My phone died 2 months before I negotiate my plan. VZ was asking $50 for a
used phone without warranties. I found a nice Blackberry 7250 and had it
turned on. Unfortunately I did not know I had to also sign up for a data
package because I am using a blackberry.

My first question is do I really need a data package, I got the $24.99 since
I could not get my phone turned on without one.

My second question is, are there cheaper packages than $24.99, I heard 71764
plan is free, when I called the people at Verizon they started to question
how I know these codes instead of helping me reduce my phone bill expenses.
So is there a better option for me with blackberry.

Third question with my contract coming up for negotiation in May, I am
hoping to get a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone. What would be my
best negotiation strategy to keep my expenses as low as possible.

Any help would be highly appreciated.
SM

Wirelessly posted (8700g)

I'll comment on your first question: You will not be able to use the blackberry branded data services, in particular push email and the blackberry web browser without a blackberry data plan. In your case, it sounds to me like you are interested in BIS.

I'll defer to others on the VZW questions. In the meantime, take a look at the article in blackberryfaq.com on using a blackberry with a generic data plan. I don't know if that is an option for you or not. Others will advise, I'm sure.

I have a Blackberry 7250 on Verizon and I have the $29.95 unlimited data and email package. You need to have the phone on a voice plan in addition to the data plan, I have two other phones on Verizon so I just added the Blackberry to the Family Share Plan for $9.99 a month.

I am assuming the $29.99 includes the insurance.

Frustrating