[rsmphoto]

In case no one has mentioned this.... I just renewed my plan today with VZW and upgraded to a Treo 650. I signed up for a plan called Core Choice 450 - 450 anytime minutes plus UNLIMITED internet - $39.95. The VZW web site shows $79.95, but apparently the CSR explained this was new pricing and he now sees $39.95 when he enters the plan on his terminal. There is also a plan call Extra Choice, 1350 anytime minutes plus unlimited web access - $79.99.

[jchien]

Is it unlimited web for a regular cell phone and not the treo. I thought the treo use data packages

[slithy]

Wow, that's great. The web site still says $79 for that plan, but we all know how up to date vzw's web site is Now if I can get that price on a Family Share plan, I'll be ecstatic!

[slorandy]

rsmphoto, that sounds like a great program. I called Customer Service and they can't find it. I sent you a PM.

[jmorgans]

Sounds a little too good to be true! $39.99 is the price for AC 450 minutes WITHOUT data. Are you sure you're getting included data at that price?

[rsmphoto]

OK, here's what I was told by the CSR. I'm picking up my phone at my local VZW store, and he's updated my records to reflect the Core Choice plan, and I will switch over to that plan when I pick it up. I was going to go in on Sunday, but I will try to confirm with VZW by before that that this is all still in my records before I go in. I will update you all when I hear.

[rsmphoto]

My bad. Just spoke with VZW again. It was either an inept or unsrupulous CSR. There is NO Core Choice 450 w/Unlimited data. He basically sold me a lie. I lit into VZW with a vengeance for wasting my time and asked for a call from the CSR to apologise... we'll see. To their credit they were VERY apologetic.

[palminfo4mc]

I am growing increasingly frustrated with VZW Customer Service. It's absurd that so many reps make up answers that are inconsistant and downright wrong.

I ran into similar problems with the Core Choice plans. FYI: There is, indeed, a Core Choice 450 -- it's $79.99 and includes unlimited data + 450 voice minutes. You can find it on the VZW webpage here

In any event, it's annoying that they provide so much misinformation. It's even more annoying that they only selected 3 ACII plans to provide as bundles. What happens to those of us that fall in between 450 and 1350 or 1350 and 3000 voice minutes per month? I'm on a 2000 minute plan and I'm stuck with the decision to either downgrade 750 minutes/month or go up by 1000!

So far, I've managed to live without data. If Verizon wants to play this game, I'm gonna play too ... no data for me.

[Lnoble]

I agree VZW's customer service is incredibly frustrating. I just talked to a rep, trying to get the Extra Core Choice 1350 for $109.99 with unlimited data. It will be $25.00 a month cheaper for me than the 1500 plan plus a separate data plan. She could not find it in the system even though I am looking at it on the VZW site. She even checked with others at her call center. She was nice and offered to call me back later after she researched it, but I said I would call back. I will try another rep later and then head to a store during the week. Seriously, doesn't it make basic business sense to make sure the people selling the product you advertise actually know you have the product? I've been with VZW for years because of coverage, but each time I call I get closer and closer to switching.

[mediasi]

If you get through on that one, let me know, Lnoble. Certainly would be cheaper for me as well - IF it supports add-on phones (there are three on my plan).

Pamela

[Lnoble]

I have four phones on my plan and I'm wondering whether that may be the problem. The plan may not be available for Family Share. But the VZW rep never even got that far since she couldn't find any reference to Core Choice. I will keep checking and post what I find.

[slithy]

From the VZW web site, the CoreChoice plans don't work with Family Share. Verizon needs to catch up with its customers and include a Family Share package with a data bundle.

[Lnoble]

From the VZW web site, the CoreChoice plans don't work with Family Share. Verizon needs to catch up with its customers and include a Family Share package with a data bundle.

I was afraid of that. Well, at least VZW is consistent; both their choices of phones and plans are narrow and the least consumer friendly. On top of that, their reps don't know their own product. It would have helped if I had been told that from the beginning. The rep I talked to is still "researching" the issue. I think I'll wait to see how long it takes her to arrive at the answer.

A formerly patient, but now growing frustrated, VZW user.

[WildeMan]

Lnoble,

Did you ever get anywhere with this?

Seems like it's almost an even amount of money either way for me (haven't decided just yet):

Option 1) Core Choice 450 ($80), TXT/Pix bundle ($5), keep fiance's phone plan separate ($40) = $125

Option 2) Family plan ($70), TXT/Pix bundle ($5), unlimited data plan on my phone ($45) = $120

Any thoughts from anyone?

[jadiff]

WildeMan
You forgot one important detail, the total number of minutes available for use.

I elected to keep my minutes seperate from my wife's minutes. I just "upgraded" to the 450 minute plan for $40 (I am using MOU for data) and she is keeping her old 300 minutes for $35. So we get 750 minutes for $75 instead of shaing 450 minutes for $70.

[WildeMan]

Actually, the $70 Family-Share Plan gives 700 minutes. So, both options are still basically the same.

I guess one advantage of Option #2 would be a greater amount of minutes for MOU, since neither of us use up our peak minutes - now the excess would be combined. This might not be a bad idea ... If I only use 300 out of 500 peak minutes (approx each month) and she uses 150 out of 300, then I get to use that extra 150 peak minutes.

[WildeMan]

Wait, my math is all off tonight.

If I use 300 peak minutes a month (avg) and she uses 150, then there is only 250 left over (I forgot the family share plan is 700 peak minutes). Right now, I would have approx 200 left over on my plan. So, I guess the 'excess' is not big enough to really make me gain much from it using MOU vs. a data plan.

[Howitzer]

Lnoble,

Did you ever get anywhere with this?

Seems like it's almost an even amount of money either way for me (haven't decided just yet):

Option 1) Core Choice 450 ($80), TXT/Pix bundle ($5), keep fiance's phone plan separate ($40) = $125

Option 2) Family plan ($70), TXT/Pix bundle ($5), unlimited data plan on my phone ($45) = $120

Any thoughts from anyone?

Yea get Sprint if you can you could knock that almost in half.

[jmorgans]

My bad. Just spoke with VZW again. It was either an inept or unsrupulous CSR. There is NO Core Choice 450 w/Unlimited data. He basically sold me a lie. I lit into VZW with a vengeance for wasting my time and asked for a call from the CSR to apologise... we'll see. To their credit they were VERY apologetic.

These people still haven't gotten their stories straight. It is now two months since these plans have been introduced. I just called today and was offered the corechoice 450 for $39. When I told the CSR I thought it was $79, she insisted that I was wrong. Only when she actually tried to add the plan did she discover that she was wrong. Shouldn't this be basic VZW employee training???

[Dr.Grace]

I agree. Their reps seem to know very little about what's really going on and all say different things. I signed up for CoreChoice 450 and the rep SEEMED quite competent, but signed me up for the wrong plan, and I got billed for $450 worth of data use. Fortunately, she left notes about what she intended to sign me up for. The rep I talked to after getting the bill was apologetic but seemed to know nothing about this plan. Finally I got it straightened out.