within 3 days everything will be good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the warranty like. Do you get the Costco 90 day warranty OR the Verizon 14 day warranty? Was there other people there getting the Xoom as well
ghodzilla5150 said:
What's the warranty like. Do you get the Costco 90 day warranty OR the Verizon 14 day warranty? Was there other people there getting the Xoom as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to break your contract within 14 days if you sign a 2 year. You have 90 days to return the device. You have a 1 year manufactur warranty. You have 3 days to cancel and not pay the activation fee. I was the only one
I got mine from VZW and they tried their hardest to get me to activate it for at least one month and charge me an activation fee. I told them I didn't want to do that and that verizon released information saying that it was not necessary. After about a half hour of them constantly asking me they finally sold it to me for full price.
bwcorvus said:
You have to break your contract within 14 days if you sign a 2 year. You have 90 days to return the device. You have a 1 year manufactur warranty. You have 3 days to cancel and not pay the activation fee. I was the only one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Bro. I will use this unit until the WIFi only model comes out. return it and get that one $200 cheaper
Related
Well, I certainly woke up to a pleasant surprise. I've been stuck with having to buy the Evo on Wirefly to claim a hundred dollar savings I had won, only to see that the final price is thirty dollars lower than I expected! You pay $169.99 with a 35 dollar activation fee. There's no taxes, and the FedEx shipping is free.
For those of you wondering, Wirefly is a reputable place to purchase from. Two weeks ago, I purchased two blackberry Curves and a Hero from them with a new contract. They waived the activation fee via a promotion, shipped it within twenty four hours of ordering via two day FedEx for free, and the phones arrived in two days after it was shipped. The only problem is speaking to their sales department; it consists of nothing but overseas representatives who are difficult to understand at times and try to push device protection on your devices constantly. If you order online, though, there's absolutely no issues. They allow you to check on the status of your order, and include every detail of the purchase and plan in the sales receipt if you want to make changes.
Just thought I'd share this great deal .
Edit: Oh! I also forgot to mention that Wirefly is a partner of Bing Cashback. When you order through Bing, you get $50 cash back on your account. That brings the total cost of the device down to $119.99. Sounds good to me!
I have used Wirefly 3 times before and they are great! I am impatient and do not want to wait for my phone this time though haha
That sounds pretty awesome! I'm going to have to see what I can do with this one.
If ordering from them do you know if I can port a phone number?
ViViDboarder said:
That sounds pretty awesome! I'm going to have to see what I can do with this one.
If ordering from them do you know if I can port a phone number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can port your phone number through them. I transferred my parent's and brother's numbers from Metro PCS to the Sprint phones without a problem.
I wonder what will happen if someone tries to upgrade who is not eligible for an upgrade and who is still on contract. I went through the motion of buying it there and the final price came to $180 or something. Wonder what would happen after I get the phone.
too bad you cant add a discount to the plans through wirefly..
guyver2077 said:
too bad you cant add a discount to the plans through wirefly..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I wish we could add a discount to the plans through wirefly as I would get it through them if that were possible.., unless someone knows a way?
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Yeah I wish we could add a discount to the plans through wirefly as I would get it through them if that were possible.., unless someone knows a way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't you just call up sprint once your order is processed to add the discount? nowhere in their terms state you can't add discount; it says you can't switch to a lower service plan, but adding a discount isn't lowering the service plan
here's the terms of their instant discount:
INSTANT DISCOUNTS
Wirefly promises you savings in the form of instant discounts with no rebates or gimmicks when you sign up for wireless carrier service. Delivering on this promise means that you must agree to maintain your agreement for a minimum of 6 months after activation. Deactivating your phone, or downgrading features or the rate plan, may lead to additional charges.
When you sign up for wireless carrier service through Wirefly, we discount your phone purchase price by an Equipment Discount amount ranging from $200 to $300. By ordering through Wirefly, you agree to repay this discount if, during the 181 days after your new equipment is activated, if you:
Fail to pay your balance due to your carrier each month
Disconnect this line of service
Transfer this equipment to another line of service
Change your carrier service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate plan
Deactivate the email/data feature if one was required at the point of purchase
Transfer/port an existing phone number from another account if this is a new line of service
Replace an existing account with this account if this is a new line of service
Return or exchange your phone and it is not in its original, new condition with no more than 30 minutes of usage
If you break any of these contract provisions, except as a result of a documented service quality issue related to the carrier service, you authorize us to charge your credit card in repayment of the Equipment Discount.
