Verizon offers $200 for Holiday Smartphones if returned for an iPhone

If you received a Verizon Smartphone over the Holiday Season and was not to happy to learn that Verizon will have the iPhone 4 in just another month, then you might be eligible for a small amount of help returning the device to Verizon. If you bought a smartphone between 11/26/2010, and 01/10/2011 you could get up to $200 value retuned to you in the forum of a Visa Debt Card when you purchase an iPhone 4 from Verizon. I would recommend that anyone seriously thinking about this read my article on Best Buy’s Buy Back Program. (CLICK HERE) I strongly encourage you to look for some other options as I laid out in that article before settling for $200.00. I know it is the same theory of trading in a used car back to the dealer to buy a new one, but $200.00 going towards the purchase price of $649.99 and $749.99 still leaves a huge payment at the end. Just think it through and do what’s best for you. 

From Verizon:

I just purchased a new smartphone during the holiday season, but if I knew that iPhone 4 was going to be available soon I would have waited. What are my options now?

Current Verizon customers who purchased and activated new smartphones, feature phones or certified pre-owned phones between 11/26/2010, and 01/10/2011, are eligible to receive up to a $200 Visa debit card when they purchase an iPhone 4 at full retail price by 02/28/2011 and return their existing phone. Note: This offer is only available on consumer accounts with five lines or less, who are purchasing iPhone 4 through Verizon Wireless retail stores, telesales, or through verizonwireless.com.

Now keep in mind, if you are within 30 days of purchasing a device (which is a lot of coverage of the Holiday purchase, you can do the following:

Returns & Exchanges

1. Can I exchange a device that I recently purchased for iPhone?

   Yes, we will gladly accept returns or make exchanges on all wireless devices and accessories purchased from Verizon Wireless within 30 days of purchase (14 days for tablets). To make an exchange, return the merchandise (including device, charger, battery, instructions, and any other components) in the ORIGINAL box. All merchandise must be in like-new condition and accompanied by the original receipt. Shipping charges may apply to exchange merchandise sent to you by Verizon Wireless. A restocking fee of $35 ($70 for netbooks and tablets) applies to any second return or exchange of a wireless device (excluding Hawaii).

   Back to top

2. I am an existing customer that upgraded my device between 11/26/10 and 1/10/11. I would like to exchange my upgrade for an iPhone but my return/exchange deadline is prior to the iPhone launch. What can I do?

   You would need to return the device that you purchased in accordance with our standard return policies and reactivate your original device. A restocking fee of $35 ($70 for netbooks and tablets) would apply. You will then be eligible to upgrade to the iPhone when it becomes available for purchase.

[via BGR]