No Free Remote Controls
dmart2
Enthusiast - Level 1

Why has Verizon changed their policies on free remote controls? In addition to paying for cable fees, I pay $38 per month for renting FIOS equipment that is 6 years old. They want another $15 for replacing one remote control. This is highway robbery. 

Re: No Free Remote Controls
beetlejuice2
Specialist - Level 1

You never "rented" the remote. The remote was given to use with the box.

You own any remotes and never have to return them when turning in any equipment.

You can still get 1 free replacement 2 device remote under certain circumstances. Go into your dvr/stb menu and go down to customer support then to replace remote.

It will tell you if its free or not. In most cases it will say they will replace it and will be shipped to you at no charge.

If not you can easily get a new fios remote on ebay very cheap as well as amazon.

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Re: No Free Remote Controls
Sleverus
Enthusiast - Level 3

Amen dmart.

I called, fully expecting a no hassle customer service experience.  It isn't the $15, it is the fact that after spending $3,000 a year for 10 years the CSR is amazed that I think they should replace their broken equipment for free.

Verizon hates its customers.  They can, because Comcast hates us too.

As bad as politicians and just as corrupt.

Re: No Free Remote Controls
smartcookie
Enthusiast - Level 1

I completely agree.  I have been with Verizon for 10 years, including 2 business accounts and my 4 year old remote just went and now I have to pay for a replacement.  I appreciate that some customers might go through several remotes due to carelessness, but this should be handled differently.  Perhaps 1 free remote within a 2 or 3 year period......

Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business.  

Re: No Free Remote Controls
beetlejuice2
Specialist - Level 1

@smartcookie wrote:

I completely agree.  I have been with Verizon for 10 years, including 2 business accounts and my 4 year old remote just went and now I have to pay for a replacement.  I appreciate that some customers might go through several remotes due to carelessness, but this should be handled differently.  Perhaps 1 free remote within a 2 or 3 year period......

Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business.  


Has anyone even tried doing what I originally posted? You can still get a free remote. I just checked mine and it shows that I could get one if needed.

"You can still get 1 free replacement 2 device remote under certain circumstances. Go into your dvr/stb menu and go down to customer support then to replace remote.

It will tell you if its free or not. In most cases it will say they will replace it and will be shipped to you at no charge."

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Re: No Free Remote Controls
slotr1
Enthusiast - Level 2

"Once a competitor comes up with something better than FIOS, I think Verizon will go out of business"

Comcast will give you a free remote with the return of the old one. I just tried to get a new remote as mine has defective buttons and Fios in-home agent said they were limited as to giving out new remotes. I let them know that comcast has offered to buy out the contract I have with verizon and all of a sudden the at-home agent was able to send a replacement remote to me for free. These big companies do what they want to hell with the customer.

Re: No Free Remote Controls
CRobGauth
Community Leader
Community Leader

I have done it in the past.

But I just checked and the scrren now says that remotes will only be replaced under warranty for the first 90 days.

After that, they are $14.99.

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Re: No Free Remote Controls
beetlejuice2
Specialist - Level 1

@CRobGauth wrote:

I have done it in the past.

But I just checked and the scrren now says that remotes will only be replaced under warranty for the first 90 days.

After that, they are $14.99.


That's because you've already done it in the past. It still works for most who never have done it.

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Re: No Free Remote Controls
gunslinger40
Newbie

I just tried that through my STB and I have never gotten a replacement remote and it is still at $14.95 plus some S&H

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Re: No Free Remote Controls
Suzanne7777
Contributor - Level 1

I took two old remotes to a Verizon store expecting I could turn them in for new ones as in the past. They told me the remotes cost $15 each.  I just looked at the guy and said "you have to be kidding!"  He said hang on, went in the back and gave me two used remotes that someone else had just turned in, but they looked (and work) fine and were much newer than mine.  So what do they actually do now with the remotes people do turn in? I think that it is appalling that Verizon, with all the money they make, are now nickel and diming their customers.  I have heard more and more of my friends saying they are going to dump cable and set up streaming because cable is getting too expensive.  Some of these people make very high incomes, but just feel like they are being ripped off and don't want to give the cable companies their money any more, especially with more options than ever out there. Lousy customer service and ripping people off is not the way to build your brand.