EDIT: they changed the price to $189.99
As of 4:30 this afternoon, Wirefly has officially run out of HTC Evos. The site lists the next shipment time in five to seven days. Fortunately, I was able to get my order placed at 4:00. Unless you really want that $50 rebate, I'd look toward other stores.
These things are selling out an alarming rate.
Now it says shipping within 20 days...
Oh man. Still $50 is probably worth it considering I still have my iPhone for the time being.
i know letstalk is getting shipment June 10, but they still have backorders they need to fulfill; don't know any other place where i can get it without waiting for the mail in rebate
sprint online store has them in stock and can receive in 2-5 days, but not willing to pay $1049 now and have to wait for rebates for 2-4 months
double post
Wirefly is awesome but never call and place an order over the phone.
gqstatus0685 said:
Wirefly is awesome but never call and place an order over the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You couldn't be more correct. I stupidly placed the order for my parents and brother via Wirefly's sales department via phone, and it was a horrendous experience. It took over an hour for the idiot to understand what I wanted, write my name down properly, and to shut up about the extended warranty and accessories.
That being said, that's what the online store is for. It's just like the rest of them.
Also, wow. Shipping within 20 days? I was 15 minutes away from having to wait a month for my Evo to arrive? Insane.
I got lucky and got my order in before they raised the price. 169 + 50 bing cash back plus avoiding 45$ in taxes here in CA. It arrives tomorrow =).
Darth Duane said:
I got lucky and got my order in before they raised the price. 169 + 50 bing cash back plus avoiding 45$ in taxes here in CA. It arrives tomorrow =).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy crap, shut up! Mine is arriving tomorrow as well! . Of course, I placed my order when it was back at $189.99, but it's still a great deal.
Any idea what'd happen if I tried to order this even though I'm not eligible for an upgrade from Sprint? I'm trying to see if I can grab one of these to participate in development. Although, I'm not sure I'm willing to blow $450 for the privilege.
Ok. I'm on Wirefly and I want to add this phone as a new line on a family plan.
I am seeing:
Service Plan: $9.99/month
Sprint Data Pack - mobile web, web-based email, and basic Sprint TV/Music: $15.00/month
4G Premium Data: $10.00/month
What's that $15/month part? If my family is already on the Any Mobile Any Time with data included, is that required?
I want to try and put this in ASAP!
sidepart said:
Any idea what'd happen if I tried to order this even though I'm not eligible for an upgrade from Sprint? I'm trying to see if I can grab one of these to participate in development. Although, I'm not sure I'm willing to blow $450 for the privilege.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does look like I can get this for $189 (+$50 bing cashback) if I select that I would like to extend my contract with Sprint. I'm a little curious about this, you'd think that I shouldn't be able to do this, but at the same time Wirefly probably has no idea that I started my contract in November 09. I'm just worried about what happens when I get the phone! Is no one the wiser? Do people just not know? Maybe I should try this out and give you all an update as to the outcome. I'm willing to bet if there's some kind of foul up and a cancellation charge appears on my account, I could possibly settle it with Sprint feigning ignorance. It's not like I want to jump ship or anything after all, I like Sprint.
Hope you find out. I'm on my hero and not due for upgrade or anything... I wanna upgrade to evolution from hero, but don't have hundreds of dollars
-------------------------------------
Sent via the XDA Tapatalk App
A friend of mine and myself got into a bit of a disagreement last night over bestbuy etfs. Long story short he got a phone from bb cancelled the service and kept the phone. Will bb come after him with a etf?
I know sprint didn't charge him a etf but will bb come after him for a etf! I made a $75 bet with him that bb would come after him with a seperate etf. But he showed me his receipt/contract paperwork and other than the info about sprint etf, there's NOTHING that states anything about bb etfs. And he paid with cash so its not like bb can just charge his credit card. I searched google and everything and really didnt find any info on this. I know companies like wirefly, letstalk etc charge their own etf if you cancel service and don't return the device. Which they even indicate when you go through their application process and is also indicated in their paperwork.
