Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
MASterling
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just returned from the Verizon store, where I wanted to buy an Iphone 5 on a post-paid plan, and port my phone number from a Verizon pre-paid phone.

I was informed that since I did not have the pre-paid phone for 6 months, they were unable to do this.  

As a little history, we've had these phone numbers for over 10 years, first on a Sprint post-paid plan, then ported to a Verizon prepaid, because we had bad service in our area, and the Iphone 5 wasn't out yet.

They informed me that their systems would permit the transfer from a Verizon pre-paid to a Verizon post-paid until after I've had the pre-paid for 6 months.  I told them this was unacceptable and that I wanted to switch now.  If I had a different company's prepaid they would be able to do this.  How ridiculous!

Anyone with any advice.  I don't want to lose my numbers.  Any work-arounds?

Thank you,

Michael

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Minniehaha
Specialist - Level 2

This has been in affect for many years. In the prepaid Manual you received it states in the Disclaimer part that you must have the prepaid cell for 6 months before you can switch to a post paid account.

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
timk1
Newbie

I am running into the exact issue myself - not only is it ridiculous like you said, but they made no mention of that while I got the the prepaid account.  Furthermore, if you go onto their website (which I did) it is not menioned there either.  They spin a nice story about no contracts and no fees, but no mention of the 6 month no pre-paid to post-paid porting.

  1. Port to another prepaid plan at Sprint/Virgin/Boost or whomever and port back after a few days.
  2. Port to Google Voice ($20 fee) - which is basically a call forwarding service.  Get a new phone and number and use Google Voice to forward to the new phone.
  3. Port to Google Voice, wait a couple of days and port back to a Verizon post-paid plan.
  4. Port to AT&T (their LTE service is ramping fast) - probably the simplest.

If anybody has a simpler work-around I would love to hear it.

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Minniehaha
Specialist - Level 2

This has been in affect for many years. In the prepaid Manual you received it states in the Disclaimer part that you must have the prepaid cell for 6 months before you can switch to a post paid account.

Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Hamunaptra
Enthusiast - Level 2

WHY does a prepaid phone need to be prepaid for 6 months before they can post pay the phone?  A reason other then, that is the way they do it, would be great.

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
dimap52
Specialist - Level 1

Probably to establish a payment history since no credit checks are done on pre-paid accounts.

But then Verizon is the gorilla in the room. So they can pretty much set any policy they damn well please for their own interests. If you read some of the provisions in their TOS, they clearly state that those terms are for their interests and benefit.

Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Hamunaptra
Enthusiast - Level 2

No need to establish credit checks.  I have been a post paid customer for 10 years.  Its all about there bottom line.  They are where they want to be, screw everyone else. 

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Minniehaha
Specialist - Level 2

If you sign up for a Land Line phone, Cable or Electric  or Gas you they would do a credit check and ask for a deposit to be sure the bill would be paid on time. Its no differnt when changing from  pre paid to post paid, with the prepaid you have not established credit good credit yet.

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Hamunaptra
Enthusiast - Level 2

I know they do, and I have never paid a deposit for utilities because my credit is decent.  I have had a post paid account for 10 years as mentioned above with Verizon Wireless.  All I was trying to do was activated a pre-paid phone on a post-paid account.  They cant do that unless its been pre paid for 6 months and the only reason I got is "that's the way it is".  To me that means they aren't making as much money that way because I didn't spend $250 on the phone.

I do know from the start of my Verizon Wireless experience 10 years ago to now I am receiving less for more money.

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
AmyJohnson2
Newbie

Hi Minniehaha, could you please tell us more detail about when and how you have previously been able to port a phone number from a Verizon prepaid plan to a Verizon post-paid (contract) plan?  I just purchased a Samsung Galaxy S3 for Verizon at Best Buy and wanted to add my husband to my Verizon contract plan and keep his Verizon prepaid phone number for use with this new phone.  I am hearing from Verizon stores and Verizon Customer Support people on the phone that we cannot port my husbands Verizon prepaid phone number to this Verizon contract Samsung Galaxy S3 and be added to my Verizon Family Plan.  So, I'm curious how you've been able to get around this in the past?

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Re: Port number from Verizon Pre-Paid to Post-Paid
Minniehaha
Specialist - Level 2

Has said in the previous post you must have been a prepaid customer for 6 months after that you can just call customer service and port the number over they will ask  for his 4 digist password (usually the last for digits of his cell number unless he changed it, if they tell you it can't be done ask for a supervisor or hang up and hopefully you will get another person who knows the right answer. Did your husband have a basic cell? If he is looking to use the basic cell as a smart phone then that can not be done. But if he is using the basic and using the same features as he had on the prepaid yes that can be done. Hope this helps. Minnie

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