So it looks like a new Curve without activation is around $350 on Ebay and about $450 at Verizon Wireless stores. Online you can buy the Curve with a new 2 year contract for about $99.

The early termination fee for the line is $175. Does this mean i can buy the phone for $99, pay the $175 early termination fee and pretty much make out with a brand new curve for around $275?

This seems too simple and I'm worried they will tell me to return the phone as well..

What do you guys think?

 

I think you can do that.

 

Sounds like it should work. I would go to a Verizon store and ask - without giving them any personal information.

Then go to another store to buy it.

What network are you on?

 

Hopefully he's on Verizon because it will only work with Verizon.

 

I'm on Verizon, as is my girlfriend, i was going to get her the Curve for Xmas and if i can save about $200 doing it this way I will.

 

I guess I'm not completely following then. If she's going to need to use Verizon, why not just have her get it with a contract. You pay $99 for the phone and she pays for service.

If you are adding her to your account (family share) then you should still be able to get the 2 year contract price. The only way this wouldn't work is if she is already on your account and isn't elligible for a new phone yet.

 

Well she isn't eligible for an upgrade yet, neither am I. So we would have to pay full price, im just thinking if I do it this way i can save $200, as long as when i terminate they let me keep the phone.

 

Gotcha. Then go into a store anonymously and ask, just to make sure.

 

Im going to call from my house phone. I think i should be safe, if its ok i'll just go to BestBuy and pick it up. I even have a gift card there so that helps. The people in the Verizon store are always clueless anyways.

K, going to call now and I'll report back with the verdict!

 

If you add her to your plan, you won't have to pay full price for the phone.

BTW, I saw some on ebay for less than $300.

 

This guy must love the company he works for. He got pissed that I would even ask that, he said it was unethical this and that. I said i didn't ask you about ethics, is this doable. He said no, if you are not into a year of the contract and terminate not only are you liable for the termination fee but also the difference between retail ($429.99) and the promotional contract price ($99.99) which is about $320. So $320 + the early termination fee. At least thats what he told me.

I was just surprised he got so upset that i was trying to "get around the system"

Oh well, i guess ebay it is...

 

Don't really want to add her to my plan. Cause then she'd still have her own line or still have to pay that early termination fee.

Yea i did too, but i want to get her a brand new phone.

 

Get her a Storm. IMO, $300 is way too much for a curve. Especially since the Storm and Bold are out.

 

I was thinking of it but she has the LG Venus now and HATES touchscreen, so thats kinda out of the question. It looks like an awesome phone though. I would get her the Bold if they had them for Verizon. My boss has one and it is nice!

 

Yes, You can do that. It makes no sense to me, but I've done that before as well.

 

?

Just bought it for $329 good enough, no hassle.

 

I meant, It makes no sense to me on how they allow that. Why price the phone so high that its cheaper for someone to sign up again and then cancel?

 

Yea but they said if you cancel before a year into the contract you have to pay the difference between retail and the 2 year price.

 

Really? I know stores like radio shack, charges an equipment fee, but I didn't think the carriers did.