Hello all, this might not be the right place to post this but I was looking for some help/advice.
I currently have unlimited data and an upgrade available. My wife's line is already on a 2GB plan.
I transferred my upgrade to her line and bought the S4 with her line, should be here tomorrow.
My question is, do I have to activate it on her phone first? Or can I simply just activate it on my line? I have been looking around the interwebs but have not been able to find a clear answer.
Some people say it takes 24hrs before I can transfer it to my line. Can I just activate it on her line and then go into a Verizon store to get a new SIM and swap it to my line? Or can I do it online? Sorry for the redundant questions and I appreciate any help!
Yes, if the contract on your line is extended. You will lose the unlimited data regardless of who you activate on first. The way it works is to use her upgrade and do an ESN change after.
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I did this exact thing. Upgraded my mom's line which has a dumb phone. Activated it on her line, waited 5 minutes, turned it off and then went on the website and switched it over to me. Had to call Verizon to turn her original phone back on because it was still showing order pending on her line but the woman just entered the MEID and I foamedialed *228 and everything was good. So far nothing has changed, I still have unlimited but my mom's line is now extended for 2 years
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dansan382 said:
I did this exact thing. Upgraded my mom's line which has a dumb phone. Activated it on her line, waited 5 minutes, turned it off and then went on the website and switched it over to me. Had to call Verizon to turn her original phone back on because it was still showing order pending on her line but the woman just entered the MEID and I foamedialed *228 and everything was good. So far nothing has changed, I still have unlimited but my mom's line is now extended for 2 years
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't even realize I had unlimited data on my 2.5 year old Droid X until I went to order the S4 a couple of days ago! I went ahead and upgraded my line, thinking my data usage is so limited anyway (because I thought I was limited) and I would be able to manage with the 2 GB they give us. Thinking it over and trying to find a loophole, I can across the method you just described.
I quickly cancelled my upgrade and upgraded my moms dumb phone to a S4 and am waiting for it to do exactly what you did. I was expecting to have to go into the store, but you were able to do everything from your home? And will it matter that I am moving over from a 3G device to 4G? Thanks!
Just to update:
I transfered the elegible upgrade from the Unlimited line to the line with 2GB plan and ordered the phone.
Once it arrieved, I activated it on the 2GB line as per the upgrade. I then replaced the S4 with the S3 that was previously on the line and transfered the S4 to my line, the one with unlimited data.
I am now on the S4 with Unlimited Data! My contract was extended for two years too. So, this does still work.
Thank you
Churchryn said:
I transfered the elegible upgrade from the Unlimited line to the line with 2GB plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What, exactly does this mean? The line with the 2GB plan was not eligible for an upgrade, because that line was already under contract, but you were able to upgrade the phone on that line by extending the contract on your Unlimited line, without losing Unlimited?
If so, then what would stop me from buying a dumbphone and activating it on a new 2nd line, so I have no contract on that line. Then, use the upgrade from my Unlimited line to get an S4 for the second line - thus, extending the contract on my Unlimited line, keeping Unlimited, and having an S4 on the second line with no contract. Then, swap the S4 to my Unlimited line and then cancel the second line with no ETF or other penalty?
I'm thinking about doing this with my brother's 2GB upgrade. So just to reiterate. I order the phone on his line. He activates it with his new SIM card, has my old Rezound right now. After he activates the new , can I just swap my SIM from my old s3 into the new s4 or do I have to go through the switch device on my Verizon?
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graymonkey44 said:
I'm thinking about doing this with my brother's 2GB upgrade. So just to reiterate. I order the phone on his line. He activates it with his new SIM card, has my old Rezound right now. After he activates the new , can I just swap my SIM from my old s3 into the new s4 or do I have to go through the switch device on my Verizon?
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Click to collapse
You're not talking about the same thing. You're talking about using his upgrade (a 2GB line that is eligible) to upgrade his line. Then do an ESN swap (can't just swap SIMs, I don't think) online to switch him back to his Rezound. Then do another ESN swap to change your line from whatever phone you're using to the S4. That is no problem.
This thread is about transferring an upgrade from an Unlimited line to a 2GB line and using it without losing the Unlimited.
stuartv said:
What, exactly does this mean? The line with the 2GB plan was not eligible for an upgrade, because that line was already under contract, but you were able to upgrade the phone on that line by extending the contract on your Unlimited line, without losing Unlimited?
If so, then what would stop me from buying a dumbphone and activating it on a new 2nd line, so I have no contract on that line. Then, use the upgrade from my Unlimited line to get an S4 for the second line - thus, extending the contract on my Unlimited line, keeping Unlimited, and having an S4 on the second line with no contract. Then, swap the S4 to my Unlimited line and then cancel the second line with no ETF or other penalty?
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Click to collapse
Yes, I transfered the upgrade from My unlimited line, Upgrade was 5-11-13, to the 2GB line which was doesnt have an upgrade until 9-10-14. My unlimited line is now under contract till 5-20-15 with the S4 and unlimited data. The 2GB line still has upgrade on 9-10-14.
I have no idea about your question. I am sure they would not allow that. But, I dont know what the difference is.
Hopefully this helps. If not I am sorry. Maybe I just got lucky?
Thanks for posting the additional info, Churchryn. I would say you have definitely discovered a loophole in the system. And now I'm going to attempt to exploit it myself!
stuartv said:
Thanks for posting the additional info, Churchryn. I would say you have definitely discovered a loophole in the system. And now I'm going to attempt to exploit it myself!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I plan on doing the same, let us know how it goes
stuartv said:
You're not talking about the same thing. You're talking about using his upgrade (a 2GB line that is eligible) to upgrade his line. Then do an ESN swap (can't just swap SIMs, I don't think) online to switch him back to his Rezound. Then do another ESN swap to change your line from whatever phone you're using to the S4. That is no problem.
