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Having seemingly perpetual difficulty in getting refund for a returned phone

A seemingly complicated situation but nonetheless straightforward: ordered an iPhone 14 from Walmart.com with Verizon services in late November. Paid Walmart.com $17.94 for sales tax. Later paid off the device ($299) and cancelled service before activating service on the phone. Received a bill from Verizon although I did not owe anything (device paid off, no service activated), so called to have bill cancelled (still charged $0.09 somehow, which I paid to save time and trouble). On Dec. 5, returned the phone to local Walmart store per instructions from Walmart.com after eventually deciding to return it before expiration of return deadline. Walmart refunded the sales tax of $17.94 it collected at time of purchase. Called Verizon many, many, many times afterward for refund of device payment of $299 ever since. No result so far at all. Out of my wits, coming here to look for help before I want to dispute the charge with credit card company although I got a feeling that this is what is encouraged by Verizon! What might be going on?

Comments

Formercustomer333

To clarify, device payment was made to Verizon, not Walmart.

Verizon_Support

I am here to help get this resolved for you! I am going to initiate a PM, so we can further help with this issue you are having.

*Kathryn

Formercustomer333

Thank you Kathryn for your prompt response. I have a ticket number for payment investigation given to me by a phone representative on Tuesday. If you need it, let me know.

SynthpopAddict

If you bought the phone via Wal-Mart's website, I suspect it's a Wal-Mart issue. Even if the payment went to Verizon, the order is in Wal-Mart's system and Verizon doesn't have the record of the sale.

Formercustomer333

Thanks so much for your kind reply. This is the exact conclusion reached from the private messages with the Verizon folks on this forum. I will further pursue with Walmart. I had just found it hard to ask for money from Walmart if Verizon took the payment. Hope Walmart knows that I already paid off the device to Verizon. Alas, it has been so confusing and frustrating. Many thanks again!

SynthpopAddict

Hopefully you can get the refund from Wal-Mart. Another thing I've seen with electronics purchases elsewhere is fine print on the receipt saying something to the effect "If you bought it, it's yours". You may have to try selling the phone to a Verizon customer if nobody will refund you.

Verizon_Support

Thank you! Bestof luck!

~Geo

Verizon_Support

We're here to help. Where did you return this device? ~Peter

Formercustomer333

Thanks for the heads-up. I am not sure what fine print you are referring to. I returned the phone within 14 days, Walmart return period for electronics. I no longer have the phone. They accepted the return on Dec. 5. Now, it's just that no one seems interested in issuing the refund.

Formercustomer333

Many thanks, Peter. Per instructions from Walmart.com where I bought the phone, I returned it to the local Walmart store which upon receipt of the phone immediately refunded $17.94 which Walmart.com collected as sales tax at time of sale.

Formercustomer333

This kind of joint deals are so frustrating for customers who have to return the product. There must be some kind of business contracts between Walmart and Verizon regarding this eventuality. Now, I feel customers are left with the burden of sorting this all out themselves which is entirely unfair.

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