yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] dashbored:
I agree we jump through a lot of hoops to apparently stay with a carrier that has one of the higher costs AND seemingly the worst phone selection of all...

Stockholm Syndrome anyone? :)

I can't speak for everyone, but here's my two cents. Despite all this BS, VZ's network is solid. I've only used VZ in my life, so I can't speak personally for other carriers. But I remember getting signals when friends on other carriers were struggling. I realize this is a dynamic situation where as they all put up new towers, the difference might not be as pronounced.

The unlimited data on VZ, at least for me, is truly unlimited. I use anywhere from 3GB to 8GB per month, with one time a 30GB month because time warner screwed up and I had no home broadband for nearly 4 weeks. I have yet to experience any throttling or any change in service. Or maybe the throttling was mild enough that I didn't notice it. The other carriers right now offering unlimited all seem to have some fine print stipulation that says they will throttle past a certain point.

Trust me... if VZ ever just kill unlimited data without any recourse, I am soooooooo out. I'd try T-Mobile first, see if the coverage is adequate for me and my family. If not, then probably AT&T. I don't know why, but AT&T seems to have the BEST phone selection of all! Always has the exclusives - HTC One 64GB, for example.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Because, a lot of people on family plans are actually paying less then what they would on T-Mobile/Sprint/AT&T for better coverage.

I already did the math for myself and considering I can get the HTC One for $100-150 compared to $500 on T-Mobile, along with the fact that my monthly bill is the same or slightly less then it would be on T-Mobile (not including phone), you can see how leaving would be a bad idea.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] raichur0xx0rz:
I would think for many people, like myself, Verizon simply has the best coverage in their respective areas. I have LTE available from ATT and Sprint in my area, but there are so many dead spots for both that, yes, I may save money or get unlimited data on Sprint, but what's the point if 8 hours of my day at work, I get 1x service, and then get on wifi at home?

I hate Verizon and ATT as much as the next guy, but some of us are just stuck with whoever is more reliable unless we move to a different location.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] shook187:
I fully understand why people choose to stay with Verizon, but a lot had to do with what was going on in the past and a lot has changed since. T Mobile and Sprint are no longer the small carriers that he used to be.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] karn101:
If all carriers were equal, that would make sense. Verizon is better for me and gives me service where others don't.

Crazy, right!?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] dashbored:
So I pulled the trigger and got it done :) Thanks man for all your help. But now I am stuck at the switch part... The new One is activated on the dumbphone line with 2GB data. However, MyVerizon still shows that "you have a device that needs to be activated" when I try to deactivate it in prep for the switch. I picked up the phone in store and the rep activated the One. I checked MyVerizon, and the donor line still has unlimited data.

It's been about an hour since the activation. Do I just need to wait longer before trying again?

Or should I go back to the store, tell them to deactivate the HTC One and put the old dumbphone line back?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] squid267:
I did today. Transferred my upgrade to my dads line. Got the One on that line. Then I swapped SIMs
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] KidJoe:
Reboot the One and wait a little longer. While it usually takes only a few minutes for a device change to clear Verizon's system, it can sometimes take a few hours, and a few years ago I ran into it taking over night.

When you are ready to switch the One to your line, Power off the One. Power on the dumb phone, dial *228, select option 1, when prompted enter phone number for the "dumb phone line" (you might also get prompted about the data feature not being compatible and will be removed), let it complete the activation and reboot the dumb phone. Once the dumb phone is back up and running, make a test call. If it works, take the SIM from your existing phone and put it in your One, turn it on and have fun.