This thread is about transferring an upgrade from an Unlimited line to a 2GB line and using it without losing the Unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to go into a Verizon Wireless store to reactivate the Rezound because once you deactivate a SIM card, it is deactivated forever! At least this was the case for me with phone swapping a Rezound and Galaxy S4.
stuartv said:
If so, then what would stop me from buying a dumbphone and activating it on a new 2nd line, so I have no contract on that line. Then, use the upgrade from my Unlimited line to get an S4 for the second line - thus, extending the contract on my Unlimited line, keeping Unlimited, and having an S4 on the second line with no contract. Then, swap the S4 to my Unlimited line and then cancel the second line with no ETF or other penalty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works, up to the point of cancelling the second line. You can add a second line with a dumbphone, upgrade it, switch it to your line and then remove data from the second line. But you have to keep that second line open for the contract at the $10 a month or whatever it is.
---------- Post added at 09:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 AM ----------
tdowrie said:
You will have to go into a Verizon Wireless store to reactivate the Rezound because once you deactivate a SIM card, it is deactivated forever! At least this was the case for me with phone swapping a Rezound and Galaxy S4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the new SIM that came with the S4 to run the rezound. However, Rezound uses full size SIM and S3/4 use microSIM. So you would need to purchase a cheap adapter to use the new microSIM in the full size SIM slot. Then you use your S3 SIM in the new S4. ESN swap is only needed for non-4G phones.
Churchryn said:
Yes, I transfered the upgrade from My unlimited line, Upgrade was 5-11-13, to the 2GB line which was doesnt have an upgrade until 9-10-14. My unlimited line is now under contract till 5-20-15 with the S4 and unlimited data. The 2GB line still has upgrade on 9-10-14.
I have no idea about your question. I am sure they would not allow that. But, I dont know what the difference is.
Hopefully this helps. If not I am sorry. Maybe I just got lucky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm fairly certain you gamed the system. I've been told and have gone through numerous upgrade transfers where if the upgrade was originating from the unlimited data line, no matter where it goes or what happens, the unlimited data line will lose unlimited data. Either upgrading it or transferring the upgrade, it will go away. If this didn't happen to you, I suspect someone either helped you out in a certain way, or just simply made a mistake.
My point would be, I wouldn't rely on this system to be 100% correct all the time. Upgrading and trying to get around loopholes is very hit and miss depending on who you talk to and which store you go to.
It is entirely possible that my occurance was a happy accident. But, I am still glad that this happened. I have been checking regularly to ensure that my account is still unlimited. I did do it all online with no interaction from the store, maybe the automated process makes it a little easier?
Anyway, I am really liking the S4. Rooted with TWRP waiting for ROMs.
I hope this helps anyone looking to to the same thing.
I too upgraded my sister in laws dumbphone to a s4. Activated it under her, immediately swapped sim cards to mine. Called to have her simless phone be put back in service and cancel data. It took about 10 minutes to rob her upgrade
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It appears that I am screwed. I'm on an Individual plan and I don't seem to be able to even add a second line at all without converting my existing line to a Family Share plan and losing my Unlimited.
Just did this on the 23rd:
Wife and I had 1400 minute shared family plan with unlimited data each, and a wifi hotspot device on its own little plan. Went to the verizon store and told them I wanted to upgrade my wifes Iphone. She doesn't use hardly any data. Upgraded her phone to the S4. They put her on a shared plan with the wifi hotspot and told me I could leave my minutes alone or bump them down to the 450 plan. Either way my data would stay intact. I left it be for now just to keep from changing to much. Since my wife wasn't with me, I told the guy to reactive her iphone so she wouldn't be without service, and she would come up later to reactivate. I went to another store and told them my wife didn't like the S4 but since I already paid for it, I wanted to try it. He popped a new sim card in and activated it. Plan the same, all is good. Once you pay for it, its yours. You can use it as you please. Now, when she wants to upgrade, I got to make a decision........pay full price, or lose my plan. But, that will be some time down the road.
You only need to activate it on her line (otherwise her phone number will be stuck with a pending upgrade) and then you can immediately activate it on your line. While I don't sell cell phones I'm in a Verizon wireless store all the time and I've seen it done
Related
Hi guys so just like most of you in here, I'm waiting on the galaxy s4 for Verizon. I am currently eligible for an upgrade, but I have a question regarding a a possible loophole for keeping my unlimited data. I share the account with my father along with 3 other lines. If I were to transfer the upgrade to another one of the lines and "upgrade" that line and then deactivate/reactivate on my line, would I be able to keep my unlimited data? And how would I go about doing this online with the preorder? Thanks for your time!
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There is a thread on here about keeping unlimited data. Do a search and you should find it.
You will lose the unlimited data on the line that's ready to upgrade, if you don't transfer it. If you decide to transfer the upgrade from the line that has the unlimited data, you'll be safe & won't lose it. I hope this helps.
P1NK13P13 said:
You will lose the unlimited data on the line that's ready to upgrade, if you don't transfer it. If you decide to transfer the upgrade from the line that has the unlimited data, you'll be safe & won't lose it. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do what I did. I just bit the bullet and went to shared data but sold my unlimited data plans first.
I sold my wifes and mine for $750 combined. It will take years for me to make up that difference as I WFH three days a week so I am around wifi pretty much 5 out of 7 days.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to try to just upgrade one of the other lines that's on a basic connection and then just activate the phone on my line when I get it. When I go to preorder online, it asks if I will be purchasing a SIM card and if not it asks for the SIM ID that I will be using. Should I purchase another SIM card or just give them mine? Im not sure of the process so I'm iffy about giving them my SIM ID because I'm not sure what that will do. any help is much appreciated.
