FREE Tablet is NOT Free

[stevensc]

It's a shame that the "FREE" tablet offered in exchange for purchasing the Triple Play is not really free.  I thought this freebie was in exchange for my purchase of the FIOS TV services (as was advertised), but instead find that it's really a scam to get you to purchase yet another service on the Verizon Wireless side.  Shame on you guys for marketing your FIOS TV discounts in such a manner.  It's very unprofessional.  Either give the freebie without conditions or don't even bother including it as an incentive.  You have now made a customer who was initially quite happy with his purchase of FIOS TV very unhappy with Verizon and considering returning to Cox.  

[roaddogg1]

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@stevensc wrote:

It's a shame that the "FREE" tablet offered in exchange for purchasing the Triple Play is not really free.  I thought this freebie was in exchange for my purchase of the FIOS TV services (as was advertised), but instead find that it's really a scam to get you to purchase yet another service on the Verizon Wireless side.  Shame on you guys for marketing your FIOS TV discounts in such a manner.  It's very unprofessional.  Either give the freebie without conditions or don't even bother including it as an incentive.  You have now made a customer who was initially quite happy with his purchase of FIOS TV very unhappy with Verizon and considering returning to Cox.  

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The tablet IS free, but of course there are the terms that they will only give it to you for free if you a.) get fios and b.) get wireless data for it.. The offer has the terms all over it. Even on the commercials it says "with new 2 yr wireless agreement". It's their business and can do whatever they want. It's up to the consumer to find out what the exact details of the offer are and either take the offer or not. 

[stevensc]

Sorry, but I don't agree with your response.  I do agree that (in smaller print), the ads reference the 2-year agreement, but my view is that this is still a very poorly designed discount package.  First, I was purchasing a FIOS TV service, not Verizon Wireless services so my view is that tying the two together is a bit ridiculous.  Second, if I have to pay at least $10/month extra on my Wireless service in order to get the tablet, then its not a free tablet.  I'm basically paying for the tablet on the layaway plan.  Third, I don't need the data package on my wireless service in order to use the tablet.  I could simply use the internet and have the option to purchase the data package if I want the extended capability.  I would have even been OK with extending my wireless agreement by 2 years, but it was the requirement for the data plan which was the bigger issue.  And there's no place where the advertisement says that I must purchase the data plan.  

[roaddogg1]

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@stevensc wrote:

Sorry, but I don't agree with your response.  I do agree that (in smaller print), the ads reference the 2-year agreement, but my view is that this is still a very poorly designed discount package.  First, I was purchasing a FIOS TV service, not Verizon Wireless services so my view is that tying the two together is a bit ridiculous.  Second, if I have to pay at least $10/month extra on my Wireless service in order to get the tablet, then its not a free tablet.  I'm basically paying for the tablet on the layaway plan.  Third, I don't need the data package on my wireless service in order to use the tablet.  I could simply use the internet and have the option to purchase the data package if I want the extended capability.  I would have even been OK with extending my wireless agreement by 2 years, but it was the requirement for the data plan which was the bigger issue.  And there's no place where the advertisement says that I must purchase the data plan.  

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The offer is a BONUS offer. It's an addition to the new customer pricing you get when signing up.

Every ad I've seen including the certificate I received in the mail for it made the terms very clear.

They didn't have to offer the tablet at all as they were already offering a $300-$400 gift card for signing in most markets, but they tossed in the bonus offer even if it had requirments to it. I passed because of the 2 year requirement myself, but I knew even before I ordered it was required if I wanted it. It was a matter of either I want it or dont. Every special offer has perks to it.

[stevensc]

Which brings me to the subject of the $300/$400 VISA card promotion.  This also sounded great on the surface, but I was not eligible for it because I already had FIOS phone service.  So basically I was being flooded with all these great sounding ads for switching to FIOS TV, but they all came with caveats that blocked me from being eligible.

[worme61]

I have to agree with stevensc, I understand that they do not have to offer me anything but to call it free and then put conditions on it is misleading at best.  I did not purchase my fios services based on the freebie stuff and got away from verizon wireless due to thier horrible customer service, only went with the other stuff because comcast was worse at customer service than verizon.  Say what you mean and mean what you say, if you offer a "free" tablet than it should be just that free.  Otherwise say you will discount a tablet with wireless service for being a customer of fios.  I am not redeeming the offer because A) I dont want to deal with verizon wireless and B) I feel that the company is not being forth right with the offer, I read the catch to the program and feel that free is the wrong term to use in their ads.

[LBSouthlake]

I also fell for this offer, but it just didn't feel right. I went to their very nice store in Grapevine and personnel were very nice and had to tell me after waiting 30minutes that since I only had Internet, tv and phone (land line) that this didn't qualify. I had to get wireless phone, pay additional to connect to tablet and blah blah blah.
Can't wait for better internet for Southlake. Fios used to be awesome. It's like we are at the end of tha Alaska pipeline now, even after upgrading. Nothing they do surprises me

[DotM1]

Totally agreeing with everyone on this.  I did not need a tablet, but it was a nice promotion-told many people about it and now I am telling them-think twice.  When reading the certificate, no where does it say "must".  And while it is too small a matter to take to litigation, one has to wonder what other slight of hands they are pulling.  While I am happy with the services I purchased, I would not refer others based on their incentives!  Shame on Verizon - seems to me they are big with a previously long and good reputation.  There was a time, I would never consider any other company - this does not encourage me to loyalty, particularly as I am setting up a new business.

[GF80]

The deal was sign up for the service they send you the coupon for a free tablet or 200.00 off of the 1 of your choice and then you add the 10 a month plan. How can you get a plan for an item that you do not own yet.? Makes no sense! I am also having this problem. I'm extra angry over it because the sales rep talked me into getting the bundle that I have just for the free tablet reason

[LoveFiosWhenWk]

I renewed my service with Verizon again.  I thought the new plan was reasonable. My router was updated and I was offered HBO which I don't watch and and a free tablet. I now found out that the tablet is not free.  the fine print says I must pay $40.activation and then I must sign up for a data plan.  I don't even have a data plan with my Kindle.  I use wifi from my cell phone when I am out or home wifi.  Then i see on Verizon website that they are offering a $200 visa instead of a tablet that is not free.  Why was I offered the visa card?  Other than the tablet, the offer on the website was very similar to what provided to.  I thought that I was a Verizon valued customer until I saw the offer on the website.