Apple Thoughts: Verizon Announces Trade-In Program

"Not exactly a huge surprise here, but it looks like Verizon will be doing everything it can to pair folks with a new iPhone 4 when it launches on the carrier next month, even if they've just purchased a new phone on Verizon or another carrier."

Yea, this is just one more reason to switch, or at least Verizon is hoping you feel that way. The plan, outlined in a recent investor meeting, will allow you to appraise your device when you want to trade it in on a Verizon iPhone 4. And they will also let existing customers trade in a recently purchased smartphone and get a $200.00 USD gift card, or $75.00 USD gift card if it is a feature phone. Unfortunately it follows similar plans that force you to buy the iPhone 4 and then wait for the debit card, which can take up to several weeks. Those types of plans annoy me, just give me the credit on my iPhone now and forget about mailing me a debit card.