Verizon-- are you kidding me?

[TheRealAlex]

they refused to sell me a full price iPhone 7+ in corporate store! I had to finance.... give me a break! Everything is about the up sell! I guess I either have to order online or leave Verizon... my rant is over! lol.

I don't get it people. What's the point nowadays I made a thread here about how I miss the old 2 Year contract Days and paying $199 or $299 and that's it.

Now supposedly it's better to buy off contract but Sprint and Verizon now Don't even want to sell A Full Price Phone. Only Financed over a 24 Month period So You are Tied to them anyways like a 2 year contract.

What The living heck ?

Also the OP you should have just bought it and called in an Paid off the remaining balance.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I've had a horrific time at a Verizon reseller. I avoid Verizon like the plague now. Yes, not ALL stores are bad, but man... my wife and I were insulted to our face because we refused to buy device protection insurance. The rep slammed down her tablet after saying how stupid we were to not get insurance and said she'd have to get manager approval to sell me a phone without device protection. I complained to another rep in the store saying how we were incredibly offended - he proceeded to laugh loudly, laughing louder as we walked out of the store.

Granted, we went to another Verizon store and had an AMAZING experience but I wonder how many other people have this experience?

I either buy my phones online or go to Apple (1 hour drive away) - I will never go to another Verizon store again.

 

[Applejuiced]

I've had a horrific time at a Verizon reseller. I avoid Verizon like the plague now. Yes, not ALL stores are bad, but man... my wife and I were insulted to our face because we refused to buy device protection insurance. The rep slammed down her tablet after saying how stupid we were to not get insurance and said she'd have to get manager approval to sell me a phone without device protection. I complained to another rep in the store saying how we were incredibly offended - he proceeded to laugh loudly, laughing louder as we walked out of the store.

Granted, we went to another Verizon store and had an AMAZING experience but I wonder how many other people have this experience?

I either buy my phones online or go to Apple (1 hour drive away) - I will never go to another Verizon store again.

Yes, those re-sellers are horrible.
They're like slick used car salesman trying to rip you off and pressure you to get things that you dont want or need.
He needed to get approval to not sell you something that you dont want. Avoid at all costs.

 

[TheRealAlex]

I've had a horrific time at a Verizon reseller. I avoid Verizon like the plague now. Yes, not ALL stores are bad, but man... my wife and I were insulted to our face because we refused to buy device protection insurance. The rep slammed down her tablet after saying how stupid we were to not get insurance and said she'd have to get manager approval to sell me a phone without device protection. I complained to another rep in the store saying how we were incredibly offended - he proceeded to laugh loudly, laughing louder as we walked out of the store.

Granted, we went to another Verizon store and had an AMAZING experience but I wonder how many other people have this experience?

I either buy my phones online or go to Apple (1 hour drive away) - I will never go to another Verizon store again.

I've seen similar hard sales tactics, this can be explained by a 3rd party privately owned Verizon store which are horrible. And vs. a Corporate Owned Verizon store.

 

[Beerstalker]

I know the OP said he was paying full price, but was he really paying full price? I know that Verizon has some deals right now where you get $100 or $200 off the full retail price, and you have to sign up for financing to get that deal. This is because they don't give you that $200 discount all at once, they give you that discount spread across the terms of the financing contract. So if you get the $200 discount over a 24 month finance they give you a $8.33 credit every month for 24 months. If you pay off the device early you lose that $8.33 credit for each remaining month.

Or if he really was trying to pay the full $650 or more depending on which phone, then they might just be jerks. I've never had them refuse to let me pay full price on the last 4 or 5 phones I've bought that way. They do still try to charge the upgrade fee, but luckily my wife's employer discount comes with free upgrades so I end up getting it back as a bill credit.

No Apple stores within 2+ hours of me, and last I looked into it Apple charges $50 extra for unlocked phones with no carrier service. When pre-ordering online from Apple's website I am charged the upgrade fee as well, and I'm not sure if I would get it credited back if I bought it thru Apple, so I have always bought direct from Verizon.

 

[Applejuiced]

I know the OP said he was paying full price, but was he really paying full price? I know that Verizon has some deals right now where you get $100 or $200 off the full retail price, and you have to sign up for financing to get that deal. This is because they don't give you that $200 discount all at once, they give you that discount spread across the terms of the financing contract. So if you get the $200 discount over a 24 month finance they give you a $8.33 credit every month for 24 months. If you pay off the device early you lose that $8.33 credit for each remaining month.

Or if he really was trying to pay the full $650 or more depending on which phone, then they might just be jerks. I've never had them refuse to let me pay full price on the last 4 or 5 phones I've bought that way. They do still try to charge the upgrade fee, but luckily my wife's employer discount comes with free upgrades so I end up getting it back as a bill credit.

