Target: Activate Google Pixel 2 XL In-Store, Get $300 Credit + Expired

Here is the proof that this deal works.
https://slickdeals.net/f/11273395-target-activate-google-pixel-2-xl-in-store-get-300-credit-300-gc-service-line-req?p=112385591#post112385591

Previous Target $250 GC + $300 DPP credit thread from December 2017 for reference. This deal is likely to work the same way. Contains a lot of information relevant for Verizon and non-Verizon customers. During that deal, the two promotions stacked. Target said they wouldn't, but upon completing the transaction, a quick call to Verizon customer service confirmed the $300 DPP credit.

Most Target stores only stock the 64GB version of the Pixel 2 XL. Very few stock the 128GB version.

FAQ

Q: Verizon is expensive! Why is this a good deal?
A: People value things differently. There are FP deals here for $4K watches. For those who have made the decision that Verizon is worth the cost (or receive discounts that make it as cheap as other options), this is a great deal on a flagship phone. Please refrain from trolling a 700+ post thread if your only input is complaining about Verizon's cost.

Q: Do I get the $300 credit immediately?
A: No. The $300 credit is applied via 24 monthly bill credits over the next two years. Each credit will be $12.50. You must enter into a device purchase plan to get the credit, so you can basically plan to take $12.50 off the quoted monthly price of whatever device you choose.

Q: The Target people don't seem to know about the $300 credit. Will I still get it?
A: The Target Mobile associates don't technically work for Target or Verizon. They are staffed by third-party providers who specialize in mobile devices/services. The $300 credit is an offering by Verizon and, frankly, isn't heavily advertised in big box stores, so it's likely they won't know about it. However, the processing to do it is on the back end at Verizon, so as long as you purchase a Pixel device and maintain a device purchase plan for 24 months, you will get your $300 credit.

Q: How do I confirm I'll get the $300 credit?
A: Shortly after you purchase the device, you should get an email with the subject "Your bill credit has been applied to your account." It will list an Offer Description of DEVICE PROMOTIONAL CREDIT and the phone line to which it will apply. Once you get that email, go to the Documents & Receipts section and click the View my next bill summary link. You should see the credit under the Monthly Charges section on the line listed in the email.

Q: Can I get multiple credits/gift cards if I buy multiple devices?
A: Yes. You will receive the monthly device credits for all Pixels purchased during the promotion period that maintain a device payment plan (it's an automatic Verizon thing). From all indications, Target will also give out one gift card per device, though it must be activated in-store.

Q: How long should it take to get the email that confirms I'll be getting the device credit?
A: Reports in the thread have gone everywhere from 12 hours to 3 days.

Q: Do I get the Target gift card immediately?
A: Yes. You should expect the Target Mobile rep to activate the new device and have you make or receive a test call. After that, you will be given a $300 Target gift card that you can use immediately for normal purchases.

Q: Can I use the Target gift card toward a down payment on my Pixel?
A: No. You do not receive the gift card until the device purchase is complete, so you cannot use the card during the process. Afterward, I think you'd have to make an additional payment through Verizon itself, so the gift card wouldn't be valid payment (someone can correct me if I'm wrong here).

Q: Can I use the Target gift card toward the purchase of another mobile device?
This looks to be YMMV. Seems to depend on the Target Mobile tech, but one user reported he was able to use it on the sales tax of an additional device.

Q: Will I be charged sales tax for the device even if I put it on a device payment plan?
A: Yes. You will be charged the full appropriate tax on the full price of the device at purchase.

Q: I recently bought a Verizon mobile phone on another deal. Can I return it to take advantage of this deal?
A: Probably. The standard return window for Verizon is 14 days, but their 2017 Holiday Return Policy [verizonwireless.com] states: "All purchases made between November 23 and December 31, 2017 may be returned or exchanged through January 15, 2018." You will be charged a $35 restocking fee, but multiple people have been able to get that waived by calling in afterward. One user reported Verizon Support said any rep at an actual corporate store can waive it on-site, but YMMV.

Q: I recently bought a Verizon mobile phone and want to return it to take advantage of this deal. What will happen with my activation fee(s) and upgrade?
A: During the return, your original activation fee will be refunded and your upgrade reactivated. When you purchase the new Pixel at Target, your upgrade will be used and you will be charged $30 for activation (goes on your first bill). Some people have reported being able to get the activation fee waived, but that's probably YMMV.

Q: I recently bought a Verizon mobile phone and want to return it to take advantage of this deal. Can I exchange it at Target?
A: The consensus seems to be no. The best advice is to return it to the same store where you bought it or picked it up.

