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Smartphone Activation Fails

I upgraded a feature phone to a Samsung S3 a month ago. I got the phone from Verizon. I followed the instructions that came with the package regarding activation procedures and it failed. It also took a long time; over 12 minutes. I then tried through wifi with no success and took forever. The phone eventually gave me a number to call and the customer support took 20 minutes to activate the phone.

Today I upgraded a LG smartphone to the Samsung Note 3. I got the upgrade through Newegg.com. Unfortunately, the activation process was the same as before. I simply could not activate through the phone after numerous attempts. This time I went to the Verizon website to activate which went without a hitch. Why don't they just tell us to do that to begin with. I've read people with similar experiences from three years back. What is going on?

Also in both cases, during activation I was asked again to select a data package even though I selected it when I placed the order. For the Note 3 the site told me my previous 2G data package was incompatible and I needed to select the current 2G data package. I don't know what the difference is since the price is the same.

Comments

shutterbug07

Sometimes activation takes just a few minutes and sometimes it can take longer. I have experienced both. All I can say is patience is key and I understand its annoying but #firstworldproblems.

mortb

The fastest and best way to activate a new phone is by having the store you bought it from activate it for you. Most all cell phone selling stores have this capability, even stores like Best Buy. And a twelve minute activation time is ridiculous. At most, five or six minutes.

7Pokey

I purchased my Note 3 from the Verizon website. Unlike the 7 phones I've gotten from the website before, this one will not activate period. 12 minutes is good compared to what I have experienced! I have tried for 4 hours with no success, cannot even get the website to activate the phone for me. I have followed all of the directions on the website and from the box to the letter, and get a fail every time. I have plenty of signal strength.

It's ridiculous to have to take the phone I ordered from the website to a Verizon store just to get the darn thing to work. I feel like ditching the whole cell phone thing and going back to the rotary phone, but that probably won't activate either.

Verizon_Support

Hi 7Pokey,

I am sorry you're having issues with activating your device. Did you get any error messages why the device is not activating? Which website did you go to? Here's a link to our website to ensure you're going to the right location to be assisted with the activation http://tiny.cc/xxgr9w.

Edwin_VZW

Follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

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