Verizon Price Increase RIPOFF!!
In December, I wanted to get a LG Touch for my daughter for Christmas and I was told that I had to wait until February due to my upgrade subscription. Now I have 4 phones ready to upgrade and they want to charge me an extra $9.99 per phone because they demand a data charge. This is unacceptable! It's the same phone that was sold in December without the extra charge.
It appears that Verizon wants me to take my family plan (5 phones) and my $180.00 a month to another company. I have been with them for over 9 years and they are willing to lose a loyal customer because they refuse to adjust this extra charge.
I have called every day for the last 5 days and no one is willing to help. I'm respectful to the agents, the Supervisors say th...
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It appears that Verizon wants me to take my family plan (5 phones) and my $180.00 a month to another company. I have been with them for over 9 years and they are willing to lose a loyal customer because they refuse to adjust this extra charge.
I have called every day for the last 5 days and no one is willing to help. I'm respectful to the agents, the Supervisors say th...
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Although it may take awhile you could file a complaint with your State's Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau.
I've found doing this will get you a response. And it's usually in your favor.
I've found doing this will get you a response. And it's usually in your favor.
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BBB is a joke and you would be wasting the time of the Attorney General.
Verizon requires this charge. Why exactly does the Attorney General need to be involved? They didn't by the products with without disclosure of the issue. IN FACT when she said she originally looked in December they required data then as well.
What exactly is the problem?
Verizon requires this charge. Why exactly does the Attorney General need to be involved? They didn't by the products with without disclosure of the issue. IN FACT when she said she originally looked in December they required data then as well.
What exactly is the problem?
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I agree that trying to involve the authorities would be useless; wireless companies may charge whatever they want for their phones and services. That said, this was not a wise move on their part in such a competitive industry as wireless. My prediction: Verizon's churn will go up drastically as a result.
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They *DO* require a plan...
AT&T's requirement can be met on a family plan with $30 Family Text Plan. All 5 phones are met with this requirement.
Plus AT&T has Unlimited Data for $15 on a dumbphone... or Unlimited Data for $10 per family-play line. Vs $30 per phone on VZ. $50 for unlimited internet on AT&T 5-line family plan vs $150 on VZ.
Minimum for 5 Mid-Range phones on AT&T? $30
Plan + $30 (Family Text) + Data ($0-50)
Minimum for 5 Mid-Range Phones on Verizon? $50
Plan + No Text Plan + $50 (25mb x 5)
I assume a family of 5 is gonna want texting and not data (atleast that's normal for my store). So the difference is $30 vs $80.
Both require stuff... but the different requirements make a huge difference.
AT&T's requirement can be met on a family plan with $30 Family Text Plan. All 5 phones are met with this requirement.
Plus AT&T has Unlimited Data for $15 on a dumbphone... or Unlimited Data for $10 per family-play line. Vs $30 per phone on VZ. $50 for unlimited internet on AT&T 5-line family plan vs $150 on VZ.
Minimum for 5 Mid-Range phones on AT&T? $30
Plan + $30 (Family Text) + Data ($0-50)
Minimum for 5 Mid-Range Phones on Verizon? $50
Plan + No Text Plan + $50 (25mb x 5)
I assume a family of 5 is gonna want texting and not data (atleast that's normal for my store). So the difference is $30 vs $80.
Both require stuff... but the different requirements make a huge difference.
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At least five times in the past week I've had AT&T customers come to port over to Verizon because AT&T appears to be telling current, long-term customers that already had some of these phones on their account that they need to change to the new requirements.
AT&T's requirements might be easier to attain, but Verizon hasn't been forcing people who got phones before the change to conform. I don't know what AT&T is saying to their customers or why, but my store has benefited from it. The people who have told me this all made it sound like AT&T called them and told them they need to change to the new requirements, hence their reason for being in my store.
Not sure if this is policy or pushy reps.
AT&T's requirements might be easier to attain, but Verizon hasn't been forcing people who got phones before the change to conform. I don't know what AT&T is saying to their customers or why, but my store has benefited from it. The people who have told me this all made it sound like AT&T called them and told them they need to change to the new requirements, hence their reason for being in my store.
Not sure if this is policy or pushy reps.
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i know i can upgrade my phone for verizon.i have a dare and i wont be upgrading due to the new required data plan...what do i have 2 do?? get another retarded Lg Dare not to change my plan?i heard they require the data plan too!!but since ive been with verizon 4 over 2 yrs i hope they wont require it with my upgrade....my phone is freezing up too and its my 4th one! i should get a free phone this time
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Your remark is about as easy to follow as a rabid skunk.
What would you pick to replace your Dara, assuming for a moment that there were no data requirements. What type of phone are you looking at?
Dares do not require data. They never have and never will, according to the new guidelines. If it were brand new, sure, it would, but we're talking about a two-year-old phone.
Your longevity has nothing to do with anyone's ability to magically turn off data requirements. In this business, someone learned a long time ago that one exception to the rule is the same as 90 million exceptions to the rule, so the rules are set up to cover the majority and for consistency's sake. Verizon can't afford to set up 90 million different and unique...
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What would you pick to replace your Dara, assuming for a moment that there were no data requirements. What type of phone are you looking at?
Dares do not require data. They never have and never will, according to the new guidelines. If it were brand new, sure, it would, but we're talking about a two-year-old phone.
Your longevity has nothing to do with anyone's ability to magically turn off data requirements. In this business, someone learned a long time ago that one exception to the rule is the same as 90 million exceptions to the rule, so the rules are set up to cover the majority and for consistency's sake. Verizon can't afford to set up 90 million different and unique...
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I've been with Verizon Wireless with nine years, and I *gasp* have the same requirements as new customers. Seriously, not to sound mean, but why do people think that being with a company for two years is somehow significant and somehow entitles them to anything special? I've never even had a bill rework done. IN NINE YEARS.
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I've been loyal to Walmart for almost 20 years, and I can't even get a free candy bar from them without stealing it.
I've been a small business owner before. While I especially appreciated and valued the business my customers gave me, and would do all I can to make them happy, at the end of the day I couldn't afford to charge them less for anything I wouldn't have charged a new customer for.
The only discount I was able to afford was bulk discounts because it usually brought in more profit dollars. I'd rather make $200 and a 20% profit margin on ten items than make $80 and a 33% profit margin on two items any day. $200 is always more than $80, even when you make less per unit on average.
