iPhone Trade-In a Scam - Warning

[vett09]

Let me first say that I have been a Verizon Wireless customer for over a decade and have had no issues with them whatsoever. I took advantage of the new iPhone trade in program sending in my old iPhone 4s. I received the packaging to send it back and followed all of the instructions, I took my very good condition phone out of the case, turned off find my iPhone (verified by Apple), and reset the phone to factory settings to protect my own data then sent it back. I waited 2 weeks to get any kind of response that they had received it, once they did they gave me a credit of $36 with the following reason:

"LCD is not working - Screen is cracked/damaged, Activation Lock not deactivated"

The problem is that now there's nothing I can do, I'm at the mercy of their word against mine. I called their support and the issue is being "escalated" with their support team which involves them emailing me back within "7-10" business days, I couldn't even talk to someone about it over the phone which really bothers me. There may be nothing I'm able to do (except change providers when my contract is up) but thought I would come on here and warn everyone to go to the store as their mail program is a scam.

[slmillerindia]

OK - so here's what we need to do... I've contacted Edward Wyatt who writes on tech issues for the NY Times and has written about a scam of AT&Ts. If everyone who has been shafted by Verizon on this trade in business would send an email to Edward Wyatt at the NY Times, we might get Verizon to pay attention!

[slmillerindia]

Or Tweet him at: @wynattnyt!

[Jylphoenix]

how's the tweeting going?  I've sent emails now to the recycling program and no responses.  Have people sent letters to BBB?

[Mstantz]

I tweeted!

Guess what?!!! I just had the same thing happen!!  Followed every step exactly and sent an iPhone 5 back on 9/30 valued at $200. Great condition! The website never had any record of it so when I called they said it was in processing and I would get my gift card in 14-27 days.  Got it yesterday for $36!!!!!!   When I called they said there is no reason listed why and it had to be escalated and I would hear back via email in 7-10 days after they pull the phone and re-evaluate.  I ask if I can get it shipped back and he tells me "no they arrive there in bulk and they cannot ship a specific phone back".  I then asked how they would pull my specific phone if they arrive in bulk and that is why it cannot be shipped back....he said they will search through phones to find mine to reevaluate it....  Why does this not seem right?  He said they only respond via e-mail.   I am very frustrated and had many happy years with Verizon but have lately been very disappointed with their customer service. 

[Mstantz]

I just wanted to post an update since Verizon did resolve this issue.  I had called at around 3:30 yesterday about my $36 refund after following EVERY step required and got "escalation" story.  I tweeted and posted in this forum and at 2:42am an e-mail came through that the reason I didn't get my full refund was because I did not turn off Activation Lock (which by the way is a lie since Apple provides a great link where you can check if it has been turned on or off  and mine was confirmed off - www.icloud.com/activationlock/ ).  However, as a courtesy they were issuing an additional gift card for $164 within the next 48 hours.  So - Verizon - THANK YOU for doing the right thing!  However, you need to rectify this issue with your "Device Recycling Team" ASAP as I have been reading on many forums most are not getting the quick resolution that I received.  Nor, should there be this many discrepancies between what is shipped back and what is stated as being received. 

[tooserious4u79]

I Have sent mine in on the 7th of October still not received.  The address on the envelope is supposed to be sent to Bloomington in the address appears to be an electronics controls company.  Also my added tracking with insurance shows it was delivered on the 10th.  I think a BBB complaint is in order this issue should be illegal. 

[the_bluth]

Sent in 2 iphone 4, valued by Verizon at $200 each with trade-in program. Had phones checked at Verizon store, where I ordered 2 iphone 6 plus units. Store manager said both phones were fine, but could not take old phone in without new phones available. Of course, by the time the new units arrived, the old phones had to be mailed in directly. Again, went to Verizon store, where manager said both phones were fine. Now Verizon says they cannot turn on one of the phones and value will be $7.50 ! They are evaluating the second phone and refuse to return the first one. What a rip-off !!

[Jylphoenix]

I also got the additional $164, so I'm happy that Verizon is doing the right thing.  However in the future I'll be wary of sending any devices back to them via online.  Next time, I'll go through the in-store process.

[macdevin]

For my case, I sent in two phones.. Sent them via postal service with insurance so that I could track them and if Verizon pulled a fast one that they were broke.. USPS got deal with them..

After 3 waiting 3 weeks I get an email that one of the phones I was getting $200, The other I was getting $36 but no explanation.. With my current frustrations with verizon over our missing 1 GB promos I decided to wait a few days before I call.. The next day I got an email from them explaing the why...... "Find My iphone was left on" so they valued it at $36, but they would go ahead and give me credit for the $200. I know I turned them both off and I even confirmed via the iCloud website they were both off.. Not sure why or if it was truly on..

I have learned that going thru this process and dealing with them on the missing 1Gb promos that calling does not help much..  People need to take to twitter... But in talking with our Lawyer the best recourse people have is the US courts.. You can and should file a grievance in small claims court..

Good luck to you all in this endeavor!!

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[Elastik007]

I mailed in both of my iPhone 4 phones on 10/25/14. A month ago I received the full $200 gift card for one. Since then the other is still listed as 'Not received'. I have called Verizon 3 times on this. The issue has been escalated twice (now to a "level 2 support member"). I plan to move ahead with a class action lawsuit. For those other members waiting 2+ months, please contact me at the email to be posted by me in a separate forthcoming post. I. Also plan to halt payment to Verizon until this is resolved.

[Ann154]

Elastik007 wrote:

I mailed in both of my iPhone 4 phones on 10/25/14. A month ago I received the full $200 gift card for one. Since then the other is still listed as 'Not received'. I have called Verizon 3 times on this. The issue has been escalated twice (now to a "level 2 support member"). I plan to move ahead with a class action lawsuit. For those other members waiting 2+ months, please contact me at the email to be posted by me in a separate forthcoming post. I. Also plan to halt payment to Verizon until this is resolved.

Please don't post your email address on this public forum. It will just be removed since the Terms of Service for the community doesn't allow personal information to be posted.

Also if you halt the payment, you might lose your service for non-payment.