Verizon Rep - "No such thing as a free iPhone"

gkarris · Jan 4, 2013, 05:15 PM

My friends were eligible for an upgrade so they went to Verizon to get the iPhone 4 (they want to go back from trying out Android) and the rep said there's no such "Free iPhone" with a contract.

She ended up with some sort of Samsung phone as those are free.

He wants to wait to see what the real deal is - is the rep scamming them?

Dave.UK · Jan 4, 2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkarris

My friends were eligible for an upgrade so they went to Verizon to get the iPhone 4 (they want to go back from trying out Android) and the rep said there's no such "Free iPhone" with a contract.

She ended up with some sort of Samsung phone as those are free.

He wants to wait to see what the real deal is - is the rep scamming them?

Yes.

From A Buick 8 · Jan 4, 2013, 05:42 PM

Yes they lied or deliberately mislead.

Afbar1114 · Jan 4, 2013, 05:46 PM

I would say mid lead. VZW is known for this because 1. It isn't an LTE phone and 2. They don't get a lot of money from apple

C DM · Jan 4, 2013, 05:48 PM

Perhaps the representative was (mistakingly) thinking that it was all still in reference to iPhone 5.

Also, was this a corporate Verizon store or some reseller?

wxman2003 · Jan 4, 2013, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C DM

Perhaps the representative was (mistakingly) thinking that it was all still in reference to iPhone 5.

Also, was this a corporate Verizon store or some reseller?

Excellent question, because a reseller does not have to always follow the corporate rules about free phones, and sometimes Verizon only makes those phones free for corporate stores or online purchases.

gkarris · Jan 4, 2013, 08:49 PM

They are current Verizon users but are eligible for an upgrade (contract is up).

wxman2003 · Jan 4, 2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkarris

They are current Verizon users but are eligible for an upgrade (contract is up).

What store did they go to? In other words, a verizon corporate store, an independent verizon store, best buy, Radio Shack, etc?

einmusiker · Jan 4, 2013, 09:04 PM

they still have time to take that phone back and get the phone they want. Personally I would pay a more for an LTE android than a 3G iPhone on verizon as their 3G network is slowwwwwwwwwwww

gkarris · Jan 4, 2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxman2003

What store did they go to? In other words, a verizon corporate store, an independent verizon store, best buy, Radio Shack, etc?

Well, it said "Verizon" on the sign - will ask them tomorrow...

wxman2003 · Jan 4, 2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkarris

Well, it said "Verizon" on the sign - will ask them tomorrow...

Unfortunately, a lot of those stores with Verizon logos on them are independent vendors. One way to know for sure is to go to the verizon website and put in your zip code. It will tell you where their corporate stores are located.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...ator/index.jsp

gkarris · Jan 5, 2013, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxman2003

Unfortunately, a lot of those stores with Verizon logos on them are independent vendors. One way to know for sure is to go to the verizon website and put in your zip code. It will tell you where their corporate stores are located.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/s...ator/index.jsp

Did this - it is a Verizon store - any other Verizon user go into the store to renew and got a free iPhone 4 to renew their contract?

irod87 · Jan 5, 2013, 04:53 PM

They should take it back. Rep was clearly trying to sell a non Apple product. Probably for a bigger commission off the sale.

ucfgrad93 · Jan 5, 2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irod87

They should take it back. Rep was clearly trying to sell a non Apple product. Probably for a bigger commission off the sale.

Agreed. I would take it back and then buy from a different store.

Nyy8 · Jan 5, 2013, 05:05 PM

Why not just buy one online? That way you know you are getting the right price

wxman2003 · Jan 5, 2013, 05:12 PM

You have 2 weeks to return it to Verizon, no questions asked. Print up the free iphone 4 from website. Demand to talk to manager. Tell him/her about your situation and how you were lied to. You will get your iphone 4 with some freebies thrown in. If they refuse to budge, give them the phone back, get your update credit back, and then tell them you are calling corporate headquarters. Make sure you get their names.

aneftp · Jan 5, 2013, 05:51 PM

Just buy it online from apple directly. Remember if at verizon u return/exchange they will charge u a restocking fee about $35.

Apple has no questions ask. No restocking fee. Just remember to return/exchange within 14 days. Simple. Done. Order online u can still return in physical apple store if u choose.

SnowLeopard OSX · Jan 5, 2013, 06:20 PM

It's not free in the sense that you're locked into an awful 2 year contract with VZW. But you shouldn't have to pay anything up front for an iPhone 4 in a contract as far as I know. Return your Android phone and get your iPhone 4 some place else (although, at this point, I would suggest just dishing out the $100.00 for an iPhone 4S).

aneftp · Jan 5, 2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowLeopard OSX

It's not free in the sense that you're locked into an awful 2 year contract with VZW. But you shouldn't have to pay anything up front for an iPhone 4 in a contract as far as I know. Return your Android phone and get your iPhone 4 some place else (although, at this point, I would suggest just dishing out the $100.00 for an iPhone 4S).

Actually the 4S is probably the better buy at Best Buy these days. $50 off promo still running. So 4S will cost u $50 on new 2 year contract. 16Gb, duo core better camera for only $50 on contract at best buy.

No brainer compared to the "free" iPhone 4 which is 2.5 years old in terms of tech while the iPhone 4S is 15 months old and should last u the next 20 months before u are due for next upgrade.

wordoflife · Jan 5, 2013, 06:41 PM

There have been numerous stories of Verizon trying to push people into buying non0iPhones since they get a higher commission off them or something.

The only bad part is that now they'll probably get hit with a restocking fee if they return that Samsung.

SilentLoner · Jan 5, 2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordoflife

There have been numerous stories of Verizon trying to push people into buying non0iPhones since they get a higher commission off them or something.