Verizon works the same way. They give the...
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I've been a small business owner before. While I especially appreciated and valued the business my customers gave me, and would do all I can to make them happy, at the end of the day I couldn't afford to charge them less for anything I wouldn't have charged a new customer for.
The only discount I was able to afford was bulk discounts because it usually brought in more profit dollars. I'd rather make $200 and a 20% profit margin on ten items than make $80 and a 33% profit margin on two items any day. $200 is always more than $80, even when you make less per unit on average.
Verizon works the same way. They give the...
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the funny thing is, verizon kind of does give customers of 2 years a special deal. as long as you pay more than $35 bucks a month on a specific line, then you get new every two credits of $30, $50 or $100 depending on how much they are paying. so yeah. i dont understand what it is. i guess everyone wants something for nothing.
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Hey epik! Question for you, can you confirm that the full retail including tax (Ct), for the Galaxy S3 16GB is $638, in order to keep unlimited data?
$638, total?... Any hidden fees?
I'm currently under contract til May 20th, due to the timing I am actually going to wait and get the Galaxy S4.
$638, total?... Any hidden fees?
I'm currently under contract til May 20th, due to the timing I am actually going to wait and get the Galaxy S4.
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If $638 includes your local sales tax, maybe. Without a contract discount (to keep your unlimited data), the phone is $599.99 plus your local tax, whatever that may be.
Funny how this is part of a conversation from almost three years ago.
Funny how this is part of a conversation from almost three years ago.
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Ur a dern lie, 50 dollars for unlim data how do u sleep at night lying like that. If that was the case we wouldn't have customers! At&ts plans are pretty much exactly the same. The only difference that I see (outside of the network duh) is the fact that u have the I phone cool it theory but there is a reason we turned it down. We are the prime of wireless companies and its clear ur just a bistro, ur okay with a company who is known for computer ect to come in and run u dry as a company u have NO say or really even profit that apple gets from hosting with u lol its funny u have to charge wicked stuff just to make money and create a profit. Does anyone know what other phones at&t has?? No don't worry ill wait........umm thought so!
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My prediction is that other carriers will follow. ATT alrready requires 20.00 worth of data on there full keyboard phones. 9.99 is not so bad.
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Yes it is. Requiring $20 for Unlimited messaging on a messaging phone versus $9.99 for 25MB of data for surfing? Both are RIPOFFS surely, but this Web is worse.
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But... you can get unlimited texting (which is what most people DO want) for that $20... or you can get $30 family texting and have the "required feature plan" met for all 5 phones.
Required met for $30... vs Required met for $50 on VZ. AND You get to choose what YOU want on AT&T.
Required met for $30... vs Required met for $50 on VZ. AND You get to choose what YOU want on AT&T.
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While I've been an outspoken opponent of the charge, I can't help but mention that the "data per contract" (as Verizon tracks it) in my own store has gone up at least $7-$10 on average since the requirement went into effect. Yes, we've had escalations. Yes, we've had negative surveys. Yes, we've had people storm out of the store. And as long as I can say the words, "yes, their plan to raise data revenue is working," it will only continue.
I haven't seen the churn yet. Give it time, perhaps. A majority of the customers I've spoken with recently just accept the $9.99 charge as a part of having a phone. So unless you can go to each individual customer and convince them otherwise, I don't see all this going away.
I haven't seen the churn yet. Give it time, perhaps. A majority of the customers I've spoken with recently just accept the $9.99 charge as a part of having a phone. So unless you can go to each individual customer and convince them otherwise, I don't see all this going away.
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you want to purchase an env touch for what... just to text message... thats terrible... these new devices are made for internet... thats the way of the future. if all you want to do is text get a simple intensity or rival... they dont require data... so suck it up... pay the extra ten bucks and use the web... you cant sit here and say you dont use the web... and verizon will not lose customers... ive had all the carriers and no one can compete with verizon... verizon is by far the best out there... t-mobile = cheap = terrible network = not worth the savings = sprint is old and not going anywhere... att = copy cats to verizon and their network cant even handle all the iphones they have pushed out... verizon is the best!!!
suck it up
suck it up
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I have to agree that this charge is ridiculous. You think Verizon isn't losing customers?
Well, I brought in over 70 lines to Verizon via friends, family, and my own company and personal lines.
So far now I've got over 20 of them to not sign a new contract. I'm not yet encouraging them to switch though many are extremely frustrated and ready to jump ship.
I don't want to leave Verizon, but they WILL NOT get me to sign up again and most people I talk to will not either. At least allow the OPTION to not have the data. If someone uses a ton and then cries about it screw them they can pay for it. I for one have used the data I needed, but I wasn't required to do so whether I used it or not.
People like me who want a nice phone but ...
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Well, I brought in over 70 lines to Verizon via friends, family, and my own company and personal lines.
So far now I've got over 20 of them to not sign a new contract. I'm not yet encouraging them to switch though many are extremely frustrated and ready to jump ship.
I don't want to leave Verizon, but they WILL NOT get me to sign up again and most people I talk to will not either. At least allow the OPTION to not have the data. If someone uses a ton and then cries about it screw them they can pay for it. I for one have used the data I needed, but I wasn't required to do so whether I used it or not.
People like me who want a nice phone but ...
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I don't roll with Big Red, but the point is...if you want a fancy phone that has all of the features, be prepared to pay for it! That’s what the phone is built for! You wouldn't buy a VCR/DVD combo just to watch video tapes! that would be pointless.
But what people don’t seem to understand is that this is a way for the companies to recoup some of the costs of subsidizing the phones. The cell phone companies sell service. Not phones! That means the phone manufacturers can set any price they want to build a premium device that works on any particular network! They aren't free. They usually pay per device at least 75% of the MSRP price that is listed. Hence contracts and ETF's.
If Moto (purely an example, I do not know price ...
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But what people don’t seem to understand is that this is a way for the companies to recoup some of the costs of subsidizing the phones. The cell phone companies sell service. Not phones! That means the phone manufacturers can set any price they want to build a premium device that works on any particular network! They aren't free. They usually pay per device at least 75% of the MSRP price that is listed. Hence contracts and ETF's.
If Moto (purely an example, I do not know price ...
