Rebates used to be a common tactic for cellphone carriers, including Verizon, to lure customers with seemingly lower device prices. Here’s how the LG G4 might have fit into this model:
- The Catch: You’d pay a portion upfront for the phone, then submit paperwork to receive the rest as a rebate, often in the form of a prepaid Visa card.
- Waiting Game: Rebates took weeks or even months to process.
- The Hassle: Keeping track of submission deadlines, mailing in forms, and potential denials due to minor errors was frustrating.
Why Rebates Mostly Disappeared
- Customer Dissatisfaction: The rebate process was a common source of complaints, from delays to surprise denials.
- Simplified Pricing: Carriers now usually favor upfront discounts on phones or installment plans, making the true cost more transparent.
- Less Financial Games: Rebates relied on customers forgetting or making mistakes to increase the carrier’s bottom line.
The LG G4 Rebate Today
Finding a Verizon LG G4 rebate in 2023 is highly unlikely. Here’s why:
- Age of the Device: The LG G4 came out in 2015; rebates typically have a time limit far shorter than the lifespan of a phone.
- Shift in Practices: Verizon has largely moved away from the rebate model for new phones, let alone older ones.
- Focus on the Current: Their promotions emphasize their latest 5G devices and service plans.
Where to Look (If You’re Determined)
- Used Marketplaces: VERY rarely, a seller might have leftover rebate cards from years ago bundled with an LG G4. Treat this with extreme caution (risk of expired or invalid cards.)
- Archive Websites: These preserve old webpages and might turn up past Verizon rebate offers, but purely for historical curiosity, not practical gain.
Smarter Ways to Save Now
Instead of chasing elusive rebates for the LG G4, consider:
- Used LG G4: Purchase the phone outright, secondhand, for a heavily discounted price.
- Verizon’s Deals Page: Check their current promotions for trade-in offers on older devices or occasional discounts on newer budget phones.
The End of the Rebate Era
While the Verizon LG G4 rebate symbolizes a past way of pricing phones, understanding its history helps you become a savvier consumer. Focus your energy on finding upfront discounts or exploring the used phone market for the best value today.