The only bad part is that now they'll probably get hit with a restocking fee if they return that Samsung.

Not if they complain loud enough

KdParker · Jan 5, 2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordoflife

There have been numerous stories of Verizon trying to push people into buying non0iPhones since they get a higher commission off them or something.

The only bad part is that now they'll probably get hit with a restocking fee if they return that Samsung.

This has been going on forever at Verizon stores. I have found it is better to go online and get what you want instead of trusting the sales reps. They are always trying to push other phones.

gkarris · Jan 6, 2013, 01:22 PM

Thanks -I told here - at least her Husband has held off to see what's going on...

lulla01 · Jan 6, 2013, 07:41 PM

It's not free because of the upgrade fee. The phone is 0.00 but the transaction costs you 30 plus tax so he wasn't lying.

From A Buick 8 · Jan 6, 2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lulla01

It's not free because of the upgrade fee. The phone is 0.00 but the transaction costs you 30 plus tax so he wasn't lying.

Yes he was ( or at least trying to mislead), they were told there were no free iPhones but there were free Android phones. So unless the android phone waived the activation fee it would not have been "free" either.

Jan 4, 2013, 05:15 PM	#1
gkarris macrumors 604 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the stillness of remembering....	Verizon Rep - "No such thing as a free iPhone" My friends were eligible for an upgrade so they went to Verizon to get the iPhone 4 (they want to go back from trying out Android) and the rep said there's no such "Free iPhone" with a contract. She ended up with some sort of Samsung phone as those are free. He wants to wait to see what the real deal is - is the rep scamming them? __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone"
	0

Jan 4, 2013, 05:42 PM	#3
From A Buick 8 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ky Close to CinCinnati	Yes they lied or deliberately mislead. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Homemade Interocitor,iPhone 5 32GB Black & Slate, iPod Touch 4th and 5th Gen, iPad 1st gen, iPhone 4, Two Apple TV's, -- 21.5-inch: 3.2GHz Intel Core i3 iMac.
	1

Jan 4, 2013, 08:49 PM	#7
gkarris Thread Starter macrumors 604 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the stillness of remembering....	They are current Verizon users but are eligible for an upgrade (contract is up). __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone"
	0

Jan 4, 2013, 09:04 PM	#9
einmusiker macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Location: Location:	they still have time to take that phone back and get the phone they want. Personally I would pay a more for an LTE android than a 3G iPhone on verizon as their 3G network is slowwwwwwwwwwww __________________ I <3 iPad and Macbook, I <3 GoOgle Voice, I <3 my Android phone. waiting for the shtuff to hit the fan when people start using tons of data on LTE :Popping popcorn:
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 05:05 PM	#15
Nyy8 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011	Why not just buy one online? That way you know you are getting the right price __________________ iPad 2 16GB, iPhone 5 Black & Slate 16GB, iMac 21.5 inch, 2.5 GHz Core i5, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD
	0

Jan 4, 2013, 05:46 PM	#4
Afbar1114 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2012	I would say mid lead. VZW is known for this because 1. It isn't an LTE phone and 2. They don't get a lot of money from apple
	0

Jan 4, 2013, 05:48 PM	#5
C DM macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2011	Perhaps the representative was (mistakingly) thinking that it was all still in reference to iPhone 5. Also, was this a corporate Verizon store or some reseller?
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 04:53 PM	#13
irod87 macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012	They should take it back. Rep was clearly trying to sell a non Apple product. Probably for a bigger commission off the sale.
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 05:12 PM	#16
wxman2003 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2011	You have 2 weeks to return it to Verizon, no questions asked. Print up the free iphone 4 from website. Demand to talk to manager. Tell him/her about your situation and how you were lied to. You will get your iphone 4 with some freebies thrown in. If they refuse to budge, give them the phone back, get your update credit back, and then tell them you are calling corporate headquarters. Make sure you get their names. __________________ iMac I5, Macbook, iPad 4, iPhone 5, iPod, ATV 3
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 05:51 PM	#17
aneftp macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2007	Just buy it online from apple directly. Remember if at verizon u return/exchange they will charge u a restocking fee about $35. Apple has no questions ask. No restocking fee. Just remember to return/exchange within 14 days. Simple. Done. Order online u can still return in physical apple store if u choose.
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 06:20 PM	#18
SnowLeopard OSX macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southern California	It's not free in the sense that you're locked into an awful 2 year contract with VZW. But you shouldn't have to pay anything up front for an iPhone 4 in a contract as far as I know. Return your Android phone and get your iPhone 4 some place else (although, at this point, I would suggest just dishing out the $100.00 for an iPhone 4S). __________________ iPad 4th gen Black/ 32GB/ iOS 6.1.3 iMac G4 1.0 GHz/ 1.25 GHz PPCG4 (7445) iPod \|Classic Black/ 80GB\|U2 edition 20GB iPhone \|4S White/16GB/ iOS 6.1.3\|3G White/16GB iOS 4.2.1
	0

Jan 5, 2013, 06:41 PM	#20
wordoflife macrumors 604 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Republic City, URN.	There have been numerous stories of Verizon trying to push people into buying non0iPhones since they get a higher commission off them or something. The only bad part is that now they'll probably get hit with a restocking fee if they return that Samsung. __________________ "When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change."
	0

Jan 6, 2013, 01:22 PM	#23
gkarris Thread Starter macrumors 604 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the stillness of remembering....	Thanks -I told here - at least her Husband has held off to see what's going on... __________________ "This gate's plastic." Captain Carter, Stargate SG-1, "Touchstone"
	0

Jan 6, 2013, 07:41 PM	#24
lulla01 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: U.S	It's not free because of the upgrade fee. The phone is 0.00 but the transaction costs you 30 plus tax so he wasn't lying.
	0

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