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Good post. I would have stayed with a basic flip phone forever if I could have found one with a decent CALENDAR, but sadly, that meant moving to a smartphone. I can't say I'm unhappy, I happen to love my Eris, and I use the data all the time now. But some of the features people want aren't available on simple-feature phones. I think they need to develop some nicer simple feature phones, but then instead of giving them away for FREE put a reasonable price tag on them.
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Hello, if that is your argument then why can't you buy your own phone at FULL price and then NOT add the data? I asked them if I could do this and they said no way.
You might wonder why not just take the discount and get data. Well some people buy phones on ebay and such or get old hand me down phones. From now on if you even activate one of these devices you have this data charge that you HAVE to have. Your argument doesn't hold water.
You might wonder why not just take the discount and get data. Well some people buy phones on ebay and such or get old hand me down phones. From now on if you even activate one of these devices you have this data charge that you HAVE to have. Your argument doesn't hold water.
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Even in the Obama economy of the new normal of 11+ million people unemployed, and extremely sluggish growth Verizon still hasn't had negative churn. It doesn't seem like Verizon can do anything to have negative churn, even in this economy.
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I agree. The data requirement is garbage. However, Verizon has the right to charge it. Vote with your feet and your wallet (OP).
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Yup! Don't just accept this people. Verizon has the best coverage, but they're success is going to their head.
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Pretty sure all carriers require additional fees for higher-end phones. I know Sprint does, know Verizon does, am pretty sure ATT does (at least for Blackberries and iPhones)... Why should you (OP) be the exception and have waived a fee that every other customer is paying?
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It's nice to see someone on PS siding with a consumer rather than a corporation, as it's often the case on this site.
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So tell me,
Why do you want the LG enV touch over say the Samsung Intensity that does not require data?
Why do you want the LG enV touch over say the Samsung Intensity that does not require data?
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Simply because I like LG phones better then Samsung. I really don't use data, but still like a good device. If there was a good choice of device's that don't require the data plan, I wouldn't mind it so much, but it seems to be to get a good phone, you have to have extra crap with it.
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Simply because I like LG phones better then Samsung. I really dont use data, but still like a good device. If there was a good choice of device's that dont require the data plan, I wouldnt mind it so much, but it seems to be to get a good phone, you have to have extra crap with it.
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Oh and the enV Touch required data in December. They have required data on thata phone now for almost 4 months.
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Not sure about Texas but I have friends who bought the LV touch in December and do not pay the data charge. It's the same phone... no changes except forcing consumers to pay more or to use cheap phones. Just because I don't want to go on line, I still deserve a nice phone. What don't you get??? Verizon is forcing me to pay for something I don't want.
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The EnV Touch has required the data plan since whenever the Samsung Rogue came out. That's when they started the Enhanced Multimedia Phones thing and the Touch started requiring it. The first couple months it didn't.
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Your friends likely have the connect or premium plan which includes data (for an extra $10). The data requirement for the enV Touch was nationwide.
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You're wasting time. They are not going to bend. The data requirement is system generated. A represetative does not have the option to not add a data plan. The phone will not activate without one. You just became eligible to upgrade this month then you should be out of contract in June. Chill out until then and THEN port out!
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From the sounds of it, they are not making you take the data. They have given you options to either use the data that the phone is built for or choose a phone that fits your needs. Companies change all the time. This was the same issue that people complained about with the PDA's. Today its normal business. In short if you want a data phone then pay for the data or use a device that fits your needs.
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Believe it or not, you're not royalty that deserves to be served.
You're a consumer, you're a dollar sign to them. If you don't like a policy the ONLY thing you can do that they'll care about is taking your lines elseware. Threatening to leave is about as effective as telling someone you'll fire someone if you've never fired anyone before.
You're a consumer, you're a dollar sign to them. If you don't like a policy the ONLY thing you can do that they'll care about is taking your lines elseware. Threatening to leave is about as effective as telling someone you'll fire someone if you've never fired anyone before.
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NO Verizon is not forcing you to pay for something you dont want, they are giving you 2 pricing options if you choose a 3g multimedia phone and 3 options if you choose a simple phone. Sounds like your usage is more fit for a simple phone than a multimedia phone.
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Thats like saying I want a nice new BMW, but I dont want to have to pay for using premium gas! 😲 They are makeing me use premium or the car wont function as it should! i want a really nice car, but i dont want to pay for the things that make it what it was meant for! 😢 If you want something that nice, expect to pay for it or go but the Saturn instead!
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You SHOULD disavow your whole post instead of correcting a word. That is a HORRIBLE analogy. These phones work just fine without data. VZW allowed text and data blocking for many phones with no issues. This is all about money. Please try again.
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Hey pally...that analogy was spot on! When you buy a BMW you know it runs on more expensive gas....ie is required. Big Red says if you want to run a certain device IT IS REQUIRED to have these extras. Take it or leave it! I'm tired of the whinning going on with people wanting premium devices but not wanting to pay the monthly premium to have it! You were told if you want (not need) this device you will have to pay for this extra! It's not that difficult! Of course it's about money too! Same thing when it comes to buying a car! If all can do is afford to run the Saturn.....then don't bitch about not being able to get the BMW because it will cost you extra!
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I have to agree on the analogy critique. Yours is ok, but not great. A beamer is highend automobile worth $30K-$100K brand new. Not the same as a $99 cell phone. And I wouldnt exactly call some of these phones "highend" . Just because a phone has a qwerty keyboard, doesnt mean its highend.
This issue for me is "what is a high end phone?" Phones like the 8360 have nice features, but no where near the EnV touch or rogue, yet the all three phones require additional fees. I think verizon made their list a little to expansive when they started charging.
To use a similar analogy to your original one...Its like being forced to put premium in a honda civic. Its just not necessary.
This issue for me is "what is a high end phone?" Phones like the 8360 have nice features, but no where near the EnV touch or rogue, yet the all three phones require additional fees. I think verizon made their list a little to expansive when they started charging.
To use a similar analogy to your original one...Its like being forced to put premium in a honda civic. Its just not necessary.
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Half the crap they are requiring a data plan on could hardly be classified as nice. And it would not even be in the BMW or dare I say, Saturn's class. Give me a break.
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Nobody is twisting your arm saying that you HAVE to get a phone that requires a data plan. You just want one but don't want to pay the price for it.
