Loyal Customer no incintives?

[VZuser68]

Verizon,

To whom it may concern and or who may read this. (hopefully the higher ups with decision making will see this thats my intent)

I have been a Verizon customer for 22 years so far., I am still a Basic Phone user. I really would like to upgrade to a smart phone but what gets me is that Verizon seems to offer No incentives for long term customers like myself., as in a discount, waved fees that would benefit one. I have 700 min, and unlimited texting an my bill with taxes comes to nearly 39 a month. To get a smart phone my bill would basically Double so thats why i havent upgraded.

what gets me is there are other Wireless networks out there offering good deals, or seemingly good deals. I just turned 50 and am now a AARP card holder so there is one company that offers 10% off your monthly bill as well as 15% off of accessories for being a AARP holder. there is another company that offers great monthly rates for being a AARP member. i could switch to them and buy a smart phone, get a 5GB of data unlimited talk and text and it would run me under 40 a month with my AARP discount. both companies are as you are on commercials all the time. Im old enough to know Verizon is not the only Cell company out there and all us customers regardless of who our carrier is use the same cell towers.

No company is Perfect, but im not here to bash, but the one thing i dont get is that you offer great deals to get new customers to switch to you but what do you offer your Loyal Long Term customers to keep them ? I feel like i would have to drop you all go with another company then come back to you just to get something.

Here is what i would like. im sure all your customers would like incentives.
Since we have to pay a monthly bill, plus a device payment, and a line access fee.. why not consider some incentives for the long term people. Say a customer has been with you for 10 years. they should get $10 knocked off their line access fee.. so instead of 20 a month for that its 10. If you have customers like me who have been with you for 20 years or more then they should get the full $20 line access fee waived.

You still have your customers, you still get monthly payments, device payments and the Ridiculous fee you all charge as your "one time" upgrade fee when one upgrades. come on Verizon you have a customer you want to charge them to upgrade when you going to get more money out of them in the first place.. get real... thats just not good business in my book. of course i have been told but your reps when inquiring about upgrading that they could Wave that fee.. you shouldnt have it in the first place for any of your current customers.

You want to claim to be the best most reliable company then start conducting yourself as such and start offering your loyal customers reasons to stay not just new customers who switch to you.

I still want to upgrade to a smart phone but i need incentives, in todays world its about being able to put more money in your pocket as a customer not pay out more. if you cant offer what other companies are then why would we as loyal long term customers stick with you.

We are the reason you are here so its time you appreciate that and reward your customers. You could also start a plan if your 50 or older then your plan is 50 or under., there is a thought with unlimited talk, text, and cap of 5GB

Thanks
Gary D.

[bearone21]

go with the aarp program, you'll be much happier.

[RicaRanuu]

What's funny is NONE of those are discounts given because of long-term customer loyalty! Someone who's bee nwith Verizon for a year can get those same savings. What about a direct answer to the question about loyalty savings?

[llr1]

Such a good point, these discounts are not loyalty. And even the CURRENT CUSTOMER discounts don't compare in the slightest to those that a NEW CUSTOMER will recieve.

Any upgrade or loyalty discount that Verizon speaks of for current customers is both available  and never better then what is given to NEW CUSTOMERS.

I speak from a recent experience, I called Verizon yesterday to 'upgrade'  a line on my account.  Now last year I upgraded two phones on the account and brought this 'new customer only discount/upgrade issue' up with the rep at that time and was told they would give me a $100 loyalty credit for each phone on my line for an upgrade, obviously not quite as good as a 'new customer' discount but having been with Verizon since back when the were SBC and Ameritech, almost 30 yrs. I agreed I would maitain my loyalty.  Additionally, I was told specifically that since I only upgraded two of the four phones on my account that I could call back when ready to upgrade the others and would be given the $100 loyalty credit for those lines as well.  Well, I finally called yesterday and was told 'too bad, that was last year and they have no intention to honor the loyalty credit they said they would do now'.  Additionally, I was told this is how all carriers are now, they are only looking to new customers and that I couldn't be helped and had to take the 'so called sub par incentive upgrade' for current customers which at she told me at that time was $300 off a $900 samsung  phone (of course the new customers are getting 50% to 100% off almost any phone) or I could just wait as they change every week.