So my question is, am I out of $75? Did I just lose this bet against this fool...lol? If someone have any insight into this, it'll help me out a lot. I'd love to show him some post that bb is going to come after him. So let me know what you all think.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
plmiller0905 said:
A friend of mine and myself got into a bit of a disagreement last night over bestbuy etfs. Long story short he got a phone from bb cancelled the service and kept the phone. Will bb come after him with a etf?
I know sprint didn't charge him a etf but will bb come after him for a etf! I made a $75 bet with him that bb would come after him with a seperate etf. But he showed me his receipt/contract paperwork and other than the info about sprint etf, there's NOTHING that states anything about bb etfs. And he paid with cash so its not like bb can just charge his credit card. I searched google and everything and really didnt find any info on this. I know companies like wirefly, letstalk etc charge their own etf if you cancel service and don't return the device. Which they even indicate when you go through their application process and is also indicated in their paperwork.
So my question is, am I out of $75? Did I just lose this bet against this fool...lol? If someone have any insight into this, it'll help me out a lot. I'd love to show him some post that bb is going to come after him. So let me know what you all think.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you lost yourself 75 bucks .... as far as I can remember when you purchase an item from a store that authorized to sale the item you are only under contract with the item provider.
Bestbuy typically give you instant rebates at the register because they send their rebates directly to the manufacturers and not the provider. Hence it is no lost to them only the provider who takes the hit
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
craigbailey1986 said:
I believe you lost yourself 75 bucks .... as far as I can remember when you purchase an item from a store that authorized to sale the item you are only under contract with the item provider.
Bestbuy typically give you instant rebates at the register because they send their rebates directly to the manufacturers and not the provider. Hence it is no lost to them only the provider who takes the hit
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow..are you serious. I kinda thought that I may lose the bet because there was nothing mentioned in the paperwork about a bb etf and if it was I didn't find it. I thought bb was just like wirefly and letstalk.com when it comes to cancelling service. But like I said sprint cancelled the service with no questions asked. Oh well...if I lose, I'll pay up...lol.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
plmiller0905 said:
Wow..are you serious. I kinda thought that I may lose the bet because there was nothing mentioned in the paperwork about a bb etf and if it was I didn't find it. I thought bb was just like wirefly and letstalk.com when it comes to cancelling service. But like I said sprint cancelled the service with no questions asked. Oh well...if I lose, I'll pay up...lol.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
from my knowledge you don't sign a contract with BB, just sprint
Are you your friend's personal accountant or money manager? I mean even if he gets an ETF all he has to do is say he didn't and collect your money lol
deathsled said:
Are you your friend's personal accountant or money manager? I mean even if he gets an ETF all he has to do is say he didn't and collect your money lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I'm not...and he better not play me like that...lol. We made bets before in the past and he paid up....
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
Sorry dude but as an employee of bb mobile I can tell you that you just lost $75. An etf is strictly through the carrier. After the contract is signed we have no part in it.
nyclone03 said:
Sorry dude but as an employee of bb mobile I can tell you that you just lost $75. An etf is strictly through the carrier. After the contract is signed we have no part in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok..then...look like I'll be paying up.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
ETF
If anything he will get a Sprint etf. It wont show up for a month or 2 as was the case when I switched From At&t. Best buy is in the cell phone business, not the carrier business which subsidizes the cost of the phone so they cannot charge an etf
Clarify the bet with him because I'm sure Sprint didn't give him a hassle about canceling but he will get a separate bill from Sprint for the remainder of his contract. Around $200 for early cancellation.
You said he paid cash. did he pay the whole amount or contract price, and did he cancel in the first 30 days? Not sure if BB does does the same but the store I got mine from told me if I canceled without returning the phone they would charge me an additional $250 for it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Not sure how Best Buy works, but I know that where I work, if you sign a contract and cancel, and DON'T bring the phone back to us, we charge a portion of the total cost.. I can't remember the amount, but that's how we do it..
Well what he did was call sprint and cancelled the service. Sprint didn't hassle him because he's well within his 30 days so they cancelled it with no questions asked. They said that he wouldn't be charge any SPRINT etf. However, he will have to pay for what he used prior to cancelling the service.