Sometimes you have to pay more for what you really want.
Sometimes you have to pay more for what you really want.
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The only way Verizon will ever change this policy is if it negatively impacts investors or the company's bottom line. If you feel this policy is unfair to you vote with your feet.
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A policy is a policy no matter how good or bad it is. Why would they allow you to not follow the policy if everyone else has to? They are simply doing their job.
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Doing their job? What does that mean? Policies are sometimes made because of bad decisions. The decision was made to raise prices on data packages, they should have offered phones with the same other features. I will call every day... eventually, I will speak to someone who will understand.
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Glad you have that much time on your hands to call everyday. I bet if you got the phone w/o the data package and got charged out the a$$ for data that you "did not" use you would b!itch and moan like crazy to get a credit right? There are reasons behind this policy other than Vz trying to screw you.
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Personally I wouldn't pay $10 for data on a dumbphone. But that's just me. I'd get a Samsung intensity if money were the object or I'd go right to a smartphone for $30. But again, there are choices for everyone and one of them is to go to AT&T and enjoy their supposed plethora of cool phones ...
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mellowlen62 said:
But again, there are choices for everyone and one of them is to go to AT&T and enjoy their supposed plethora of cool phones ...
That comes with a plethora of dropped calls and other network problems.
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Indeed. Which is why I've never understood the "Verizon has no cool phones" argument. Who cares what you're using if it doesn't work?
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No. They are just trying to screw him. They could place the data block as a default on every phone if they wanted to. When I was there they were not happy with reps offering data blocks as a remedy. Something about the revenue they were losing. They beat that problem, didn't they? In any event, he is wasting time and costing them money. Maybe they will fire him Sprint style.
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Understand what? The policy is that the data plan is required. There isn't anything to understand other than you're going to have to pay for a data package if you want a phone that requires one. What's so hard about that?
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Calling everyday will do nothing but waste your time. There is no one anywhere that can override the mandatory data requirement on the phones.
The policy will stay in place because Verizon knows that a good portion of their customers use thier service because it is the only one that works well for them. So until vzw sees a significant enought decline in their 1st and 2nd quarter numbers, the requirement is here to stay.
The policy will stay in place because Verizon knows that a good portion of their customers use thier service because it is the only one that works well for them. So until vzw sees a significant enought decline in their 1st and 2nd quarter numbers, the requirement is here to stay.
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then get out of the kitchen and port your numbers to another carrier and be done with it. Geez.
People whine and whine about their providers, yet are too chicken to pay the ETF and switch. I bailed on AT&T last month and paid my ETF and it was worth every penny because now I GET RECEPTION EVERYWHERE I GO!
Wahoo!
People whine and whine about their providers, yet are too chicken to pay the ETF and switch. I bailed on AT&T last month and paid my ETF and it was worth every penny because now I GET RECEPTION EVERYWHERE I GO!
Wahoo!
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These threads are getting old. Yes the price increased. This is old news. You have a choice. Switch your family to AT&T, Tmobile or Sprint or anyone else. Nobody is forcing you to stay with Verizon. Stop calling them, stop crying, and stop acting like a spoiled 3 year old. That's why other carriers exist. Freedom of choice and all that. Businesses in America are free to set their prices at whatever the market will bear. You are free to go elsewhere. End of story.
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Yes, you're right. I could have been nicer. But even though I'm addicted to this website, sometimes the crying on here gets to be a bit much. Ugh.
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It would be much quieter though. Look at the responses this one post generated.
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It's easy to be nice the first or second time.. but after hearing it every day for almost a month.. why bother being nice?
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Even with phones, sometimes the best customer service is telling the customer to grow up. The skill comes in saying it in such a way that they see themselves as the asshole.
Seriously.. I got some of my best customers that way
Seriously.. I got some of my best customers that way
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Those that say the BBB or Attorney General are a waste of time, I beg to differ.
Been there, done that and won...with VZW! 😳
As for those saying the Env Touch has always required a data package, I beg to differ again. I had one when they first came out and the data package better known as VCAST wasn't mandatory. It was just pay as you go. Even then VCAST was a flat fee for unlimited use. Now the prices are lower but there are caps on usage. 😡
But as some have said as well, until VZW's churn rate or profits go down they're not going to change a thing.
Been there, done that and won...with VZW! 😳
As for those saying the Env Touch has always required a data package, I beg to differ again. I had one when they first came out and the data package better known as VCAST wasn't mandatory. It was just pay as you go. Even then VCAST was a flat fee for unlimited use. Now the prices are lower but there are caps on usage. 😡
But as some have said as well, until VZW's churn rate or profits go down they're not going to change a thing.
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phone came out june
enhanced media pricing started September
so yes there are people that have it without a data package.
enhanced media pricing started September
so yes there are people that have it without a data package.
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I'm not sure if the original poster was talking about the Env TOUCH or the Chocolate TOUCH, because I'm pretty sure when the Choco came out, it did not require any sort of data plan. I sort of thought he was talking about that phone, but then everyone here started talking about the Env....
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Damn! You're right! Base on his response, it probably IS the Chocolate Touch. Alltel calls theirs the Touch.
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Well who knows if he knows the difference. All I know is my nephew got the Chocolate Touch sometime last year - Christmas-ish or just prior, and he did NOT have to have a data plan on that phone and still doesn't...
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I do have a question though?
These are bogo for $50
If so and you have NE2 you could get 4 of them for $50?
When they first came out weren't they $200 a pop... maybe $150 after rebate?
Just thinking out loud but if you were going to pay 600-800 out of pocket before.. I know $40 times 24 months in data is $960 bucks so it does add up over two years but if you take out $500+ you saved on devices it something I guess.
The whole purpose was to make these nicer high end devices more available to everybody. Think about it...you would get over $1600 worth of equipment for $50...pretty good deal and even if you take the data off of the total dollar you are talking $700 discount. If they didn't make the new requirements the phone would ...
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These are bogo for $50
If so and you have NE2 you could get 4 of them for $50?
When they first came out weren't they $200 a pop... maybe $150 after rebate?
Just thinking out loud but if you were going to pay 600-800 out of pocket before.. I know $40 times 24 months in data is $960 bucks so it does add up over two years but if you take out $500+ you saved on devices it something I guess.