Well, seeing as there was no reciprocity to my loyalty (even worse, for Verizon to not honor what was told to me) Today, I went to the Verizon store to pay my bill and find out what is needed to 'pay off' the current phones so when service date ends next week I will know what I will still owe if I decide to switch carriers.  Turns out one of the phones on my account  will cost twice the money if I payout early (and we have been told there are no more contracts...lol..., of course putting this phone on a seperate plan is a sneakiy way to not call it a contract but you basically have to stay to recieve monthly phone credit).

Anyway, now I'm debating wether it makes sense to move 3 of the 4 lines (leaving the payout penalty line with Verizon). I'm told by a competitive carrier the three lines that I do transfer will recieve complimentary brand new highest end phones and a premium phone plan giving me 50% more data then I'm getting now, and that it won't slow down, and pay 20% less money. Amazingly, I was also told by a Verizon rep that I could change the phone number of the line I leave with Verizon for no charge (thus freeing up the device's original phone number to be switched as well) and then have the device service suspended every 90 days at a time so that no connectivty charges are incurred and thus I will only have to pay the monthly device charge thus avoiding the full payout price keeping the cost at half price until the time is up. This will make my future bill only $10 a month with Verizon and being able to transfer all 4 lines to the new carrier still a with decent savings.

The savings offered by switching carriers is very enticing, though I really don't need 3 or even 4 new phones, (all I really wanted was the $100 loyalty credit promised by Verizon toward the just one remaining phone). But I must say the aggravation recieved from Verizon the last two days compared to the treatment recieved of being a potential 'New" customer with their competitor is amazing.  Makes me think why stay with any company more then 2 years as your worth dimishes over time. Apparently, being with Verizon for the many years I have has made my current value non- existant, but if  I leave and come back in two years then I get the highest status.

Loyalty, it seems only two companies left that understand it, Harley Daivdson and Disney!

Add tags

[llr1]

Any upgrade or loyalty discount that Verizon speaks of for current customers is both available  and never better then what is given to NEW CUSTOMERS.

I speak from a recent experience, I called Verizon yesterday to 'upgrade'  a line on my account.  Now last year I upgraded two phones on the account and brought this 'new customer only discount/upgrade issue' up with the rep at that time and was told they would give me a $100 loyalty credit for each phone on my line for an upgrade, obviously not quite as good as a 'new customer' discount but having been with Verizon since back when the were SBC and Ameritech, almost 30 yrs. I agreed I would maitain my loyalty.  Additionally, I was told specifically that since I only upgraded two of the four phones on my account that I could call back when ready to upgrade the others and would be given the $100 loyalty credit for those lines as well.  Well, I finally called yesterday and was told 'too bad, that was last year and they have no intention to honor the loyalty credit they said they would do now'.  Additionally, I was told this is how all carriers are now, they are only looking to new customers and that I couldn't be helped and had to take the 'so called sub par incentive upgrade' for current customers which at she told me at that time was $300 off a $900 samsung  phone (of course the new customers are getting 50% to 100% off almost any phone) or I could just wait as they change every week.

Well, seeing as there was no reciprocity to my loyalty (even worse, for Verizon to not honor what was told to me) Today, I went to the Verizon store to pay my bill and find out what is needed to 'pay off' the current phones so when service date ends next week I will know what I will still owe if I decide to switch carriers.  Turns out one of the phones on my account  will cost twice the money if I payout early (and we have been told there are no more contracts...lol..., of course putting this phone on a seperate plan is a sneakiy way to not call it a contract but you basically have to stay to recieve monthly phone credit).

Anyway, now I'm debating wether it makes sense to move 3 of the 4 lines (leaving the payout penalty line with Verizon). I'm told by a competitive carrier the three lines that I do transfer will recieve complimentary brand new highest end phones and a premium phone plan giving me 50% more data then I'm getting now, and that it won't slow down, and pay 20% less money. Amazingly, I was also told by a Verizon rep that I could change the phone number of the line I leave with Verizon for no charge (thus freeing up the device's original phone number to be switched as well) and then have the device service suspended every 90 days at a time so that no connectivty charges are incurred and thus I will only have to pay the monthly device charge thus avoiding the full payout price keeping the cost at half price until the time is up. This will make my future bill only $10 a month with Verizon and being able to transfer all 4 lines to the new carrier still a with decent savings.