i.e. you must put the dumb phone back into place on its line before you try the one on your "unlimited" line.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] dragonrazorz:
Thats what im trying tomorrow!
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] karn101:
I had this issue too. Called tech support and they fixed it. Tell them you want to reactivate your dumb phone on the second line but online won't let you. I called them from my One that was on my unlimited line so they won't care that you switched it.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] mzrdisi:
C'mon. Sprint doesn't even have LTE out here where I live and their service is horrible around the area. T-Mobile has Edge in about 90% of the area where I live at. I get the "Faux" G when in town, but outside of a 10 mile radius, i'm screwed. Especially where I work, you essentially go back in time 10-15 years in technology, when it comes to their service.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] force1stiptopped:
wow.. made my stomach hurt reading that.. now I feel robbed
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
So I go to VZW store, tell rep I want to upgrade my dumb phone using my unlimited line's eligible upgrade. Activate new phone on dumb line, unlimited line's contract gets extended (or just loses eligibility for another 2 years?), but remains untouched otherwise. Then, tell them I want to swap new phone to unlimted's line, and put dumb phone back on dumb line, right?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] karn101:
Correct, but I'd advise to do it online yourself. When other people get involved, sh*t happens.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
There are 2 reps I trust to handle that, otherwise I don't deal with anyone else in the store.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] macnab:
Can you guys tell me what I'm missing here?

1 - Had unlimited data plan, eligible for upgrade, Galaxy Nexus.

2 - Went to Viva and bought the HTC one, (2 yr contract extension) made sure to check boxes saying "keep existing plan" when checking out

3 - Worried when they checked my credit, but...

4 - Pretty sure I kept my existing plan when transaction complete [*]

5 - Received my phone today

6 - Took my SIM from my GNexus and put it in my One

7 - Set up everything (email, app, etc)

8 - Logged into Verizon Wireless - I still have unlimited data. (see pic)

I feel like I'm missing something.

- Mac

[*]WTF!!! why was tax $61.85? - that makes no sense even if they charged my 8.75% sales tax on 599.99, that's still only $52.50.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] karn101:
[MENTION=5413841]macnab[/MENTION]

That's awesome! Did not think that would work, so congrats.

As for the tax, I would call them and have them fix that. That is WAY too high. Almost 60% tax!
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Anyone able to successfully do the alternate upgrade method using a purchase from a 3rd party like dell? I was on the phone and they said something about having to keep the phone on the same line for 181 days or something like that.

I don't think that's true and I'll be getting my phone sometime late this week/early next to find out. But I did the upgrade on a dumb phone line so it shouldn't impact my main one. Planning to activate on dumb phone line then switch over to my line.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
Damn, there nearest Viva Movil is 200 miles away.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] KidJoe:
3rd parties can have their own terms and conditions, such as keeping phone active for xx days or months, in order to receive discounts, etc.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] bwthor20:
Tried this too, but got nervous at the screen where you select which line to upgrade. This warning comes up saying unlimited isn't available.

Did you see this?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] MajikUF:
I'd be interested to see what happens when you hit the end of your billing cycle. You might still be in the middle of the cycle.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] macnab:
method eyquil

No I did not see that during my process. I don't have a share plan, and that may be a key factor.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
I don't have a 'share everything plan' either. Just the old school family plan where every line has its own data. I still see that warning when I go to the cart.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] macnab:
I would not go forward if you see that explicit warning. (sorry) I don't have a family plan. I'd bet if I went to any kind of family or shared plan they'd take unlimited data away from me.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Yea, I didn't go through with it there. I just ended up going to VZW and buying it there for $140. I was also able to get credit for the upgrade fee so it ends up being ~110 + tax. Not too bad.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] macnab:
Nice work. Beat me, I'm still trying to get my tax money back from Viva.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Ah, that should have read 170 - 30 upgrade = 140 + tax. I ended up paying around 15x for it but I get to pick it up today.

I imagine Viva would have charged me tax + 30 upgrade fee which I can do nothing about. So ~$130 + tax which is close enough for me to be okay with it.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] dashbored:
Sorry if this has been asked before, but how were you able to get credit for the upgrade fee? Please share :)
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Contacted support, asked about this mystical 'upgrade fee'. Asked if they could do something to help me. They CAN NOT 'waive' the fee from the order. But they can offer you credit in your current billing cycle to offset the cost.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Really? I've been on sprint and t-mobile already. They suck big balls.