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markmm24 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to try to just upgrade one of the other lines that's on a basic connection and then just activate the phone on my line when I get it. When I go to preorder online, it asks if I will be purchasing a SIM card and if not it asks for the SIM ID that I will be using. Should I purchase another SIM card or just give them mine? Im not sure of the process so I'm iffy about giving them my SIM ID because I'm not sure what that will do. any help is much appreciated.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if the S4 is unlocked & your old SIM card is a micro SIM, you'll be fine using that. You might have some issues using your old SIM if the Verizon S4 isn't the unlocked version...
P1NK13P13 said:
Well, if the S4 is unlocked & your old SIM card is a micro SIM, you'll be fine using that. You might have some issues using your old SIM if the Verizon S4 isn't the unlocked version...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're talking about Verizon here not the international version.
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Parafly said:
Do what I did. I just bit the bullet and went to shared data but sold my unlimited data plans first.
I sold my wifes and mine for $750 combined. It will take years for me to make up that difference as I WFH three days a week so I am around wifi pretty much 5 out of 7 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you "sell" these plans? I have two unlimited lines and one 4GB/$30 line that I would like to sell off, as we will likely not buy the phones at full price.
If you have an upgrade available on another line you can use that, but you need to first activate it onthe line you bought it for, then transfer it to the unlimited line.
Another prospective option ive considered and decided against is starting a new line, paying $199.99 plus $30 activation, and then immediately terminating for $350. You get it for $70 plus tax cheaper than paying full retail.
That $199 ends up being just over $300 when you finally click submit. $50 MIR makes it $249.99 to start.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using one opposable thumb.
I've had success in transfering the upgrade to the basic line on my account that did not have data. Once you get the phone, reactivate the basic phone on the basic line. Then activate the new phone on your original upgrade line with unlimited data.
OT: I ended up ditching unlimited. The extra $$/mon savings was worth more than keeping it. I'm on wifi for about 90% of my data anyway. My employer-provided (yes, I keep separation btwn work/personal) phone still has unlimited and I can tether to it if I need to.
Hey guys; new here, awaiting the Verizon GS4
I had luck when the iPhone 5 came out keeping my unlimited Data. We have 5 lines with two still on unlimited, 3 on the 2gb. With 5 we almost always have at least one available for an upgrade. I was on a Galaxy Nexus with unlimited and I upgraded another line that had a 2gb plan. When the phone arrived I simply did the switch online with the new imei and the nano sim on my unlimited line replacing my Nexus. Everything went smooth.
Since then I purchased a nano sim adapter and have often switched back and forth between the iPhone and the Nexus; I'm Nerdy that way. No problem switching the sim between phones. I run whichever phone I want depending on my mood. My nexus is fully rooted and running the Sourcery Custome ROM and the latest Franco Kernal.
What I did was this: My wifes ona share everything plan while I still have unlimited. We added a line to HER share everything plan, got the S4 @200$... And I will just swap devices on VZW website from the bionic I use now. My mother in law works for VZW said I should be able to just put my unlimited SIM in the S4, and it will work right away...However, may need to activate it on the line line, deactivate it, put on mine.... (We have tablets for our kids just incase they require a device on that new line, we will simply give one of those access)
Good luck...
rednoved said:
I've had success in transfering the upgrade to the basic line on my account that did not have data. Once you get the phone, reactivate the basic phone on the basic line. Then activate the new phone on your original upgrade line with unlimited data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what happens to the basic line after deactivating it ( since u have to put it on a data plan for it to have smartphone...) do u have to call and cancle the data or will that happen automatically after deactivating smartphone and putting old "dumb" phone back on it? will this result in a fee?
Thanks in advanced to anyone who can help...
Tfast500 said:
what happens to the basic line after deactivating it ( since u have to put it on a data plan for it to have smartphone...) do u have to call and cancle the data or will that happen automatically after deactivating smartphone and putting old "dumb" phone back on it? will this result in a fee?
Thanks in advanced to anyone who can help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Automatically removes the data package
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
My wife used my upgrade to get the Galaxy S4 for me but allow me to keep unlimited data. When we got the phone she activated it on her line with the included SIM, then deactivated it and switched back to her iPhone. I then popped the 4G SIM out of my gnex and into the S4. It worked right away, connected to the Verizon network with my phone number and I can call/text/get 3G service.
However, I have not yet had a connection to any LTE network (it's been 24 hours now.) I live in an area where I had LTE pretty much everywhere with my gnex. Anybody else have LTE problems, or data problems at all after doing a SIM swap?
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I don't have an answer to your question, but I want to know how your upgrade worked without losing Unlimited Data.
If I understand you correctly, you're saying that you have 2 lines on your account and yours has Unlimited and yours was eligible for an upgrade (so no longer under contract or at the end of your current contract). And, your wife's line does not have Unlimited and she was NOT eligible for an upgrade. So, she did an upgrade on your line, but activated it on her line. And that allowed you to keep your Unlimited.
I don't understand how that can work. That would imply that your wife essentially added a second contract to her line, but I don't think that works.
If what your saying works like I interpreted it, then it seems that I could add a line to my account and activate a dumbphone (that I already have) on it, so there's no contract on that line. Then I could use the upgrade I have available on my primary line to get an S4. Then activate it on my new second line, thus keeping Unlimited Data on my primary line. Then I could deactive the S4 from the second line, switching that line back to my dumbphone. Then activate the S4 on my primary line. Then cancel the second line altogether.