I am over his house watching the football game right now and had a chance to look at the paperwork again. And I just don't see anything that indicates a bb etf. Everything I see is in regards to sprint etf, that's it. I just thought that bb is like wirefly and letstalk. That is you have to return the device within a certain time frame if you cancel service or you'll be charged their etf. But I'm starting to think that's not the case.
Plus when I bought the Nexus S and tried to cancel my service with T-mobile, I tried to cancel my service like 3 days after I got the phone and I had to go to bb so that they can give tmobile some code that informs them that I returned the device. Sprint doesn't have a system like that. Which I know because I bought an Epic from Radioshack like 2 months ago and I returned it like 2 weeks later. However, before I took it back to radioshack, I called sprint to cancel the line that the Epic was on and they cancelled it with no questions asked again. Radioshack gave me my money back and I went to Sprint and bought me a brand new Evo for full price, I believe $500.
Oh well, I'll be paying $75 this Friday. thanks everyone for all your responses.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
Cole28 said:
You said he paid cash. did he pay the whole amount or contract price, and did he cancel in the first 30 days? Not sure if BB does does the same but the store I got mine from told me if I canceled without returning the phone they would charge me an additional $250 for it.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He paid contract price. But even if they told him about a possible bb etf if he were to cancel service and not return the device, its not indicated anywhere in the paperwork. They gave him copies of everything he signed and and not one indicates a bb etf.
This was sent shifting on my EVO Shift 4G using Tapatalk
This is an interesting scenario, especially if the device was paid for by cash.
Although the receipt has his sprint info, I don't think BB can go after sprint to collect anything, as they are an authorized third party seller in this case.
Now, there is this clause on the receipt under SERVICE AND SERVICE OPTIONS
....Thank you for purchasing your sprint phone and service at Best Buy. If you wish to change or cancel your Service please return with your phone to a best buy store.
As stated previously, BB is not in the carrier business, they are merely a third party reseller of sprint products. Also, nowhere on the receipt is anything else stipulated regarding cancellation of service and potential fees that may be charged [by best buy].
So, this may very well fall through the cracks.
Btw, some other resellers such as amazon and wirefly do have clauses that say if you cancel service within 180 days, you will be charged additional etf's outside of what the carrier may charge you.
ymmv.
Subscribed! <popcorn emoticon>
I believe Sprint will send a bill, and if he does not pay they will lock the ESN.
I can't speak for Best Buy since I've never worked there but I know Radioshack (and CompUSA before they went out of business) charge their own etfs if the service was cancelled within 90 days without the device being returned. At CompUSA you would get a separate paper contract about this additional etf. At Radioshack you get an electronic contract that shows up on the Verifone credit card device that requires the customer to read and sign that mentions this separate etf. I'm not sure if this is also mentioned on the receipt or not, I've never actually read it.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
This is something Sprint has recently changed. Anytime a new account (within 30 days) is going to cancelled, the phone must be returned to the original point of purchase, meaning if he purchased it at BB, Sprint will not cancel the service, Best Buy has to contact NSS and have them process the 30-day cancellation. In your particular instance, if someone at Sprint cancelled them, he got lucky. In normal instances, your friend would not be allowed to cancel over the phone, meaning if he kept the phone past 30 days he'd be under contract with Sprint and then your friend would be charged $200 ETF if he chose to cancel or keep receiving Sprint bills until his account was disconnected and sent to collections.
Your friend, was really lucky to have spoken with a new hire that mistakingly cancelled the account (or line).
I, like many others I assume, bought the Xoom from Best Buy on a month-to-month Verizon contract with the intention of canceling the contract immediately. Today I called and tried to cancel the contract and had a frustrating 60 minute phone call. The agent, working with her supervisor, was telling me that there is no way I can possibly cancel my plan with them and that if she were to cancel my account, my Xoom would become a brick. She told me that in order to get the device to work in wifi only mode I would have to return it to Best Buy and go to a Verizon store to purchase one with Wifi only. She indicates that there is no way possible to convert my existing device, even if I brought it into a Verizon Wireless store. I just got off the phone and she said she will be calling me back after contacting the best buy store on my behalf and trying to work out a solution.
Has anyone had success with this situation? What did you do? Is there a secret code word I have to give to Verizon? Is she actually correct... if she cancels my account will my Xoom turn into a brick?
