Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
Lyondellic
Enthusiast - Level 3

I just want to add my dismay over the new shared data plans to the chorus of other formerly loyal Verizon customers here. I have been with Verizon for just over one year and have a grandfathered unlimited data plan. I have never paid my bill late and consider myself to be a model customer. During my year with Verizon, I have seen a failed attempt to impose a $2 'convenience' fee for paying my bill online. I have also seen a $30 fee added for device upgrades. Then there was the February 2012 change in the customer agreement that does not limit so-called 'Network Optimization' to 3G devices, which also allows throttling (let's call it what it is) during the current and NEXT billing cycles. Verizon seems to have no issues with someone getting full 4G LTE speed, as long as they pay for it by the GB, but apparently feel that those of us with unlimited data plans should be considered data hogs that can be slowed down into billing cycle that has not even started. So network optimization in Verizon-speak means freeing up bandwidth for their pay by the GB customers by throttling customers with grandfathered unlimited data plans that are using their devices in a manner that is consistent with their agreements! Finally, we are told about the cries for family shared-data plans. I figured Verizon might do something that would make it attractive for me to move into a tiered data plan, boy was I ever wrong.

Now Verizon wants to charge $40 per smartphone to actually use the shared-data plans! So, for someone who is paying ~$87 per month for a smartphone with unlimited data, the cost per month will now be somewhere around $120 for the 6GB plan! How are these plans a good thing for either new or existing customers?!? I was considering paying full price to upgrade to a Galaxy Nexus in order to keep my unlimited data plan, but I have changed my mind. I can order the Galaxy Nexus from Google for $399 and use a prepaid, no-contract plan from T-Mobile plan that provides me with 100 minutes, unlimited text messaging and 5GB of data at 4G speeds for $30 month. Since I do not make a lot of calls on my phone, why would I want to continue to pay Verizon $87 per month without subsidized device upgrades, which would move me into a $120 month plan?

So I look at this as a simple lesson in economics. I can pay the ETF, but a GNex and still come out ahead by moving to T-Mobile. The beauty of this is that I will also be taking money away from Verizon, as they clearly want to treat me like a second-class customer that needs to fork over more of my money. So I will vote with my dollars and send a clear message to Verizon that their conduct is unacceptable. I encourage others here to consider doing the same. Your speed may not be blazing fast with T-Mobile, but neither will be the speed that money flies out of your wallet or purse. My .02 cents!

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Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
ClauddvonMauddiv
Enthusiast - Level 1

I am in full agreement.  I've been a Verizon customer for over 10 years now...and I feel shafted by this new plan.  We were promised we'd NEVER have to worry about losing our Unlimited plans and yet here we are...about to lose them unless we are prepared to dish out $500 - $800 cash with no discounts for new phones, and yes, this is intentional because Verizon KNOWS that we lowly second class, model, never late paying consumers don't have this money just lying around, so although some may be able to just purchase their phones, Verizon is counting on the vast majority of their customers not being able to afford to buy them outright.  I am disgusted by this and I also plan to drop my family plan/phones and everything once our contract ends in October.  I'll probably do exactly what you've indicated above and save my family $50 - $100/month.

Thanks Verizon, for screwing over your loyal customer base.  I, too, will vote with my dollars.  Shame on you, GREEDY CORPORATE FAT CATS.  It's never enough for you...you always want to milk us for more.

I'm ashamed of you and will be voting with my dollars.  Please join in voting with your dollars also to show Verizon that they've gone too far this time.

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
lewisr13
Champion - Level 1

ClauddvonMauddiv wrote:

   I also plan to drop my family plan/phones and everything once our contract ends in October.

Just be sure ALL of your contracts end in October.

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
Derek32880
Contributor - Level 1

I'd asked a sales rep WHY they started doing this $30 upgrade fee   the 1st thing out of her mouth after doing so was "other companies  have been doing this for years"    other "customers"  have been running the bills up getting early termination fees and not paying there bills too   wonder if Verizon CEO's would be happy with everyone of there customers started doing that  then saying  "other customers have been doing it for years"   don't think they would say oh well then if everyone else is doing it  that's ok then.....  do you? LOL

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
mikrocell
Enthusiast - Level 1

I have to agree with Lyondellic, my Droid connects at work and home via Wifi, I don't need lots of GB/month.  I'm a power user on my Droid but I never exceed 1 GB in a month.  I think Verizon has missed the boat by not offering an economy form of the shared data plan. 

I was hoping the shared plan would allow me to justify a Droid for my wife.  Instead, I'm taking my Droid and four basic phones off of Verizon and over to T-mobile. 

Verizon will soon learn that their profit on my account, when multiplied by ZERO phones is nothing, which is exactly what options they are offering me as a customer, NOTHING...

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
commonsense101
Specialist - Level 2

the only thing is you wont have lte service, and after 2 gigs you will be limited on tmobile.. but please, enjoy

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Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
Derek32880
Contributor - Level 1

but the thing about T-mobile u don't get overages if you go over  just slowed down to a crawl   however they also have a 5gb plan

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
lewisr13
Champion - Level 1

If there's no coverage then it's slower than a crawl, even if you have 5gb.

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
soulstice_x
Enthusiast - Level 2

Look, while I understand every company needs to turn a profit, this move with the family share plan is excessive. The prices on Gb's are unrealistic as I can guarantee that 1Gb does not cost $50. How is it that 5 use to cost $50 (look at broadband card plans) and now it's down to one. I don't think Verizon understands that there are many people who would be uncomfortable paying prices that approach that of monthly payments for a used car. I for one will get a VOIP service for home and then a couple of prepaid phones for the cars for emergency.

There was a time when we didn't need to be so connected and we survived. This move is the last straw for me and I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

Re: Disgusted by Verizon's new share everything plans
marienabend
Enthusiast - Level 3

They keep saying this is supposed to save large families money, but my family of 5 will see a $50 monthly increase if we switch to shared data (We currently pay 214, it would be 248 under the new plan). If I upgrade two lines on my plans to smartphones like I want to do, we'll still see an increase than if we just used the old plan (under the old plan it would cost 273 for 4 smartphones with 6gb of data+ 1 unlimited data plan, and it would be 277 for only 6gb between 4 phones on the new plan).

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