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No Free Remote Controls

Why has Verizon changed their policies on free remote controls? In addition to paying for cable fees, I pay $38 per month for renting FIOS equipment that is 6 years old. They want another $15 for replacing one remote control. This is highway robbery.

Comments

beetlejuice2

You never "rented" the remote. The remote was given to use with the box.

You own any remotes and never have to return them when turning in any equipment.

You can still get 1 free replacement 2 device remote under certain circumstances. Go into your dvr/stb menu and go down to customer support then to replace remote.

It will tell you if its free or not. In most cases it will say they will replace it and will be shipped to you at no charge.

If not you can easily get a new fios remote on ebay very cheap as well as amazon.

Sleverus

Amen dmart.

I called, fully expecting a no hassle customer service experience. It isn't the $15, it is the fact that after spending $3,000 a year for 10 years the CSR is amazed that I think they should replace their broken equipment for free.

Verizon hates its customers. They can, because Comcast hates us too.

As bad as politicians and just as corrupt.

smartcookie

I completely agree. I have been with Verizon for 10 years, including 2 business accounts and my 4 year old remote just went and now I have to pay for a replacement. I appreciate that some customers might go through several remotes due to carelessness, but this should be handled differently. Perhaps 1 free remote within a 2 or 3 year period......

Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business.

beetlejuice2

@smartcookie wrote:
I completely agree. I have been with Verizon for 10 years, including 2 business accounts and my 4 year old remote just went and now I have to pay for a replacement. I appreciate that some customers might go through several remotes due to carelessness, but this should be handled differently. Perhaps 1 free remote within a 2 or 3 year period......
Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business.

Has anyone even tried doing what I originally posted? You can still get a free remote. I just checked mine and it shows that I could get one if needed.

"You can still get 1 free replacement 2 device remote under certain circumstances. Go into your dvr/stb menu and go down to customer support then to replace remote.

It will tell you if its free or not. In most cases it will say they will replace it and will be shipped to you at no charge."

slotr1

"Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business"

Comcast will give you a free remote with the return of the old one. I just tried to get a new remote as mine has defective buttons and Fios in-home agent said they were limited as to giving out new remotes. I let them know that comcast has offered to buy out the contract I have with verizon and all of a sudden the at-home agent was able to send a replacement remote to me for free. These big companies do what they want to hell with the customer.

CRobGauth

I have done it in the past.

But I just checked and the scrren now says that remotes will only be replaced under warranty for the first 90 days.

After that, they are $14.99.

beetlejuice2

@CRobGauth wrote:
I have done it in the past.
But I just checked and the scrren now says that remotes will only be replaced under warranty for the first 90 days.
After that, they are $14.99.

That's because you've already done it in the past. It still works for most who never have done it.

Plwright3

I, too, tried. Same thing, only free if within 90 days.
I agree with most on the thread that charging for the replacement remote makes no sense. They certainly can limit how often people can replace, but should assume that it is part of the overall rental price (which is not I insignificant) since the remote is essential in operating the set top box. It is also logical that because the setup box stays stationary, but the remote is handled daily, they will have some turnover of that equipment and should replace it on a reasonable schedule. This should not be a cost to the customer unless there is a pattern of carelessness.

As an aside, this is how Sprint lost much of it's customer base. Upon coming up with new charging models they frustrated their customers... resulting in many of their customers contracts being bought out by competitors. Very short sited.

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