There is no wifi model yet. Turning off your cell service shouldn't brick your tablet. I would call back and talk to a different rep.
Don't have one yet. But that is just BS. Call them back and just cancel it. If they say it will be a brick (complete lie) then tell them so be it. You want nothing to do with Verizon. You only wanted the Xoom.
They sold you a load of crap. There's no tie in to the OS and cell service. Tell them to cancel your account and you'll "risk" it. Verizon has been known to say anything to keep people from canceling...its happened before.
i just wanted to clarify. the person you talked to was full of bull.
i walked out of best buy with an unactivated tablet (meaning no verizon data) and wifi and everything works beautifully.
also i would like to point out the obvious error with this "reps" logic. if a tablet without verizon data was a brick, it wouldn't be possible to activate one in the first place.
She is insinuating that it will brick the device because it was set up with Verizon in the first place. That is the only fear I have... that there is some sort IMEI check when the device boots and if it can't authenticate with a Verizon tower it will fail in the bootloader.
If that was the case, they wouldn't be able to sell tablets without Verizon service. I imagine they would also be looking at a major lawsuit if people couldn't cancel the service.
I can't be the only one that is trying to do this... would someone who has done this please give me some peace of mind?
padanfain said:
She is insinuating that it will brick the device because it was set up with Verizon in the first place. That is the only fear I have... that there is some sort IMEI check when the device boots and if it can't authenticate with a Verizon tower it will fail in the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, again, i would like to point out that if you were out of range of a tower (which can and does happen that would result in a "brick" as you call it).
your fine, call cancel be happy.
padanfain said:
I, like many others I assume, bought the Xoom from Best Buy on a month-to-month Verizon contract with the intention of canceling the contract immediately. Today I called and tried to cancel the contract and had a frustrating 60 minute phone call. The agent, working with her supervisor, was telling me that there is no way I can possibly cancel my plan with them and that if she were to cancel my account, my Xoom would become a brick. She told me that in order to get the device to work in wifi only mode I would have to return it to Best Buy and go to a Verizon store to purchase one with Wifi only. She indicates that there is no way possible to convert my existing device, even if I brought it into a Verizon Wireless store. I just got off the phone and she said she will be calling me back after contacting the best buy store on my behalf and trying to work out a solution.
Has anyone had success with this situation? What did you do? Is there a secret code word I have to give to Verizon? Is she actually correct... if she cancels my account will my Xoom turn into a brick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She lied to you. The first CS Rep gave me trouble to, but a seperate completely bull**** story. She told me that since I went to costco, and they are an "indirect retailer", that I would have to go to them to cancel the line.
After calling Costco I was informed that this wasn't true, and that Verizon lies . She told me to make up a story that I needed to cancel the data plan because I couldn't use it right now but I would be reactivating in a few months.
Due to impatience, and stubbornness I called Verizon again, without a fake story, just adding that I'd been "misled" by one CS Rep, and that I had already called Costco. The second rep was very helpful, did my cancellation with no problem. She informed me, as I already knew, that the device would work perfectly fine without activation. At this point I had skipped activation and hadn't use a single byte of Verizon data and had been using wifi for hours.
When you call, and get a better rep, make sure that they waive the activation fee, as it's not automatically waived when doing a quick cancellation.
So to recap.
Don't Take No For An Answer.
Inform them that your device is off contract, and you are keeping it, just getting rid of the data plan.
Make sure they waive the activation fee.
You're device will not brick, and you can just turn off verizon data in the settings.
So YES. I have successfully cancelled month-to-month data and kept a fully functional XOOM.
padanfain said:
I can't be the only one that is trying to do this... would someone who has done this please give me some peace of mind?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just call again and get it done. You called Verizon right and not Best Buy. Verizon can easily do this they are just trying to keep you on your data plan. Threaten if that you dont have your plan canceled then you will report them to the BBB. Im sure that will get you some attention
I work for Verizon in customer service and we had a training the other day that stated if a customer signs a two year contract and gets a discount and then cancels the data plan within the two years they will be charged the 200 difference. I hope this is not true and just something they told us, but for your case I again hope it isn't true. Good luck man and I will try to find out more today at work.
call them back. My cancel phone call took 30 seconds, I explained the situation, she said ok let me cancel that...... there you go, activation fee waived, service canceled. We'll let you know about the 4g upgrade.
padanfain said:
She is insinuating that it will brick the device because it was set up with Verizon in the first place. That is the only fear I have... that there is some sort IMEI check when the device boots and if it can't authenticate with a Verizon tower it will fail in the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, that does not happen.
