BOGO Scam?

[Dyeroushalmi]

Anyone else get swindled by Verizon's BOGO deal on the Galaxy S9? Recently spoke to a chat agent who told me about this "but one, get one" deal Verizon had on the Galaxy S9. He walked be through placing and order on 2 phones and told me that the ONLY stipulation was that I needed to have one of the phones activated on a new line. After placing my order, I received my bill for the first time this month to see no refund for the "free" phone. After contacting Verizon for several hours, they told me I was not eligible because I payed for the phones upfront instead of through a monthly payment plan. This was neither mentioned by the chat agent who helped me place the order nor anywhere on the site during the order process. Worse yet, Verizon won't even take back one of the unused devices. After 20 years of loyal service to Verizon, I am absolutely disgusted by this scam conducted by Verizon. I will definitely be taking all 7 of my lines to AT&T after this atrocious service.

[boringusername]

Not a scam. It clearly says device payments are necessary. And also BOTH lines need to be active. No one is stupid enough to give you a free phone for nothing, The scammers are the ones thinking the can get a free phone then sell it and make money.

[MARGIL61]

Actually the very fine print says you have to add a new line... you cannot upgrade 2 lines with BOGO, but that is the deal the used to have.  Now, everyone thinks it is like the old deal, only to find out they will be paying full price for 2 new devices.

[boringusername]

MARGIL61 wrote:

Actually the very fine print says you have to add a new line... you cannot upgrade 2 lines with BOGO, but that is the deal the used to have. Now, everyone thinks it is like the old deal, only to find out they will be paying full price for 2 new devices.

Adding a new line on BOGO has been that way for awhile. Once again common sense would avoid any "confusion"

[glitchedpixel]

All carriers do this. Throwing a tantrum because you didn't read the fine print before signing off on anything isn't going to make AT&T be any different for a BOGO deal.

[Dyeroushalmi]

I did in fact read the fine print. This was not mentioned on their site anywhere. Only the the refund would be repayed in monthly payments.

[boringusername]

Dyeroushalmi wrote:

I did in fact read the fine print. This was not mentioned on their site anywhere. Only the the refund would be repayed in monthly payments.

That is 100% bull. These offers DO say you must be on device payments

Buy 1, get S9 free. No trade-in req'd.

Up to $960 device payment purchase per device required. 2nd phone of equal or lesser value & of same manufacturer: less up to $799.99 promo credit applied to account over 24 mos w/in 1-2 billing cycles; promo credit ends when balance paid or line terminated/transferred; 0% APR. New line of service required.

[KATCONSTRUCTBIZ]

I can see how you came to your conclusion even after reading the fine print.  The first sentence states Up to $960 device payment purchase, (not payment plan).  When I purchase groceries from the store, they are paid in full and I still get my BOGO.  Verizon pays high dollars to hire marketing people to finagle the language and words to look one way but mean another in order to benefit themselves. Sorry you had the rotten experience. 

[boringusername]

KATCONSTRUCTBIZ wrote:

I can see how you came to your conclusion even after reading the fine print. The first sentence states Up to $960 device payment purchase, (not payment plan). When I purchase groceries from the store, they are paid in full and I still get my BOGO. Verizon pays high dollars to hire marketing people to finagle the language and words to look one way but mean another in order to benefit themselves. Sorry you had the rotten experience.

There is no confusion. What is confusing about Up to $960 device payment purchase per device required? Device Payment purchase means you have to have the device on a payment plan.

[Dyeroushalmi]

boringusername wrote:

KATCONSTRUCTBIZ wrote:

I can see how you came to your conclusion even after reading the fine print. The first sentence states Up to $960 device payment purchase, (not payment plan). When I purchase groceries from the store, they are paid in full and I still get my BOGO. Verizon pays high dollars to hire marketing people to finagle the language and words to look one way but mean another in order to benefit themselves. Sorry you had the rotten experience.

There is no confusion. What is confusing about Up to $960 device payment purchase per device required? Device Payment purchase means you have to have the device on a payment plan.

So why doesn't it explicitly state "payment plan"? Payment purchase is singular and leads me to think that I could purchase the device in one lump some.

Regardless, I was walked through how to purchase the device from a Verizon representative who failed to mention this or advise me to buy on a payment plan even after I *specifically asked* the representative if this would make any difference.

[boringusername]

Dyeroushalmi wrote:

boringusername wrote:

KATCONSTRUCTBIZ wrote:

I can see how you came to your conclusion even after reading the fine print. The first sentence states Up to $960 device payment purchase, (not payment plan). When I purchase groceries from the store, they are paid in full and I still get my BOGO. Verizon pays high dollars to hire marketing people to finagle the language and words to look one way but mean another in order to benefit themselves. Sorry you had the rotten experience.

There is no confusion. What is confusing about Up to $960 device payment purchase per device required? Device Payment purchase means you have to have the device on a payment plan.

So why doesn't it explicitly state "payment plan"? Payment purchase is singular and leads me to think that I could purchase the device in one lump some.

Regardless, I was walked through how to purchase the device from a Verizon representative who failed to mention this or advise me to buy on a payment plan even after I *specifically asked* the representative if this would make any difference.

It DOES say it. it says Device Payment Purchase PER DEVICE. What do you think that means?

Also as far as what a rep says doesn't matter, go by what's written. No offense but people at some point need to take some responsibility for their actions.

