yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Deekayy:
If you have a Costco card or a friend with the card, you can upgrade at the Wireless Kiosk there and purchase the Note 3 for $299.99 (they always have promotions that can be cheaper, you can get a price adjustment within 30 days). The system that the wireless Kiosk use is the same as the Verizon store so the rep that helped you out last time and didn't know about the 6gb to honor for customers with unlimited data is probably new or lying (making you switch to share everything). And yes you can keep your same plan.

In terms of upgrading few weeks early, I'm sure the actual store can make some kind of compromise. But if you want to upgrade in Costco, they give you 7 days before. Another reason why you would upgrade in Costco is because the sales tax for the phones are cheaper versus the corporate locations.

Reason why I'm pushing Costco is because I work in the phone kiosk. Nothing biased intended, just passing on the info.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] marthinollys:
In odin mode it says "official". Put my SIM in yesterday and tried to take update and again install ceased at the same place it always does. I'll take it to Best Buy soon and see what the Rep will offer to do. Thanks again for assistance.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] psychedelicNerd:
Hi. I bought a Note 3 from ebay. Paid 600 USD. The seller claimed it was a brand new phone, but when I received the device, it wasn't sealed. Looks like it was a few days used. I am fine with it.

However, when i called up Verizon to activate my phone, the Customer Service rep told me that the phone was reported stolen. Surprisingly the report was done just 2 hours before I opened the package. She was able to put the phone back on my line. I am using the phone now without any issues. But what I wanted to know what the right course of action at that time should've been?

I contacted the seller asking him what the story really was? He didn't quite reply.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] johnciaccio:
You can call verizon and ask to verify the imei number before buying a phone non-retail. If the person does not want to give you the number I would not ever buy anything from that seller as they are most likely selling lost/stolen items.

Good thing you were able to get them to do it. A lot of sellers do not care if the phone is reported stolen because they will sell it to a another country where the carriers will unlock it and activate for you. Happens a lot in the Caribbean and latin american countries.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] psychedelicNerd:
Good tip. Thanks. I will keep that in mind the next time I buy a phone from ebay. My guess is that it was the seller who must have reported it stolen to claim an insurance so he could sell the claimed phone too. It didn't make sense that the phone was reported stolen 2 hours before I opened the package. I think the seller noticed that the phone was delivered at 10 am and assumed i must have opened and activated it by the time he reported it stolen (by 4 pm).

Anyways, i am loving the phone and thanks for your help again.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] johnciaccio:
Sorry I forgot you said 2 hours before! That is probably why the activated it. I am guessing he was trying to make a claim on it somehow. Which is a very shady thing to do if it was on purpose.

Anyways the tip still applies to checking with Verizon before hand.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
Thanks for the idea, but I don't have a Costco card and don't know anyone who does.

I'm also interested in the details of the $30/6 GB plan. Is it just switching the data plan to a 6 GB plan at $30, or is it making the whole plan a Share Eventhing plan with the unlimited talk/text and 6 GB at $30 with the $40 smartphone charge? I've heard both versions of it.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
yeah no problem. anytime!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
its switching your individual line to 6gb for $30 a month. if your on a family plan but everyone else is sharing data while you have unlimited data then it would only switch your line to the 6gb.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
its all good bro. in this thread you don't have to worry about someone yelling at you for asking a repeat question. and you wont be able to upgrade a few months early unless using the edge plan which you stated that you didnt want to do. however you can upgrade early 7 days in advance. thats a verizon thing not a cosco thing. and to get the 6gb plan for $30 a month all you would have to do is call verizon customer care and asking them to switch you to it. and not all reps are properly trained unfortunately. so just call it in to get your data package swapped to the 6gb.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
Just got a really nice bluetooth keyboard for my ipad to reply to you guys questions. Turn up!!!! lol
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
Thanks for the info. I'll try calling in the morning to see if they will switch it. The upgrade thing isn't a big deal, it's only a few weeks away, and if I can do it a week early, that would mean I could do it in a week and a half (on 2/4). It will be a little bit of torture waiting, though. Only other question that I had: Would this 6 GB plan be able to be retained in future contracts?

Also, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person that will be using the iPad / Galaxy Note 3 combo. I struggled with my choice for weeks because the iPad / iPhone combo seemed like it would be a smart idea, but in the end, the iPhone was just too small and limited, and the Galaxy Note 3 was too attractive.