Are you saying that would work?
The way i understand it, is when "your" upgrade is used, it doesn't matter by whom, your line reverts to 2 gb.
That's what I would expect, too. But then there's this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41748941&postcount=6
Hey, badenglishihave's wife here. Before the upgrade we both had unlimited data and he was eligible for an upgrade. What he did was transfer the upgrade to my line in My Verizon. Then when we got the GS4, I activated it on my line which forced MY line to switch to 2GB, but extend the contract on HIS line while keeping unlimited. Then I switched back to my iPhone and he put his SIM in the GS4. My parents did the same exact thing in October with the iPhone 5.
Thanks, gurase! Definitely looks like a loophole that I am going to try to exploit!
I had the same issue with mine not getting 4g service, go to a verizon store and get a new sim card. The one that came out of my old Nexus did not activate correctly on my s4 but just enough for 3g and voice to work. Once I got a new sim the activation took a while at the store and I had awesome 4g service again. (and it was free no charge for any of it)
yeah it's always free to get a new sim card in case it fails they just set up a new one. BOOM!
I have a dummy line for this very reason. I have a dumb phone on that line. Each line is technically it's own contract. I transfer an available upgrade to the dummy phone line, upgrade against that line and then deactivate the new phone and reactivate it on my main line. Never lost unlimited on any of the three lines that have unlimited. It only affects the line the upgrade was used against, not the originating line.
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chrisjm00 said:
I have a dummy line for this very reason. I have a dumb phone on that line. Each line is technically it's own contract. I transfer an available upgrade to the dummy phone line, upgrade against that line and then deactivate the new phone and reactivate it on my main line. Never lost unlimited on any of the three lines that have unlimited. It only affects the line the upgrade was used against, not the originating line.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, why not cancel the dummy line after you finish moving your new phone over to the Unlimited line? I mean, why keep paying an extra $13 a month in between upgrades?
I did a little searching and didn't see this method described yet, so I thought I'd post it to help somebody else.
My Details Pre-Upgrade:
2 Lines (1400 shared minutes)
2 Galaxy Nexuses
1 Unlimited Data plan (4-5Gb/mo used)
1 4Gb Data plan (2-3Gb/mo used)
My line was eligible for upgrade when I broke my GNEX. I went in to my local VZW retailer where one of the salesmen worked out this deal for me:
Add a dialtone line (with an additional 2-year contract) with a Samsung Galaxy S4 as the new phone.
Transfer that SGS4 to my Unlimited line.
Activate a broken VZW non-smartphone (provided by my salesman) on my new dialtone line.
Pro's:
Got to get a new SGS4 (subsidized) and put it on my Unlimited Data line
Got a spare dialtone line which uses my shared minutes which I can put a crappy phone on later if I chose to.
Actually cheaper than converting to shared data plan for the amount of data I needed (detailed below)
Con's:
I have only deferred the demise of my Unlimited Data plan.
I have to pay an additional $10/mo for the additional line.
Plan Differences:
Lose Unlimited and switch to 8Gb shared plan: $170/mo
Keep Unlimited and add an additional line: $160/mo :good:
Now, these numbers won't necessarily math out for others, but this is the way it worked out for me.
That's kind of what I did. But I already had the line and I still have a working phone on the upgrade line.
sent from my blu vzw gs4
You could have used the upgrade on the 4gb line instead of opening a new line to save the $10 a month
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ChrisNee1988 said:
You could have used the upgrade on the 4gb line instead of opening a new line to save the $10 a month
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Click to collapse
I didn't mention that the 4Gb like want eligible for upgrade yet since I got them at different times.
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danskelly said:
I didn't mention that the 4Gb like want eligible for upgrade yet since I got them at different times.
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Click to collapse
You can transfer your upgrade from the gnex line to the 4gb line.
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I used to have customers do this all the time when I ran my old store lol best way to do it
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ChrisNee1988 said:
You can transfer your upgrade from the gnex line to the 4gb line.
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Click to collapse
I didn't know you could do that, and the VZW salesman didn't mention it.
If it is possible to do, he probably didn't mention it because he gets a bigger commission for a new line.
danskelly said:
I didn't know you could do that, and the VZW salesman didn't mention it.
If it is possible to do, he probably didn't mention it because he gets a bigger commission for a new line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, alternate upgrades can be done at anytime, and they do get more commission for a new line instead of an upgrade. On the plus side though, you still have your upgrade so you can always try and use it as an alternate upgrade for either of the other lines and get another phone subsidized down the road.
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If you have an individual line... Head over to best buy Mobile website and upgrade.. They will have an option to keep existing data plan. However once you get the phone in mail and activate it.... Your unlimited data will drop... YOU MUST CALL RIGHT AWAY AND EXPLAIN YOU AGREED TO KEEP UNLIMITED DATA. print the contract and make screencaps
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I'm on a 4 line family plan, two of those lines lost their unlimited a while ago. My intention is to go online, transfer the upgrade to one of the data capped lines. Once it arrives I will not call them to activate it on the upgraded line, but rather take it to a vzw store and tell them I want this phone activated on my unlimited line. I realize I can probably do that online, but I'm coming from a Bionic so I need the smaller sim anyway.
I don't want to go into the store initially because I have a feeling they'll try to activate it right there on the other line. The owner of that line doesn't need the hassle of having her phone de-activated, then re-activated when I move the S4 to my own line.
