Fees & Lies about shipping

OhioDan2

My wife and I have been VZW customers for many YEARS.  We've been out of mobile contract for a couple years and decided to ditch our HTC Thunderbolts and get something new.  The Thunderbolts kept having more and more problems (i.e. failing batteries, sim card errors, slow-motion, random power downs, etc).  We've been weary to get new phones and new contracts because we still have the unlimited data plan.  I'm still not sure why something that was once $29.99 can cost someone 3x that (???).

We decided to order new phones online, and chose the Samsung Galaxy s5.  Since VZW was offering FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING and a $50 rebate debit card for each device, we decided to order online.  Plus the VZW store is usually as bad as the BMV anymore.

ALL THE THINGS THAT SUCKED:

#1. Going from unlimited data plan down to 4gb data plan.

#2. $30 FEE PER DEVICE.  When I asked the virtual customer assistance person about it, they gave me this long winded standard response about how the money is used to improve my experience, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Maybe at least make me feel like I'm not flushing $60 away!?!  Dumb.

#3. Tack on sales tax to that $60 fee.

#4. FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING MY ARSE!!  We ordered two s5 phones.  One shipped UPS from PA, and the other shipped FedEx from TN.  UPS requires a signature and they deliver at 2pm.  Not like I can ditch work, drive 30min home, and meet the UPS truck!  So we had to race the clock to notify UPS.com we will be picking up the phones the next day from the hub located 25-min away.  FREE SHIPPING???????  OVERNIGHT??????  The 2nd phone arrived today, and thankfully they will generally leave a package someplace (I live in the country).  Both took 4 days + cost me 3 gallons of fuel.  NOT FREE.  NOT OVERNIGHT.  TOTAL FIASCO.

#5. Why are the accessories in the "bundle" so damned expensive??  Anyone can get the same or better equipment on evilBay, Amazon, and wherever else for half the price.  Its a joke.  Thanks for giving me SUCH a deal for spending $400 on phones/fees and signing a 2yr contract with you.

Sincerely,

Customer who is trying to figure out why he's loyal -- Dan A.

Ann154

1. Could have kept the unlimited data plan if you purchased the devices at the full retail price or used the Device Payment Plan option available only through the corporate Verizon Wireless stores.
2. The update fee has been around since April 22, 2012. Upgrade Fee You wouldn't have had to pay the upgrade fee if you had purchased the devices at the full retail price.
3. That's apparently the way the tax codes are written. Verizon Wireless is only following it.
4. You having to make arrangements and alternate pickups of the packages isn't the fault of Verizon Wireless. You could have let them make the attempt to deliver the first time. Then see if UPS allowed you to sign the door tag and leave the package in a location on the property for you to find when you return home.
5. Did you have to purchase the accessories from Verizon Wireless? You made that choice. While I have purchased some of my cases and chargers from Verizon Wireless, I haven't done so for all my accessory purchases. My last two phone cases were procured from Walmart and both for less than $20 each. One was less than $10.