First, Verizon has officially said you do not need service to purchase the device anymore. Motorola will sell you the Xoom directly without service.
Second, when you start the device for the first time it asks you to begin the setup which the first step is to activate the device on Verizon. Immediately under it states you can continue with wifi setup by click the button.
The OS is not locked. This was mearly a strong arm approach by Verizon and Best Buy to get at least 1 month ($20) of service and connection fee ($35) from anyone purchasing.
angermeans said:
I work for Verizon in customer service and we had a training the other day that stated if a customer signs a two year contract and gets a discount and then cancels the data plan within the two years they will be charged the 200 difference. I hope this is not true and just something they told us, but for your case I again hope it isn't true. Good luck man and I will try to find out more today at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They key point is that he didn't sign a contract. He is on a month-to-month plan with no obligation to continue service.He did not get a subsidized price. This is how I purchased mine.
EDIT: I could be wrong. The OP says "month to month" which implies no contract, but then states he's on a contract. Hmm....
She called me back and after talking to best buy she did exactly what I told her to do in the first place -- cancelled my account and prorated my two day's usage which was 1.50. I had to pay the activation fee. I know there are others who didn't, but frankly, after arguing with them for an hour just to cancel, I really didn't feel like having it out again with them just for $35 bucks -- my time is worth more than that.
Thanks for all the responses guys and gals.
Wow, I'm glad I didn't end up picking one up from costco given all the hassle to cancel with Verizon. Ugh, don't think I'm ever going to activate it based on this.
Sent from my EVO using XDA App
padanfain said:
She called me back and after talking to best buy she did exactly what I told her to do in the first place -- cancelled my account and prorated my two day's usage which was 1.50. I had to pay the activation fee. I know there are others who didn't, but frankly, after arguing with them for an hour just to cancel, I really didn't feel like having it out again with them just for $35 bucks -- my time is worth more than that.
Thanks for all the responses guys and gals.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just FYI, I think there's a 72hr return policy on the activation fee. A google search will get you verification.
I just called and cancelled. Took 5 minutes. Device still works just fine! I just have to pay for the 1 day of usage.
padanfain said:
She called me back and after talking to best buy she did exactly what I told her to do in the first place -- cancelled my account and prorated my two day's usage which was 1.50. I had to pay the activation fee. I know there are others who didn't, but frankly, after arguing with them for an hour just to cancel, I really didn't feel like having it out again with them just for $35 bucks -- my time is worth more than that.
Thanks for all the responses guys and gals.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They gave me ****, i just told them i know it can be canceled and i don't want the data package. You have 72 hours to cancel and not pay the activation. If you did sign a contract, then yes you will have to pay the ETF.
Is ebay the only current way to buy a xoom without having to sign a contract and cancel it?
I got mine at Best Buy and I bought it without any contract at all. I had nothing to cancel, still paid the $799.00 plus tax.
They said that they got an email from Verizon authorizing them to sell it without any contract.
800$ at best buy (with wifi unlocked) as previously mentioned.
If you are interested in still having 3g without the contract, you will have to take it into Verizon after your purchase (you may be able to just do this at Best Buy) to activate your device on their network. You can't activate it right off the device like the iPad.
Here is the plan you are looking at (without signing a contract)
20$=1gig/mo 35$=3gig/mo 50$=5 gigs/mo or 80$=10 gigs/mo
The plan you'll be choosing is called month to month, and although you will not sign a contract, they will still run a credit check, so if you have bad credit, you will need to pay a security deposit. If you don't, you will not pay anything at the time of activation because it's not a prepayed plan (Verizon only has prepaid plans available for smart phones). You will pay your bill at the end of the month, and if you go over your allotted data, you will be charged 10$/gig (I'm pretty sure about that one, but you might want to ask). Also, you're first bill will come with surcharges and activation fees that will equal up to 65$ plus the price of the plan you choose.