Erievon said:
I'm on a 4 line family plan, two of those lines lost their unlimited a while ago. My intention is to go online, transfer the upgrade to one of the data capped lines. Once it arrives I will not call them to activate it on the upgraded line, but rather take it to a vzw store and tell them I want this phone activated on my unlimited line. I realize I can probably do that online, but I'm coming from a Bionic so I need the smaller sim anyway.
I don't want to go into the store initially because I have a feeling they'll try to activate it right there on the other line. The owner of that line doesn't need the hassle of having her phone de-activated, then re-activated when I move the S4 to my own line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful from what I understand you MUST activate the phone first on the non unlimited line. I believe the first line to activate a subsidized phone is agreeing to new terms. The owner of the other phone just needs to be there while you call twice. Once to activate "her new phone" then a second call to reactivate "her old phone" on her line. It can be done in 20 minutes and is not a hassle for her. Then you can activate the phone on your line at your liesure. I just did this a couple weeks ago with my brother who is not on my plan.
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Evil-Eye said:
Be careful from what I understand you MUST activate the phone first on the non unlimited line. I believe the first line to activate a subsidized phone is agreeing to new terms. The owner of the other phone just needs to be there while you call twice. Once to activate "her new phone" then a second call to reactivate "her old phone" on her line. It can be done in 20 minutes and is not a hassle for her. Then you can activate the phone on your line at your liesure. I just did this a couple weeks ago with my brother who is not on my plan.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, that makes sense. Glad I mentioned it. Thanks Evil-Eye! I'm the main account holder, I wasn't even going to mention it to the other line holder just to avoid confusion. In the long run if I can do it over the phone I won't have to even go in and get a new SIM since that sim should be movable once initially activated.
---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------
Actually, she's already got LTE service and a sim, she has an S3. Can't I just pop her current sim into the S4, let it activate, them move it back to the S3?
Erievon said:
Hmm, that makes sense. Glad I mentioned it. Thanks Evil-Eye! I'm the main account holder, I wasn't even going to mention it to the other line holder just to avoid confusion. In the long run if I can do it over the phone I won't have to even go in and get a new SIM since that sim should be movable once initially activated.
---------- Post added at 01:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:27 PM ----------
Actually, she's already got LTE service and a sim, she has an S3. Can't I just pop her current sim into the S4, let it activate, them move it back to the S3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I did with the sim. The sim is tied to the account I think. This was my scenario: I was on a 3g phone my brother had an S3. I bought an S4 from his upgrade. He moved his S3 sim into the S4 he then activated the S4. Then he called and moved back to his S3. We got an unopened SIM with the S4 which we used on my account which never had a SIM before. So long story short yes use her Sim temporarily in the new phone and since you don't have a sim claim the new one ss yours. With that you will have unlimited data.
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There's a nearly 500 post long thread on this topic already.
When phone is activated in store you loose unltd. You need to call within two weeks to stay on unlimited. I activated once I got from. CL at the store when I was waiting for a replacement. And they prorated me 14 gigs for $$ 450 $$ !!!! This was swiftly corrected my calling in at *611 .. I will pay the 6-700 to keep my unlimited 69 mB/s speeds. Being on tour with the circus if is my only source of interwebbs....
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this wont work!
DROID3R said:
If you have an individual line... Head over to best buy Mobile website and upgrade.. They will have an option to keep existing data plan. However once you get the phone in mail and activate it.... Your unlimited data will drop... YOU MUST CALL RIGHT AWAY AND EXPLAIN YOU AGREED TO KEEP UNLIMITED DATA. print the contract and make screencaps
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nobody try this you loose ur unlimited, indirect retailers can add terms and conditions of there own but they cannot modify or supersede Verizons, theyll tell you to go back to best buy and complain to there about it.
and ever if you get lucky and talk a rep or even supervisor in to going along with it verizon adits there accounts for features, promos, and discounts that shouldnt be there so more likely then not youll lost it once theres not any options any more
So nowadays with the release of the s5, M8 and the pending LG G3, everybody wants to upgrade their phone, but nobody wants to lose unlimited data. very understandable and there is a method that works perfectly!
Yes we all know that you can buy a phone at full retail price, but who the hell wants to do that? the following instuctions is legal and should work without question.
First and foremost, if you are on the share everything plan you can exit this post because you are already screwed. furthermore if at any point in time you change your plan to the share everything plan all of your unlimited data lines will be gone forever. So don't do it.
Before we start there are a couple prerequisites you need to know.
1) You must still have an unlimited data line that you want to keep.
2) You MUST have a tiered data line on the same account. It does not matter if its a 3g phone or 4g phone. As long as it does not have unlimited data. Yes, you can add an additional line to your account to make this work if all lines are unlimited. However, you will have to pay the activation cost and $30 a month for the next two years or as long as you want to keep the additional line for this purpose. This trick obviously works better if you have a tiered data line cause then your bill will not increase and you will get the same results.
So, without further ado, here it is:
The only time you lose unlimited data is when you either A, switch to the share everything plan or b, upgrade the LINE that has unlimited data. It does not matter where the upgrade comes from, only what line is upgraded. I will provide an example at the end of the post.
1) go to the Verizon store and upgrade you're non unlimited data line to the phone you wish to purchase. Even if that particular line does not have an upgrade you can use an upgrade from any other line even if they have unlimited data. Just make sure that the phone that is upgrade is not the unlimited data line. so now you have used an upgrade from any line on your account to purchase your discounted phone. The phone that you have just bought should be on the line that does not have unlimited data.
2) after you have done that and paid for the phone you simply ask the representative to do a device only change. you put the just purchased phone on whatever number you want it to be on and put the original phone from the non unlimited data line back on the original line. Depending on the store you may have to buy an additional SIM card but you now have a brand new upgraded and discounted phone on your unlimited line and your non unlimited line is exactly as it was when you walked in the store. And that is well worth the price of a SIM card. So essentially, you have just upgraded your unlimited data line to a new phone without losing your data plan or costing you any extra money(minus if u had to buy a sim card).
