Lumia ICON @ Microsoft Stores

[MadDogFL62]

As we continue to post threads about the Lumia ICON on the main Windows Phone Forum (since Verizon has yet to create an ICON forum category)...

If you are as disgusted with Verizon and the way they handle their Windows Phone business as I am, then surely you have looked at ways to avoid giving Verizon any more of your money or attention then you have to.  Do your research before pointing fingers, but my findings seem to point all fingers at Verizon for making a mess of this Lumia 929/ICON release.  Very unprofessional, to say the least.

I did find something good from my Lumia ICON buying experience.  The good came from working with my local (Tampa) Microsoft Store.  Here are the highlights:

1. I was able to pre-order the 929 from Microsoft.  After several inaccurate leaks which Verizon struggled to deny, it became more and more difficult to trust that Verizon would handle the physical release of the phone properly.
2. What did the $25 deposit that Microsoft required for pre-order get me?  The day the phone was released, I got $25 off of the price of my ICON and a free Nokia wireless plate charger (valued at $50).
3. During the purchase of my ICON, I was also given the option to purchase a 2 year extended warranty on the device.  $99 for 100% coverage on the phone for defects and damage.  Phone replaced with a new phone.  Anytime, at any Microsoft Store, or over the phone with Microsoft.
4. Since I purchased the extended warranty, I was able to cancel the Insurance on my Nokia 822.  $15 per month X 24 months.  That's $99 for 2 years with Microsoft verses the $360 for 2 years with Verizon.
5. There is no fine print, but just so it is disclosed...  Both Verizon and Microsoft will charge a $50 fee for damage replacement.  No fee with Microsoft for defect replacement devices.  And, again, you get a brand new device and not a reused, recycled, refurbished.

As an added bonus, the Microsoft Store Staff helped me update my SkyDrive to OneDrive.  From now through 2/24/14, when you upgrade from SkyDrive to OneDrive, you can participate in a "contest" at your Microsoft Store.  If you ask to upgrade, you will get a scratch-off that gives you free drive space on your new OneDrive setup.  I had 5GB when I started at the store with SkyDrive.  Moving to OneDrive gave me 8GB.  THEN, my scratch-off gave me 100GB of space to use!  That's a lot of pictures from my new ICON!

I also ordered the Incipio Feather shell for my ICON.  Nice fit and nice case.  I had the same on my 822 before buying the ICON.  One thing I did notice is that the ICON is a bit heavier than my 822 and I would feel a bit more confident with a more protective case.  I also ordered the Trident Cyclops case for my ICON to see how it fits.  I think I will like the extra protection, but I don't want the case to be too overwhelming.  The Otterbox was a no-go as it is massive and weighs 3 to 4 times as much as the trident Cyclops. 

If you have any questions about the ICON, please post to this thread and I will share with you what I know.  Hopefully Verizon will have a Lumia Icon form soon that all of us can post to. 

[SickFreak]

Saw the following Deal Alert on WPCentral:

http://www.wpcentral.com/deal-nokia-lumia-icon-149-verizon-wirefly

$150 for the Icon.

[Kelmonroe]

I bought the ICON on Thursday through Verizon, no MS stores in my area. And already it's $50 cheaper with the aforementioned coupon code

VZWDEAL

Thanks for making me feel like a sucker Verizon.

[majed-hs]

what they mean for (2-year contract,)

[majed-hs]

can I buy Lumia icon without contractor ???

[SickFreak]

without a contract?  Yes, but you have to pay full price.

[majed-hs]

Thank you for reply

and how much the full price ??

[SickFreak]

According to VZW's website, $550

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/device/smartphone/nokia-lumia-icon?selectedContractTerm=0

[majed-hs]

Thanks a lot for reply

[penterax]

Thanks for the post MadDog, but what are these sources you've seen that show Verizon was the problem in getting the Icon out and it taking as long as it did? All I have seen are statements that are no better than gossip.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Verizon had a hand in the delay, or maybe Verizon was solely responsible for it, but I prefer facts rather than the cluckings from chickens that make up a large portion of what gets called "reporting" or "news".

[MadDogFL62]

Verizon is responsible for their own Lumia ICON inventory and therefore decides on release dates, promotions, etc.  A majority of the leaks regarding the phone came from Verizon posting the phone to their Sales Inventory page.  While there were other industry websites who posted leaks about the phone and some blurry cam pictures - the decision, responsibility and blame goes to Verizon for a most unprofessional launch of the device.  I would hardly call multiple screen shots of the Verizon Website (showing the Lumia Icon) on multiple dates - in what they claim to be an error - a clucking.  I would call that laying an egg.

Microsoft, on the other hand, was happy to jump in.  They added the device to their inventory (however that worked out with Verizon), they ran a pre order promotion, and they provided $50 Nokia Charging Plates at no charge for those who pre ordered the device. And, Microsoft had the device on hand the day of release.  I also save a significant amount of money by insuring my device with Microsoft and not Verizon.

Why would you give Verizon more money, an insurance contract, credit or attention if you don't have to?  Verizon is not doing anyone any favors.  Ever.

[penterax]

I agree, Microsoft did a better job. They have to buy the Icons from Verizon to sell in their stores, and have offered a deal which costs their customers no more than buying from Verizon direct. And, their extended warranty + accidental damage is not only better, it's cheaper, too.

[ryanthecryinglion]

Go to T-Mobile then.  And when you can't get service where you need it, suddenly Verizon is your best friend.  Whatever.

[Ann154]

Not every phone offered by Verizon Wireless generates enough traffic on the community to justify having its own space.  Then there are some spaces created for a specific phone/device that never get any traffic.

[penterax]

I don't understand why some people feel the need to post this kind of negativity.

Every other Verizon Windows phone has its own subsection; it certainly isn't a stretch to make one for the Icon.

[Ann154]

penterax wrote:

I don't understand why some people feel the need to post this kind of negativity.

Every other Verizon Windows phone has its own subsection; it certainly isn't a stretch to make one for the Icon.

The Samsung Odyssey (Windows phone) never had its own space.  Certainly not all of the android phone have their own space.  The ones that don't, go into the general Android space.  It wasn't any negativity involved.  It was a statement of FACT and nothing more.

[MadDogFL62]

Anything worth reading about from a fellow Verizon / Windows Phone User is best found on the WPCentral Forum Site.  This forum is more of a "gun range" where you get to take pot shots at VZW whenever they drop the ball on a release or update. 

You can be guaranteed that the range is open at least once a year!  Especially with the VZW Windows Phones. 

[Ann154]

I will have to agree with you that the WPCentral forum site is a better option for Windows Phone users and advocates.

That being said, I have been quite impressed with the Lumia Icon commercials I have seen in the last week or so. It looks like a nice phone.

[jsh17001]

I also went to my local MS Store (Salt Lake City) and pre-ordered the Icon. The process was very slick. I was very disappointed that VZW did not offer any type of pre-order with shipping to get the phone to customers on the release date. I also purchased insurance thru MS rather than VZW. The whole policy of replacing your phone with a "refurbished" device when you pay for insurance is poor service. I have never bought insurance thru VZW for this reason. The MS Store employees were great to work with, courteous, and processional. Catered to what I wanted, unlike the experiences I have had at my local VZW store. Customer service is still king. When will VZW get this fact? This whole release felt like it was carried out by MS and Nokia rather than VZW.

I really like this phone. It runs faster than my dual-core Win8 tablet. There are some games I stopped playing on my tablet because they run better on the Icon.

I will give VZW credit for the decision to offer this device. I hope they will learn some better customer service techniques for future releases.