Verizon Wireless paid me to take a Storm
I wound up staying with Verizon Wireless and renewed my two-year contract with the carrier. I also ordered a BlackBerry Storm despite a few misgivings based on mixed reviews--it is being sent in 7 to 10 days so with any luck those software glitches that were reported will be fixed.
Many of you asked about the deals I detailed a little more than a week ago. Here's the breakdown in rounded figures.
My previous plan with Verizon--450 minutes, a PDA plan with unlimited data access and an extra $15 so I could tether my the phone to my laptop as a wireless modem ran me about $100.
The new plan with the BlackBerry Storm (Review; Gallery: User interface) will run me about $80 a month all included.
Also see: Lines around corner for BlackBerry Storm
Boy Genius Report: The real story behind the Verizon BlackBerry Storm OS?
But the real kicker was the enticements to get me to renew my contract with Verizon Wireless. I got:The Storm for $149 with a mail-in rebate and credits for renewing.
And a credit of roughly $160 for two months free service for reupping.
Add it up Verizon paid me $10 to take the storm. I'll be back with further reports to see if I got better than I paid for. Various reports of a last-minute OS upgrade may delay further comments--especially if my Storm doesn't arrive until December.