If you are not familiar with Verizon plans for how this works it may seem complicated. I have provided an example below to make things easier. Feel free to PM me if you need any extra help.
I have spent a decent amount of time writting this guide and A LOT more time responding to posts and PM's. As of 11/19/2013 this thread has been viewed over 21,000 times and only 11 people have taken the time to press the "Thanks" button. Going forward, if you can't take 3 seconds out of your day to kindly rate the thread and/or hit the thanks button , then please don't expect me to answer a 3 paragraph question about your upgrade. This is a reasonable request in my opion. Thanks.
Example
Plan: 2phones 1 w/unlimited (we will call it the gs3)
1 w/2gb data plan( we will call it the Note2)
Availible upgrades: gs3 has an upgrade, note2 does not
1) do an alternate upgrade which means you're using your gs3 lines upgrade to upgrade the note 2 line to whatever phone you want, we will say the GS4.
2) after you do your alternate upgrade you should now have A GS 3 with unlimited data and a GS 4 with a 2 gig data plan.
3) ask the representative 2 then do a device only change and move the GS 4 to the line with the gs3 and unlimited data. put the gs3 sim card in the GS 4 and that line is good to go.
4) now, ask the representative to put the note 2 back on its original line, the one with the two gig data plan. put the original sim card from the note 2 back in the note 2. your SIM card that came with the GS 4 upgrade is now extra. you won't be able to use it for a day or so but you can hang on to it for future use.
5) you should now have a GS 4 with unlimited data and a note 2 with 2 gig data.
This is a very simple procedure unless you get a complete idiot at the store you should have no problem doing so. to the best of my knowledge you can upgrade as many phones using this method on the same account as you want. AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT UPGRADE AN UNLIMITED LINE DIRECTLY YOU WILL BE FINE. My only suggestion is, don't abuse it. don't try to upgrade 3 phones the same day using this method. As I said before, it's not illegal but I'm pretty sure verizon would not be happy with people abusing this loophole so space your upgrades apart a little bit.
I have upgraded to phones on my plan in the last 9 months doing this very message and have had no problems at all. I hope this post helps some people out! The only thing that sucks worse than not upgrading your phone is losing your data or paying $690 for a retail price device. HAPPY UPGRADING!!
Please note, as of August 24, 2014, Verizon changed their policy. Any line upgraded to a smart phone must keep the data package for the 2 year length of the contract. There for, performing the switch with a basic line means it becomes a data line for 2 years.
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I would highly advise doing the device only change with another rep or even at another store. If a device is switched to a different line within 6 months of purchase, it can result in a chargeback for the rep (lose the commission they made off your purchase). I don't know if it differs between corporate and retailers, but I wouldn't do it if somebody asked.
tl;dr = upgrade at one store, device only change at another
dtrichard said:
I would highly advise doing the device only change with another rep or even at another store. If a device is switched to a different line within 6 months of purchase, it can result in a chargeback for the rep (lose the commission they made off your purchase). I don't know if it differs between corporate and retailers, but I wouldn't do it if somebody asked.
tl;dr = upgrade at one store, device only change at another
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Anyone get commission when you order online? I don't want to screw the rep in the store, they're just trying to make a living like the rest of us, they don't set VZW's BS policies. I was thinking order it online, activate the new phone over the phone. Then call back and put the old phone back on the data capped line. Someday, when I get a chance I'll pop into a corporate store and get a new sim on my unlimited line and activate the S4 on that one.
I never deal with corprate stores due to the fact rhat they could not care less about an individual. They have so much traffic they are not imterested in goimg the extra mile. I used to work for a retailer and have done this method at least 10 times, 12 if you include my stuff and also watched countless other reps do rhe same. Nobody ever incured a charge back. I guess you could go to a different store just to be safe but shouldn't be necessary. But I would never choose a corprate store. Tons of bad experiences.
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Erievon said:
Anyone get commission when you order online? I don't want to screw the rep in the store, they're just trying to make a living like the rest of us, they don't set VZW's BS policies. I was thinking order it online, activate the new phone over the phone. Then call back and put the old phone back on the data capped line. Someday, when I get a chance I'll pop into a corporate store and get a new sim on my unlimited line and activate the S4 on that one.
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From Verizon's website, I don't believe so. Some retailers allow you to ship a phone to one of their stores, and then whichever rep finishes the process for you gets the commission.
So yeah, it's neutral to buy online. No reps will gain anything or lose anything.
dtrichard said:
I would highly advise doing the device only change with another rep or even at another store. If a device is switched to a different line within 6 months of purchase, it can result in a chargeback for the rep (lose the commission they made off your purchase). I don't know if it differs between corporate and retailers, but I wouldn't do it if somebody asked.
tl;dr = upgrade at one store, device only change at another
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Are you corprate or retailer? Cause I dont know where your getting this chargeback thing. Once the phone is sold its sold. How are they going to hold the representative accountable for a phone that switch lines. even if that's true all you have to do is take the SIM card from your old phone and put it in the new phone and it will work. it doesn't even technically need to be switched in system. especially if both phones are 4G once you switch SIM cards they will be updated automatically in system. I highly doubt that anybody will get charged back for something the customer did. Not to mention, if you are correct, how would going to a different store or a different reps make any difference? according to you there still going to chargeback the person you sold the phone right? I'm not saying you're wrong I'm just saying I'm 99.5 percent sure I'm right. Besides the fact, I'd rather screw a rep out of 5 dollars worth of commission then lose my unlimited data or not upgrade my phone.
