Recent Verizon phone buyers get $200 Visa debit card toward iPhone 4 upgrade

Mac Daily News ^ | Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - 02:02 PM EST

[Swordmaker]

Verizon Wireless has posted their Apple iPhone 4 Frequently Asked Questions.

Two of the FAQ's concern anyone who wasn't paying attention for the last few months or got a pretend iPhone as a "gift" this past holiday season:

Q: I just purchased a new smartphone during the holiday season, but if I knew that iPhone 4 was going to be available soon I would have waited. What are my options now?

A: Current Verizon customers who purchased and activated new smartphones, feature phones or certified pre-owned phones between 11/26/2010, and 01/10/2011, are eligible to receive up to a $200 Visa debit card when they purchase an iPhone 4 at full retail price by 02/28/2011 and return their existing phone. Note: This offer is only available on consumer accounts with five lines or less, who are purchasing iPhone 4 through Verizon Wireless retail stores, telesales, or through verizonwireless.com.

Q: Can I exchange a device that I recently purchased for iPhone?

A: Yes, we will gladly accept returns or make exchanges on all wireless devices and accessories purchased from Verizon Wireless within 30 days of purchase (14 days for tablets). To make an exchange, return the merchandise (including device, charger, battery, instructions, and any other components) in the ORIGINAL box. All merchandise must be in like-new condition and accompanied by the original receipt. Shipping charges may apply to exchange merchandise sent to you by Verizon Wireless. A restocking fee of $35 ($70 for netbooks and tablets) applies to any second return or exchange of a wireless device (excluding Hawaii).

Verizon Wireless' full iPhone 4 FAQ is here.

MacDailyNews Take: Dump that lump of coal, boys and girls!

[Swordmaker]

If you recently got a Verizon phone and want to upgrade to a Verizon iPhone4, here's good news... PING!

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[the invisib1e hand]

Phone carriers are basically selling air. The more people they get to buy it, the better. Theoretical profit is unlimited, so they can afford incentives.

[Myrddin]

My Droid on Verizon 3g was great until December
when LTE was activated. Now my 3g service drops
to 1x frequently. Streaming audio stutters on 1x.
The new iPhone 4 is a 3g device. It will be subject
to the same impaired 3g service as my Droid. I’m
waiting for an LTE device before upgrading.

[kingu]

Let me see if I understand this correctly - After paying (and signing contract) for another smartphone, if you want the iphone 4, you can bring back the other phone and give it back, and they'll give you a $200 visa card when you purchase the iphone4 at retail price?

Verizon iPhone FAQ - $199.99 for the 16GB model, and $299.99 for the 32GB model, with a new 2 year agreement. iPhone 4 will also be available for purchase at full retail price - $649.99 for the 16GB model, and $749.99 for the 32GB model.

Wow, way to stick it to your customers. If they decide to trade in their very recently purchased phone, they get nothing back for that but a $200 visa card, IF they spend $649.99 for the iPhone?

Someone at Verizon better start rethinking this policy before their customers start thinking that paying a $250 termination fee ain't that bad...

[KarenMarie]

The phone that you return will be re-sold as ‘used’ for a slight discount. If it was a ‘free’ phone with 2 yr contract, you will get $200 discount off an exorbitant phone and not really lose, except for overpaying for the new iPhone. If, like me, you paid a lot of money for your present phone, getting $200 off the full retail price of the iPhone is a very silly thing to do, imho... but ppl will be jumping at the chance to do it. I know ppl who are so thrilled to have the product available at Verizon, they did not stop to think of how they are getting fleeced. Especially since Verizon has done away with the 2yr upgrade.

[big'ol_freeper]

Evidently I am not authorized to purchase one (and shit-can my Motorola Droid) until July 2011.

[Myrddin]

The 2 yr date for my Droid falls on July 13, 2011. I have to wait until September 2011 to fix the mifi2200 to a faster device. Again, I'm feeling fleeced by the significantly poorer 3g service in San Diego since LTE was activated in Dec 2010. The new LTE devices are being configured to use LTE as primary data, 3g for voice. Fallback is 3g for both when LTE isn't available. I think we will eventually see voice and data handled identically as VOIP on LTE. Only when that is ubiquitous will the 3g networks be phased out.

[big'ol_freeper]

I don’t think we have LTE here in NE Maryland. Voice sucks on the Motorola Droid anyways. I always tell people to call my land line, or if I’m out to text me.

I could finagle an iPhone by doing a switch, since my second cell phone (wife’s phone) is eligible for the iPhone. But I’ve waited this long..I can wait till July. By then they might even have upgraded the Verizon iPhone.