Canceling your month to month plan will not charge anything, however getting it reassigned will cost an additional 15$
i got mine at vzw and motorola without having to sign a contract
good to know about best buy. Thanks!
I got mine @ Costco with no contract (90 days to return with no restocking charge!)
djsaad1 said:
Is ebay the only current way to buy a xoom without having to sign a contract and cancel it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy direct from Moto and most likely avoid taxes, and get a free case and free 2 day shipping.
BBruin66 said:
You can buy direct from Moto and most likely avoid taxes, and get a free case and free 2 day shipping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Moto site taxed me. Pennsylvania
BBruin66 said:
You can buy direct from Moto and most likely avoid taxes, and get a free case and free 2 day shipping.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False, they do tax everyone.
Free case offer has ended on the Motorola site.
What u mean wifi unlocked? Does it mean that if I buy the tablet from moto site it comes with locked wifi?
RadDudeTommy said:
800$ at best buy (with wifi unlocked) as previously mentioned.
If you are interested in still having 3g without the contract, you will have to take it into Verizon after your purchase (you may be able to just do this at Best Buy) to activate your device on their network. You can't activate it right off the device like the iPad.
Here is the plan you are looking at (without signing a contract)
20$=1gig/mo 35$=3gig/mo 50$=5 gigs/mo or 80$=10 gigs/mo
The plan you'll be choosing is called month to month, and although you will not sign a contract, they will still run a credit check, so if you have bad credit, you will need to pay a security deposit. If you don't, you will not pay anything at the time of activation because it's not a prepayed plan (Verizon only has prepaid plans available for smart phones). You will pay your bill at the end of the month, and if you go over your allotted data, you will be charged 10$/gig (I'm pretty sure about that one, but you might want to ask). Also, you're first bill will come with surcharges and activation fees that will equal up to 65$ plus the price of the plan you choose.
Canceling your month to month plan will not charge anything, however getting it reassigned will cost an additional 15$
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
tlogank said:
False, they do tax everyone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Inphinitizeit said:
Free case offer has ended on the Motorola site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oops. Stand corrected on both counts. Can you get it anywhere tax free? Amazon?
If I'm not mistaken Motorola has to charge state tax everywhere they have a physical shop. Since there's nothing like a "motorola store" maybe it's linked to Verizon? And they seem to be present in all states I had to pay MD state tax b/c I couldn't find the motorola shop directly on amazon or else I'd done that!
Wife wants me to wait for the wifi only version, at least there is one rational person in the family. Hopefully it will be out soon.
djsaad1 said:
Wife wants me to wait for the wifi only version, at least there is one rational person in the family. Hopefully it will be out soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying real hard to wait for this one too. Any word on when?
outbackpaul said:
I'm trying real hard to wait for this one too. Any word on when?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No word anywhere yet... All we got is Sanjay Jha saying it will be priced at/around 600$...
Don't try getting the Costco 90 day returnable Xoom without the month to month contract. They apparently are still on the policy requiring you to sign up (with credit check) before you can purchase through them.
I went around that whole thing including talking to the manager at Costco and the Regional Manager of the kiosk telling them they are the only ones following that old policy.
shadowclock said:
Don't try getting the Costco 90 day returnable Xoom without the month to month contract. They apparently are still on the policy requiring you to sign up (with credit check) before you can purchase through them.
I went around that whole thing including talking to the manager at Costco and the Regional Manager of the kiosk telling them they are the only ones following that old policy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was the first one to buy at my local Costco on launch day and was told the same thing. I kept forcing the Verizon kiosk guy to keep calling people until someone finally told him that it is no longer required.
keitht said:
I was the first one to buy at my local Costco on launch day and was told the same thing. I kept forcing the Verizon kiosk guy to keep calling people until someone finally told him that it is no longer required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've decided to call their headquarters and get it handled that way....maybe if I complain and tell them what I went through I could get it cheaper
So I picked up my xoom on launch day and was forced to signup for the minimum 3g data. I decided to try out the 3g service and ended up using it for an hour or so figured I would just get charged for just the data I use. The same day I called up and cancelled my service and was told that I would be credited for my activation fee, and will just be charged for the service that I use.
Yesterday I received my verizon bill and the charge for full month of data usage $20 is on there ans also the activation fee of $35... I gotta tell you I was not happy! I called them up and the rep told me that I will be credited for all of it and should have a $0 bill. I will check back in tomorrow since I dont trust them anymore.
