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Deceptive Verizon Wireless store representative warning.

I just wanted to warn everyone that if you go to the Verizon Wireless in Turnersville, NJ, not to let Ron help you with your needs (I would avoid that store all together, he isn't the only one who is deceptive there). He managed to sucker me into a Verizon Hum when I went to upgrade my wife's phone fore her. When he brought out her new phone, he also brought out a hum x. He said it was free so he was going to add one for me. I said I didn't need it after looking at the features, but he pressured me saying that since it was free and wouldn't cost anything, I might as well try it. I really wanted to just get my wife's phone upgraded and get back home to get yardwork done. I looked at the paperwork when I got home and my "next bill", which shows I WILL be charged an extra $20 per month after credits. The receipt in my account does say an extra line was added, but says $0. The thing I signed says $20 for a new line but then says there is a "hum discount" but isn't what it is. What I signed was certainly not clear about what I was or wasn't getting charged. Ron insisted discounts would be applied so it would end up free. I buckled because he obviously wasn't taking no for an answer.

I tried to go back in 3 days later to return it after looking the paperwork over again because the details are ambiguous and appears very contradicting to what Ron assured me. The guy there, (didn't get his name) after I tried to return the hum, reiterated the hum wouldn't cost me anything. So I specifically asked him, "If I returned the hum, would my bill go down or would it stay the same?". He thought for a second and said it would stay the same. So I went home.

I started thinking about it some more and I also searched on the internet about Verizon sales people pressuring customers into a hum they didn't ask for by claiming it was free. I decided I can't trust that having the hum wouldn't cost me more money than not having it.

I just got done trying to return the Hum again (this is my last day in the 14 day return period.). They said it would cost a $50 restocking fee to return it. I wasn't informed that the Hum is considered a "wireless device" and costs JUST AS MUCH to restock it as a $1000 mobile phone. They told me the salesperson would have told me that. I haven't even touched the Hum. They said I would have to call Verizon Customer service to see if they might override the $50. On top of it, I spent over an hour waiting to return it just for them to end up not being able to return it because the system was down and assuring me when the system comes back up, they'll honor that it was within the 14 day return period. Yeah right, I believe that.

The moral of the story is that Verizon Wireless is no longer above deceipt as a sales tactic and if you go into a store, they will force a Hum on you as part of whateger else you were there for. Once they've pulled that off, they are guarenteed to atleast get $50 out of you and you get nothing.

Comments

Ann154

Was this a third party retailer or a corporate store?

Doggo

This is why I loathe sales reps. Every time I'm at the mall and one tries to approach me, they get the death stare. Nothing is free, "free" equipment comes with a 2 year contract and restocking fees. Even more scummy when they throw customer care under the bus expecting them to deal with their mess.

At the same time, it was signed for. If I were having a sales rep be that aggressive, I'd just leave and order online. Don't give into their commission tactics.

rykmo

Ann154 Yes, corporate. They did call back a couple hours later and said they had processed the return and to let them know when I would drop off the device. They said for the inconvenience of having to come back they waived the $50 restocking fee (which ironically they said they couldn't do...). Despite getting the outcome I wanted, though it was because of a different problem, I'm still quite irritated with that Ron guy. It wouldn't be as a big deal if it there were truly no costs (which apparently that phrase can be interpreted several ways) and it was obvious when looking at the bill, but it wasn't. If I hadn't been pressured into it and understood the costs involved, then if I had to pay a restocking fee, that would be on me. It's my fault for not understand that all devices, not just the phones having a restocking fee of $50.

rcschnoor

Personally I don't understand why people agree to things they do not want or need. I simply would have said no.

Verizon_Support

Rykmo, this is certainly not the experience we want you to have at any store, especially when you're looking to simply upgrade your wife's phone. We were able to locate the store you were referring to and submit this experience as feedback so it doesn't happen again. Our goal is to ensure you have the right equipment you need so you can fully enjoy the service. We truly appreciate your patience and loyalty working with the store. Please know we are always here to help anytime you need it.

Steven_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

rykmo

Because people like me are too dumb to even notice there is a "Comment" option to use to respond to comments (like I'm using now) rather than replying to myself and mentioning the person I'm trying to reply, all because I couldn't find a "Reply" option on any of the comments. This explains why I still somehow ended up agreeing to something I tried to not agree to. I'm actually starting to feel surprised I managed to somehow pull off even getting my Masters degree...

rykmo

Am I not allowed to mention that I won't ever go to a Verizon Wireless Store again and will only buy from a device manufacturer directly from now on due to what they do to you there (which I didn't think was written in a profane way, your auto censor actually made what I wrote sound way worse than what I actually wrote)?

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