The whole purpose was to make these nicer high end devices more available to everybody. Think about it...you would get over $1600 worth of equipment for $50...pretty good deal and even if you take the data off of the total dollar you are talking $700 discount. If they didn't make the new requirements the phone would ...
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The data requirement is HARD CODED into the activation system. Even if there is a rep somewhere who is somehow able to get around the system (which I highly doubt) those type of transactions are monitored and could cost the rep his job.
Most reps arn't happy with the new requirement either and if they could find a way around the requirement they would, but most likely not for the Touch. When I worked for them, I can tell you I would basically refuse to offer you an EnVTouch without data. That phone costs so much that it's the only way a lot of reps can even hope to make it profitable. It wasn't bad when the phone was 200 after rebate, but when they droped it to 79.. I would LOSE money on most upgrades, even with data.
Yes, there wa...
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Most reps arn't happy with the new requirement either and if they could find a way around the requirement they would, but most likely not for the Touch. When I worked for them, I can tell you I would basically refuse to offer you an EnVTouch without data. That phone costs so much that it's the only way a lot of reps can even hope to make it profitable. It wasn't bad when the phone was 200 after rebate, but when they droped it to 79.. I would LOSE money on most upgrades, even with data.
Yes, there wa...
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Just because this was brought to my attention today..thought I'd share.
To complain about VZW requiring this packages is dumb. All carriers are starting to require some sort of data package. I'm an Indirect agent for VZW and cousin is on AT&T. She just went to upgrade and because she wan't a msging phone...they told her there's a minimum of a required $5 txt pkg (so no per txt option), along with a minimum of a $15 data package because it's a 3G phone. If you want a 3G device then suck it up and pay for the required data package because that's what the phones are marketed for..internet and social networking use...which use data. There's a Razzle, Rival, and Intensity that ALL have keyboards and don't require the data. If not all carriers ...
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To complain about VZW requiring this packages is dumb. All carriers are starting to require some sort of data package. I'm an Indirect agent for VZW and cousin is on AT&T. She just went to upgrade and because she wan't a msging phone...they told her there's a minimum of a required $5 txt pkg (so no per txt option), along with a minimum of a $15 data package because it's a 3G phone. If you want a 3G device then suck it up and pay for the required data package because that's what the phones are marketed for..internet and social networking use...which use data. There's a Razzle, Rival, and Intensity that ALL have keyboards and don't require the data. If not all carriers ...
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Whatever. We are going to complain ALL WE WANT TO. Please don't tell us what AT&T is doing. Of course they are following VZW. If Sprint AND T-Mobile are doing it, too. THAT would be news. They aren't.
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Is that verizon obtains the best phone in the world this year, the IPHONE! I will gladly pay for that.
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Scott, I hate to do this to you because you are the only Verizon customer whom I know loves the iphone more than me, but I am seriously beginning to doubt that Verizon is ever getting a CDMA iphone. AT&T has been such a a good w*Bleep*re for Apple that I am beginning to think the exclusive is going to remain in effect for another year or two. I'm just saying... The way that AT&T is bending over for the ipad... I would not hold my breath just yet.
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I wish this were the case . . . I'd pay for data on that! :-) I think . . . I have to agree with Azeron though . . . probably no iPhone this year. :-(.
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Verizon is not getting the iPhone anytime soon. In fact, with the way things are going, AT&T will probably get another 18-24 months of exclusivity.
Besides, Verizon doesn't need the crappy iPhone gumming up it's superior network.
Besides, Verizon doesn't need the crappy iPhone gumming up it's superior network.
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I have had every Iphone that has come out and they all suck, rally they suck bad.
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I had to read through the whole thread to find that eventually mellowlen62 realized you never mentioned a specific phone, you simply said "LG Touch."
The EnV Touch has required data since November 8, 2009. You would have been informed of that phone requiring data in the time-frame you ellude to. No rep likes chargebacks and hits to their handset return ratio, so they would have made sure you understood the data requirement, even though your upgrade wasn't until February.
The Chocolate Touc had required data since January 18, 2010. If you visited a store before Christmas, there would have been no one at the store level with knowledge that this phone would require data a month or more later. They told you the exact truth.
Things c...
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The EnV Touch has required data since November 8, 2009. You would have been informed of that phone requiring data in the time-frame you ellude to. No rep likes chargebacks and hits to their handset return ratio, so they would have made sure you understood the data requirement, even though your upgrade wasn't until February.
The Chocolate Touc had required data since January 18, 2010. If you visited a store before Christmas, there would have been no one at the store level with knowledge that this phone would require data a month or more later. They told you the exact truth.
Things c...
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Something tells me that this is a drive by post and we will never hear from them again.
I too was curious about which phone was discussed.
I too was curious about which phone was discussed.
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Well...the OP had a legitimate gripe. The data plan IS bs. However his tone and attitude was so reminiscient of customers that I dealt with in retail and CS.
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Well...the OP had a legitimate gripe. The data plan IS bs. However his tone and attitude was so reminiscent of customers that I dealt with in retail and CS.
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You know I agree that his gripe is legitimate. However, he seemed to have a lot of hostility and I was addressing that things had changed. I was trying to look at this from a different angle.
I honestly believe that if he'd looked for a Chocolate Touch in December, but by February came in and found the phone had been replaces with a Chocolate Touch 2 which required data, he would have simply looked for something else after accepting the fact that the phone he wanted two months ago is no longer made.
As far as I see it, the change is almost as if the same model sold three months ago were replaced with new ones. I never had nearly the same level of gripe when we went from HTC XV6800 to HTC Touch Pro, or other instances where the new m...
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I honestly believe that if he'd looked for a Chocolate Touch in December, but by February came in and found the phone had been replaces with a Chocolate Touch 2 which required data, he would have simply looked for something else after accepting the fact that the phone he wanted two months ago is no longer made.
As far as I see it, the change is almost as if the same model sold three months ago were replaced with new ones. I never had nearly the same level of gripe when we went from HTC XV6800 to HTC Touch Pro, or other instances where the new m...