[Natnat14mi]

I got scammed too because although I did read the fine print, I worked for them for 4 years so I know better, I somehow missed the part about one of the lines needing to be new, but I had 2 upgrade eligible lines I used. It wouldn't be a big deal except I called within the return time frame to verify I was eligible for the bogo, I didnt need a 2nd phone or the first one to be as expensive without the deal,  and was assured I was eligible and to wait the normal 2-3 bill cycles and they would credit me back. After 4 bill cycles I called, was told again I qualified and a form was submitted for a credit. I wait another month, to find out it was denied because I didn't qualify due to I didnt add a new line and she saw where I called right after purchase when I asked about eligibility but of course it wasn't noted. The lady gave me a $100 credit which was nice and all but compared to the $800 I now have to pay for the phone, it sucks. Makes me even more mad since i worked that job for 4 years and i know the right way to check things and notate accounts.

[boringusername]

you didn't get scammed you didn't pay attention and the fact you claim t have worked for them for 4 years makes that an even poorer excuse.

[Cosmicgal]

I am a victim as well and even followed the instructions from the verizon rep but still got ripped off.  I was told after getting the BOGO deal on mothers day that after a couple months, we'd see the billing and that we could pay off the one phone and the "free" phone would be billed and credited each month over 2 years.  All sounds good right?  Well after a couple months, I went in to pay off the phone on my wife's account as her mother's day present.  The next month, my wife was still getting billed for her phone but the BOGO phone payment and credit was gone.  Verizon told us we paid off the "free" phone (with a straight face I might add) and that we still have to pay for the other phone and that they cannot (will not) fix this.  How in the world do you pay off the "free" phone?  Why would they let you do that?  Oh yeah, that's right... because Verizon is a giant machine that doesn't give a hoot about loyal customers and will rip anyone off to feed their stock holders another dollar.  At any rate, I paid this off through my visa card so I'm disputing the charge and getting this credited back.  I'll be interested to see if Verizon comes after us with fee's/charges for the "free" phone that I redacted the payment on.  Once this is settled, we'll be moving on to another carrier, hopefully one that is not big into ripping off/misleading their customers. 

[boringusername]

Cosmicgal wrote:

I am a victim as well and even followed the instructions from the verizon rep but still got ripped off. I was told after getting the BOGO deal on mothers day that after a couple months, we'd see the billing and that we could pay off the one phone and the "free" phone would be billed and credited each month over 2 years. All sounds good right? Well after a couple months, I went in to pay off the phone on my wife's account as her mother's day present. The next month, my wife was still getting billed for her phone but the BOGO phone payment and credit was gone. Verizon told us we paid off the "free" phone (with a straight face I might add) and that we still have to pay for the other phone and that they cannot (will not) fix this. How in the world do you pay off the "free" phone? Why would they let you do that? Oh yeah, that's right... because Verizon is a giant machine that doesn't give a hoot about loyal customers and will rip anyone off to feed their stock holders another dollar. At any rate, I paid this off through my visa card so I'm disputing the charge and getting this credited back. I'll be interested to see if Verizon comes after us with fee's/charges for the "free" phone that I redacted the payment on. Once this is settled, we'll be moving on to another carrier, hopefully one that is not big into ripping off/misleading their customers.

what's the point of paying it off early. it's not like you get charged interest. Good luck at your new carrier

[kscameron78]

Hi, I have recently got scam on my iPhone 7. I purchased 2 iPhones and added 2 new lines for tablets. I paid my phone off and Verizon salseman at the half credit I was getting for my phone will apply to my daughter phone. Well they canceled my credit complete, with only half credit to my daughter phone. It’s BOGO, now tell me if that’s free. False advertising and scamming hard working people out of there money! Verizon has ripped me off and others that I researched on these BOGO deals. Google: Verizon BOGO scam Action 9 News

[Ann154]

Any remaining bill credits on your line are forfeited if you pay off your device payment agreement associated with your line early.

[boringusername]

The terms for the BOGO are right there. But please call the local news and look foolish. No such thing as free lunch. The terms clearly state if you pay off a device early to lose any remaining credits

[dkim201555]

I damaged my phone and decided to pay it off because i didnt want a higher monthly bill when i bought another phone. I never got a notification during the transaction saying that I will be losing $33.33 a month in credits! I didnt know until they sent me an email the next day saying my credits are forfeit. No sane person would pay off their phone if this information was presented at the time of transaction! (I can buy a new pixel 3 for $450 so I am not trying to re-sell for a profit)  I called customer service and was told they could do nothing on their end. Basically, I paid $666.66 for no reason! I don't know if this is a scam but they are happy to take your money and not have any compassion for the customer. I am extremely disappointed and upset with Verizon. I will be leaving after my service is up and I will not recommend verizon to anybody.

[AaronL1]

I got hoodwinked by the BOGO offer with the extra line and iPhone I bought for my son. I've tried several times to call Verizon to fix it. I even have a transcript of the chat with the Verizon rep assuring me that I would get the credit. I don't even mind getting it over 24 months. But don't pretend like I shouldn't get it just because I paid retail.

[vzw_customer_support]

I know how beneficial a BOGO deal is when shopping around for new phones, AaronL1. To confirm, when you mean retail, are you saying you bought the device at full retail price, and now because of it, you don't have the BOGO credit, is that correct? 

JoeyM_VZW