Q: I recently bought a Verizon mobile phone and want to return it to take advantage of this deal. Do I need to wait a certain amount of time before going to Target?
A: No. Several people in the thread went straight from a Verizon store to a Target store with no issues.

Q: I recently bought a Verizon mobile phone and want to return it to take advantage of this deal. Who is responsible for wiping my data?
A: I'd personally recommend you do this yourself, either before taking your device in or right after you confirm all the specifics with the Verizon tech and start the return process. Here's [cnet.com] a CNET article with generic instructions for the major three mobile OSs.

Q: Can I put a down payment on the device to make the monthly payments smaller?
A: Yes. Most people have reported being able to do this at Target, but some were denied and had to go to a Verizon corporate store to do it after purchasing from Target.

Q: If I pay off the device before the 24 month full term, will I get the $300 credit?
A: Since the credit is paid in monthly installments of $12.50 while the device payment plan is still active, you will only receive the full $300 if you maintain that plan for two years. If you pay off the device at any point before month 24, the credits will cease. If you transfer the phone to another provider, Verizon will likely bill you for the remainder of the balance of the device, and the credits will cease. If you do end up doing something that negates the credit, you should be notified via email (see this post).

Q: If I put a big enough down payment on the device that my monthly installment is less than the monthly credit ($12.50), will the credit be cancelled?
A: No. I received a PM from a user that stated the following:
Quote Just wanted to let you know that putting a large down payment works. I was able to pay all but $1 of the Pixel 2 with my Target Red card and am now financing $0.04/month for the remaining 24 months, with $0.08 for the first month. I received the email (took about 24 hours) that I received a credit and my next month payment has been reduced by $12.50.

Q: I have a very specific scenario regarding an existing promotional credit, switching lines, or grandfathered plans. Will this affect that?
A: There are so many possibilities here that there is no way anyone not affiliated with Verizon can give you a reasonably accurate answer. Go to a Verizon corporate store or call/IM their support to find out. In my experience, they aren't going to care because their main priority is maintaining you as a customer, not keeping you from saving a few bucks on a single phone purchase. In fact, the tech who I worked with at the corporate store where I returned my device (Pixel 2 purchased on the 6th) was impressed with the deal. I had to wait a little while, so he even let me keep the charger and USB-C cable ($35 value).

Q: Are there any additional expenses/inconveniences I need to factor into this decision?
A: The two major ones I'll point out are:
The Pixel 2 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. It does come with a USB-C male to 3.5mm female dongle, but expecting people to carry that everywhere seems very unrealistic to me. As a result, any non-Bluetooth audio accessories will either become unusable or a little more of a hassle.
The Pixel 2 has a USB-C connection. Without going into a huge tech digression, this means all your old microUSB charging cables will not work with it, including car chargers. In addition, the rollout of this standard has come with some troubling quality control issues, [androidcentral.com] so you'll probably want to be a little more picky with charging cables right now than the older ones. There's this engineer named Benson Leung who's a bit of a demigod when it comes to this issue and charging in general, and he's compiled an Amazon list [amazon.com] of products he recommends. The phone comes with one power adapter and one USB-C male to male cable for charging and one USB-B female to USB-C male adapter for data transfer.
Q: I bought this deal, but want to return the Pixel for whatever reason. How should I do that?
A: Based on this post, make sure have a Target Mobile tech process the return. They are third party representatives who are authorized to work with Verizon, whereas the general Target store customer service people can only work with returns within their system.

Cancellation of Service and Keep the Gift Card

I did this during the Iphone Black Friday deal and it's very easy.. Here are the steps
1 - signup with target and get gift card if you can put the down payment almost full and leave $50 or something and use red card you get 5% off on the down payment. If you don't have the target red card you can apply there itself for debit or credit..to open a Target Red Card Debit you need a check.
2 - next day morning go to Verizon corporate store only with $50 cash as they accept cash only and ask to pay off.. they will give receipt
3 - come home get online Verizon chat not phone chat is much better and easier.. and ask to cancel and you can cancel.. and also during chat confirm that you are cancelling under 3 days and no charges and they will confirm that and keep a copy of the chat transcript just for reference.
That's it..
I still got the bill after few days and I got online again in chat and they made credits .. and made bill "0".

Hope that helps..

***

Just to add to the above cancellation process. It can be difficult to get hold of a Verizon agent who can cancel the account through CHAT.

And it is especially difficult if you haven't activated the sim card with a test call and/or registered your cell number on Verizon's website. My Target Tech did not make the test call and I did not register on the Verizon site.

That said, make sure you have the PIN number which is assigned to your account when you call to cancel. The Verizon agent will try to talk you into staying with their service, my agent was pleasant and understanding.

Be firm and polite in your refusal; you'll do just fine Peace

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