Anyone else fall for the BOGO iPhone 8 deal Dec 2017?

[DMOOR582]

I was told by multiple Verizon reps on the phone, both before and after my purchase, that if I added a new line with an iPhone 8, I got another iPhone 8 for free.  I didn't believe it; I knew there would be strings attached.  So, I called several times to confirm before we purchased.  And then I called right after I made the purchase to confirm.  We even had to go into a store to pick up one of the phones because of a shipping issue and confirmed in person that we qualified for the BOGO free.  Well, we fell for it.  It was a lie....

It's now May, we have been charged for both phones for 5 months.  I have called every single month and been told that they will start to apply the device credit on the next bill.  Every single month I've called.   Today I was finally told that the fine print of the promotion required move to the Unlimited plan.  Never has anyone ever mentioned that before.  I've probably talked to 10 reps or more.  Never mentioned.  But, there's "nothing" Verizon can do since we didn't upgrade our plan.  My family doesn't need unlimited data.  I'm not being bullied into upgrading my plan.

I didn't even need the "free" iPhone 8.  I can't believe I fell for this lie.

We will be moving service for our 5 phones to ATT over the next year.  It's just not worth using a company that can't be trusted.  And, I plan to shout my disgust with Verizon from the rooftops going forward!

I hope someone reads this and it prevents them from falling for these scams.

[amyjo2177]

That is EXACTLY what happened with me. We currently have 4 phones and plan to add 2 more and I do believe AT&T will be in my future if they don't resolve this immediately!

[DMOOR582]

I finally got someone to help me via the online chat.  It's not ideal.  I have to chat EVERY MONTH and ask for my money back.  But, the online chat rep refunded me for the first 5 months of the phone that should have been free and "promised" that they would add a note to my file that when I chat next month after I get charged again, they will back out next month.  They said there's no other way to handle it except me contacting them every month.  Ugh.  But, it's way better service than what I was getting on the phone!

[amyjo2177]

That is ridiculous that you have to chat with them every month to get what you should get automatically.

[vzw_customer_support]

DMOOR582 and amyjo2177,

It disappoints me to hear about your experiences. We always want you to take advantage of a great promotion. Knowing all about the promotion is very important so you wll receive its benefits. DMOOR582,

I am happy to hear that someone is helping you via chat and is working on a resolution for you. amyjo2177, let's look into your promotion. Please check your Inbox for my Private Message.

RyanC_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the 'Correct Answer' button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!

[amyjo2177]

Nothing ever came of this when they told me they would fix it. I am once again, talking to another rep that I had to contact. This is ridiculous. I'm definitely switching to AT&T if this isn't fixed immediately.

[DMOOR582]

The only solution provided to me was via online chat.  I have to contact them EVERY SINGLE MONTH to request that my device promotion credit be manually applied.  I did it for the second time this morning.  It took forever because I have to start over each time I contact them and they continue to tell me that I need to switch to the Unlimited plan.  I refuse to do that since it was not mentioned in any of the promotion materials and I asked so so many times before I made the purchase.

So, to get my manual adjustment each month, I have to chat and beg every month.  Ridiculous.  I understand, but it seems like this could be easier.  I refuse to pay for this BOGO phone that I didn't even need!

Here's what I was told:

"... although the representative previously notated the account I still have to validate the information. It will be the same as the next representatives you will be speaking to as all adjustments are validated by the management. I hope you understand the process."

[amyjo2177]

Well you got off better than me. They refused still and I was even given a false ticket number from a supervisor that said he was issuing the credit, etc.  they still refused and told me that it had been too long since the promotion to fix it even though I’ve been talking to people for the past 6 months and had all the documentation.

[DMOOR582]

That stinks!  I have a feeling I won't get my money refunded every month considering I have to convince a different person each time to make the manual adjustment.  I'm so disappointed in Verizon.  I've been a customer forever.