The savings offered by switching carriers is very enticing, though I really don't need 3 or even 4 new phones, (all I really wanted was the $100 loyalty credit promised by Verizon toward the just one remaining phone). But I must say the aggravation recieved from Verizon the last two days compared to the treatment recieved of being a potential 'New" customer with their competitor is amazing.  Makes me think why stay with any company more then 2 years as your worth dimishes over time. Apparently, being with Verizon for the many years I have has made my current value non- existant, but if  I leave and come back in two years then I get the highest status.

Loyalty, it seems only two companies left that understand it, Harley Daivdson and Disney!

[glitchedpixel]

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@llr1 wrote:

Such a good point, these discounts are not loyalty. And even the CURRENT CUSTOMER discounts don't compare in the slightest to those that a NEW CUSTOMER will recieve.

Any upgrade or loyalty discount that Verizon speaks of for current customers is both available  and never better then what is given to NEW CUSTOMERS.

I speak from a recent experience, I called Verizon yesterday to 'upgrade'  a line on my account.  Now last year I upgraded two phones on the account and brought this 'new customer only discount/upgrade issue' up with the rep at that time and was told they would give me a $100 loyalty credit for each phone on my line for an upgrade, obviously not quite as good as a 'new customer' discount but having been with Verizon since back when the were SBC and Ameritech, almost 30 yrs. I agreed I would maitain my loyalty.  Additionally, I was told specifically that since I only upgraded two of the four phones on my account that I could call back when ready to upgrade the others and would be given the $100 loyalty credit for those lines as well.  Well, I finally called yesterday and was told 'too bad, that was last year and they have no intention to honor the loyalty credit they said they would do now'.  Additionally, I was told this is how all carriers are now, they are only looking to new customers and that I couldn't be helped and had to take the 'so called sub par incentive upgrade' for current customers which at she told me at that time was $300 off a $900 samsung  phone (of course the new customers are getting 50% to 100% off almost any phone) or I could just wait as they change every week.

Well, seeing as there was no reciprocity to my loyalty (even worse, for Verizon to not honor what was told to me) Today, I went to the Verizon store to pay my bill and find out what is needed to 'pay off' the current phones so when service date ends next week I will know what I will still owe if I decide to switch carriers.  Turns out one of the phones on my account  will cost twice the money if I payout early (and we have been told there are no more contracts...lol..., of course putting this phone on a seperate plan is a sneakiy way to not call it a contract but you basically have to stay to recieve monthly phone credit).

Anyway, now I'm debating wether it makes sense to move 3 of the 4 lines (leaving the payout penalty line with Verizon). I'm told by a competitive carrier the three lines that I do transfer will recieve complimentary brand new highest end phones and a premium phone plan giving me 50% more data then I'm getting now, and that it won't slow down, and pay 20% less money. Amazingly, I was also told by a Verizon rep that I could change the phone number of the line I leave with Verizon for no charge (thus freeing up the device's original phone number to be switched as well) and then have the device service suspended every 90 days at a time so that no connectivty charges are incurred and thus I will only have to pay the monthly device charge thus avoiding the full payout price keeping the cost at half price until the time is up. This will make my future bill only $10 a month with Verizon and being able to transfer all 4 lines to the new carrier still a with decent savings.

The savings offered by switching carriers is very enticing, though I really don't need 3 or even 4 new phones, (all I really wanted was the $100 loyalty credit promised by Verizon toward the just one remaining phone). But I must say the aggravation recieved from Verizon the last two days compared to the treatment recieved of being a potential 'New" customer with their competitor is amazing.  Makes me think why stay with any company more then 2 years as your worth dimishes over time. Apparently, being with Verizon for the many years I have has made my current value non- existant, but if  I leave and come back in two years then I get the highest status.

Loyalty, it seems only two companies left that understand it, Harley Daivdson and Disney!

Add tags

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Do you get free groceries at Walmart, a free TV at Best Buy or a free steak at a restaurant you've been going to for years? Of course not. Verizon is a business just like any other business.

The fact my account is a former Altell one with a discounted unlimited proves people are just being greedy wanting free thousand dollar phones when they rant about loyalty.

