Expert: DebiN - 4/13/2010

Question
Hi DebiN,
i'm currently on Metro's plan with a mediocre kyocera phone. as you know, metro has data plan without additional cost and with the current phone i have-to say the least- it's irritating, but not impossible, to use these features. I do have a verizon blackberry curve 8830 and would like to get it flashed. i've read your reply to a similar comment but i was wondering if things  have changed. i'm on the fence as the messages i've read online so far have been mixed and few and far between. i even went to metro's corporate office and they told met that very few places (like a stand in the mall) have the newer software that could flash a smart phone but could cost up to $140 to just flash! what is your true opinion about this?
thanks!

Answer
If I were going to flash a Verizon BlackBerry 8330 to Metro, I would definitely take it to one of the stands in the mall and pay the $140.00 to flash it. Since you have already paid for the BlackBerry and you know that you will only pay around $50.00 a month, by taking it to be flashed, you will be assured that it will work properly. You won't be using true BlackBerry data, but the way that they will flash it for you, you will be able to access the internet, get eail etc. I personally would prefer to use a BlackBerry on the network for which it was originally intended, but the price difference is big. It will cost you $30.00 a month to use the device on Verizon, so if you divide the $30.00 by $140.00, that's a payback of around 4-1/2 months. I think it's worth it. There's no way to flash it for free, so you might as well have it done as professionally as possible. I hope this helps. Thanks. DebiN