Verizon Ditches Rebates on Smartphones $150 and Above

by: Kellex | posted 01.28.11 | News

We’re hearing word out of Verizon’s camp today that after changing their upgrade and return policies, they also plan on shaking things up in the rebate game. Now before anyone gets their underoos in a twist, think about what this means. You can’t tell me that any of you actually enjoyed the rebate process? In fact, I know that I have asked reps for years now if they can just hack off the rebate instantly so that I don’t have to deal with them.

Under the new rebate policy, all phones $150 and above will no longer have mail-in-rebates, but devices under $150 could still see them. So instead of walking into a store and seeing a DROID X at $299 plus $100 MIR, you’ll now just see the device at $199. Pretty good news if you ask me. We know that the reps we’ve talked to are excited about it.

These changes go live on January 31.

Cheers Spaniard!

Pingback: debt consolidation companies
Pingback: debt consolidation programs
Pingback: Verizon Rebate Policy Changes Go Into Effect, No Need to Worry - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog
Bpalaforever

GOOD! I just got my DX about a month ago, and VZ’s rebate cards are pretty much a scam. You only get a month to use them (well two weeks in my case, because I got it in the mail two weeks into the month it was due to expire!!!).

Then it’s a pain to get all the money out of it because you pretty much have to spend exactly the rebate amount to get every last dime out of your rebate. Most people won’t even take the card if it contains less than $1 on it. If you add it up, VZ was making a fortune out of all the rebate money customers were unable to spend.

The whole thing was pretty crooked right from the beginning….
Pingback: Verizon’s New Rebate and Non-Rebate Device List | Daringminds.com
Pingback: Small wind turbine or | Green Living Tips | Information and Free Resources |
Pingback: Verizon’s New Rebate and Non-Rebate Device List - Android Apps List - Tech News
VaXer

The MIR nonsense was why I bought my X at Best Buy instead of the Verizon store. Sounds like good news to me..
VaXer

The MIR nonsense was why I bought my X at Best Buy instead of the Verizon store. Sounds like good news to me..
http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Reyes/1191692681 Carlos Reyes

at this point some phones on the website that required a mir in past now have an online discount instead of the mir but not all like the x.
Liftedsilvo

this is probably just a online thing cause this means that verizon wireless would be loosing so much money in the long run with all the other indirect stores using the rebates it dosent seem right. Plus phone manufacturers have to be lowering prices as well. Just dosent seem right after thinking about it. Just have to wait and see
Liftedsilvo

this is going to suck for indirect retailers
Jawshua

Oh man when I first read the post I just thought we didn’t get rebates at all anymore! But to have them automatically deducted is perfect, assuming I’m understanding this correctly?
Mlarsen_2001

I never had a problem with the rebate program. Always got my rebates and then turned around and used it on my bill
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Janacek/1087230071 Mike Janacek

Fantastic. Finally Something “Good”.
http://twitter.com/onlinevision Paul Kaiser

If true, it really seems like VZW is getting cocky because of the iPhone. I mean the service is good, the customer service is horrible, and when I get my bill every month I cringe – but I haven’t switched yet. Stop giving me reasons
Pingback: Does anyone know about a work at home job that processes rebates? | Green Living Tips | Information and Free Resources |
Anonymous

Trying to entice customers back from stores like Best Buy. I bought my Droid on release day. $100 NE2 credit and I sent in for rebate. Got daughters Droid 2 at BB during free Friday in October promo. Much easier!

I bet many never send rebate info in, and Verizon made extra. People getting tired of the hassels.

http://perpetualn00b.tumblr.com quiklives

According to training at Best Buy, about 70% of mail-in rebates never get cashed in.

platayin

that is obviously false

http://perpetualn00b.tumblr.com quiklives

Maybe. Or even probably. But it wouldn’t actually surprise me all that much.

Robin

Assuming you mean 70% of MIR-eligible purchases don’t mail in the MIR or do so incorrectly, then I absolutely believe that.

http://perpetualn00b.tumblr.com quiklives

I would guess that that’s the case for the vast majority, though I’m sure VZW and the other carriers drop the ball sometimes too, like bpala’s comment above. Putting time limits on it then conveniently waiting until the last second like that means that technically you fulfilled your obligation but practically speaking, you’ll probably get some of the money back anyway.

Bpalaforever

That doesn’t surprise me at all actually. I got my rebate card in the mail two weeks before it was due to expire, and not to mention I was out of town at the time for the week so I actually had only 1 week to use it before it expired, then I nearly forgot about it for that week also and ended up going on a shopping spree for random stuff I didn’t really need two days before it expired just to actually use the money on the thing. Even then I didn’t use it all because some people at the gas station wouldn’t use it so I could get a 90 cent candy bar, so VZ still got a dollar out of it.