I also use a bluetooth keyboard with my iPad. It's not a fancy one, just an AmazonBasics brand one, but it works very well.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] glamisfan:
What is the procedure to use an upgrade to get a new smartphone, and then sell it without opening the box? I broke my S3, so I just bought a mint Note3, and I'd like to order and then sell a new unsealed smartphone when my upgrade is due, to offset the cost of the phone I just bought? I did some research on the subject, and it sounds like the only way to do it is to order at a store, and then when I go to pick it up, tell them that I don't want to open it or activate it? If that's right, then what releases the new phone from my contract? By signing for the phone in the store, extending my contract?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] anthony92170:
[MENTION=4485391]glamisfan[/MENTION] 1 way is and it works and legit get your new phone let them activate it when done leave the store and put the sim card in your note 3 let it register then go on Verizon Web site and look at your account it will show note 3. Verizon has told me you can switch phones every day if you want as long as you have your own phone. my daughter got the note as a edge program we left store and I gave her my s4 and took the note np since November
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
Unfortunately they have to activate it. No retailer or store will never or should never sell a store without activating it. Sorry and even if you were to pull it off you still signed a contract to upgrade so you will be stuck in another 24 month agreement. Nice try :)
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
Lol and yeah I love the combo. I have 4 iPads and everything home Mac. I just like the note 3 because of the bigger screen however I do have a iPhone 5s that I use as well for my daily driver. And yes sir the 6gb will be retain able for future upgrades. So once you do your upgrade you will be able to keep it when you upgrade again in the future.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] glamisfan:
I don't mind being "stuck" in another 24 month contract, as both my wife and I are grandfathered in on unlimited data! And I have a third line that I would be using the upgrade on. I've read conflicting stories about whether it's possible to upgrade to a new phone and then sell that phone new in the box factory sealed. According to the Google, there's supposed to be a way to do it. Maybe you could dig a little deeper and figure out how people do it? I sure would appreciate it!
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
The iPad is one of the few Apple devices I have, also heavily integrated into iTunes from 10 years of music purchases. My next tablet might be Android instead, though when I got my iPad the Android tablets weren't developed enough yet to be worth getting. However, I won't consider replacing this one until it either gets damaged beyond repair (hopefully won't happen) or Apple stops supporting it with iOS updates (probably 2 to 3 years away since this is the iPad 4, or whatever they called the refresh before the iPad Air).

I called the customer service line this morning and the rep confirmed that the 6 GB plan exists. She didn't switch it, said to wait for now in case I decide to buy the device at full retail price instead (which isn't a strong possibility but still could happen) so I could keep unlimited if that does happen. I'm still not sure about that, three reasons being:

- If I pay full price, I feel like I'm getting cheated because I'm still paying the phone subsidy

- While I can afford full price, that's still a big chunk of money to pay for this device

- Who knows if unlimited data plans will even still exist after this year, and I might get a better deal by switching now

I'm sure the full price with unlimited vs. discounted with contract & tiered debate has been discussed before, and you don't have to answer the concerns above. I just hit a point where I was talking more to myself than anyone else.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
I want to bro however that's not something I could assist with unfortunately. Verizon conduct, when you do that we lose money. Even though you are extending your contract with verizon it's still considered credit muling.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
Lol your good bro. Have you thought about buying a clean esn device of craigslist?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
I've considered it. Also looked at eBay, some decent bargains there. Also heard another site mentioned (Swappa maybe? Don't recall for sure.) If I could find the right deal I would do it, hold on to that upgrade for another day.

From what I've read, two things I have to look for:

- Has to be a Verizon version, others won't work on Verizon's network.

- Get the IMEI before buying and verify it's clean.

Anything else? Anything to ask about the condition of the phone?

EDIT: One extra question. Could I use my insurance with Verizon for a phone this way? While I haven't broken a phone in a while, I'd want to keep insurance just in case. There was a time before smartphones where I broke three phones in a three-year period, so I always keep insurance for safety now.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
Swappa is a real good site. And those are all good questions. The only thing I could think of asking is wether or not if the phone hour buying is a replacement device. Make sure you ask that additional question. If they take a pic of the esn sticker on the battery compartment the sticker will normally say replacement device if it is. And you would be able to add insurance to that craigslist device because assurion is currently doing open enrollment.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] VillaCastana321:
And the iPad 4 is still boss!!! Don't see apple stopping upgrades to iOS for the iPad 4 anytime soon. Also I have a galaxy tab 3 4g tablet and it's boss as well. Just hoping I get the 4.3 update real soon or kit kat update.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
Craigslist makes me a little too nervous, also nothing listed in this area (well, not nothing listed, but only ones listed are looking for an iPhone in a trade). Will give eBay and Swappa a try, though. I don't mind getting a used phone as long as it's in at least good to great condition (no scratching on the screen, minor scratches/scuffs on sides/back, clean ESN, etc.).

