Avoiding contracts by paying full price for phone?

Is it possible to pay full price for a phone to avoid a contract, or is an InPulse Plan the only way to avoid a contract?

Thanks.

sure you can pay full price. but since you wont find a phone for less that $169.99 and the early term fee is only $175 (-$5 each month fulfilled). it's really a fools choice unless you have poor credit.

Actually, I think I came up with a good way to avoid paying full price and also avoid a contract: Buy a prepaid phone, then convert it to a postpaid plan.

The drawback is that there are only a few prepaid phones available.

Another option, of course, is to buy a used phone on eBay. I'm pretty sure that Verizon will then allow you to sign up for postpaid service without a contract.

If you buy a prepaid phone, and convert it to a postpaid line then you still end up with a contract most the time, 12 months. Unless you have a line with us already and you're just getting the phone as a replacement, then it's just the price of the phone upon purchase.

I hope someone can help me here. I have 2 lines on VW family share plan. I am going to port my nextel number to make it 3 lines. I have a used verizon phone so I dont need to get one from VW. I just hung up w/them after being told that even though I have my own phone I have to sign at least a one year contract. WHY? I thought the ETF was so the provider could get thier money back on the free/discounted phone you get when you sign up. If thats not the case in this situation why do I have to sign a contract and then pay xxx amt of money if I terminate?
I said well if your going to force me into a 1 yr contract what kind of phone deal will you give mefor signing this ONE yr contract? "we will match any deal you see on the vw website" I said ok, how much for the Glyde? "right now it's $99.00" So again I stress the ONE YEAR contract. I can get the Glyde for 99 bucks for a 1 yr contract? "oh a 1 yr contract? thats the 2 yr price. let me look into that. $150. for 1 yr" Ok, you said there are a few free phones I can get for a 1 yr contract. which ones are the free ones? "oh we only offer one for a 1 yr contract and we dont have any of those left" bottom line, I HAVE to sign a 1 yr contract even though I have my own phone. the cheapest price I can pay for a phone w/a 1 yr contract is $100.00. I am beyond upset about this. I feel trapped as I have to switch to VZ but refuse to ever be under contract w/anyone ever again. Why cant I just add my line, porting my number, to my already existing family share plan? Is this legitimate or are they trying to pull something over on me?

Nothing being pulled over on you. Yes, it is indeed unfortunate that so many companies use contracts. Nobody likes contracts except the creators right? I guess you'll have to commit to VZW for at least that $100 if you want to activate your own equipment with their service. Don't forget to inquire about the activation fee, I'm almost certain you'll get one of those.

thank you for answering. I'm not happy about this at all. and the reasons they gave me for having to be under at least a 1 yr contract upset me.
1-because we give you a free or discounted phone
I have my own phone
2-because we are giving you a phone number on our service to use
I'm porting my number
3-because we are letting you use our towers, svc, etc every month
Isnt that what my bill is for? to pay for the use of those things and the calls I make/receive?
4-because it's just policy. EVERY cell phone provider makes you sign at least a 1 yr contract
Just felt like a major runaround.
thanks, I appreciate your help.

Yeah, I think the last answer there should have been the first one delivered to you. It's the system, and there aren't too many ways of breaking contract rules. Sorry for your run-around

thanks dude

Not to bring up an old topic or anything (well, okay, maybe just a little bit, but still.)

Verizon started allowing people to be on a contract plan (ie, this many minutes a month for this price a month) on a month by month basis, without signing a contract BUT only if the phone you pick out is purchased at the full retail value.

I'd expect AT&T, T-Mob, and Sprint to follow suit soon enough.

The down side to this, a very expensive phone.

The up side? No contract. Pay month to month and you don't sign a contract.

BONUS!

LoL

Avoiding contracts by paying full price for phone?

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