John Laninga Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I've had our phone service for 10+ years, and although we have upgraded equipment, the contract is still essentially the same. So as I was trying to look for ways to reduce my monthly bill, I was quite surprised what I saw. What is happening is that the phone company continually improves plans features at lower costs. But if you don't ask for it, they will not offer it. My example: I have 2 phone lines, 2 tablet lines, and one hot spot line. Also includes 12GB of data (Verizon XL plan). Our monthly bill is $170 plus a whole raft of added fees and taxes. Verizon is offering a package with 4 lines and 20GB of data for $80 (!). When I called and asked for this plan,I was told it only for new or upgraded plans. Now my wife's phone is an older iPhone and qualifies for an upgrade. To trade hers in on a new 5SE is $10 a month. Adding one line adds $10. So now I have 5 lines, 20GB of data, and a new DW phone for $100 a month. More stuff, at a big savings. Wish I would have taken a closer look at my contract a long time ago! ==John 2015 Entegra Aspire 44B diesel pusher with 2017 GMC Acadia Denali toad Web site, albums, blog and more here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFchap Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 What is happening is that the phone company continually improves plans features at lower costs. But if you don't ask for it, they will not offer it Yep. I changed our plan twice during 2015 when I saw new plans pop up. We went from around $160/mo to just over $100/mo and have more data and more flexibility to increase & decrease data as desired. Paul (KE5LXU), former fulltimer, now sometimer... '03 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage 40E '05 Honda Odyssey Escapees, FMCA, WIT, SMART http://www.pjrider.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeFulltimers Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Yes, you have to stay on top of unadvertised changes available. I routinely go on-line and check options. Just a few days ago I upgraded wife's phone and improved our plan for a savings of approx $60 per month. I have also learned over the last few years that many businesses offer military discounts but don't advertise it. I'm retired military and have been cheerfully been given a discount for simply asking and proving my service. Fulltiming since September 1, 2010 2012 Ford F-350 PSD SRW Lariat Crew Cab 2012 Montana 3585SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana25k Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Do any of the new jetpacks have an antenna port? Ours, a 4620L, has one. For adequate signal we sometimes need to connect to one of our antenna and I don't want to lose that feature. Ron & LindaClass of 20072000 Monaco Diplomat 2005 Honda Element"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail""When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D&J Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 So they consider the tablets as a line, if so I may add the Verizon phone I bought to replace my Tracfone and reactivate my hotspot that only works part of the time just to get a cheaper plan. Denny Denny & Jami SKP#90175 Most Timing with Mac our Scottie, RIP Jasper our Westie 2013 F350 SC DRW 6.2 V8 4.30 Gears 2003 HH Premier 35FKTG Home Base Nebraska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaH Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 I just looked at the Verizon Wireless website, and according to it, the $80 for 20GB and four lines is just for data...phones are an additional $20 per month and tablets are and additional $10 per month. The example the website gives is: "That's $80/mo for 20 GB of data + 4 phones x $20/mo per line for a total of $160/mo." So I'm not understanding how you can get 5 lines and 20GB of data for only $100?? LindaH 2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K 2011 Kia Soul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laninga Posted April 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 When I called Verizon to make this plan I was told that the plan was for 4 lines and 20GB of data for $80. I prefer to work with store employees, even though they try to use hard sell (which doesn't work well with me). But I just like to see exactly what I am getting before I sign. So at the store today I find exactly what LindH said above-- the $80 is data plus you have to add phones. And you do have to upgrade to get the extra 2GB of data. But I had such an old plan there was still some savings... WD's line was $50 a month and that is now down to $20 a month. So now my monthly line + data charge is $150. They gave me $111 trade in on her old phone (web site said $65) and the new iPhone 5SE cost $399, so that cost me $288. Using their "device payment plan", they are charging me $10 a month for 24 months (but I can pay off and cancel anytime.. there is no long term contract anymore). So if I indeed stay with them for another 2 years I get more data, a new phone, and save $20 a month -- not nearly what I hoped for. One note: the extra data is 2GB per line added or updated, so I am not getting the advertised 8GB data, just 2GB. Last note, I am extremely security conscious and have gotten to really like the fingerprint security on my Samsung phone. This was one of the main reasons I upgraded DW's phone, so she too can log in to our important sites with our secure password manager using her thumbprint + password. John 2015 Entegra Aspire 44B diesel pusher with 2017 GMC Acadia Denali toad Web site, albums, blog and more here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted April 4, 2016 Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 John, I sent you a PM via this forum. Could you take a look at it? If I need to send to another email add just let me know. Thanks, Dennis. Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Laninga Posted April 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 John, I sent you a PM via this forum. Could you take a look at it? If I need to send to another email add just let me know. Thanks, Dennis. Got it and answered. Didn't connect your email name and SKP name at first. == John 2015 Entegra Aspire 44B diesel pusher with 2017 GMC Acadia Denali toad Web site, albums, blog and more here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamRad Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Thanks John. I really appreciate your starting this thread and all the info you've shared. Dennis Trailer: Montana 5th wheel, model 3582Rl, model year 2012 Truck: Ford 450 PSD Super Duty, 2002 Crew Cab, Long bed, 4:88 rear end, last of the 7.3 engines, Automatic Transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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