No Apple stores within 2+ hours of me, and last I looked into it Apple charges $50 extra for unlocked phones with no carrier service. When pre-ordering online from Apple's website I am charged the upgrade fee as well, and I'm not sure if I would get it credited back if I bought it thru Apple, so I have always bought direct from Verizon.

Apple doesn't charge $50 extra for unlocked phones.
Maybe you're confusing them with Best Buy.

 

[corys00]

Yes, those re-sellers are horrible.
They're like slick used car salesman trying to rip you off and pressure you to get things that you dont want or need.
He needed to get approval to not sell you something that you dont want. Avoid at all costs.

http://bgr.com/2017/01/24/bill-cramming-t-mobile-employee-confessions/

This was happening in T-Mobile COR stores...

There's good 3rd party, there's good COR and there's bad 3rd party and bad COR...

 

[Applejuiced]

http://bgr.com/2017/01/24/bill-cramming-t-mobile-employee-confessions/

This was happening in T-Mobile COR stores...

There's good 3rd party, there's good COR and there's bad 3rd party and bad COR...

It happens with all carriers.
And it's unacceptable no matter who does it.
AT&T tried to pull the same with me years ago on iPhone release date. You had to buy a case, car charger or other accessory in order to get one of the limited amount of iPhones in stock sold to you.

 

[bopajuice]

It happens with all carriers.
And it's unacceptable no matter who does it.
AT&T tried to pull the same with me years ago on iPhone release date. You had to buy a case, car charger or other accessory in order to get one of the limited amount of iPhones in stock sold to you.

I just bought an iPhone 7 plus through AT&T's website. Had the choice to go with their next plan, two year contract, or pay full price. No up sales, not extras. I could have added a warranty, etc, but it was all optional. Phone came in the mail two days later. Activated it through a website and was off and running.

Things went so smoothly I just did the same again with an iPad with cellular service. No issues no up sales.

 

[Applejuiced]

I just bought an iPhone 7 plus through AT&T's website. Had the choice to go with their next plan, two year contract, or pay full price. No up sales, not extras. I could have added a warranty, etc, but it was all optional. Phone came in the mail two days later. Activated it through a website and was off and running.

Things went so smoothly I just did the same again with an iPad with cellular service. No issues no up sales.

You did it online. Obviously no salespeople will pressure you to buy more. I enjoy online shopping also but sometimes you get stuck dealing with humans
Unless you're trying to say stories like the above the op posted do not happen in real life?

 

[bopajuice]

You did it online. Obviously no salespeople will pressure you to buy more. I enjoy online shopping also but sometimes you get stuck dealing with humans
Unless you're trying to say stories like the above the op posted do not happen in real life?

What I was alluding to was that in my experience, carriers like AT&T DO sell phones at full pop. Since he was out of contract on six lines I offered an alternative option by sharing my experience. I am sure things like what he experienced happen every day no doubt.

 

[44267547]

I've had a horrific time at a Verizon reseller. I avoid Verizon like the plague now. Yes, not ALL stores are bad, but man... my wife and I were insulted to our face because we refused to buy device protection insurance. The rep slammed down her tablet after saying how stupid we were to not get insurance and said she'd have to get manager approval to sell me a phone without device protection. I complained to another rep in the store saying how we were incredibly offended - he proceeded to laugh loudly, laughing louder as we walked out of the store.

Granted, we went to another Verizon store and had an AMAZING experience but I wonder how many other people have this experience?

I either buy my phones online or go to Apple (1 hour drive away) - I will never go to another Verizon store again.

That definitely is an extreme situation where a representative would treat you and your wife like that. And then you go to another store and have a positive experience. I'm assuming you filed a complaint?

I can say I've had pretty good experiences with Verizon and their customer service has never been anything negative towards Me . The issue I have with Verizon is their call in customer service representatives are not trained the way they should be, mainly Being they provide inaccurate information or inconsistent information given from one representative to another.

 

[ABC5S]

I've had a horrific time at a Verizon reseller. I avoid Verizon like the plague now. Yes, not ALL stores are bad, but man... my wife and I were insulted to our face because we refused to buy device protection insurance. The rep slammed down her tablet after saying how stupid we were to not get insurance and said she'd have to get manager approval to sell me a phone without device protection. I complained to another rep in the store saying how we were incredibly offended - he proceeded to laugh loudly, laughing louder as we walked out of the store.

Granted, we went to another Verizon store and had an AMAZING experience but I wonder how many other people have this experience?

I either buy my phones online or go to Apple (1 hour drive away) - I will never go to another Verizon store again.

