Best price for Treo 650 wo/ new activation?

[dlam]

We are currently with Verizon and I don't want to switch providers. What is the best price I can expect for a new/used Treo 600 or 650? Any ideas?
Thanks!

[serg]

I'm in the same boat. My wife and I have a Family SharePlan, we're out of contract and I decided that I'd upgrade to a Treo. Went to our local store and was told two things: 1) only the primary line was eligible for the $100 off / new every 2 year deal and 2) the secondary line (which is mine) CANNOT have a data plan! I left the store dazed...

I don't quite believe the secondary line not being capable of having a data plan, since I went through VZW's web site and was able to upgrade my phone and add the data plan (though I never hit submit...)

It's quite annoying to think that I could get the Treo for half the cost if I decided to a) jump ship to Cingular or b) dump my phone number and sign up as a new contract (I'm assuming I could do this). If my wife didn't require good reception all over New England, I'd probably dump VZW (even though I've been a happy and loyal customer).

I haven't tried going to a VZW store (or via phone) and asking them what kind of deal they could give me (i.e. price match Cingular's offering of ~$200). I'm guessing the answer would be no, but it probably depends on how good of a salesperon one is...

[serg]

Looking at eBay, it looks like you could pick up a used 600 for around $150 and a 650 for $400. I'm not tempted at those prices...

[chris]

I've found providers are not inclined to offer current customers the same offer as a first time customer. I haven't seen them extend much loyalty. The family share plan is in effect a great marketing plan. It makes it difficult to jump -- because it affects the whole family. Now, when you decide to jump, it's more than one phone -- some do not want to jump etc.

When I jump next, (whenever the new Treo 700 comes out -- which will be Q1 2006), I won't be as concerned with getting my family plan. My wife and I have never use our minutes -- and we've accrued a ridiculous amount of Cingular rollover minutes. In my situation, it's not necessary to have the family plan when today's plans have so many minutes that it's not necessary to commit both of us. I guess it depends on your usage. For me, the family plan is over-rated.

Data, on the other hand, is a serious consideration. I was able to be "grandfathered in" with the Media Works option at $19.99. If I were in the market for a Treo 650, I'd go Sprint in a heartbeat. $15 - Unlimited data. No brainer.

-Chris

[chris]

For someone in your position, the eBay route is probably best.

[huricaine4]

I am seeing the same problems listed above as I currently have Verizon and I want to purchase a Treo - Verizon is telling me since my phone isn't the primary line that I can't! I find that impossible to believe. Plus they want to charge me full price and are not offering any of the rebates they are giving new clients :mad:

I live in the boondocks and Verizon is the best coverage around out here but it is extremely irritating and I am debating telling them to take a hike...

[mikepaul]

Do you need a data plan to activate a 650 with Cingular if you bring your own phone to your existing voice plan?

I got mixed messages from the Cingular offices I asked at, and maybe someone here has actually done it...

[chris]

Do you need a data plan to activate a 650 with Cingular if you bring your own phone to your existing voice plan?

I got mixed messages from the Cingular offices I asked at, and maybe someone here has actually done it...

No, you shouldn't. Matter of fact, if you have a Cingular account, all you need to do is insert your SIM card.

-Chris

[mikepaul]

No, you shouldn't. Matter of fact, if you have a Cingular account, all you need to do is insert your SIM card.

One Cingular rep said yes, one said no, I decided to go with the Nokia 6230 due to the Amazon rebate deal and just let the PDAphone issues slide for a while. If I do get a 650, I'll at least try to get by without a data plan.

The Verizon rep (before I switched to get unrestricted Bluetooth) said they REQUIRED a data plan so nobody complained about an a-la-carte access charges when they screwed up and made a data connection that lasted hours. I expected a similar policy at Cingular, but as I said, no solid answer.

Thanks...

[serg]

Verizon is telling me since my phone isn't the primary line that I can't! I find that impossible to believe. Plus they want to charge me full price and are not offering any of the rebates they are giving new clients :mad:

Don't believe Verizon - I think their sales reps are being trained incorrectly. I was told that I couldn't get the Treo because I was the secondary line, twice, before I found someone who made it work.