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Ask jayochs.. I think he works for a retailer or used to.
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I did this at a Verizon store at a bjs wholesale no problems he knew what he was doing and thanked me for the commission. I specifically travelled to him knowing he was aware how to do it.
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No commission is lost when you do this. I have a couple friends who work at Verizon retail stores and that's how they do it for people that ask to keep their unlimited data.
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This is exactly what I did. Except the Verizon retailer knew about so I didnt have to BS or anything. They got the commission and I got my new GS4.
I went to a Best Buy store, they do everything for you, they don't even charge for the SIM Card, they swap phone and all for you in the spot, I also did the adding a line to my plan so I can get the Galaxy Nexus when it came out, but it's like $17ish a month because of taxes and some fees, At the end of the 2 years you save around $100 bucks, compered to buying the phone full price, but then you'll have another line that you can use the upgrade if you need to.
juanzho11 said:
I went to a Best Buy store, they do everything for you, they don't even charge for the SIM Card,
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i was told that all verizon stores are supposed to give out sim cards for free, even replacements. the csr told me that if anyone charges for them that i'm supposed to report them.
madsquabbles said:
i was told that all verizon stores are supposed to give out sim cards for free, even replacements. the csr told me that if anyone charges for them that i'm supposed to report them.
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That is true for corporate stores. Retailers are different because Verizon charges them for the SIM cards that they have.
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Shaftamle said:
I never deal with corprate stores due to the fact rhat they could not care less about an individual. They have so much traffic they are not imterested in goimg the extra mile. I used to work for a retailer and have done this method at least 10 times, 12 if you include my stuff and also watched countless other reps do rhe same. Nobody ever incured a charge back. I guess you could go to a different store just to be safe but shouldn't be necessary. But I would never choose a corprate store. Tons of bad experiences.
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Yeah the person at a cooperate store wouldn't do that method for me so I said F U I'm going to Sprint then and never looked back especially because there lte isn't as saturated here in LA.
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costco
I thought i was doomed as well.
fortunately i bought mine through costco, they will also switch around the accounts for you to activate at $199 for galaxy s4 instead of the full retail price of $699 or whatever it is these days.
My advice, go to costco
An easier way is to do it online cause they give u the option to move the upgrade to any line u want. I have 4 lines. 2 of them have the note 2 on them with the unlimited data plan. The other 2 lines have 2 lg chocolates on them to avoid having to get a data plan on them lines. So if I have an upgrade on one of the lines that have unlimited data on them I just log in and put the upgrade on one of the other 2 lines that dont have unlimited and order and wait for it to come.
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busta6975 said:
An easier way is to do it online cause they give u the option to move the upgrade to any line u want. I have 4 lines. 2 of them have the note 2 on them with the unlimited data plan. The other 2 lines have 2 lg chocolates on them to avoid having to get a data plan on them lines. So if I have an upgrade on one of the lines that have unlimited data on them I just log in and put the upgrade on one of the other 2 lines that dont have unlimited and order and wait for it to come.
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That's how I got my S4.
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Just upgraded to an s4 with a dumb phone line. Going to get it and switch it to my unlimited data line, then remove the data and put the dumb phone back on the other line. Can't wait to get it on Wednesday!
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busta6975 said:
An easier way is to do it online cause they give u the option to move the upgrade to any line u want. I have 4 lines. 2 of them have the note 2 on them with the unlimited data plan. The other 2 lines have 2 lg chocolates on them to avoid having to get a data plan on them lines. So if I have an upgrade on one of the lines that have unlimited data on them I just log in and put the upgrade on one of the other 2 lines that dont have unlimited and order and wait for it to come.
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They do that in the store as well. Its call an alternate upgrade. The purpose of my post is to explain in easy to understand teminology , how to use the alternate upgrade switch to your advantage. Whether you do it online, at a store or with Santa Claus makes no difference to me. I just don't want people to give up their plan if there is another way.
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I have an unlimited plan on a 3g phone with an upgrade available, and a dumb phone not eligible for upgrade. I tried this alternate upgrade. method at the vzw store and got to the checkout point, and was told that using the upgrade from the unlimited data line on *any* line will lose unlimited data. I went to a different store and asked there as well, and they said the same thing. I guess I have to wait until the dumb phone is eligible for an upgrade...
So I saw a post the other day about a loophole where I can keep my unlimited data. I have 2 plans. Plan 1 is my plan which is eligible for a upgrade and has unlimited data. Plan 2 is wife's which is eligible and has 2gb data plan. What I did was pre order the g3 on mine and changed to share everything ande lost my unlimited. I called Verizon and they said if I returned the phone by mail it would undo everything and I would get my old plan back. I didn't touch the phone, it's still in the box going back today.
My question is can I go to Verizon tonight, purchase another g3 on the wife's line, activate on the wife's line, switch it over to my line, and then when the pre ordered g3 gets back to them my plan goes back to unlimited like before. I feeling that should be fine, I just don't want to screw anything up.
I called cs again and they said it could complicate things if I activate another phone attached to the plan I'm temporary on. I guess I will just wait then
Stop doing it through Verizon. Don't activate the sim 3rd party provides.
leyvatron said:
Stop doing it through Verizon. Don't activate the sim 3rd party provides.
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I have no idea what you are trying to tell me. Buy the phone through a 3rd party? What does that get me I still have to pick a plan.
Yeah. Check your PM.
leyvatron said:
Yeah. Check your PM.
