Lower my monthly bill...

June 10, 2009 12:49 PM

I plan on upgrading to a Blackberry Curve with Verizon and going on their emailing and messaging plan (450 min unlimited). On their website it comes to $99.99 an month. I'm an avid texter, want voice, be able to email, go online and use vzn navigator. I want to lower that monthly bill... What can I disable (that I'll be charged for) on the Blackberry so I won't have to pay $100 a month?
posted by likeapen to technology (10 comments total)

As far as I can tell, nothing. I have the same phone, same habits. The phone/internet/email is all bundled, and the plan is $79.99 a month. Texting plans start at $5 a month and can go as high as $20 if you need thousands. Vzn Navigator is $9.99 a month. Taxes will be another $10 or so. So you're looking at $100 easy, and there's not really any way around it.
posted by decathecting at 1:04 PM on June 10

Nothing as far as I know. That plan isn't really a la cart. My only saving grace is I get a corporate discount through my non-Verizon company.

Go talk to a Verizon rep in person and ask them.
posted by jerseygirl at 1:12 PM on June 10

Maybe you can use Google Maps with the phone and drop VZ Navigator. Since you're paying for data already, the extra charge for the navigator seems excessive.
posted by exogenous at 1:28 PM on June 10

Full disclosure, I passed on Navigator. I already have a GPS and Google Maps really is decent. Blackberry also has a Maps application pre-loaded on the device.
posted by jerseygirl at 1:34 PM on June 10

I have 1000 minutes, unlimited data, and 600 text messages for $70 with T-Mobile.

So, switch carriers.
posted by Netzapper at 1:42 PM on June 10

VZ Navigator. Google Maps does the trick for me. There is a BlackBerry Maps app that comes with the Curve, but I've never used it.

I would suggest seeing you if get a corporate discount, like Jerseygirl said. I think the standard is around 8% savings but I know people at the 19-20% level, I think it depends on the size of your company and their agreement with Verizon.

Also, I just switched my Verizon BB account over to my parents' family share plan. I never use all of my minutes (450, like you) and we pay $10/mo to add me to their line and share their minutes. Because most of my family/friends are on Verizon anyway and they have the new Family & Friends program, I doubt I'll use more than 100 min per month now. So...I was looking at $100 like you, but now I will be paying ~$50 each month instead (line, BB costs, text, taxes, no Navigator). It feels a bit silly to be on my parents' cell plan, but saves my sibling (who has been doing this for years) and I $600/year each so it's worth it. If you do decide to do this, it's called "Assumption of Liability" and is not affected by your contract cycle and does not incur any kind of early termination fee. For me, it just meant that my mom was taking over responsibility for the account and its payment. If you have a parent/sibling/etc that is willing to do this, it is a good way to save. You don't have much more room to cut other than Navigator at this point.
posted by ml98tu at 2:42 PM on June 10

I have a Blackberry Curve via Verizon. Remember that if you are texting Blackberry to Blackberry to use the other persons Blackberry PIN to send the message instead of a SMS messgae. PIN text do not count against the number of text you are paying for. Most of my texting is Blackberry to Blackberry via PIN and I never use my allotted number of text messages.
posted by pamspanda at 4:19 PM on June 10

Oh, and I forgot to tell you that the other person's Blackberry service can be with any carrier - it does not have to be the same as yous. Your carrier does not usually let you know about the PIN service with Blackberrys.
posted by pamspanda at 4:20 PM on June 10

Verizon is your carrier? Call and negotiate. Mention competitive plans from other carriers and see what they'll do to keep you as a customer.
posted by theora55 at 4:47 PM on June 10

With the latest firmware upgrade (4.5) the Blackberry Maps application has been working on my 8830 with the internal GPS (finally after 2 year of it being crippled). You may not need VZNavigator at all unless you really think you need it (ask for a trial period or get the service for a day). Also, VZW will be releasing a fancier BB (Tour) in the next couple of months that is to compete with the Bold (world phone capability, 3.2MP camera, faster data, GPS). I don't believe the curve has GPS, so you would have to use cell tower triangulation with Google maps or VZNavigator. That method is nowhere near as precise as GPS.
posted by ijoyner at 9:42 PM on June 10