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Totally agree, Verizon should offer more quality QWERTY keyboard phones that do not require a data plan. There are plenty of people who would like to be able to quickly text more then a two word message. Personally I had two Samsung Intensities that had interference noise when using two different Bluetooth headsets so I had to return both phones and go back to a E815 dinosaur because my choices are limited to the Intensity and the Razzle , which is only available online so you can't try it out prior to purchase. If I want to pay full price for a Smartphone why should I have to pay the data charge? The Droid and Omnia II are small Form Factor, have a 5MP camera and full QERTY keyboard, just the features I need in a phone. Blocking a Smartphon...
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Blocking a Smartphone from using it's browser is pretty simple task for Verizon.
You would think.
Of course, that's a bit like buying a boat and permanently tying it to the dock.
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They could still do it even now. They don't want to do it. I could have data blocked on my XV6900. It could be done on any of the old Treos and the Centro. A host of smartphones which Verizon sold in the past. I remember the emails we would get when I worked there about all the revenue the company was losing due to data and text blocks on customer accounts. The alerts which would pop up when a customer had a block reminding me to try to talk them into removing it. This policy is all about the bottom line. Who buys a smartphone and blocks data? Lots of people. Not anymore though. Not anymore.
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These things were always blockable, and mostly still are.
The first phone that I would argue couldn't be blocked would be the Android phones. The OS offloads some of its processing to the Internet, and the phone is built around cloud computing. A block on an Android phone would be more like buying the boat in my earlier reference with a solid steel block welded into the space where the engine would go.
Over the years, I've seen these phones go from Palm planners stuck on a crappy (Kyocera) phone to today's Droids and the like. If the majority customer base ultimately did not want data and blocked it, or demanded a change, we wouldn't be selling phones this way. Enough people wanted it or allowed it to cause the device market to shi...
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The first phone that I would argue couldn't be blocked would be the Android phones. The OS offloads some of its processing to the Internet, and the phone is built around cloud computing. A block on an Android phone would be more like buying the boat in my earlier reference with a solid steel block welded into the space where the engine would go.
Over the years, I've seen these phones go from Palm planners stuck on a crappy (Kyocera) phone to today's Droids and the like. If the majority customer base ultimately did not want data and blocked it, or demanded a change, we wouldn't be selling phones this way. Enough people wanted it or allowed it to cause the device market to shi...
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Who cares what they do or don't do with the phone?
Now, if Verizon were to say that they would no longer subsidize the phone unless you were to add data, I might grumble and all, but that's fine. What TICKS ME RIGHT OFF is that even if I buy an ENV Touch for FULL RETAIL, they still force you to add this garbage data plan.
Many people have guns, but hardly ever shoot them; many people have awesome power desk tops, but they don't use the full capacity.
So who cares if you bought a sweet boat and left it tied to the dock?
Now, if Verizon were to say that they would no longer subsidize the phone unless you were to add data, I might grumble and all, but that's fine. What TICKS ME RIGHT OFF is that even if I buy an ENV Touch for FULL RETAIL, they still force you to add this garbage data plan.
Many people have guns, but hardly ever shoot them; many people have awesome power desk tops, but they don't use the full capacity.
So who cares if you bought a sweet boat and left it tied to the dock?
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For many years now I've believed that the best route would be to have a subsidy option (though it you read into my comments over time, you'll find that I support eliminating the subsidy altogether).
My thought was to subsidize phones the way we did about give years ago for non-data requirements, or subsidize as it is today with data requirement.
Let's use the Droid as an example.
Full retail $569.99.
Data subsidy: $569.99 - $270 subsidy - $100 manufacturer/carrier rebate = $199.99
Non-data subsidy: $569.99 - $120 subsidy - $50 manufacturer/carrier rebate = $399.99
Before the iPhone changed the industry, Verizon used to subsidize every phone, simple or smart, exactly $120 (unless there was a special sale or BOGO offer) befor...
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My thought was to subsidize phones the way we did about give years ago for non-data requirements, or subsidize as it is today with data requirement.
Let's use the Droid as an example.
Full retail $569.99.
Data subsidy: $569.99 - $270 subsidy - $100 manufacturer/carrier rebate = $199.99
Non-data subsidy: $569.99 - $120 subsidy - $50 manufacturer/carrier rebate = $399.99
Before the iPhone changed the industry, Verizon used to subsidize every phone, simple or smart, exactly $120 (unless there was a special sale or BOGO offer) befor...
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You always make sense, Epik. That is 100% the issue. Me? I'm loving my Android phone and the thought of going back to a simple phone makes me want to slit my wrists. But I do feel the options should be there for just a simple phone with a calendar and keyboard. I wanted just that for a long time. Then I gave in because a smartphone had the only calendar I could deal with, and I got sucked in to the fun of a smartphone. So I guess I'm a Verizon success story. I personally didn't find texting all that difficult with T9, Itap or Word.
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Epik, I agree with you. I think you've nailed te problem. I'm one that wanted to purchase the ENV3 in early January, but decided to wait till tax return came and I went in to upgrade 4 lines and got hit with this.
You have it right. I can either get cheapy phone that has no features and will probably fall apart, or pay $500 more a year for my lines.
You have it right. I can either get cheapy phone that has no features and will probably fall apart, or pay $500 more a year for my lines.
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It is not there fault. Nobody who works there can remove that charge. You have to go to the big guys. Or like they said pick another phone. You don't want to have the data don't get a smartphone. It's simple. It is a new requirement and AT&T has done it as well. It's business. That is what they requiring now. If you don't like it well it would probably be best to go with someone else. Not AT&T tho cuz they are doing the same thing. Just a little heads up. They to be honest do not care who they lose. BELIEVE me they know. It sucks. But that might better for you in the long run? 😉
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Every carrier cares about the customers they lose. If not Verizon would not care that they lead in churn quarter after quarter. ATT would not try so hard to become the carrier with the lowest churn. Simply put people that use data features are more loyal and churn less. It is the opposite of what you think. Consumers using data eventually no longer see it as a an option and develop a need for it. In return they do not churn. It was a good business move for the company.
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You're right SugaR-E . . . how stupid of people to get a "smartphone" like the LG VX8360 and feel like they are getting ripped off for having data forced on them . . . I mean check out the incredible state of the art browser on that thing . . . I could browse for hours on there.
And besides that phone there are these other incredible "smartphones:"
LG Env3
LG VX8360
Samsung Alias 2
Yeah right! Can you honestly tell me with a straight face these are "smartphones?" I can understand with the Env Touch . . . Chocolate Touch . . . but these phones? No way.
