1/12/21: Saw $440 trade-in promotion on two of our Start unlimited lines. Both had Galaxy Note 9s. Purchased a Silver 12 Pro Max for one, trading in the old Note 9 for $440. Got through the whole process, signing all documents, even received an email receipt stating all details: phone purchase, current line, trade-in value. No mention that the plan needed to be a "premium" line. Besides the promo would/should not have worked in that case on a "start" unlimited line which is a basic unlimited plan. We did this close to midnight so when we tried it for the second line, it was the 13th and the promotion was gone. I figured it must have ended on the 12th and we were lucky enough to get one done.
1/15/21: Fast forward a few days and no indication of phone being ready for pickup. These online pickup orders are usually ready in 24 hours so I called the store where I was going to pick up the phone and they tell me order probably has been cancelled as there are inventory inconsistencies. Verizon online orders think authorized retailers have phones in stock when in reality those phones have already been sold to other customers. Rep in store explains they have to add it to inventory even when phone is already sold to a previous customer and Verizon online thinks it's an unsold phone in stock. I get to the store and sure enough, that phone was for a different customer and my order needs to be cancelled. Luckily they have a different color 12 pro max that my Father in Law wanted so we decide to upgrade the device for that line. All along my concern is for the $440 trade in promotion that needs to be redone on this line since the original order/trade-in needed to be cancelled. The in store rep assures me they can transfer all promotions along and the credits should be the same. If anything they can do a promotion correction through a form. We wait an hour on hold for this whole cancellation process to be done as Verizon customer service is confused why the order needs to be cancelled.
1/16/21: Sister in law mails in Father in law's old Note 9.
1/17/21: I receive cancelled trade-in return packaging, again it reiterates the trade-in value should be $440.
1/25/21: Received an e-mail saying trade-in value was corrected from $440 to $138. Reason citied: Better qualifying promotion found.
I've been on the line with customer service a few times now and it looks like the promotion has always been for "premium" unlimited lines and it was a glitch that let me get through with the full $440. The reps say they can't do a proper promotion correction back to the $440 unless we upgrade that line to a premium line which will cost us at minimum an extra $10 for 24 months = $240 (+taxes and fees). Otherwise the trade-in value will stay at $138.
Currently waiting on a call back from a supervisor but according to the previous rep their hands are tied as well. Will try to negotiate some bill credits for the rest of that $300 but it looks like my chances are slim to none at this point.
Seems pretty unfair I get shafted out of $300 because a glitch in their system let me through that promo.
Tl;dr: $440 promo let me trade in a phone on a basic unlimited line for $440 but reps say it was a glitch in their system and refuse to honor trade in value for $440 but I will get a measly $138.
A promotion has to be done within a specific time frame and meet requirements. The product page online makes it clear. You see "Promotion See all details and additional offers" and it lists plans, by name, if a specific plan is required.
I understand you saw the offer with Start, but this isn't much different than let's say GrubHub offering free delivery with a coupon code only to discover it's for first deliveries only. It's up to us to do that extra bit of research.
I wouldn't send a bitter ex to an indirect store, that's just asking to be lied to, manipulated and cheated. Especially with Covid when shopping is free 2 business days.
If you don't meet what is needed for a promo, you don't get the promo.
Except yes I did read all the fine print and details and no mention of a premium unlimited plan was there. And if you actually go through this different promotion (the one I don't qualify for) with a Start line, it shows you do not qualify right away and defaults to whatever your device is valued at. I was able to complete the whole trade-in process without a hitch for the full $440. I met what was in the promo, why shouldn't I get it?
Anyways, the supervisor was very sympathetic. She restated that she could not offer additional credits. Initially she ran into more problems saying even with the upgraded line, the promotion was still unavailable as the device itself was not eligible as well. After doing a bit more research she found some stackable promotions I was eligible for and added a $200 credit over 24 months on two of the lines. Hopefully this takes effect without a hitch.
We absolutely want to make sure that the promotional credit was added correctly so that you can take advantage of the extra savings. We want to make sure it's all smooth sailing from here on out. We'll go ahead and send a Private Note to make sure we can help.
LauraF_VZW
I didn't get the $440 trade in either. My husband has talked to them until he is blue in the face> verizon says they have no record of this trade in. I did it on the verizon official page. We got no where. I sent them my Pixel 3XL that i loved, for an over priced iphone that I dont even like. We have been with verizon 26 years but rethinking that decision now!
Hello, Lenayvette. We know how important it is for you receive your Trade In promotion. To help you resolve this issue, we are going to send you Private Note to assist you further. *Cassie
Same here Bought 3 Iphone13's handed in my 3 working mint condition iphones to be bate and switched with no credit for $440 on each phone this is unacceptable.
BiggiePsp Taking full advantage of our promotions is important, and we are here to help you! Can you please tell me more about what happened? Share details.
-Evelyn
This just happened to us. I did this upgrade on the phone, tapping thru the screens where everything looked good. $440 discount on Iphone 13 pro max if I traded in my old samsung note 9 (in mint condition btw). Screen said my bill would be $18.30/month for 36mos for the new phone. It did tell me I had to switch from my old unlimited plan ($100 +$20/line) to one of the new ones, so I switched to the $25 unlimited plan. Nothing about one line having to be premium. Also currently if one is premium, all the rest become $30.
So 2 weeks later now, I see that I’m paying full price for the new phone, only got $77 for the note9, paid $35 and am locked in a 3year contract. Instead of the advertised $440 / $12/mo discount.
They say I can get $220 if I upgrade to the $40/mo plan (plus the extra for all the other lines). This works out to an extra $2500 over the contract term, no thank you.
I’m currently on hold with cust service going on 3hrs. Fair outcomes are they credit my account $360, or they return my note9 and I return the iPhone. Rep is nice and understands my position but hands are tied.
Hopefully they come around and make it right. I’ve paid verizon ~$30k over all the years, silly to have to go to small claims court over something relatively minor. But I ain’t gonna let em steal my money no way!
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