Verizon is making me pay to boost their coverage! Help?

[JPark87]

I have been a customer of Verizon for nearly a decade. Ever since moving to my new house about five years ago, I have not been getting any signals in my house. It's not just my phone, but all of my family's phones as well. When I say no signal, I mean NO SIGNAL. Sometimes we get 1 bar for about 5 minutes before it goes to 0. I cannot call or receive calls in my home, unless I go outside and walk a little past my driveway. I contacted Verizon and they told me to check the cell towers nearby to see if there was one by me. I did, and there were three by me. In fact, I was right in a location where three towers overlapped.

So I called again and they dismissed me and my problem. I kind of let it go because I still had my land line and it wasn't that big of a deal, but recently I have been trying to get rid of my land line to cut house costs. Now it is very important that I get cell reception. So i called Verizon again...

This time they said that they will get someone to check it out and see what the problem is. They called me back saying that there were many towers around me and that the I SHOULD be getting great reception. They admitted that the problem was on their end. So I asked what they were going to do, and all they could say was, "We will continue to widen our coverage. We will get to your issue sometime in the future, but we cannot give you a direct timeline." I think that pretty much translates to, "Sorry, we don't want to fix it."

So I asked what I can do. They recommended a product called a network booster for me, and I thought it would be okay. Then they told me it would cost me $250!!! They were nice enough to give me $75 off, but still is this fair? Is it fair that I have to pay $175 to get the most basic service from Verizon? I've been a loyal customer for nearly a decade, and it is very annoying that I have to pay this much, even after I've been giving them so much of my money for the last 8 years or so.

After all that (sorry about the length of my ranting), I guess my question is: Is there anything else I can do to extend my signals? Do I really have to cough up $175 for it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[AZSALUKI · Accepted solution]

unfortunately, a signal extender/booster is your only option. Do you get a signal outside of your house? Like in your yard? If so, then I don't actually think the problem is on their end. The problem would be with the construction of the home, or other factors (something else intefering with the cellular signal). If you don't get a signal in your yard, then your just in a dead zone. Either way, an extender is probably your only option (short of changing carriers). If you do buy one, make sure you check out the return policy. I've seen people have great success using them, and others not so much. If you get one, use it a lot prior to when you'd have to return it. Make calls, leave the house while on calls, make sure it will hand off the signal fine, etc, etc, etc.

[mc1lean]

I feel your pain JPark87. I get signal but the call quality stinks at 2 bars. Because I don't get dropped, they won't even give me a discount on the extender. Never mind I'm dropping big bucks for a 16gb data plan and recently added a Galaxy s4. Customer Loyalty must not be important.

[vzw_customer_support]

Good news is the Network Extender is an awesome option to get the signal boost you're looking for. It is an optional accessory that would help provide better indoor coverage at your home.

[flutterfly8497]

I am trying to understand why you have continued to get service through Verizon if you have had these signal issues for five years.  I would have looked for a carrier who could provide me with a usable service long ago, and not signed new contracts when you were not getting service to meet your needs.  The fact that you signed a contract knowing that you have little to no signal at home makes you responsible for  the ETF situation, and Verizon shouldn't have to waive it.  You signed multiple new contracts for service that was spotty, and you knew it.