Verizon has changed the game grossly to favor themselves, OK that's business, and probably soon ATT&T will adopt similar plans, unless the revolt to leave becomes a reality. As consumers, let's use an approach that maximizes our value and protects things we value. The one absolute here is that the changes will make us sit up and pay attention. I for one, missed the announcement about the upgrade fee, not that I could have done anything to upgrade a line before it took effect, but I simply didn't pay attention. From now on I will utilize all resources available to track news and revamps of all. Especially ones that were there in front of me. Best example is that verizon told me that the upgrade fee was mentioned in my paper bill, but since I can see my bill amount in dollars online, I rarely looked at the bill. So we should be forewarned to remain dilligent.
* Read the bill to look for changes or new policies
* Take nothing for granted ask CS if anything looks different or seems unusual on your bill
* Don't expect that verizon will alert you to changes in an overt way, you probably won't get an email or text message
* Do your own homework, your friend or neighbor may have information that is only partially correct or mostly incorrect
* Use all tools available to monitor usage and tailor your plan while we do have the ability to adjust them.
* Analyze whether things like insurance are cost beneficial after a certain time frame (deductibles are usually 100$ or more)
* Never be shy about calling (611) and asking pertinent questions and ask for documentary evidence to the subject.
* Never assume that the answer is correct when you 'ask' about something, if you see on the vzw website, it is policy
* If a rep tells you something that benefits you monetarily and says they are implementing it, ask them to put it in a notation in your account. This might sound weird, but it might just help you out, reps say things just to appease, and later you expect to hold the company accountable but they may not without proof.
* Research phones before getting one, unless you are a 'tech nerd' it's hard to keep up with all the devices, look for reviews online but not necessarily on the vzw website. Unreliable phones while being sold by vzw, were not made by them, also ask about return policies and expectations.
* Let's get use to the idea of constantly watching the companies we hand our money to, watch them like hawks, all the time.
* And one more thing, look as far ahead as you dare, I am now looking to avoid locking in to contracts anymore, sure the phones are expensive, but soon Google will be selling phones directly, as other companies do, and I think that as consumers, finding ways to avoid lock in (to contract) will have to be our policy change. As the benefits of subsidized phones erodes, we need to leverage our business clout as a block and being able to change carriers if we have the ability (or coverage) will become a powerful tool. Not just that people leave, but leave in painful numbers.
* My hope for the future is that, Google or Apple might seriously look at getting into the carrier game, these rumors/ideas are mentioned in various places, but only as concepts at this time. If either one did, it might re ignite true competition in the 'signal provider' business.
Most people probably do these things, at least some of them. But I should stress that among them, that documenting what you are told is paramount.
