Verizon Store advertising equipment it won't sell

[rbolman]

I'm currently using a Nokia Lumia 822 and really do like it. I've used Android and Blackberry (and old Windows Mobile) based phones in the past and have determined that the Windows Phone is the best for me.

I also have 3 other phones on my plan, 2 were feature phones and one was an iPhone.

My contract ended on February 1st, but over the past year I had gone into the local Verizon store a couple of times to see if we could roll our plan into an edge plan early because the 2 feature phones were beginning to have issues. Each time we were told no because of my phone not being off contract until Feb 1. Each time I also saw that the Lumia Icon was still being offered on the floor.

So, Feb 1 comes and goes and I go into the store with my family on the 6th to get new phones. During the 40+ minute wait, we walked around to pick out phones from the models being displayed. They still had 3 Icons on display, which honestly surprised me. So, we made up our minds, my wife and I would take Icons and my kids chose an iPhone and a Samsun S3.

When we told the sales rep this, he told us that we couldn't get the Icon because it wasn't available anymore. The conversation went something like this:

Me: I'll take the Icon

Him: That's no longer available. It's been discontinued.

Me: But it's still out on the floor with a price.

Him: I know, but we're not allowed to sell them.

Me: But it's still on display.

Him: I know and I'm sorry, but we don't have any and we can't get any.

Me: Then why is it still on display?

Him: Verizon corporate tells us what has to be displayed and if we remove them we'll get in trouble from corporate.

So, instead of 4 phones, we got 2 and I'm still using my 822 and my wife is still using the iPhone.

So, my question is, how can Verizon actually get away with this?

Is it general company policy to knowingly display items that cannot be sold?

That's not right.

[primortal]

Report the store to the BBB.

Side note couldn't they just put a sign on the display saying the device is longer available?

What are the odds that anyone from corporate comes in and does spot checks of all devices (and discontinued ones at that) that have to be on display specially a Windows Phone device?  I think the sales person just didn't want to sell you the Icon

Can you try another store or a Microsoft Store?

<< Edited to comply with Verizon Wireless Terms of Service >> 

[rbolman]

So, I'm just bumping this message to get it back on the radar just in case one of the mythical Verizon employees that sometimes stumbles into the forums by accident would like to reply.

I'm not going to report the local store to the BBB since they aren't to blame. The experience that I had at the store was positive overall.

Like I said, I just can't understand how a product can be displayed with pricing and then not be available.

That's just plain dishonest and the practice needs to be stopped. Only advertise what you can provide.

Now then, feel free to contact me and I'll give you my mailing address so you can send me an Icon. (grin).

[vzw_customer_support]

rbolman,

I understand your concerns regarding our latest and greatest devices.  I do apologize that we no longer offer that particular model.  We'd be happy to review any of our devices from our current lineup; http://bit.ly/nD0WuY . Let us know if we can assist in answering any further questions. Thanks!


TrevorC_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

[rbolman]

Thanks for the offer, Trevor, but right now Verizon isn't offering anything that I'm interested in.

I want to stay with the Windows Phone OS, and regrettably the Verizon offering there is pretty pathetic.

My fear is that after having an exclusive of the best Windows phone available and then discontinuing it after only a few months, Verizon will no longer get higher end Windows Phones. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders just what Apple and Google did to Verizon to scare them into dropping Windows.

[Snn5]

BlackBerry users would say something similar.

[mama23dogs]

I Don't know why it has been discontinued, but whatever is out there for sale is the end of it.  I just saw one, 1 single phone, still available on Amazon with Verizon contract.  There was also some 928s on Amazon.

You are not limited to what is on the shelf in a Verizon store. 

[pherson]

Depending on the situation, you ARE limited. With 3rd party resellers, usually it's for a new line of service. But in that instance or if it's for an upgrade the majority have contract stipulations that if you remove the phone from the line before a certain period OR if you cancel the line prior to the CED, they can charge you an ETF as well. Just an FYI.

[mama23dogs]

TThe only limit in your savings.  I buy my phones at full retail. 

most phones on Amazon are available with Next or 2 year contract as well as full retail.

i Stand by.....you are NOT limited to shopping Verizon stores.

Best Buy, target, Walmart, Costco...all sell cell phones.

[pherson]

Maybe you did not read or comprehend what I said in regards to 3rd party locations having their own contract stipulations. Good for you for paying full retail.

[mama23dogs]

Seems I'm not alone.

Any customer can by a phone on their Verizon contract, with the SAME terms offered in Verizon stores.  2 year contract, Edge or retail. 

These are authorized retailers - not craigslist.

Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon are where I start looking.   Amazon is most likely to have phones that are discontinued. 

rbolman

You still have Amazon, Google the phone your want.  If I were set on something, I would not let my carriers lack of stock ruin my plans.  The one on Amazon was a full Verizon upgrade offer, 2 year contract or Edge...

[pherson]

Like I said it is NOT the same terms. Read the fine print

[47seijar]

I haven't seen an Icon on display at any of the four Verizon stores near me. It's been probably six months since they displayed them.

[47seijar]

If you really want a Lumia Icon, mine is in mint condition and available for $300, shipped.