As you said not all Verizon stores are this way. I've had three purchases of iPhone from a Verizon store in the last two years and never once have I been pushed to buy something. Very polite and courteous reps.

 

[C DM]

As you said not all Verizon stores are this way. I've had three purchases of iPhone from a Verizon store in the last two years and never once have I been pushed to buy something. Very polite and courteous reps.

A large part of it is also in the reseller vs corporate store aspect of it all as well.

 

[uwdude]

I never go into a reseller store for any carrier. Never ever. Only corporate stores if you must talk to a real person. I just purchased an iPhone 7 plus online, without insurance, picked the pickup in store option, walked into a corporate store, they handed me a shopping bag and I signed their electronic device and walked out. No selling whatsoever.

 

[BigMcGuire]

That definitely is an extreme situation where a representative would treat you and your wife like that. And then you go to another store and have a positive experience. I'm assuming you filed a complaint?

Yeah, we did. Had the district manager? apologize to us and made the sales person apologize in a text. The other Verizon store (Santa Clarita, CA) was absolutely amazing. The manager was happy, the sales people were happy, they didn't pressure to sell. Too bad Santa Clarita is 1.5 hours away from where I live now, lol.

But yeah, not all stores are like this.

I bought a Pixel online via Verizon Wireless' website. Was in and out in 5 minutes. Amazing experience. How it should be.

 

[wilson68944]

I have Verizon and just bought a phone online. Activating the phone and everything was a breeze but the problem came in when I found out the JUST did away with contract subsidies as of 1/5/17. I missed it by a week. Instead of getting my iPhone 7+ for $350 I had to pay $770.

 

[thekb]

Agreed. It could be an unnecessary inconvenience, but I fail to see reason for all of the shock/outrage in this thread if all devices can simply be immediately paid off anyway.

Some people like to pay using a credit card to get the free extended warranty protection.

 

[FireRx]

I know the OP said he was paying full price, but was he really paying full price? I know that Verizon has some deals right now where you get $100 or $200 off the full retail price, and you have to sign up for financing to get that deal. This is because they don't give you that $200 discount all at once, they give you that discount spread across the terms of the financing contract. So if you get the $200 discount over a 24 month finance they give you a $8.33 credit every month for 24 months. If you pay off the device early you lose that $8.33 credit for each remaining month.

Or if he really was trying to pay the full $650 or more depending on which phone, then they might just be jerks. I've never had them refuse to let me pay full price on the last 4 or 5 phones I've bought that way. They do still try to charge the upgrade fee, but luckily my wife's employer discount comes with free upgrades so I end up getting it back as a bill credit.

No Apple stores within 2+ hours of me, and last I looked into it Apple charges $50 extra for unlocked phones with no carrier service. When pre-ordering online from Apple's website I am charged the upgrade fee as well, and I'm not sure if I would get it credited back if I bought it thru Apple, so I have always bought direct from Verizon.

I'm with the OP on this one, and is the only reason I haven't upgraded my 6+ yet. I refuse to finance.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Verizon customer service is also based in the US. So I support a company putting Americans to work.

I've had all the carriers and all of them have US based customer service. Doesn't mean they still don't suck *cough T-Mobile! Confirm Order Failed, spent ages on the phone--8 hours during the iPhone 7 launch and still after 4 days couldn't get a phone. Was NOT happy despite being US based.

Now what I realize though is that if you call after hours it does ring India, its back to US based around say 7AM with TMUS. I'd rather have that option and it's the best of both worlds- rather than have them be closed and you can't get help at all.

 

[gurase]

I know the OP said he was paying full price, but was he really paying full price? I know that Verizon has some deals right now where you get $100 or $200 off the full retail price, and you have to sign up for financing to get that deal. This is because they don't give you that $200 discount all at once, they give you that discount spread across the terms of the financing contract. So if you get the $200 discount over a 24 month finance they give you a $8.33 credit every month for 24 months. If you pay off the device early you lose that $8.33 credit for each remaining month.

Or if he really was trying to pay the full $650 or more depending on which phone, then they might just be jerks. I've never had them refuse to let me pay full price on the last 4 or 5 phones I've bought that way. They do still try to charge the upgrade fee, but luckily my wife's employer discount comes with free upgrades so I end up getting it back as a bill credit.

No Apple stores within 2+ hours of me, and last I looked into it Apple charges $50 extra for unlocked phones with no carrier service. When pre-ordering online from Apple's website I am charged the upgrade fee as well, and I'm not sure if I would get it credited back if I bought it thru Apple, so I have always bought direct from Verizon.

Apple has never charged extra for unlocked phones. No upgrade fee either if you buy the sim free model and swap sims from your old phone.