Why did my bill increase without notification?

[ThoroughlyUnsatisfied]

I received a bill that was $20 more than what I normally pay.  I contacted Verizon, and I was notified that this was due to my unlimited data plan.  I informed the representative that I did not receive any communication concerning this.  Verizon sends automated communication each month, but they can't send communication on changes that affect customers?  As a customer, I should have been allowed the option to choose to go in this direction or not.  No options were provided.  The representative told me that my plan was "grandfathered".  So if that is true, then why was a change made to my plan.  He then says that "Verizon" was waiting for customer's contracts to end that had unlimited data.  Now, again, if that was true, then why didn't this change occur over 3 years ago, when my plan ended?  Or the 4 years before that when I purchased the phone at retail and wasn't under a contract?  When I spoke to someone else, he wanted to convince me that this was better as I had the option to upgrade and not lose my plan for unlimited data.  I stated to him that I feel that if my plan was modified by Verizon, then the hotspot that I currently pay for should be included in my plan, as it is with the other plans.  He too then states that he can't because my plan is "grandfathered".  That just doesn't make sense to me.  So one aspect is "grandfathered", and another aspect isn't?  It is "grandfathered" when it benefits them.  So my plan is "grandfathered", which apparently isn't true, and Verizon was waiting for me to not be under contract anymore, which also is apparently not true.  So why the change, when the logic in what you are telling me isn't there?  And there was no effort to satisfy me as a customer (no credit or anything since I didn't get notification).  For me to pay $180 for my plan with the now $20 extra and the $30 for the hotspot that everyone now gets added, is ridiculous, and this is on a single line.  I can go to another carrier and get more for less.  I simply wanted the hotspot added into the plan, that they already modified, but it is "grandfathered".  Again, just something to say for their convenience.  This is completely unfair and not worth having them if they don't communicate or work to satisfy customers (longtime customers).  I have been with Verizon for many years, and have purchased many phones at full retail because I didn't want to lose my plan (and definitely didn't want to pay extra).  This is just completely and utterly unfair, unjust, and unsatisfying. 

[ThoroughlyUnsatisfied]

Hello,

I completely understand that Verizon has to conduct business, so please don't get me wrong. I just feel there wasn't adequate notification considering the other areas they communicate on and the methods they use. I need to have a plan with unlimited data. I don't understand, however, why I still pay for the hotspot if it is included in all other plans now. Any thoughts there? Is there a plan that limits my talk and text but I keep the unlimited data?

[#3]

ThoroughlyUnsatisfied32

I completely agree with you. I'm not at all disagreeing with you. I was responding to another comment. There are many things that if we are going to be asked to pay such a price. Something should have been included. At a minimum the ability to share our data without having to pay an additional $30

[rcschnoor]

India726 wrote:

Would you be pleased to pay that when you already pay $90 per month for unlimited talk and text?

This conversation needs to be put in context....unlimited users are not just paying $50 for data they also have are paying $90 for unlimited talk and text. So the bill is actually $140 plus tax not just $50 for unlimited data.

IF my data use justified unlimited data, then YES.

If you use a LOT of data, then unlimited data at $50 is STILL a bargain when compared to shared data/tiered data on another plan. THAT is the bottom line.

With a choice of paying $50/month for 50 GB using unlimited data OR paying $375/month for 50 GB on the Verizon plan it is fairly obvious which choice I would make. EVEN when you add the $90 for unlimited talk & text it is STILL about HALF that of shared data.

For some unlimited data is justified even with the price increase. For others it gets close to the break even point for switching to a different plan. For even others who were keeping unlimited data "just in case" or to say they had it even though they didn't need it, it comes down to the question of how much that status system or safety net is worth. For THOSE people, Verizon hopes you keep unlimited data since it brings them more money that they would not otherwise see.

For me, I gave up unlimited after shared data became available because it was more expensive for me to keep unlimited data. Some people argued why pay more for less when asked why they kept unlimited data vs shared data. NOW I see SOME people in this thread claiming they are paying more for less when they DO have unlimited data. It seems people with unlimited data use the exact same argument for BOTH scenarios.

As I have always said, different people have different needs and because of those needs they will either keep unlimited and pay the price Verizon has set, choose a more cost effective plan or switch providers just as everyone else who had previously given up unlimited data had already decided.

[#5]

The less is I am sure most here would be more than willing to eat the $20 increase if we feel like we were getting more for our money. I would gladly not care about the increase if at the least Verizon did not force me to pay an additional $30 to share this data. It's only $50 if you do not share with any other devices. So I have to use all the data I can on my cell phone. I have to pay the additional $30 a month to be able to share between devices. So I was already at $50 per month now it's $70 on top of $90 a month plus tax. That is ridiculous. No I don't use 50 or 500 gigs of data. But I use enough and any plan under 20 gigs won't work for me.

My issue is that I refuse to believe that the majority of us 1% are using 50-100 plus gigs of data. In all the threads I have read maybe 2 or 3 have said they use anything over 50. Nonetheless it doesn't matter because unlimited means just that unlimited.

My issue is offer me something to justify an increase in my bill. Especially when my bill was already equivalent to someone who used 30 or so gigs which I don't. Someone is paying 20 for text and talk while I'm paying 90.... there is your additional money for my data right there.