I'll take any additional advice (or links to other posts with advice) if anyone has it.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
I found a good listing or two on Swappa that I'm going to look into buying. Any suggestions on what to ask?

Also, when I do buy (and receive) a used phone, what should I do with Verizon to have everything go as smoothly as possible?

This is my first time buying a used cell phone, and while I know there's no 100% effective way to protect myself, I'd like to be as cautious as I can.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] glamisfan:
I just got my note 3 from Swappa. Was my first time using them, and I think it's a lot better than eBay or craigslist. I bought mine from someone who had sold I think 17 phones prior and had a five star rating, so I felt confident that I could trust them. All phones on swappa are supposed to be good clean ESN phones with no bad damage. Whereas half the phones for sale on eBay have a cracked screen or a bad ESN! By the way, you can sell your unlimited data plan to someone on eBay for like three or 400 bucks. It's called an assumption of responsibility or liability or something. Google it and you can see how it's done. But I think you have to do it before your contract is up.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] recDNA:
Ever find anything about why google maps 7.x compass mode doesn't work in samsung Note 3?

Beamed from my Galaxy Note 3
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tw1n5nak35:
This sounds crazy, I didn't think verizon users would try to sell their grand father unlimted plans on ebay. So I just looked moments ago and sure enough there are plenty of them on sale. If this is the only way to get unlimited plan 2014 and beyond, is it safe enough through AOL process and would you recommend it? If lets say someone like me was looking to get an unlimited plan? Thank you in advance for any info :D
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
Since I'm thinking about buying used, I would be holding on to my unlimited data if I do.

Anyone have thoughts on this listing? This one looks like a good one. I'm just wondering what I should ask before thinking about buying it..
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tw1n5nak35:
I've been doing some shopping and found wirefly is selling veizon galaxy note 3 for $230.00 and a few other places as well. This is if you do not feel comfortable buying from ebay, swappa or craigslist. Good luck :D

http://bit.ly/1l3VwVY
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
I checked that site and the discounted phones you saw are only available on contract. I'll note that for later, but am looking at used for now.

That Swappa link I posted above was canceled. None of the other phones there look as appealing since none of those sellers have ratings except for one (who listed his phone as unlocked & rooted, which I've never dealt with). I'd also prefer to get a black phone with a screen in perfect condition. It can have some minor imperfections, just not on the screen.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] recDNA:
I'm told on the Google forum it works fine in nexus 5. Nobody will help with this issue.

Beamed from my Galaxy Note 3
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
Any thoughts on this listing? Sorry for posting so much, I think this one looks good (phone in near mint condition, seller highly rated), but just want to get a second opinion before doing anything else.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BrewersFanJP:
I ended up buying my Galaxy Note 3 today. Should be here Wednesday of next week. I'll be taking it right to a Verizon store to have it activated and put on insurance.

Is there an activation fee for having a store activate a phone I bring in?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mrlaigle:
No activation fee on customer provided equipment. Insurance Is Also Open Enrollment Right now.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sxm2:
Can someone explain these terms (as used throughout this thread)?

Dumb Phone

Dummy Line

Ghost Line

I can assume, but ...

OP, not everyone understands cell contract talk

Thanks
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] glamisfan:
Dumb phone in old school cell phone, you can only call and text people. Opposite of a smart phone. Dummy line is an extra line that you pay $9.99 a months for. This allows you to do an alternate upgrade when one is available from one of your unlimited data smartphone lines. After getting the new smartphone and activating it on your dummy line, you put a dumb phone back on the dummy line and put the smartphone on the line that you did the alternate upgrade from. You have now used your upgrade without losing unlimited data, but at a cost of $140/yr (12x$9.99+ fees). I've read that trying the ghost line method is not a good idea. But a ghost line is another way to use an upgrade and keep unlimited data.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sxm2:
Thanks for the explanation on the dumb/dummy. Had to google ghost line for more info.

To summarize:

Dumb Phone = Basic Phone - Physical item

Dummy Line = Basic Talk/Text Service for Basic Phone

Ghost Line = Basic Talk/Text Service not linked to a Basic Phone, but charged for - Can switch to a Dummy Line just by adding a ESN/IMEI to the Ghost Line; Same price as Dummy Line

That sounds about right from my research last night. If I'm wrong, please correct.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] FormeriPhoney:
Hey bud. Had an account question. Currently on the family plan 1400 min unlimited data & text. Line 1 is my note 3, line 2 is a dumb phone.

I plan on taking the line 2 to tmo and getting the ETF deal.

