Valued Customer status real or imagined?

[21stNow]

I'm not understanding the question here.  You enter into a contract willingly.  You do not "have" to be under a service contract with Verizon Wireless to get service from them.  I'm not under a service contract with Verizon Wireless and haven't been for the entire time since I resumed service with them, yet I still receive wireless service from Verizon Wireless.

[dbeach1]

I agree whole heartily... If you remember the old days when you purchased cell service the dealer would shower you with cases and extra chargers and batteries .... even tickets to local events!!  Those were wonderful times....

Those days seem hardly possible in todays market where VerizonWireless demands you pay $30 to stay a customer every two years.  What happened to "new every two"  new phone every two years which was verizons signature perk when I came to them over 10 years ago... slowly but every vigilant verizon has continually found ways to charge more for less.  Quality of the network was the reason I made the switch in the first place... now that the playing field has become much more level with other carriers that advantage seems all but gone, marketing literature aside... 

I've heard every excuse in the book why they took away our unlimited data and are charging the additional $30 activation fee to stay a verizon customer.  Each time I refer the brainwashed employee to the following fact.......

Verizon reported a third-quarter profit of $2.2 billion, or 78 cents per share, compared with $1.59 billion, or 56 cents per share, a year ago.

Clearly Verizon has found creative ways to glean $610 Million from its customer base over last year.... Hmmmmm.

Seems the once customer focused company has lost its vision and become just like many other accountant run organization... Squeeze your customers, get them in contracts and squeeze them more if they want to leave.  Force them to pay for services they don't get.  (i.e. the per gig pricing structure for the data.... you pay for 2 gig's .. but only use 1.5 why cannot you bank up the unused portion or receive a prorated bill the following month for the unused portion)

[Heretic1989]

dbeach1 wrote:

(i.e. the per gig pricing structure for the data.... you pay for 2 gig's .. but only use 1.5 why cannot you bank up the unused portion or receive a prorated bill the following month for the unused portion)

Sounds like a plan to me.

Talking about memory lane. Do you remember rollover minutes?

[Jakeman1]

Based on your context the true value you get is having Cell Phone Service and one that is pretty reliable. You do NOT need to be under contract for this as if your contract expires, you can continue on with the service paying the monthly amount and leave when you want. The contract period is more for Verizon recouping their Subsidy when you upgrade using a subsidized program (you pay $200 for a $600 phone).  The contract is also a benefit to Verizon and not so much to you. It benefits Verizon as they know they have you roped into a certain $ amount for 2 years so they count their $$ based on unfulfilled contract obligations.

[vzw_customer_support]

     It looks like you have some questions about the contract chasmt. With your permission, I would like to elaborate. Loyalty is definitely appreciated. In doing so, we offer device at a reduced price from the retail cost. This is typically $300 - $450 off the retail value off the device in exchange for a two year agreement. If a contract is not preferred then devices can be purchased at retail value. For example. The Galaxy S IV retails at $599.99 but with a two year agreement the device is sold at $199.99. That's a $400 instant savings. If you have any additional questions about the agreement then feel free to reply to this message.

Thank you...

ArnettH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[20_year_customer_read]

I have an email provided by Verizon Wireless (verizonwireless.com) on 4/1/2013 which was provided to me as evidence that I have an upgrade when I need to use it.  There is no expiration date.  I initiated contact with Verizon employee  >>removed<<  on 11/1/2013 to use the upgrade promised.  After he stopped responding to my emails, I contacted Verizon Customer Support via CHAT, then by phone.  The only call back I’ve received is in response to my ‘feedback’ that I am a very unhappy customer.  That rep offered me an “Edge” upgrade which is paying full price for a phone or buying a refurbished phone for $400 (and not what I want).  What Verizon will not do is honor the agreement made on 4/1/2013.  After 20 years, I am looking for a new carrier for my 3 accounts (2 iPhone and 1 Galaxy S3).  Verizon has not earned my business.

>> Edited to comply with the <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

[Jakeman1]

Absolutely correct. Verizon will send out things it never has any intentions on honoring and then they say the rep that sent it to you did not have the authority to send it out. You can call and talk to 10 different reps and you will get 10 different versions of the story and none of them are remotely close to the truth as your contract will govern the terms and any special offer will not change the contract so they feel they do not need to honor it since it is not part of your contract.

Now that said, you can argue that the email and offer indirectly altered your contract because it was specifically sent to you for your account but you will get nowhere with Verizon Customer Service. You will need to go to Customer Relations or the FTC, BBB etc....

[chasmt]

I too have been a long time customer with similar experiences with "Customer Service" help. My frustration has always been with not getting an answer when posing these same questions directly to Verizon. Phone, live chat or in person will net the benign smile treatment without answers. This forum has certainly satisfied my desire for information. I am very grateful for all of the responses. I got started with Verizon after being with two other companies and having to travel a great deal out of state. Living in Montana our coverage is scattered at best. I needed a reliable service that would not drop me when crossing state lines or had exorbitant roaming fees. I do understand all the smoking mirror benevolence about offering reduced prices from retail for the privilege of signing a two year contract. However, that seems a bit contrived when other carriers will offer similar or better phones at very reduced pricing and no contract required. I would jump at the chance but have gotten myself into a family plan with widely varying contract completion dates. To buy out my contracts would cost well over $2000.00. But then I would be faced with the coverage issue.

Long story short I feel trapped not valued and frustrated by deals that get offered to my email address but that I am not eligible to take part.

[dbeach1]

I agree rcschnoor, your solution is the ideal model .... unfortunately Verizon has made a point  like Chasmt made with the opening comment, to ensnare customers and not allow them to go elsewhere.  I also agree that the "cover our costs" propaganda is pretty lame.  Anyone with access to a computer can easily confirm Verizon Wireless Corp made a record setting PROFIT of 2.2 BILLION dollars just in the last quarter... at that rate Verizon would potentially have squeezed nearly 9 BILLION dollars (after operational expenses) in pure profit at the end of the year....   So It would appear that Verizon Wireless is not immune to the corporate greed that has been running rampant in the United States today.... Sad  .... But undeniably true!