Sprint customer for a decade. They would never give me more than 2 lines despite always paying on time because of bankruptcy.

Switched to t-mobile. No problems having up to 5 lines. But even living and working in San Antonio, I had horrible service. We had 3 total service outages in 18 months. And as soon as I got to work, my signal would die (work at hospital). I was told I could roam on AT&T, that was a lie. As long as t-mobile has coverage in your area, they won't let you roam.

Verizon might cost more, but having a solid network is important. I don't agree with their practices, but they have the network. And I joined right before the unlimited died and now I have 2 unlimited and 2 2gb lines that I use for upgrades. I've had no problems swapping contracts to keep unlimited and unfortunately my wife uses over 30gb a month, so I can't steal hers.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] APeaceofStrange:
Seems like all these loopholes require a family plan correct? I have an individual plan and want to get the one, but wanna avoid paying full price.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] dragonrazorz:
Just transfered my upgrade to my 2nd line (tiered) and upgraded it to the HTC One. Got the phone, activated on the tiered line, deactivated it, and now its activated on my unlimited line \(^_^)/
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] ppd0526:
Does anyone see a message similar to this when they go to the 'Upgrade Device' page on the My Verizon section of the verizonwireless.com website?

It shows up at the top and has the line I used grayed. I just want to confirm I didn't do anything wrong. The rep in the store activated the phone on the line, then activated the old one. I went home and switched my line to the new phone and put sim card in there.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] bwthor20:
I don't have the Share Plan either. I have Nationwide Talk & Text with 1400 minutes. I have two 4G lines with unlimited.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] karn101:
This happened to me and others. Just call tech support and they'll fix it.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] SwiftLegend:
What I did when I got my Note 2 and what I will do when I finally pick this up is:

1. Upgrade was under my line, switched it over to my dad's, which is on 2 GB of data

2. Had him get the phone on his line

3. Switched the Note 2 onto my line and reactivated his iPhone on his line, allowing me keep my unlimited data

The Verizon rep that was helping me didn't know how to do this but the his coworker did and explained it to him.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] bahill:
Just worked for me.

Nationwide Talk&Text 700 Family share plan, 2 smartphones, 2 dumbphones.

Transferred the upgrade on my unlimited data smartphone to one of the dumbphones, bought the One on that line, activated it on that line.

Swapped the sim from my GNex into the One, booted up and was immediately back on my line.

Didn't have any luck with *228 on the dumbphone, so I had to call to get it reactivated. This was completed easily, no questions asked.

Good stuff! Now to play with my new phone! :good:
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
Sounds like your talking about my account lol. Should be getting mine tomorrow.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] Insertnamehere12:
I just upgraded to the one and kept my unlimited data.

Had to transfer an upgrade from a family line, but this will only work if you go through a third party retailer (like Best Buy Mobile)

I argued with verizon for 45 mins trying to find a way to get this phone with unlimted data, or enough data to suffice for my use w./o increasing the bill.

Their only solution was to upgrade the phone on an alternate line, and leave it there for 24 hours before I manually did an ESN switch MYSELF.