Anonymous

Are we 100% sure that “getting rid of rebates” does not mean “sorry, full price of $299″?
Stillirise

This really just applies for in store purchases…they have been doing the instant rebate online for quite some time…when i got my droid x its was $199 online, with no rebate…..but, in store, it was like $299, with a $100 mail in rebate…sooo…the final price in store ended up being $199 in the in….so, like the artice said…it just means you don’t have to pay more out of pocket, and you don’t have to wait on a rebate….
iamsteventucker

I have to assume this change being pushed by Google and other manufactures because the i*hone doesn’t have rebates, and if you’re in the store and you can pay $199 for a phone with no rebate, or $299 for a phone and wait 3 weeks, most people aren’t going to be taking home an Android device.
Anonymous

You really think Verizon would get of rebates all together instead of making them instant? Take off your Verizon hate glasses and consider how dumb that really sounds.
Matthew Brody

Thank goodness. I still have the rebate cards in my wallet from my original Droid/wife’s Eris, with about $3 on one of them and $1 on the other, always forgetting to use them.
Matthew Brody

Thank goodness. I still have the rebate cards in my wallet from my original Droid/wife’s Eris, with about $3 on one of them and $1 on the other, always forgetting to use them.
Cgmartin33

I would still never walk in to a Verizon store to buy anything…not even an over priced accessory. A couple years ago they shut down thousands of stores and kiosks to cut back yet they are still the most expensive place to purchase a phone. At least BB and Costco reps are allowed to own the new phones they sell so that you are able to have an intelligent conversation about the device you wish to purchase and save hundreds in the process. Even before BB Mobile I would only buy online to utilize instant rebates.
Pingback: Verizon Ditches Rebates on Smartphones $150 and Above - Android Apps List - Tech News
Pingback: Verizon to Stop Rebate Program!!! - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum
Pingback: Tweets that mention Verizon Ditches Rebates on Smartphones $150 and Above - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog -- Topsy.com
‘Dillo

I wouldn’t buy one from Verizon anyway. I got my Droid II from Wirefly for 89.99 way before Best Buy and Verizon dropped the price from 199.99. (They must of had insider info they were fated) Made it sweet to ditch my POS HTC that sucked after the 2.1 upgrade from Sprint. I got rid of Sprint and didn’t pay much more than 50 of what it would have cost me to get a new one from Verizon. Win Win for me. Course now my Verizon bill is higher…lots better service though…
‘Dillo

I wouldn’t buy one from Verizon anyway. I got my Droid II from Wirefly for 89.99 way before Best Buy and Verizon dropped the price from 199.99. (They must of had insider info they were fated) Made it sweet to ditch my POS HTC that sucked after the 2.1 upgrade from Sprint. I got rid of Sprint and didn’t pay much more than 50 of what it would have cost me to get a new one from Verizon. Win Win for me. Course now my Verizon bill is higher…lots better service though…
DBK

According to that screen shot on Android Central someone posted below, it looks like they are doing away with the rebate entirely for phones priced higher than 150 and make the rebate for the smartphones under 150 $50 (mail in or instant).

It seems that the only change is going from mail-in only for the costlier smartphones to non at all.

If so, not good.

Anonymous

We aren’t going to be paying $299 for phones. They will now just come in at $199 because we won’t have to deal with rebates.
Anonymous

We aren’t going to be paying $299 for phones. They will now just come in at $199 because we won’t have to deal with rebates.

The350zWolf

It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a phone directly from Verizon. I now get them from Newegg, Wirefly or BestBuy.

http://twitter.com/Payaso_113 Nightmares

Why?

DROID Xer

Because there are no rebates, you just get it at the rebated price. When I got my DroidX, it was $299 – $100 MIR, or I could (and did) go to BB and get it for $199.

http://twitter.com/Payaso_113 Nightmares

Why?
Jawshua

Yeah I got my DROIDX from Best Buy because it allowed me to get one right away when my first one broke. If I had waited pin Verizon I would have had to waited like months. I know when I’m up for a new one I’ll go through Best Buy again for sure.

http://twitter.com/drudometkin David R.

Good now I won’t be taxed on the before rebate price like before
Anonymous

So what’s the catch?
Stewart2592

Android Central has the screen shot. http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-changing-smartphone-rebate-plan-getting-rid-them
Salsa_33

When I bought my D1 on day one, I hated the fact that if you bought online, the rebated or lower price was instant but if I bought at the store, I had to mail crap in. I had to have it that day, so I dealt with the mail in BS. I hope this means those days over.

Thisguy

it wasn’t instant online.

Kwparker80

Sigh. Yes, Thisguy, it was.

Anonymous

I hate the rebate program more then anything. Took me 6 phone calls and almost 2 months to get my rebate.
Chris

How do you know that’s what it means? They did away with the NE2 money off and said promo pricing only. How do you know they aren’t saying “no rebates. promo pricing only”?