Right now I believe the dumb phone is costing me only $9.99. A rep told me I can change the plan to 700 min, unlimited text and retain the unlimited data for $20 less plus the $9.99 for the no longer needed line 2 dumb phone.

Is that true? I need the unlimited data on my line bc I use average 18-24gb per month.

thanks
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sxm2:
I would wait for answers here or call back vzw to confirm w/ another person the same plan.

Sounds too good to be true. I feel like they do not care if you use 500 minutes or 5000 minutes.

If I remember that many years ago, your plan also has 5 free numbers you can call outside the VZW network unlimited. Ohh, maybe it was only the 1400 min plan (had to be above a certain minute plan IIRC) so it might not be included in the 700min plan
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BeansTown106:
T-Mobile eh? :D
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] FormeriPhoney:
I'm done with it bro. I'll never buy a device with a locked bootloader again. ?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BeansTown106:
Now we're talking I almost went to T-Mobile today to get a sim to check out network imho as long as we got wifi calling I really don't care I'm mostly around wifi if I'm in a rural area
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] defusEDtech:
^^ im with this guy. t mo just bought new band from verizon. t mo is cash heavy and making moves to acquire the market. ide be wary if I was big red.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] FormeriPhoney:
I spoke to VZW rep today about letting go of my 2nd line to go to tmo utilizing the etf plan. He says "oh yeah, I heard something about that" Lmao

I think they are all aware of what's going on
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KruseLudsMobile:
When will the KitKat 4.4 be released by Verizon?

Sent from my Galaxy Note III; Previous owner/hacker of Galaxy S III, Galaxy Nexus, Droid X, HTC HD2, HTC Touch Pro 2, HTC Tilt, HTC 8525, O2 XDA II, O2 XDA.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tw1n5nak35:
Oh hellazzz yeah. I feel a disturbance in the force :D
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] sxm2:
Hi [MENTION=2957749]VillaCastana321[/MENTION],

I have a VZW account with 2 Basic Phones and 2 Smart Phones under the Family 1400 min Plan w/ Unlimited text & data. All phones/lines are off contract right now. From what I read,

1) I can upgrade my 2 Basic Phones to 2 new Smart Phones.

2) I activate the 2 new Smart Phones which autimatically activates 2 new Smart Lines under the newer 2GB Share Everything plan. Unlimited Lines unaffected.

3) I make a call or two (optional according to some forums)

4) I transfer the 2 new Smart Phones back to the 2 old Basic Phones. The lines are trasnsfered back to Basic Lines. Get prorated for small time being under Smart Line.

5) I transfer the 2 new Smart Phones to my 2 old Smart Lines and keep Unlimited.

My situation is simplier, no additional lines or ghost lines, however I need to be sure of things after the deed is done. We all know about VZN's hidden fees.

Do I get charged 2 $35 activation charges = $70 under step 2?

What happens to the 1 year warranty of the 2 new Smart Phones if transfered. Can I still get warranty or is that null because of transfer? Or under warranty because it is all under the same account?

Upgrading the 2 Basic Phones to 2 Smart Phones locks me into a 2yr contact. Does it also lock my Unlimited Lines into a 2yr contact? First post on this forum http://forums.imore.com/verizon/253...subsidized-phone-if-you-have-family-plan.html says Verizon extends Unlimited Line for another 2 years. If this is true, then it's a double edged sword in that we have writing saying they cannot get rid of Unlimited for 2 more years and the downside is we are f---ing married to the devil for 2 more years. Confirmation neighboorhood vizzy?

When transfering the 2 new Smart Phones to the 2 old Unlimited Smart Lines, is there another activation charge per phone? Probably not, but would like confirmation.

How is activation defined by Verizon? Is it once the phone IMEI is in the verizon system, it is activated forever? Good to know for next activation incase someone tries to scam me.

Thanks all for keeping me smart
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NoFanboy:
Is Verizon aware of the issue of many early batch Note 3s having signal issues?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GrainOsand:
I can verify that this is true. My release day note 3 had a horrible signal issue. I had it replaced with a CLN note 3 and viola signal is great
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 92slammer:
i called CSR the other day to find out about my ETF on my 5 lines....rep asked me why and i told him i was thinking about tmobile...he basically said "give it a try and good luck" lol
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NoFanboy:
When did you get it replaced?
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] GrainOsand:
Mid December.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] KruseLudsMobile:
No answer?

Sent from my Galaxy Note III; Previous owner/hacker of Galaxy S III, Galaxy Nexus, Droid X, HTC HD2, HTC Touch Pro 2, HTC Tilt, HTC 8525, O2 XDA II, O2 XDA.
[Verizon Galaxy Note 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] njfoses:
Nobody knows, which is why nobody replied.