So just wanted to post here to warn you if you called to cancel your service with Verizon.. call back again and make sure u are in fact cancelled and will be credited. You cant trust Verizon's shady practice....
Where did you pick up your XOOM? I got mine from a Verizon corporate store and I wasn't forced to sign up for any 3G service. I currently only use it as WiFi only.
I got a letter from Verizon that my statement was available for viewing online and that my lines have been disconnected. It mentions paying the bill online with no amount.
you should get a refund. Verizon cancelled having to get a data plan before the release so your salesperson was either poorly educated or wanted the commission.
spiderboyy said:
Where did you pick up your XOOM? I got mine from a Verizon corporate store and I wasn't forced to sign up for any 3G service. I currently only use it as WiFi only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iDroidNow said:
you should get a refund. Verizon cancelled having to get a data plan before the release so your salesperson was either poorly educated or wanted the commission.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased mine on launch day at Costco, I believe they are still requiring people to sign up for monthly service..
All wireless carriers are like, they try to get whatever they can out of you anyway they can. I had sprint try to charge me for an activation fee 2 months after they waived it lol.
harajuka said:
So I picked up my xoom on launch day and was forced to signup for the minimum 3g data. I decided to try out the 3g service and ended up using it for an hour or so figured I would just get charged for just the data I use. The same day I called up and cancelled my service and was told that I would be credited for my activation fee, and will just be charged for the service that I use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I picked mine up last monday, tried BestBuy, but they were sold out, so I went to the Vz store, and they were trying to force me on a data plan. I told them they were wrong about their own policy and that is was already widely known that Vz actually canceled that requirement. The guy talked with a lady rep that tried to look important while avoiding customers, and she made some calls and did some browsing on facebook or something, and 10 minutes later, I walked out with a Xoom without a 3G plan. Supposedly that morning the plan-requirement got canceled. SUUURE, LOL
harajuka said:
So I picked up my xoom on launch day and was forced to signup for the minimum 3g data. I decided to try out the 3g service and ended up using it for an hour or so figured I would just get charged for just the data I use. The same day I called up and cancelled my service and was told that I would be credited for my activation fee, and will just be charged for the service that I use.
Yesterday I received my verizon bill and the charge for full month of data usage $20 is on there ans also the activation fee of $35... I gotta tell you I was not happy! I called them up and the rep told me that I will be credited for all of it and should have a $0 bill. I will check back in tomorrow since I dont trust them anymore.
So just wanted to post here to warn you if you called to cancel your service with Verizon.. call back again and make sure u are in fact cancelled and will be credited. You cant trust Verizon's shady practice....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exact same thing happened to me. I got mine through Best Buy.
It's likely that the bill was sent out automatically based on the transaction that occurred in the store, and that the cancelling hadn't processed through the system yet. That, and some stores hadn't yet gotten word that the policy regarding a required 3G activation was no longer in effect.
So, no reason to think that Verizon's doing anything "shady" here.
If you actually look at the bill it will most likely be for aprox three days and billed in advanced. This is standard for all new service.
With disconnecting anything paid forward and not used is automatically refunded to you.
So the bill is most likely correct.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Benkr0n said:
If you actually look at the bill it will most likely be for aprox three days and billed in advanced. This is standard for all new service.
With disconnecting anything paid forward and not used is automatically refunded to you.
So the bill is most likely correct.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree and not only that but you can't just "pay for what you use" since you decidedly used the service you [should] have been forced'to pay for a month. Under an older plan if you would have used the service and then cancelled in the middle of the billing cycle it would have prorated your bill and your alotted amount of usage (example. If you use 200 MB and then cancel the next day with the 1gb plan then your 1gb is prorated to about 34mb making you liable for 164mb at whatever the rate overage). You knowingly using the service and signing the contract accepted the terms and conditions and I wouldmt be surprised if he ends up with a bill much like you stated with a months usage and a month in advance. I don't see how the OP starts a thread "don't trust verizon" when he/she knowingly signed the terms and cond and also used the service. Next time watch ehat your doing and you better be happy you got a rep that helped you out because he/she def didn't have to.
did they refund ur activation fee?