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Wireless "upgrade fee" stupid!

It really stinks that Verizon does have the best coverage and service because that is the most important thing to me. BUT I am fully disgusted with the way Verizon nickle and dimes their customers --- not to mention loyal customers.

I received an email and a text that I was eligible for an upgrade to any smartphone (notice how they did away with FREE upgrades). I have been a loyal customer for over 15 years. I have also been on month-to-month since February because I didn't know what new phone I wanted to get. I finally made a decision, went on line to get it (and did get a good price in my opinion) and find out I have to pay a $40 upgrade fee. Why you ask? I was told by customer service that it is just how Verizon handles it. I am able to get that fee waived if I pay for the phone monthly instead which btw.....you pay more for the phone then just buying it outright.

So tell me how it makes sense a loyal customer for over 15 years who just upgraded her phone and signed up for another 2 years should have to pay a $40 fee that is for nothing other than Verizon to line their pockets.

I hate that I pressed purchase and am locked in now with Verizon for another 2 years. I can only hope that in those 2 years a better carrier comes along so I can go with them and not be so loyal to Verizon any longer.

Signed,

A customer who will suffer for the next 2 years.

Comments

flutterfly8497

You don't have to pay an upgrade fee. Several customers on this forum have demonstrated how paying full price can actually save you money with plan discounts on out-of-contract lines. Not that it justifies the fee, but EVERY major carrier has a similar fee now, unless you pay full price, use an installment plan, or go prepay. Verizon has had this fee since 2012. It is not a new thing. Loyalty or longevity is irrelevant here, since the very definition of upgrade suggests an existing customer. New customers pay activation fees, not upgrade fees.

Tidbits

T-Mobile doesn't have one. They don't have contracts either. However they did have a upgrade fee when they did have contracts. AT&T just upped theirs. Sprint buying on contract there is a fee.

flutterfly8497

I believe U.S. Cellular went to either $35 or $40. My sister just got her first smartphone (her first new phone in 5 years ) and thought it was for that, since she never had a smartphone before. They called it a "new device activation" fee, on her bill. It does seem most companies are actively trying to discourage contracts and push programs like Edge. U.S. Cellular has a plan like Edge now too I guess but it's just called an installment plan. Guess they ran out of clever acronyms!

mikenj2015

they not only charge you upgrade fee they charge early termination fee they r a rip off company anyways. U get the fee off but u have to get something else like a edge program. Which you better return the phone in their hands becuase they will tell u i never receive it and prove me wrong...

Hopefully some new companies like google did in its time make this mediocre companies like verizon suffer like google did with gmail and stuff before google emails were 4mb space look at now. Verizon is getting away with these becuase the other ones are worst

Tidbits

Of course they are going to charge you an ETF. You signed the contract to get the cost cheaper so they can recoup the cost they subsidized. That hasn't changed since the 80's. You don't want to pay an ETF buy your devices outright.

Snn5

The ETF is if you break the contract YOU agreed to. Device Payment Plan phones are just that...monthly payments with no upgrade fee. Tax is charged, but it was also charged on contract phones. You don't have to return an "Edge" phone unless you are trading it in for value on a credit. Early Edge required the return of a contract phone in working condition. The rest of your post makes no sense.

Tidbits

I haven't had a problem with submitting phones whether from tradeins down to warranty exchanges. I noticed most of the problem arises from people using drop boxes instead of handing them in.

mikenj2015

i did have that problem with them . Took me 3 months back and forth to send them 20 times the tracking number still didnt get it .Once they got it said oh u did it but late..Another 3 months to tell them moron check the tracking number finally they told oh well u return a different phone ..Another 3 months with the apple proof that they change the phone due to some malfunction.

Still i am in a blacklisr for 6 months becuase even is their fault i refuse to pay 400 dlls extra for my bill of 700 abd something. I continue paying my bill but i am not paying 400 when they cannot even put the follow up in their system...

I want to travel to CAnada now i have to use a sim card from canada becuase i cannot use the international service becuase of that. They told sorry sir is not ur problem is our but u should have pay the 400 bill and then we will have return u the money...sure like an a have a wallet full of money to pay u for their stupidity. Almost 300 dlls for 4 lines a month for such a bad service

Momma23dogs

mikenj2015

I've noticed several posts from you. This is the first one I've seen with an actual, reasonable and very valid complaint. All the others were just " bombing the forum" with nebulous complaints.

Did any of your posts actually ask for help with the retuned phone problem? Because not only has it happened before, will happen again, but it has been resolved in customers favor.

Paragraph below on how to dispute a charge

If you're a Postpay customer, you can dispute your bill within 180 days of receiving it, but unless otherwise provided by law or unless you're disputing charges because your wireless device was lost or stolen, you still have to pay all charges until the dispute is resolved. If you're a Prepaid customer, you can dispute a charge within 180 days of the date the disputed charge was incurred. YOU MAY CALL US TO DISPUTE CHARGES ON YOUR BILL OR ANY SERVICE(S) FOR WHICH YOU WERE BILLED, BUT IF YOU WISH TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO BRING AN ARBITRATION OR SMALL CLAIMS CASE REGARDING SUCH DISPUTE, YOU MUST WRITE TO US AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ADDRESS ON YOUR BILL, OR SEND US A COMPLETED NOTICE OF DISPUTE FORM (AVAILABLE AT VERIZONWIRELESS.COM) WITHIN THE 180–DAY PERIOD MENTIONED ABOVE. IF YOU DO NOT NOTIFY US IN WRITING OF SUCH DISPUTE WITHIN THE 180-DAY PERIOD, YOU WILL HAVE WAIVED YOUR RIGHT TO DISPUTE THE BILL OR SUCH SERVICE(S) AND TO BRING AN ARBITRATION OR SMALL CLAIMS CASE REGARDING ANY SUCH DISPUTE.

fusionsport1

complete ripoff. $40 to flick a switch.

Verizon_Support

This post is from a long time ago, so it won't have the most up to date information. Are you upgrading a phone right now? There are some additional options you'll have available to you at the moment. EricW_VZW

lfrench

Why don't you list those additional options, "Customer Support" "Community Manager" Eric?!!!!!!!!! What a ridiculous charade ("support", "community", "manager", "options"). Verizon has the WORST support!!!!!

Chrispg1997

I’m about 7 years late but this isn’t the case anymore. They charge an upgrade fee even if you buy the phone full price.

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