Had a manager tell me that if any Verizon employee was caught doing an ESN swap to an unlimited data plan line, after an upgrade on a sub line, would be considered Commission Fraud and the employee would be fired.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Verizon did my upgrade swaps 4 times so I think you got bad info. You have to do it online or in store though. I chose to do it in store.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] bikercr:
I have family plan with four lines. Bought phone through Newegg on smartphone line that had already lost unlimited but had upgrade pending. When I received HTC One I simply activated it on my unlimited line. Did this by calling customer support and gave them the ESN for the new phone. They had me swap in my SIM card from my old phone on that line (the unlimited line that I was placing the new HTC One on). Unlimited data on my line was unaffected. The donor line phone stopped working. Called support to reinstall same phone that was previously on that line. Quick and easy. This is how to do it if you're buying new phone on another line for your own still-unlimited line. No need to activate new phone on the donor line first!
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] typeriz:
Why are you guys doing esn swaps? I just pop the SIM card from old phone to my new phone and don't even call it in. And it works.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] oletheos:
here I what I was just told. they could not do it in store but do it online and upgrade the dumb phone then when it get it do the call in to activate it but do not accept the last terms because that burns the sim to that line. once I hit cancel just call customer service and say I want to put a device on my unlimited line and give them the imie of the phone
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] bikercr:
I don't think the vzw website will register the new phone model if you don't assign the new ESN.

---------- Post added at 10:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:27 AM ----------

All that is unnecessary. Just get the new phone, purchased via the upgradeable non-unlimited line, and activate it on your unlimited line directly. I did that by calling *611. They will have you swap in the old SIM from your unlimited line into the new phone. The old phone is deactivated. The old phone on the other line by which you purchased the new phone gets deactivated. Reactivate it by calling back. Nothing changes on either line except the non-unlimited line is re-upped for 2 more years. Data stays the same on both lines.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] oletheos:
my plan is so screwy anyway. its still an old alltel plan and as such i can't even use the website anymore to make any changes, and the 3 dumb phones are like 5 years old, they went off contract in 2010 i think. mom and dad will do some upgrades of thier own soon, but my grandmothers phone will never change cause shes 86 and we aren't teaching her another phone. so that was the line i was wanting to update. so much hassle though. ugh. i may just outright buy me a one cause im on a iphone4s right now and im not sure the sims are compatiable anyway.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Not totally true. Others have lost unlimited when not activating the phone on that line first.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
Actually it's true. The rep I saw today I've known for a while, and is a friend. I know she knows what she's doing. And I know she won't BS me on this either. She says management monitors what they do, so she could get in trouble for swapping around upgrades and ESNs in an obvious attempt to avoid loosing limited data. She told me I could do part of the process online, and part in store, or all online if I wanted.

Anyone who has done the whole process in a official VZW store is lucky.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Not sure how you could do part online and part in store. You have to do the upgrade when swapping them. I tried to just swap them for later use and couldn't. A call to Verizon confirmed that.

When swapping the last time, I told the manager exactly why I was doing it. This was during the free dna promotion. He said he heard it all the time and had no problems doing it. Didn't even try to offer a shared data plan.

Guess it depends on the manager of the store.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
She said I could transfer the upgrade to the dumb phone and upgrade and activate that, then swap the new phone back to my number online. Or buy and activate online, then come in store to get a new SIM to use the new phone on my line.

My Rez SIM won't fit in the One, so I would have to get a new SIM for my # to use the One on my line.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Or get a SIM cutter, it's easier, and you can always get that sim Swapped out later at your convience to a new micro sim.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] oletheos:
if your dumb phone is a alltell phone dont do this evidently. i just got my grandmothers phone deactivated and now they are telling me i can't activate it back
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
Ouch
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] wireroid:
There's no need to get a new SIM or cut your old one. With Verizon you can actually transfer them to other lines.

Do this after you've already reactivated the old phone on the line you used to upgrade: When you reactivate the One online, pick the "I have an Existing SIM Card" option. Then take out the micro SIM from your One and enter its ID number on the page. It'll take several hours for Verizon's system to update the phone number registered to the SIM, so you won't be able to make calls during that time, but 4G data will work perfectly.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] platinum8317:
Just followed this today... And even tried the rebate and it worked... Still have Unlimited data and received the $60 off with the promo code. Thumbs up!!! Was remarkably easy to do through the Verizon store. Transferred Upgrade through second line (without unlimited) on-line, purchased the one and shipped to store. Went to VZ store, they activated it on 2nd line (only needed to swap sims), went home back on-line re-activated old 2nd line phone back onto 2nd line. waited 30 mins, activated the one on my unlimited line. All worked. Will remember for future upgrades. Thanks again.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] slckofit:
I'm going through the same problem. I'm also thinking about just giving up my unlimited plan only because I don't use that much data just so I can get the One.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] oletheos:
so after a long day i thought i'd update this.