And besides that phone there are these other incredible "smartphones:"
LG Env3
LG VX8360
Samsung Alias 2
Yeah right! Can you honestly tell me with a straight face these are "smartphones?" I can understand with the Env Touch . . . Chocolate Touch . . . but these phones? No way.
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I call forced data plans "artificial profit" because it isn't profit from something a customer ACTUALLY WANTS on their acct, hence the words "artificial profit".
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No, because the services the government provides from taxes people WANT (mostly). Whereas FORCED data, some people don't want.
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Really?
I don't want most of the services a government provides save a police force, a judicial system, and a military... and yet that is a FRACTION of what our taxes go towards.
I don't want most of the services a government provides save a police force, a judicial system, and a military... and yet that is a FRACTION of what our taxes go towards.
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I get to help pay for my senator's mansion far from where the little people live. And their federalized (and quite golden) health care program.
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Jay, I have no interest in paying for 450 anytime minutes. In fact, I would be fine with just unlimited Verizon to Verizon and like 100 anytime minutes (if that). yet I'm forced to pay for the minutes.
Bundles are the nature of the industry Jay, they always have been. First it was with minutes, and then it was with Texting, and now with data.
Look at the history... they started bundling minutes, people complained about "paying for more than I need." and then they went "hey, I have 200 minutes... I might as well use them." and suddenly we have people clamoring for cheaper unlimited plans.
With Texting, it was a Short Message Service, a quick note to send if you would be late, or if you were thinking of someone, and then they sta...
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Bundles are the nature of the industry Jay, they always have been. First it was with minutes, and then it was with Texting, and now with data.
Look at the history... they started bundling minutes, people complained about "paying for more than I need." and then they went "hey, I have 200 minutes... I might as well use them." and suddenly we have people clamoring for cheaper unlimited plans.
With Texting, it was a Short Message Service, a quick note to send if you would be late, or if you were thinking of someone, and then they sta...
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IMO, I think they should've just stopped making non "enhanced media devices" and let the current devices sell out. Then replace with more enhanced media devices, or basic phones. Oh, and keep the option for family data too. But I don't run the company, so it's not my rules.
And really, I think this would have been the best prescription for transition. Phase out all the old models and replace them with simple and/or 3G phone models. The biggest miss in all this was having phones that didn't need data one day be the phones that DID need data the next.
And as far as family data is concerned, I've maintained for more than a month now that the problem with Connect and Premium not attracting enough customers was si...
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Here's a story. I went to upgrade my phone on January 11th to the Env3 for a one year contract. I used a gift card to order it online and knew that I would have to kick in some extra because the gift card wasn't enough which was fine. I submit the request using the gift card and it says order submitted. I knew that couldn't be right because I owed money. Long story short the rep tells me the system can't handle two cards and then proceeds to tell me I will be hit with a $25 fee if kicks out. I told him to cancel the order which he did. I tried going in the next day to order it and it says the order is PENDING. So the rep says it takes a couple of days to clear. I tried for 5 days to upgrade and I couldn't because the order was still in a PEN...
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Menno- I can't tell you the number of people I talk to every day who ask "how much is unlimited calling?" Something about the word "unlimited" is like spooning chum into shark-infested waters.
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I couldn't agree with you more and don't understand why so many people aren't getting it. Of course companies have the right to make/change their policies as they see fit, but don't forget about your loyal customers and create options for everyone.
For those people who say to instead pick a "simple phone," apparently you haven't looked at them. VW has the WORST selection of all the carriers I've researched. If there was a reasonable option, I wouldn't have been looking at others at all. We have simple needs: phone calls, texting (QWERTY) and camera/video. We do NOT want our children to have unlimited (or any, for that matter) internet access wherever they go. We have strict rules about internet usage in our home and would have no way of k...
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For those people who say to instead pick a "simple phone," apparently you haven't looked at them. VW has the WORST selection of all the carriers I've researched. If there was a reasonable option, I wouldn't have been looking at others at all. We have simple needs: phone calls, texting (QWERTY) and camera/video. We do NOT want our children to have unlimited (or any, for that matter) internet access wherever they go. We have strict rules about internet usage in our home and would have no way of k...
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Samsung Intensity (QWERTY, Camera, MUSIC)
Motorola Rival (QWERTY, camera, Video, Music)
Razzle (QWERTY, Camera, music)
Flip phones:
LG Accolade (new release, replaces 5500)
Samsung Smooth
Motorola Entice (this is a rumour, I heard it was taken off the list)
Casio Rock
Samsung Convoy
Motorola Barrage
Etc. They have 13 different phone models (some of them, like the PTT phones, have amazing quality). They have three different Qwerty phones with keyboards available. Compare that to the 5 that require data (and one of them is a nokia so that barely counts)
Oh, and ALL qwerty phones with ATT require data, so no, Verizon doesn't have the "worst selection in the industry."
It is IMPOSSIBLE to remove that 10 fee from a phone, ...
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Motorola Rival (QWERTY, camera, Video, Music)
Razzle (QWERTY, Camera, music)
Flip phones:
LG Accolade (new release, replaces 5500)
Samsung Smooth
Motorola Entice (this is a rumour, I heard it was taken off the list)
Casio Rock
Samsung Convoy
Motorola Barrage
Etc. They have 13 different phone models (some of them, like the PTT phones, have amazing quality). They have three different Qwerty phones with keyboards available. Compare that to the 5 that require data (and one of them is a nokia so that barely counts)
Oh, and ALL qwerty phones with ATT require data, so no, Verizon doesn't have the "worst selection in the industry."
It is IMPOSSIBLE to remove that 10 fee from a phone, ...
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I'm sorry, but I beg to differ. In the store, they showed me THREE phones, with the Samsung Intensity being the only one with QWERTY. The saleswoman said it had a 1.3 MP camera (very poor in comparison to just about all other phones, including the old ones we have), no video and costs $129.99 with no rebates. This was on February 7th.
I've since been on the VW site and see a few other flip phones, but still only the Intensity with QWERTY (no eligible for online special promo). The "customer service" rep I spoke with today confirmed this. I only wish your information was correct. Even three choices would be better.
As for AT&T, there are SIX QWERTY phones that do not require data plans with the ability to take video. One of them had the...
