Why can I get a SIM card free on-line but not from a Verizon store?

I bought an unlocked Galaxy S7 and I was going to use the SIM card form my Galaxy S5 but it was the wrong size. The Verizon Wireless web site states that I can get the correct SIM card free of charge in two business days if ordered before 11 PM. Well, it was 11:15 PM on a Wednesday night, so the SIM card wouldn't arrive until Monday. According to the Verizon Wireless website, my other two options are to pay for overnight shipping or go to a Verizon store. Since I would have to enter the IMEI number online to order one, I wrote the number down and went to the Verizon store in Fuquay Varina, NC. I was told at the store that I cannot get the card without the phone being present. WHY? This makes no sense. If I provide the same information in person that I do online, why can I not get the same service? This is a corporate store, not an authorized dealer. I have been a customer for years. My account is current and I have never been late with a payment. I provided the phone number for the phone I am replacing. I had the IMEI number, which is all that is needed to get a SIM card online. I even have a state issued photo ID (and I do appreciate them asking for it), but NO was their answer. If this is Verizon policy, why didn't the website state so? The only reason I drove 10 miles was to get the card earlier than it would arrive if I ordered it.

Accepted answers

Ann154

For the store reps to process the "free" purchase of the SIM card, they need to activate it within the store. Therefore you need to have a phone available for them to use for the activation.

All comments

Ann154

Why could you bring the S7 phone with you? Otherwise you would have needed to bring a nano to micro SIM card adapter so they could activate the card with you Galaxy s5.

Weth

Your title is misleading. You can get free SIM card online or at corporate Verizon store. Your title should be Why do I need my ohine in order to get a SIM from a store.

OLDETOMMCATA

Weth,

I agree that you title is more concise... I don't see any way to edit the title I have. As for it being misleading, not really, I wasn't able to get the SIM and the point is "Why do I need my phone in order to get a SIM from the store"

OLDETOMMCATA

I could have brought the phone with me if I had known. The website states that you can get a SIM from their store. It doesn't say anything about bringing the phone. And no adapter is needed, the S7 uses the nano. As for activating the phone, I can do that online...

Ann154

For the store reps to process the "free" purchase of the SIM card, they need to activate it within the store. Therefore you need to have a phone available for them to use for the activation.

OLDETOMMCATA

So why doesn't the web site say that? If the website had stated "bring your phone when you go to this store" it would be completely different. Still wouldn't make sense, but at least we would know what to expect.

Swimfan1984

Garbage. After 3 stores, and plenty of their excuses two SIMs they sent me home with that urned our to already be keyed to accounts and unusable (according to phone CS), and being thrown out of another store when I observed after a 45 minute wait that the employees “didn’t give a dang” (she chastised me for cursing in her store because “dang” is profanity, she said. Sounds more like they didn’t want to give me the free card waiting there in my name)I went to an authorized retailer and got ANOTHER card, Nd was able to process that over the phone. For free.