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Verizon Free Samsung S23 125GB: no trade in, no contract, & no change in service required - YMMV

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I am existing Verizon customer and was online examining my account. I did not see this promotional offering online, rather it was presented to me in their chat popups. The representative offered a Samsung S23 phone free. There would be no charge for the phone, but I was required to pay upfront the Maryland tax on the retail price of the phone, and their $35 upgrade fee. So, it's not really free.

Usually, these Verizon offerings require a more expensive service, but I keep the same service.

A monthly $22.22 credit to the bill offsets the cost of the phone. I have the Verizon 5G Start at $30/month, which will not change. As I said, there is no contract and no trade-in required.

Finally, they also offered the Samsung S23 256GB for $60 more ($1.66/month for 36 months). I took the 256GB phone. Again, no contract, no trade-in, and higher cost service.
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Created 12-25-2023 at 11:56 AM by Daddio1949
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Joined Jun 2013
L3: Novice
> bubble2 149 Posts
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jdangles1
01-02-2024 at 05:37 PM.
01-02-2024 at 05:37 PM.
What if I got this deal and then wanted to trade up for the s24 directly through Samsung or other retailer, but stay on Verizon. Will I continue to get the S23 credit for the 3 years because I upgraded the phone with another vendor (but activated it on Verizon, same phone number)?
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Joined Sep 2009
L3: Novice
> bubble2 140 Posts
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John126w
01-05-2024 at 08:25 AM.
01-05-2024 at 08:25 AM.
Quote from Daddio1949 :
Here is why this is a good deal for slickdealers.

John126w pays roughly $24/month/phone ($74/3) for phone service, I pay $30/month. John126 payes $6 less or $216 over 36 months ($6 x 36). Essentially, I paid $216 for a Samsung S23 phone, and if I add the taxes in, $54, and we're now upto $270 for the S23.

If John126w paid less than $270 for a equivalent phone, then he had a great slickdeal. If he paid more, then I had a better slickdeal. But, why is this not a good deal for most slickdealers? Sometimes slickdealers misjudge a good deal. There is an inherent bias against lock-ins that on further review make a good slickdeal. I don't like lock-ins either but sometimes they are worth it.

As I noted earlier, a pixel 8 was given 5 thumbs up for a phone over $400, but a Samsung S23 for $270 is a thumbs down. I would rather take 1 thumb down deal with the 3-year lock-in.
Don't need to be so defensive. If you want to include price of the phone, what about including the price to upgrade when you want to sooner than 3yrs and what that will cost you. I pay about $21/line with taxes and am happy with what I have. I usually buy phone deals where I can flip a few extras and I end up paying about $100 out of pocket for the phone I keep. I was just stating why this was not a slickdeal to me. In my opinion, anytime a company can lock you in to get the price for over a year leaves an opportunity to be stuck in bad service or increased rates or no flexibility to upgrade without additional costs. It's just my thoughts. Glad you're happy and got the good deal you wanted.
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Joined Sep 2011
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 45 Posts
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adonis2116
02-16-2024 at 05:14 AM.
02-16-2024 at 05:14 AM.
Looks like this deal is still around.
I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for $5/month for 36 months with the trade in of my old S9 with cracked screen.
I've been with Verizon for 14 years, so I'm not worried about a 3 yr commitment.
Paid $128.45 for taxes and that stupid activation fee plus $180 over 36 months.
$308.45 is tough to beat for the top model phone.

Again, 36 months of credit with no new line activation or changing my data plan to their stupid new unlimited plans that are the same thing but more expensive.
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Joined May 2007
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> bubble2 1,467 Posts
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MrMonkeeMan
02-16-2024 at 04:23 PM.
02-16-2024 at 04:23 PM.
Quote from adonis2116 :
Looks like this deal is still around.
I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for $5/month for 36 months with the trade in of my old S9 with cracked screen.
I've been with Verizon for 14 years, so I'm not worried about a 3 yr commitment.
Paid $128.45 for taxes and that stupid activation fee plus $180 over 36 months.
$308.45 is tough to beat for the top model phone.

Again, 36 months of credit with no new line activation or changing my data plan to their stupid new unlimited plans that are the same thing but more expensive.

This deal is for the S23 Ultra.

edit: S23
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Last edited by MrMonkeeMan February 16, 2024 at 04:38 PM.
Joined Sep 2011
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> bubble2 45 Posts
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adonis2116
02-22-2024 at 10:08 AM.
02-22-2024 at 10:08 AM.
Quote from MrMonkeeMan :
This deal is for the S23 Ultra.

edit: S23
You can still apply this same credit to an S24 Ultra. You just pay the difference. I've got my new phone now.
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