[glitchedpixel]

Any upgrade or loyalty discount that Verizon speaks of for current customers is both available  and never better then what is given to NEW CUSTOMERS.

I speak from a recent experience, I called Verizon yesterday to 'upgrade'  a line on my account.  Now last year I upgraded two phones on the account and brought this 'new customer only discount/upgrade issue' up with the rep at that time and was told they would give me a $100 loyalty credit for each phone on my line for an upgrade, obviously not quite as good as a 'new customer' discount but having been with Verizon since back when the were SBC and Ameritech, almost 30 yrs. I agreed I would maitain my loyalty.  Additionally, I was told specifically that since I only upgraded two of the four phones on my account that I could call back when ready to upgrade the others and would be given the $100 loyalty credit for those lines as well.  Well, I finally called yesterday and was told 'too bad, that was last year and they have no intention to honor the loyalty credit they said they would do now'.  Additionally, I was told this is how all carriers are now, they are only looking to new customers and that I couldn't be helped and had to take the 'so called sub par incentive upgrade' for current customers which at she told me at that time was $300 off a $900 samsung  phone (of course the new customers are getting 50% to 100% off almost any phone) or I could just wait as they change every week.

Well, seeing as there was no reciprocity to my loyalty (even worse, for Verizon to not honor what was told to me) Today, I went to the Verizon store to pay my bill and find out what is needed to 'pay off' the current phones so when service date ends next week I will know what I will still owe if I decide to switch carriers.  Turns out one of the phones on my account  will cost twice the money if I payout early (and we have been told there are no more contracts...lol..., of course putting this phone on a seperate plan is a sneakiy way to not call it a contract but you basically have to stay to recieve monthly phone credit).

Anyway, now I'm debating wether it makes sense to move 3 of the 4 lines (leaving the payout penalty line with Verizon). I'm told by a competitive carrier the three lines that I do transfer will recieve complimentary brand new highest end phones and a premium phone plan giving me 50% more data then I'm getting now, and that it won't slow down, and pay 20% less money. Amazingly, I was also told by a Verizon rep that I could change the phone number of the line I leave with Verizon for no charge (thus freeing up the device's original phone number to be switched as well) and then have the device service suspended every 90 days at a time so that no connectivty charges are incurred and thus I will only have to pay the monthly device charge thus avoiding the full payout price keeping the cost at half price until the time is up. This will make my future bill only $10 a month with Verizon and being able to transfer all 4 lines to the new carrier still a with decent savings.

The savings offered by switching carriers is very enticing, though I really don't need 3 or even 4 new phones, (all I really wanted was the $100 loyalty credit promised by Verizon toward the just one remaining phone). But I must say the aggravation recieved from Verizon the last two days compared to the treatment recieved of being a potential 'New" customer with their competitor is amazing.  Makes me think why stay with any company more then 2 years as your worth dimishes over time. Apparently, being with Verizon for the many years I have has made my current value non- existant, but if  I leave and come back in two years then I get the highest status.

Loyalty, it seems only two companies left that understand it, Harley Daivdson and Disney!

[llr1]

Who said anything about free! How about just being treated as loyal customer (i.e. such as following through what was communicated).  Walmart is already a discount store but still gives ALL customers New and Current the same deal on groceries and best buy the same price on TVs.  And yes, Restaurants do send dozens of incentives a year to current customers for their loyalty that they do not always extend to New customers.

Again, it isn't about getting anything free, it is about being treated fairly.  Even car dealers want you to stay with them when your car payments are up and thus extend the same incentives they give to new customer.

[llr1]

Heck, Talk about loyalty, what about something so simple like waiving the activation fee (instead of increasing it to $40..lol), after all the line you are upgrading is already activated. Just something this simple would show its not about nickel and diming current customers. 

