Can I Upgrade to iPhone on Verizon then Switch to T-Mobile after 15 Days? (system, program)

[focus282]

So, I want to switch from Verizon to T-Mobile, but my Verizon contract is up next month.

I'm wondering if it makes sense to wait until I can upgrade on Verizon, upgrade to the iPhone 6 under Verizon for $199, then cancel after Verizon's 14 day window, switch to T-Mobile, and have T-Mobile pay my early termination fee plus trade in my current iPhone 5 to T-Mobile.

I think this is how it would break down, but let me know if I'm missing anything:

$199 - Upgrade to iPhone 6 under Verizon
$35 - Verizon Activation Fee
$60 (est) - Pay Verizon for the 14 days of service
$350 - Verizon Early Termination Fee

$644 Total

-$350 T-Mobile ETF Reimbursement
-$238 Trade-in value of my current iPhone 5 paid to me by T-Mobile
+$10 T-Mobile Sim Fee

$122 Total

Basically, I would get the Verizon iPhone 6 for $122.

Can I then use that Verizon iPhone on T-Mobile?

The only stipulation I may be missing is that I think T-Mobile may only pay the ETF if you buy a new phone from T-Mobile.

If this is the case, then I could sell the Verizon iPhone 6 on Craigslist for say, $500.

- the $122 it cost me

$378

Then I could put that $378 towards purchasing a T-Mobile iPhone 6, leaving me with a minimal monthly payment added to my T-Mobile bill.

OR

If T-Mobile makes me buy a phone to pay my ETF, can I purchase their cheapest phone and then switch my plan over to my Verizon iPhone the next day?

Thoughts?

[Peregrine]

I don't know about all that but there is a bigger issue at play: Verizon Phones cannot be used on T-Mobile.

[focus282]

apparently the iPhone 6 on Verizon can be used on T-Mobile

[jayrandom]

This will not work. I could understand if the T-Mobile offer was cloaked in fine print (which I'm sure it is) but they say in a nice big font:

"We'll Pay Your Early Termination Fees with a Visa prepaid card when you switch and trade in your device"

If the ETF is for an iPhone 6, they're going to want the iPhone 6. They're definitely not going to pay you for the iPhone 5 and let you keep the iPhone 6. Why not just buy the iPhone directly from T-Mobile when your Verizon contract is up?

[focus282]

I wouldn't have to trade in the iPhone 6 -- they have no clue what phone is on your current plan -- their ETF just requires that you trade in "a phone". I've had friends that traded in old flip phones that were sitting in a dresser drawer for two years.

[Peregrine]

You do have to buy a phone from TMobile.

You're making my head spin here...
lol

[vaughanwilliams]

I've heard of bank heists that were less complicated this.

[krelithous]

LOL the OP would have to buy a t-molbile phone since T-Mobile is GSM and Verizon is CDMA to different systems. the OP can goto an apple store and buy an unlocked ipone and bounce back between at&t and T-Mobile. I am thinking that if the OP brought his own device to att that they would come out cheaper in the long run under att's bring your own device program and have better service as well that t-mobiles lousy network

Originally Posted by krelithous

LOL the OP would have to buy a t-molbile phone since T-Mobile is GSM and Verizon is CDMA to different systems. the OP can goto an apple store and buy an unlocked ipone and bounce back between at&t and T-Mobile. I am thinking that if the OP brought his own device to att that they would come out cheaper in the long run under att's bring your own device program and have better service as well that t-mobiles lousy network

For the roughly millionth time, an iPhone from Verizon will in fact work on T-Mobile (or AT&T). One of the reasons Verizon phones tend to fetch a wee bit more when you sell them used is that they have all the necessary radios to work on whatever carrier you want. Even better, they're unlocked right out of the box so you don't have to jump through any hoops to get them working on T Mobile or AT&T.

It's been that way for years.