So I figured I'd e-mail Verizon to get some official answers. I also figured I'd ask sales via webchat similar questions. The answer is ... be like the boy scouts. If you must have a pre-order and you don't currently have an upgrade available on your account, open a new line month-to-month so you won't be disappointed.
E-mail:
Mine to them: Hi, I have a few questions about the iPhone pre-order process as there seems to be a lot of confusion about the process.
1) The line ending in xxxx on my account is currently available for an upgrade. Will I be able to use that upgrade on the line ending in yyyy to pre-order the phone? If I cannot transfer the upgrade, can I pre-order the phone, activate it on xxxx, then do an ESN swap on my Verizon?
2) Do I have to have a line eligible for upgrade in order to participate in the pre-order on 2/3?
3) If (well, really when) I pre-order on 2/3, when will the phone ship?
Thanks so much for your help!
Response:Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website. My name is ::changed to protect rep:: and I would like to thank you for contacting us regarding signing up to get the iPhone 4 early. Firstly, I would like to apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. We are working diligently to address your concerns in a timely manner, and we appreciate your patience. I apologize for any confusion in regards to the pre-order process. It would be my pleasure to assist you in your inquiry.
Eric, you will be able to pre-order the iPhone 4 at 3:00AM EST on February 3, 2011. You will need to visit the following website to order:
iPhone 4. Verizon. It begins.
Only mobile numbers that are eligible to upgrade can pre-order the iPhone 4. Currently, the mobile number ending in xxxx is the only mobile number eligible to upgrade. Therefore, this mobile number is the only mobile number that can pre-order the iPhone 4. If you would like to obtain the iPhone 4 for a different mobile number on the account; please pre-order using the mobile number ending in xxxx and then complete an ESN change after receiving the phone.
Due to the high demand for this device, the availability of the device cannot be guaranteed for any specific amount of time. Orders will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Shipments for orders placed on February 3, 2011 will begin on February 10, 2011, however; depending on the amount of orders received, the actual shipment date could be later.
I hope this information on the iPhone 4 pre-order has been helpful. Please feel free to use the link provided to pre-order the iPhone 4 and use the mobile number ending in xxxx. Please let us know if we can be of any other assistance.
Now webchat transcript:
RepX: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Eric: I came to find some answers to the iPhone 4 pre-order
RepX: It would be my pleasure to assist you in the iPhone 4 pre-order today.
Eric: OK
Eric: I have 4 lines on my account
Eric: only one is eligible for an upgrade
Eric: Can I transfer that upgrade to another line?
RepX: What you will do is on 02/03, come back online and upgrade the line that is eligible to upgrade and the device will not ship until the phone is actually released which is 02/10 and you will receive the device the following business day on 02/11. Once you receive the phone you will be able to activate the device on the line that you would like it on. Also, you will not be charged for the phone until the device ships to you.
Eric: OK great thank you for the answer!!
Eric: Also
RepX: I'm glad I was able to answer all your questions and concerns today, was there anything else that I can assist you with at this time?
Eric: if I wanted another one for a different line, can I pre-order at full retail?
RepX: Yes, you are able to order at Full Retail price if you would like.
Eric: during the pre-order?
RepX: Yes
Eric: OK thank you I really appreciate it!!
E-mail:
Mine to them: Hi, I have a few questions about the iPhone pre-order process as there seems to be a lot of confusion about the process.
1) The line ending in xxxx on my account is currently available for an upgrade. Will I be able to use that upgrade on the line ending in yyyy to pre-order the phone? If I cannot transfer the upgrade, can I pre-order the phone, activate it on xxxx, then do an ESN swap on my Verizon?
2) Do I have to have a line eligible for upgrade in order to participate in the pre-order on 2/3?
3) If (well, really when) I pre-order on 2/3, when will the phone ship?
Thanks so much for your help!
Response:Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website. My name is ::changed to protect rep:: and I would like to thank you for contacting us regarding signing up to get the iPhone 4 early. Firstly, I would like to apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. We are working diligently to address your concerns in a timely manner, and we appreciate your patience. I apologize for any confusion in regards to the pre-order process. It would be my pleasure to assist you in your inquiry.
Eric, you will be able to pre-order the iPhone 4 at 3:00AM EST on February 3, 2011. You will need to visit the following website to order:
iPhone 4. Verizon. It begins.
Only mobile numbers that are eligible to upgrade can pre-order the iPhone 4. Currently, the mobile number ending in xxxx is the only mobile number eligible to upgrade. Therefore, this mobile number is the only mobile number that can pre-order the iPhone 4. If you would like to obtain the iPhone 4 for a different mobile number on the account; please pre-order using the mobile number ending in xxxx and then complete an ESN change after receiving the phone.
Due to the high demand for this device, the availability of the device cannot be guaranteed for any specific amount of time. Orders will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Shipments for orders placed on February 3, 2011 will begin on February 10, 2011, however; depending on the amount of orders received, the actual shipment date could be later.
I hope this information on the iPhone 4 pre-order has been helpful. Please feel free to use the link provided to pre-order the iPhone 4 and use the mobile number ending in xxxx. Please let us know if we can be of any other assistance.
Now webchat transcript:
RepX: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Eric: I came to find some answers to the iPhone 4 pre-order
RepX: It would be my pleasure to assist you in the iPhone 4 pre-order today.
Eric: OK
Eric: I have 4 lines on my account
Eric: only one is eligible for an upgrade
Eric: Can I transfer that upgrade to another line?
RepX: What you will do is on 02/03, come back online and upgrade the line that is eligible to upgrade and the device will not ship until the phone is actually released which is 02/10 and you will receive the device the following business day on 02/11. Once you receive the phone you will be able to activate the device on the line that you would like it on. Also, you will not be charged for the phone until the device ships to you.
Eric: OK great thank you for the answer!!
Eric: Also
RepX: I'm glad I was able to answer all your questions and concerns today, was there anything else that I can assist you with at this time?
Eric: if I wanted another one for a different line, can I pre-order at full retail?
RepX: Yes, you are able to order at Full Retail price if you would like.
Eric: during the pre-order?
RepX: Yes
Eric: OK thank you I really appreciate it!!