Talk

My Verizon contract expires in March, and I’m interested in upgrading my cell phone. I’ve been waiting to do so for a long time. I currently have the LG Chocolate 2, and to put it nicely, it sucks. I didn’t even want that phone, but my parents made me choose a free phone when I lost my other one, and that was one of the only options. Anyway, I had my eye on the LG enV Touch for the longest time. A couple of weeks ago, I was checking out Verizon’s phones when I noticed ALL of the phones with QWERTY keyboards are requiring a $9.99 data plan on top of your monthly plan. The problem is, data plans cover internet usage, and I do not use the internet on my phone. I talked to a Verizon representative and told them that I would not be needing this feature and they told me I needed to pay that monthly fee in order to have one of those phones. Now, these phones aren’t even smart phones, so I think it’s ridiculous they are charging a data package rate. I DO NOT need this! My parents are refusing to pay for this, so that means I’ll end up with a flip phone again. Anyway, my question is, if I end my contract with Verizon in March, and remove my line, can I go through a website that sells Verizon phones like letstalk.com, and pay for a new plan as if I’m a new customer to Verizon? As far as I can tell, this would eliminate the data plan fee. Am I correct?

Please no rude comments. Don’t tell me that I’m spoiled, and I don’t deserve a new phone. I’m a straight "A" student, and definitely think I’ve earned this. I don’t deserve your criticism. Thanks.
That sucks. My parents mentioned switching to AT&T or Boost, but we’re reluctant to because the Verizon IN network was a huge benefit to us (almost all of our friends and family have Verizon). I wonder if I threaten to leave, Verizon will negotiate…doubt it.

They are such con-artists!

You are not correct. Verizon requires a data plan with all but the most basic phones. It doesn’t matter whether you are a new customer or existing customer. It doesn’t matter where you get the phone. It doesn’t matter whether the phone is new or used. It doesn’t matter whether or not you use the internet. If you choose a phone that is "advanced," you are REQUIRED to accept the data plan or the phone will not be activated.

You might want to look at the Samsung Intensity. It has a keyboard and no data plan is required.