Anonymous

I’m taking my guy’s word for it.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1161356262 Randy Palmer Jr

awesome!!! i hate using the mail system >_<
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1161356262 Randy Palmer Jr

awesome!!! i hate using the mail system >_<
CaptainHowdy

+1 for changing for the better for once ….
EC8CH

or maybe they could just sell all their smartphones for $150 or less…

seems to me you can get the best phone on AT&T for under that price

Kevoskee

Yeah both the Atrix and the Inspire suppose to be 150 or cheaper. But im buying the Thunderbolt at full price so this doesn’t effect me…yet

Thisguy

yeah those are amazon.com prices, obviously they’re gonna be cheaper.

BubbaGump

Finally, some good news from Verizon…
Jeremy Gentry

OMG BIG RED! you have touched my heart like none other <3
Anonymous

Translation:

Dear Loyal VZW Customer,

It’s been almost a week since we’ve pissed you off. So, we’ve come up with something new. We’re ending rebates on those high-end smartphones you love. We hope you believe this will result in us just charging you a lower price to begin with, but… well we’ve got to make a profit you know. So, say goodbye to rebates,enjoy your last “new every two” and standby for announcement on 4G LTE pricing! Also, please take some time to enjoy all of the new features of our Sleazy Navigator. For only $120/year you can stop messing around with that silly Google Maps thingy.

Thanks again for you cash… uhm business,
The VZ Paycheck Arsons

Anonymous

Did you read the post at all? Or did you just skip straight to the comments?

Anonymous

Yep, read it. Anytime VZW says it’s making pricing more friendly to the customer, I’m suspicious. I’m certain that this will mean higher prices in the long wrong. I hope I’m wrong, but “saving money” and VZW are rarely words I use in the same sentence. If I’m wrong, I’ll take a side of green chili with my crow.

Anonymous

Yea lets just have a little faith first lol. Verizon’s still not as bad as At&t in my book.

Thisguy

this dude only ever bitches about verizon, have you ever commented on another store? get back under your bridge troll.

Anonymous

I’m sorry but I agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if Verizon added $25 to the price of the phone to give us the convenience of not dealing with a debate. Call it a convenience fee…

Verizon is in the business to make money, and they are good at it.

Anonymous

Was that kind of like this letter from VZW:

“Dear Loyal VZW customer,

We have recently launched our 4G LTE network, and we are introducing two USB modems priced comparable to our previous 3G modem offerings, other than the POS free ones. On top of that, you will be getting 4G speeds from our LTE network, for $10 less per month than our previous 3G prices for the same data usage limits as before, and $10 less per month for the same plans from Sprint or AT&T.

Sincerely,

Verizon Wireless”

Anonymous

Hah! Touche…

Kevoskee

I always hated rebates but I used mines towards my second bill. One smart thing Verizon thought of vs. the return policies on phones and the removal of their upgrades
http://twitter.com/JasonAGrier Jason A. Grier

I was about to grab my pitchfork thinking they were getting rid of the discounts entirely… and then realized you meant they were just getting rid of the rebates and keeping the discounts… I put my pitchfork back down

Pcguru30

are you sure about that? It sounds ambigious enough to me that it cuold mean that 300$ phone will remain 300$ no rebate in store or otherwise

tjhrulz

I agree we will have to wait and see

Liftedsilvo

sounds like a $hitty thing anyways especially for indirect retailers who depend on the upfront money for the rebate to stay in business. if this was true indirect stores would have a hard time keeping the doors open and ppl with jobs

Anonymous

I think this is for them to combat their major resellers like Best Buy who have been undercutting them using the same practice already.
PersianDeity

except if they dropped the rebate completely, they’d have to hike up the payout to retailers for contract’s to help out… or add spiffs for phones with lowered/removed rebates… they were paying the money to customers anyway… (assuming they mailed in their rebate)

http://twitter.com/JasonAGrier Jason A. Grier

Kellex said.. ” So instead of walking into a store and seeing a DROID X at $299 plus $100 MIR, you’ll now just see the device at $199″ sooo yes i’m sure…
http://twitter.com/JasonAGrier Jason A. Grier

Kellex said.. ” So instead of walking into a store and seeing a DROID X at $299 plus $100 MIR, you’ll now just see the device at $199″ sooo yes i’m sure…

Liftedsilvo

they are getting rid of the NE2 discounts and annual upgrades though

http://twitter.com/TonyG916 Tony Garza

great news if discount automatically applied. the rebate system was such a hassle. cutting the upc and mailing it in with the receipt, then waiting months for the $100 rebate. step in the right direction

Knightcrusader

Months? I’ve sent quite a few Verizon rebates in the past, and every one of them has come back to me inside of a month… once in 2 weeks. If anyone can do rebates right, its Verizon.
Anonymous

I’ve done four $100 rebates in the past year with Verizon and I’ve received each one in less than three weeks (the last one was in my hand 11 days after mailing it out). And, for the record, I live in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin where it is impossible for UPS, FedEx or the US Postal Service to guarantee overnight delivery (either to or from my town).