their system will in no way let a alltell phone back onto the verizon system, so i kept on and on about how this was never brought up as an issue, and the tech guy was like we bought out altell so long ago that i even doubt anyone ever thought about this happening. he and the previous girl did try to do everything they could, but since the phone was branded altell thier hands were tied.

so i went to wal mart, ended up buying a 250$ flip phone and activated it, but i can't move the one over yet cause its sim is still locked to her number, the guy on the phone said leave it off until about 11 am tomorrow and try again, or i can get a sim at verizon. the first girl i talked to day did say she'd give me a 30$ credit because of this mess.

but in the long run since my parents paid part on grandmas new phone, im about 300$ instead of 600 if i had bought outright, and i now have a verizon dumb phone on the account so i can do this again in 2 years without the headache. i did learn alot today about activating phones on one line since i did 3 to hers today.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] APeaceofStrange:
I have thought the same thing, but think I'm going to hold onto it cause I used anywhere from 3 to 15 gigs over the last 6 months. Probably will end up waiting a few months till I can find a reasonably priced HTC one or moto x on Craigslist. Both phones being locked definitely makes it easier to wait haha.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] scarshapedstar:
Did the same thing. Absolutely love this trick. $460 for free? Yes please. Only nerve-wracking part was it took my phone about an hour for the SIM switch to finish. :eek:

KMBA, VZW!
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] calash:
I just took the jump and got myself an One as well. My plan was odd but I did have good results working with an "Authorized Verizon Wireless" dealer that has several shops around here (Wireless One for anybody in the area)

My plan was the old Nationwide Email and Messaging. It got grandfathered into Unlimited data when data plans got split off. No voice minutes but Unlimited everything else for around $60ish

The Rep was able to let me keep my plan but grant me the 6gb max data limits. My average monthly is 1.5-2 and I expected my "New Phone Honeymoon period" data to be closer to 3.5. The rep had to decline the addition of the 2gb plan for free, and then the 6gb plan showed up as an option with no price increase.

Thanks to my odd plan my situation was a bit different but I wanted to share in case it may help others.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] replica9000:
Just got the One, and kept my unlimited. I went to a Best Buy. I was a little scared when I told the guy what I wanted to do, and got deer in headlights look. So I did the transfer upgrade and activate part at BB, and did the rest at a VZW store 1/2 down the road.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] hippopo:
No matter what I try, the option "ship to store" does not show up.

Any idea why, and what I can try to make it appear?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
someone else posted that the option to order online and pick up in store is going away. Some stores are still doing it, but it will be gone by end of year. Why not just go to the store and do it if you want it now?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] hippopo:
I want to use this 30% off promotion. I guess I won't be able to apply it if I buy in store, will I ?
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] nrfitchett4:
don't know. Is 30% off worth 2 days? Might be the choice you have to make.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] xenakis:
When I tried buying mine online I was not seeing the option for in-store pickup. I had given up and drove to the store, but since the line was very long I figured I would try buying it online from their kiosk computers. Well, for some reason it worked. Purchased online with the discount code, left the store for coffee, then came back to pick it up when it was ready.

I can't think of a reason why it didn't work on my computer but no problem at the store's. Perhaps it's a browser issue? Worth trying a different one and see.

Sent using xda app-developers app
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] hippopo:
I figured this out.

I had to go to the store locator, find my store, and select it as my in-store pickup location.
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] andybones:
this would make sense, nice find!
[Verizon HTC One (M7)] scarshapedstar:
It's somewhat buggy, I entered the coupon then picked my store and then had to the pick the store again before everything was ready to go.