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I read that option but honestly I would rather do my method. It's not as sketchy as that and completely within Verizon policy to switch phones between plans. Best buy and Verizon could suddenly make that method not work. Since my wife doesn't have unlimited I might as well upgrade her with the g3 and move it over to mine.
I couldn't even buy the phone at best buy now because my plan isn't even unlimited data until they get the phone back. Thanks though.
Ok, here's what you do (I just did it on TWO lines yesterday).
Go to Best Buy. They're more helpful and aren't as stickler as VZW people are. Tell them that you can't upgrade your line since you don't want to lose unlimited data (and you always buy your phones used off Craigslist now), but your wife REALLY wants the LG G3. You want to surprise her with a new phone, so you would like to transfer the upgrade to her line and get her a new phone. Make sure that they understand you want your unlimited and DO NOT WANT TO LOSE IT.
They'll process the upgrade and everything.
Now take that phone back to your wife, put the SIM from the NEW phone (since it's her SIM now) into her phone, then put YOUR SIM into the new LG G3.
Boom. Doesn't fux with your unlimited data because you're using your old SIM.
Source: I've done this exact thing on my line with an S4, S5, and the G3 now. Works like a charm
mooglepimp said:
Ok, here's what you do (I just did it on TWO lines yesterday).
Go to Best Buy. They're more helpful and aren't as stickler as VZW people are. Tell them that you can't upgrade your line since you don't want to lose unlimited data (and you always buy your phones used off Craigslist now), but your wife REALLY wants the LG G3. You want to surprise her with a new phone, so you would like to transfer the upgrade to her line and get her a new phone. Make sure that they understand you want your unlimited and DO NOT WANT TO LOSE IT.
They'll process the upgrade and everything.
Now take that phone back to your wife, put the SIM from the NEW phone (since it's her SIM now) into her phone, then put YOUR SIM into the new LG G3.
Boom. Doesn't fux with your unlimited data because you're using your old SIM.
Source: I've done this exact thing on my line with an S4, S5, and the G3 now. Works like a charm
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Can I not switch the phone from her line to mine after I get it? Since her line doesn't have unlimited I'll just buy it on hers and switch it to mine. Am I missing something? I'm just not understanding why I can't just do it through Verizon. I'll use her upgrade to buy the g3,switch the phone to my line, then transfer my upgrade to hers later.
here is what you do. transfer your upgrade via my Verizon wireless to her line. upgrade to G3. When you get it put her sim out of her current phone in it. Make sure it switches to G3 on her line on my Verizon. Take sim out put back in her old phone and put your sim in the G3! Boom! keep unlimted intact on your line and still have her upgrade. Only thing I don't know is you may have to use her upgrade. never done when two lines both have upgrades
Ok. If the upgrade is already on her line, it's no problem. Use the upgrade online (after Verizon gets your order back and your bill reverts to unlimited for your line), go in and have them swap the devices around and you'll be fine. Heck, you may be able to get by with just swapping out the SIM cards, no store trip needed. At least, that's how it worked for me:
Moved my upgrade over to my mother's dumb phone line. Pre-ordered the G3 online. When it arrived, I removed the pre-installed SIM and popped the one from my S4 in. The phone now shows up on my line on My Verizon. Swung by the store today to make sure I didn't need to do anything else. Rep I talked to (thankfully a guy into mobile tech) said everything looked good and we didn't have to do anything further...that my unlimited line wouldn't be touched now.
In short...Order online, do everything you can do yourself. Don't call CS or deal with store reps unless you absolutely have to.
SightSeeker said:
Can I not switch the phone from her line to mine after I get it? Since her line doesn't have unlimited I'll just buy it on hers and switch it to mine. Am I missing something? I'm just not understanding why I can't just do it through Verizon. I'll use her upgrade to buy the g3,switch the phone to my line, then transfer my upgrade to hers later.
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Ahh, ya. I missed that part. If she has an upgrade, just buy the phone with HER upgrade and pop your SIM into it. Tell them that you're using her upgrade for yourself though, otherwise they'll deactivate her SIM for the new one that they're putting into the phone. Then you pop it in and have them activate her phone. She shouldn't be without service for more than a few minutes.
The way that I described it is how you'll use your upgrade WITHOUT losing your data plan.
I don't think she has a sim. She has an iPhone 4s. She doesn't want a new phone, that's why both lines are open. I'll just activate it with the new sim on her account and switch it to mine right after.
Back to my first question though lol, can I go in and get the phone now with her upgrade and switch it before the other phone gets back to them? I'm worried that upgrading her line while my plan is still not unlimited until the phone gets back to them will keep the plan stuck even after they get the phone back from my account. I'm just being impatient and want the phone now and don't feel like waiting for the return to process
SightSeeker said:
I don't think she has a sim. She has an iPhone 4s. She doesn't want a new phone, that's why both lines are open. I'll just activate it with the new sim on her account and switch it to mine right after.
Back to my first question though lol, can I go in and get the phone now with her upgrade and switch it before the other phone gets back to them?
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Just wait! Honestly dude, consider yourself extremely lucky that they're even giving you your unlimited data back. That rarely ever happens. I would definitely not push it. Just be patient.
Also, you said in your post that you and your wife have separate accounts. Do you mean separate lines on this same plan or two separate plans completely? If it's too seprate accounts I'd very careful about switching the phone from 1 account to the other. Technically they can charge you full price for the phone if it leaves the account that it was bought on. I believe you have to wait 6 months or maybe a little bit more. that rule may have changed from a year ago when I worked there, but you might want to double check cause that phone cost a lot of money.
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Been doing this for three years. I pay 120/year just to keep my second dummy line and transfer upgrades Hehe.
If you're not pro, don't try it they'll make you change root plans.
Boop!
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