We get a ton of search engine inquiries every day.  Many of them are the same, but a few are not common.

This is our Grab Bag, Part One.  Or in other words, a little bit of everything.  And it’s all from YOU, our readers and visitors.

People often come to our site looking for ways to get out of their contracts without fees, get an upgrade early, or remove a required data plan. It’s become very common as of late, we’re sure in part because of the economy. Still, there are always people out there trying to find a way around the rules, justified or not. Let us address these, shall we?

People ask us all the time about activating old phones on Verizon.  It’s a relatively simple process, really, but there are a few things you should know before making any purchases or switches.  We will explain what constitutes and “old” phone, what to look out for, and how to get the device active.

Your phone is on its last leg, but that’s okay because your upgrade eligibility date is today.  You know because you just checked last month.  You go down to the store to pick up that new phone you’ve had your eye on, but when you get there something has changed.  The store rep advises you that you’re not eligible for another two months.

“There must be some mistake, I just checked last month and I’m eligible as of today.”

What happened?

Some time ago, we helped you understand your battery - how it works, how to charge it, and how to make it last longer.  A question we see from time to time concerns the other side of things: the charger.

Come along as we take a quick trip through the world of chargers.

Of all the questions and search keywords we come across on this site, there’s one that rises above all the rest: help me understand a Verizon Wireless upgrade.

This question is understandable, really, seeing as how Verizon’s upgrade policy has been rewritten a bit over the past couple months.  But even before the changes, people were asking us for help.

Upgrades are really quite simple, but because of the recent changes, we’re going to split this answer into two sections: customers who signed their last contract in 2010 or earlier, and those who signed their contract in 2011.  New customers will want to pay attention to the second section, as this will pertain to them as well.

Come along with us as we tackle the complexity of a Verizon Wireless upgrade.

Ready for a new phone?  Are you eligible?  How does all this eligibility stuff work anyway?

Everyone knows that you get a good deal on a phone when you start service with a company and sign a two year agreement.  Every so often that same company your with will do the same thing for an existing customer.  This is called an “upgrade.”

Just when a line is able be upgraded varies on a line-by-line basis, but in all cases it will either be 13, 18, or 20 months since you signed your last contract. (all lines are now 20 months)

Read on to learn about the basics of AT&T’s upgrade policy…

As bizarre as it may seem that a big company would be giving you something for nothing; letters like these go out semi-regularly.  I frequently see customer questions about these letters in forums.  The first thing people want to know is: what’s the catch?

If you’ve received one of these letters or are just curious as to what these campaigns are all about read on to find out more.

Ya, my phone…

Okay, before I start, let me explain the title. This is a common phrase heard among all the different employees at different carriers. I want this to be a positive reflection of what I’m about to say, but some may take it personal. This is the dreaded phrase that has started many arguments between customer and carrier. Its like Clint Eastwood hearing a gun lever pulled back slowly in a crowded saloon. You’ve just now put yourself on the offensive. To you, you’re only beginning a conversation about the many problems with your phone, but what the sales rep hears is the calm before the storm. He’s ready for the fist shaking, teeth clenching, heart-pounding, ulcer creating showdown where he will tell you ‘No!’ to whatever logical problem you are having with your phone ONLY because he thought you’d go in shooting first!

Darkagesmom asks:

We have no data plan our our current Verizon family plan. I cannot upgrade my phone till next year. My father has a Verizon Palm phone he no longer uses, and has offered it to me so I can text my preteen easier (my phone does not have a querty keyboard and makes texting her hard for me). Can I add his phone to my plan without adding data? I know a new phone like it would have to add data, but that is not an option for me right now. Thanks for answering a stupid question from a mom stuck in the dark ages with her current phone.

Your question is a valid one.  As time passes and new people work for Verizon Wireless, the wisdom of those who worked for the company before 2007 becomes ancient history with each new year.  However, your question is easy to answer while hard to explain.  So I will do just that.