[rcschnoor]

India726 wrote:

The less is I am sure most here would be more than willing to eat the $20 increase if we feel like we were getting more for our money. I would gladly not care about the increase if at the least Verizon did not force me to pay an additional $30 to share this data. It's only $50 if you do not share with any other devices. So I have to use all the data I can on my cell phone. I have to pay the additional $30 a month to be able to share between devices. So I was already at $50 per month now it's $70 on top of $90 a month plus tax. That is ridiculous. No I don't use 50 or 500 gigs of data. But I use enough and any plan under 20 gigs won't work for me.

My issue is that I refuse to believe that the majority of us 1% are using 50-100 plus gigs of data. In all the threads I have read maybe 2 or 3 have said they use anything over 50. Nonetheless it doesn't matter because unlimited means just that unlimited.

My issue is offer me something to justify an increase in my bill. Especially when my bill was already equivalent to someone who used 30 or so gigs which I don't. Someone is paying 20 for text and talk while I'm paying 90.... there is your additional money for my data right there.

No one has stated that everyone with unlimited data is using 50-100 GB. Many aren't. Those people need to CHOOSE if unlimited data is still a better value at the increased price. If it is, keep it. If it isn't, get rid of it. THAT is your choice.

IF your bill was already equivalent to someone who used 30 or so gigs and you don't use 30 GB then WHY do you have unlimited data????? You have a choice to keep unlimited data and pay the price increase OR to go on a plan more suited to YOUR needs. Just because you want to keep unlimited data does not mean Verizon should keep the price for that plan artificially low simply to make you happy.

[#7]

add an additional $30 if you want to share your data with other devices so you are talking about $180 per month

[Lulubholden]

Well then imagine paying full price for your phones to keep your unlimited plan.  And the only other options were to get significantly less data for higher price. Why would you willingly hand that over????? Then surprise you get an extra $20 PER LINE on ur plan just because they can? Guess that isn't a reason to be upset? Yah cause money grows on trees!

[Tidbits]

Now imagine you are not on contract and that device you paid full retail will work on ANY carrier and is unlocked. Nothing is holding you back from moving to another carrier and talking with your wallet

[#10]

That was never an issue for most people.... a quick 10-20 min tutorial told you how to unlock your phone. So how exactly does that mean anything?

[mama23dogs]

India726 wrote:

That was never an issue for most people.... a quick 10-20 min tutorial told you how to unlock your phone. So how exactly does that mean anything?

You have been with Verizon a long time....there is more to unlocking a phone with other carriers.  ATT and other carriers only unlock after all financial obligations are complete.  This means paying early termination fees or the rest of a loan balance to get the unlock code.   For a family, it means timing all lines to be out of contract or installment to make a move.  I've done it, it's a pain, it's easier to pay ETFs. 

Not every phone will work on another network and carrier branded phones will not get OTA updates.

[#12]

Maybe it is just simple for myself and anyone else who is bright enough to follow a youtube tutorial. I did it under 30 mins. I have done it on a few ATT phones and TMobile as well.

[Tidbits]

India726 wrote:

That was never an issue for most people.... a quick 10-20 min tutorial told you how to unlock your phone. So how exactly does that mean anything?

All LTE phones on Verizon is UNLOCKED...  Required by Block C rules...  No 10-20 minute tutorial needed.

[#14]

I understand that...my point is clearly no one on this board who got hit with that increase cares

[#15]

Exactly...not just paying full price for one phone but a number of phones over the last 4+ years

[emerald_eyez]

Buying the phones at retail price to keep unlimited data was a personal choice though.  If you are using minimal data, it doesn't make sense to put yourself through that financial burden.  I can completely understand if you are using 50+ GB per month and need unlimited.  But it seems most people only keep it because it's unlimited or a just in case.  I have 3 lines on my account with 10GB and haven't had an issue.  If the cost is too high, there are lower options.  Just need to gauge your own usage and find out if unlimited is worth the price or not.

[#17]

People are keeping unlimited because they feel they need to.

[#18]

Clearly if the other options worked for them they would exercise those other options at this point

[#19]

it was not a personal choice. It was a choice VERIZON FORCED us to do because we needed the unlimited data. If we had the option to keep our unlimited data and get a phone at a cheaper price clearly we would have exercised  that option.

[kaebfly]

It was indeed a personal choice. You had the choice of giving up unlimited if paying full retail wasn't something you wanted to do. You weren't forced to pay retail or to keep unlimited. I wanted to keep unlimited so I chose to pay full retail. Even with this change I will still pay full retail up front versus paying monthly device payments because I prefer it. Being forced implies there were no other options...which isn't true. You could have created your own "device payment plan" before now by using an interest free credit card and making monthly payments. You could have opted to buy third party. You could have opted to stop upgrading phones as often. You could have opted to switch providers. You could have opted to switch plans. Just because the options didn't fit your wants doesn't mean you didn't have them.

[#21]

It was not a personal choice if you had unlimited data and needed it. Your only option was to buy a phone at retail to keep said data plan.

Personal choice would indicate that Verizon wasn't requiring you to do this to keep the plan you wanted and or needed.

[emerald_eyez]

You'd be surprised how many people have unlimited and use less than 5GB just to say they have it or for those rare times when they MIGHT need it.  Verizon isn't forcing people to give it up.  Unlimited data came out when the average use for it was emails and very minimal things.  No one had any idea the capabilities of phones at that point.  With everything you can do with it, it's logical that the price would rise to match the capabilities of smartphones now.  AND Verizon is giving options for unlimited users to get new phones!  Pay $25 a month for a brand new phone instead of $500-700 all at once?  If having unlimited means that much to you, then you must use a lot of data each month.