[vzw_customer_support]

llr1, we appreciate your loyalty and want to be sure you save as much as possible, especially when upgrading. We are always changing our promotions and if you upgrade online, you can save $20.00 on the Upgrade Fee ($40.00 when upgrading with a representative). Plus, you can use the Verizon Up rewards program each month when you pay your monthly bill. There are a lot of great options like gift cards, tickets to events, and device dollars. These device dollars can be stored for 24 months and used together towards the purchase of a new phone. It's a great way to save money on that new phone you want. m.vzw.com/m/UpSocial

StevenM_VZW

[llr1]

Thank you StevenM,

I appreciatte you telling me about saving $20 when upgrading online, of course that isn't an incentive or reward credit for being a long time loyal customers, it is a discount that is availavble for anyone even New Customers who purchase online as well. I know you are probably sincere in explaining what discounts can be available, it also demonstrates and proves the point of this thread that Long Term Customers when compared to New customers are of no real value to Verizon as there is nothing that Verizon does to specifically reward their long time current customers for being loyal by continuing deciding to stay with them. 

As far as the Up Rewards Program, I am sure that it is a nice option for some customers and provide some nice rewards, but should be honest about what the program is, it is not a rewards program for long term LOYALTY, it is a program for those customers who give permision (those not reading the fine print may not realize what they are granting) for Verizon to capture various location, application use and purchase data from the customers device so that the collected information can be used by Verizon to market and sell to third parties,thus it allows Verizon to make additional revenue.

[Piscestg]

".........for Verizon to capture various location, application use and purchase data from the customers device so that the collected information can be used by Verizon to market and sell to third parties, thus it allows Verizon to make additional revenue."

llr1- This is the best post I've seen here in a long time. When I call customer service, the rep will comment on me being a Verizon customer since 1993. They suggest that I sign up for this. I politely tell them that I value my privacy as I know how their ''rewards" program works. As I always say, nothing is free.

[vzw_customer_support]

IIr1, we don't want you feeling this way. Our customers mean the world to us, and we appreciate your loyalty and tenure. We'd like to continue with assisting you in getting the best deal. We've sent you a private message to further help. We'll be standing by for your message.

ChristianP_VZW

[llr1]

Thank you ChristianP_VZW,

I truly do appreciate you taking the time to respond and even send me a private message.  However you are the fourth or fifth private message from a VZW rep I have recieved for my number to give me a call. I have replied to every message with my number and to date have have not recieved any callback. And though I would have thought all options would have been discussed with the in store and phone reps and managers I originally spoke with, I am more then happy to discuss what possible improvements or options for the future. It has only been a week since I first posted my experience with others here so maybe there is quite a large que as I have seen that almost every poster on most issues have recieved the same 'we want to call you' respone.

[vzw_customer_support]

I'm terribly sorry for the delays, and we wish more than everything to get the resolution you are seeking! Have you tried reaching out to us through your Facebook or Twitter account? Since we tend to receive these messages late, we want to address your concern as best as we can! Other ways to contact us would be found here: www.vzw.com/support/contact-us . I hope this information is beneficial, and we hope to hear from you again soon. MichelleH_VZW

[Hiltonhead7]

It is really starting to bother me on the 'loyalty' issues of Verizon. I have been a loyal customer for almost 25 years. I have bought numerous phones over the years, too many to count. I wanted to get my two youngest kids iPhones for Christmas and I called Customer Service. The lady told me the things they could really do were account related and not necessarily with phones. Said I could get $20 off upgrade fee? I just don't understand, does 25 years not count for anything? Anything?

[Gertie001]

Spoken like a loyal Verizon sales/customer service representative.    No one is asking for anything free, but Verizon should be interested in customer retention.  Offering incentive to new customers is fine but when you do not offer incentives to customers who have been with Verizon wireless for 20+ years you are basically telling that customer that they do not matter, that your loyalty is not important.  Many people who are interested in switching to Verizon wireless actually read the reviews and comments from long time customers and it does have an impact on making a decision to switch to Verison or another carrier.  So, before you post another insensitive, cold post think carefully before posting because what you post will have an impact on future customers.

[vzw_customer_support]

Please know we value all of our customers. We do care about our customers, and we work hard to do everything that we can to retain them, with all the tools at our disposal. Our offers are competitive, and very similar to offers for all other carriers. We do offer promotions for all of our customers, such as a percentages off of the phones or a flat amount off with or without trade-ins. These are offered periodically through the year. As well, the promotions that require adding a line may be taken advantage of by any customer. You may keep up to date on our promotions by registering here:

http://spr.ly/66081clGj 

RosanneM_VZW

[vzwguy871]

too long, didn't read