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I've since been on the VW site and see a few other flip phones, but still only the Intensity with QWERTY (no eligible for online special promo). The "customer service" rep I spoke with today confirmed this. I only wish your information was correct. Even three choices would be better.
As for AT&T, there are SIX QWERTY phones that do not require data plans with the ability to take video. One of them had the...
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Not every store has the same phone selection. The store should be able to get any of those phones as a special order though. I pulled all thse phones from the Verizon website, and i know a local indirect dealer, and he's confirmed this (most of them don't like these changes either btw)
I don't know what store you're at, but at the stores around here the Intensity is 99 with a 50 (so 50 after rebate). They don't sell the razzle, but the rival is 90 after rebate.
The intensity and Razzle are both qwerty phones (listed from the website as simple feature phones) the Rival is listed as a "3g multimedia device" but it says data plan optional in small text under it. The same data optional text is found under the Entice
All ATT qwerty ...
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I don't know what store you're at, but at the stores around here the Intensity is 99 with a 50 (so 50 after rebate). They don't sell the razzle, but the rival is 90 after rebate.
The intensity and Razzle are both qwerty phones (listed from the website as simple feature phones) the Rival is listed as a "3g multimedia device" but it says data plan optional in small text under it. The same data optional text is found under the Entice
All ATT qwerty ...
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You're buying into a lot of crap that some people are spewing. Read Menno's post and you'll see you are wrong about "three outdated phones". Also, I don't know if CS should have said "to work properly" but he is right that these phones are MADE to do more than just call and text, and the whistles and bells will cost you more money. People don't like it, and I agree I think VZ included some phones that they just shouldn't have (and maybe they'll rethink) but they still have the best service imho and I'm willing to pay for that. I really have a problem with people who want "cool phones" with no regard for a carrier's ability to handle calls in their area. As long as Verizon remains on top in terms of service, the people who will leave for thes...
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The real problem is for those who already have a "multimedia" phone and account without data, even with the relatively simple env3. I just updated our account with three env3's in December, no data, just interested in having a keyboard for texting. I just checked into adding another phone on the family plan. Because it is a change to the plan that no longer exists, I would have to go to the new plan and add data for the 3 existing phones! That is ridiculous!!! Also, if it is to subsidize the phones, why can't you opt out with by purchasing the phone separate? Unless this changes, I will drop Verizon the moment I finish my contract.
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If you have upgrade to 3 env3's in december and you want to add an additional line now, only the new line would require the data package. The other lines would not, even if you changed your plan it would not require on the other 3 lines. You can purchase phones at full retail or at 1 or 2 yr contract pricing at anytime, you probably don't want to pay the full retail price because it maybe too expensive with 3 lines. If you are that upset with Verizon, don't wait, drop them now............
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When I went online to investigate adding an additional line, it wanted to change "all" of my phones to add an additional family phone. I could add an additional separate phone on my account without being on the family part of the plan, which would have been my only option to keep the other phones on the original plan. I was picking a non-multimedia phone for the extra line in both choices. I think I will go back and recheck to be sure.
I didn't look at what the etf fees would be to change carriers so soon after the new contract, I may be investigating all of my options if I decide it best to add another phone.
I didn't look at what the etf fees would be to change carriers so soon after the new contract, I may be investigating all of my options if I decide it best to add another phone.
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As Justmarried said, you are not required to change your existing lines to include data.
The Internet is programmed to be the same experience for every user for consistency's sake. If you want personalized service, you need to go to a person instead of a computer.
The Internet is programmed to be the same experience for every user for consistency's sake. If you want personalized service, you need to go to a person instead of a computer.
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Wow, that's ridiculous! The VW rep I spoke with today told me that the data plan would have to be added if the contract was changed in any way, but I thought he meant the contract on the specific phones that didn't have data. What a total ripoff. If that doesn't convince the folks who are supporting VW at this point, I don't know what will. There are none so blind as those who will not see. Good luck!
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This is simply not true. I just bought a new phone, and changed around all 3 of my other lines, and my one line has an EnvTouch with the old unlimited $15 data (which I didn't want to lose). My plan was not changed for the Env, even with changing it from one line to another. I don't know who you talked to, but you are misinformed I do believe.
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He talked to an "unperson" (the Verizon website) which is devised for consistency, not individual assistance.
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Dont go straight to the president.. Offen times Regional president's get the word out at meetings..
first.last@verizonwireless.com
(generally speaking.)
http://aboutus.vzw.com/leadership/area/index.html »
http://aboutus.vzw.com/leadership/executive/index.html »
first.last@verizonwireless.com
(generally speaking.)
http://aboutus.vzw.com/leadership/area/index.html »
http://aboutus.vzw.com/leadership/executive/index.html »
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Yeah well I have worked all the way up..... for 4-6 months walking up the chain. My next step WILL BE DAN MEAD!!!! I have contacted all regional presidents on the East Coast.
started with floor sales rep, then customer service, then area manager, then regional manager, one of the biggest headaches I have had to deal with. Now it is just stupid!!!! How do you take a perfectly happy customer and turn them into a raging bull??? Man i an so mad!!! all i wanted to do is switch all my devises' over and now its hell!!!!
started with floor sales rep, then customer service, then area manager, then regional manager, one of the biggest headaches I have had to deal with. Now it is just stupid!!!! How do you take a perfectly happy customer and turn them into a raging bull??? Man i an so mad!!! all i wanted to do is switch all my devises' over and now its hell!!!!
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what in the world are you talking about?
You bumped a three year old thread, for what exactly?
You bumped a three year old thread, for what exactly?
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You can go to sprint and get a everything messaging 1500 for all 5 lines for 129.96 or 3000 mins for 159.96 for all 5 lines.
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Ya its Verizon for ya. What did you think they were going to lower their prices for customers? They have been notorious for years for nickel and diming their customers. Increased ETF fees, data charges and what not.
www.hubpages.com/hub/sprint-saves-you-money/
www.hubpages.com/hub/sprint-saves-you-money/
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You just get the phone and block data! That will remove the 10 data charge. 😁
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Thank goodness you found this thread after three years and answered this mans problem.
FINALLY! He can get the LG Touch he has been waiting for!
What would we do without you? 😕
FINALLY! He can get the LG Touch he has been waiting for!
What would we do without you? 😕
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