[vzw_customer_support]

DMOOR582,

I know your time is valuable and I certainly don't want you to need to reach out to us about this every month. Getting a promotion shouldn't be difficult. I'll be glad to help. I've sent you a PM. Please reply when possible so we can fully assist you. 

Andrew_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[RICFIS97]

I have the same exact issue, If you could reach out to me via PM for more information, I'd greatly appreciate it. I used the chat a few times after 2 months went by, since that is the normal timeframe given before the credit hits and all I'm told is wait until the next billing cycle. Phones were purchased before the New Year during the deal and I have yet to receive credit.

[othernewguy]

Yup same issue here.  My wife bought an 8 cash. Called customer service to try and get the deal.  Was told I qualify and credits will start showing up in feb.  Well March rolls around and nothing. Call customer service and what do you know I never qualified for the deal.  This is all after I sold my old phone and moved my whole family onto my plan.  The reply was sorry cant do anything.  Way to treat a customer of over 15years.  Was even told I wasn't the first person screwed by this.  Wow admitting you are screwing multiple customers on your "deals".  So I made a choice after getting bad info straight from them and I get to pay for their mistake.  Still mad about the whole fiasco.  Oh and don't worry I tell everyone I can about my horrible experience with the most expensive cell phone provider in America.

[mosshiela]

File a report with the FCC, everyone who was lied to about this deal should.

[capeshelby]

So I was reviewing my bills because something didn't seem right; and although it is 2 years later,  I too was charged for 2 phones and have been paying for them.  Services and products are already expensive enough and to get taken advantage of stinks!!  I will be following up with this too.  I have had horrible service with my phones as well and never really get any answers.

[vzw_customer_support]

It’s never pleasant to discover there’s something on the bill that you weren’t expecting, capeshelby. It’s even more upsetting to read that you’re having service issues as well. You are in the right place for some answers. Please tell us more about the service issues, in terms of your calls, texts, and data. Please share your zip code and nearest intersection, so we can take a look at the network in your area.

GeorgeS_VZW

[vzw_customer_support]

amyjo2177, I am truly sorry to hear that you've had such a hard time with this promotion. I wanted to get fresh eyes on it, and sent you a private message. Please check your inbox and respond to me there. 

Leonard_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[mosshiela]

This is the exact same thing that happened to us.  We have been loyal customer for 20 years and have 6 lines with Verizon.  We received 2 phones as a BOGO deal (got 2 new lines) and have been waiting for our credits for our new iPhone 8 phones. 

Months later, we find out we had to have the unlimited plan. What? WE WERE NEVER TOLD that in the store.  We were repeatedly told a credit would show up on our account in a couple of months.  I am absolutely disgusted with this type of business practice.  This is a classic bait and switch.

Oh and I called customer service and was told someone would contact me in a couple of days....still waiting after two weeks...

I highly recommend everyone who has had this issue report Verizon to the FCC for unfair advertising and business practices for not complying with their oral agreement and promise to fulfill this promotion.  But for this promotion, we never would have purchased these iPhone 8 phones and new lines.

Hello AT&T, here we come.

[vzw_customer_support]

We are genuinely sorry to hear about your experience with the store location regarding the BOGO promotion. We certainly want to get this figured out. Please respond to the Private Message that was sent.

Alberto_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[othernewguy]

Yay.  One year with a phone I should never have had to pay for!  Only one more year to go.  Thanks Verizon

[ctp27]

YES!  December 18, 2017 Brandon sold me a "great deal" for Christmas:  Buy one ihone 8 Plus, and get another one for free!"  I was so impressed with his "salesman-ship" (and honesty) that I also purchased a new iPad.  After 20 months of $280 + "Autopay" every month, I finally realized that I too have been "scammed."  I have been with Verizon (GTE) since 1983.  Same Phone number. Why!  They are just giving me the run-around now, August 2019, with comments like, "Do you have another receipt for the promotion?"  Bandon still works in the SLO Mill Street store.  I am going to go back and talk to him again.

CT, San Luis Obispo, CA