Verizon Employee Line & iPhone 4 "10 Month Wait" rumors.

[Kblakeshot]

My co-worker's brother works for verizon and he just confirmed it. They had a meeting a little while ago and the store manager and he told them they would not be allowed to purchase the phone and gave them the same threat handed down from corporate.... anyone activating one on their account will lose employee pricing. however he was not given a time frame, so your sister may have been pulling your leg or exagerating on the 10 month part.

THANK YOU! Someone smart enough to read the question and give POSITIVE feedback or an answer. To everyone else, of course if I can't get one for 10 months I will get my own plan... but if I was saving 50% off my plan why not try to do it that way.

i.e. "I'm leeching of my sister's account and I'm upset if I can't leech an iPhone at release off it too!!!"

If you want to live on the bleeding edge, expect to get a few cuts on the way. The company's in it for its own benefit, not yours. Undoubtably the phone will be in short supply at launch. Who does it benefit the most off of? A regular user at full price or you (who doesn't even work at their company) at a fraction of that?

I'm guessing not at release, but some time after (I'm doubtful it's 10 months though, that's pretty long). But it depends on how large the demand is.

My yearly cost $636

To you that say im "leeching" if you have the same plan I do its probably $1200 or higher

So YOU may be bitter about the above price comparisons.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Which is stupid... because if Customer A walks in the store and all the Verizon employees have Droids, Customer A is going to say why do you have a Droid? Well if you work here & have a Droid, I want a Droid. Obviously not every Customer will say this, but I know there are tons of Customers that work this way.

Might be what they want though?

And here is a big question for you. Why does Verizon care what phone you buy on their network?

Answer to that question is THEY DON'T. They do not make any money off the phones they sell. They make the money off the contract so everything is based on that. Smart phone is a smart phone to them in terms of money.

So they have no issue banning employees from buying the iPhone to make sure the demand for the customer is covered first. Customers come before employees.

 

[Hype2k2]

Probably not. I know some people who work at AT&T and they have the same policy when new iPhones come out. I think they were finally allowed to buy the iPhone 4 back in October or November.

Are you sure? A buddy of mine that works at the ATT store here had one on day one. Along with a few CSRs the next week after launch telling me their personal favorite cases/screens for their personal phone.

 

[yg17]

Are you sure? A buddy of mine that works at the ATT store here had one on day one. Along with a few CSRs the next week after launch telling me their personal favorite cases/screens for their personal phone.

Positive, although it wasn't enforced that well, it was more of a request than a policy. And customer facing employees may have had a different policy. The people I know where in IT.

 

[brando123b]

A close friend who works in a Verizon retail store told me they are unable to purchase the phone until customer demand substantially dies down.

He's guessing that could take as long as 6 months. It's a great time not to work for Verizon

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

Another reason for why Verizon sucks

 

[GoCubsGo]

Another reason for why Verizon sucks

Don't reward one inane thought with another, please.

This kid needs to buck up and wait for the phone while he enjoys his leech-count or get a new account and a phone day one.

 

[Primejimbo]

Another reason for why Verizon sucks

Makes no sense at all

 

[maflynn]

Which is stupid... because if Customer A walks in the store and all the Verizon employees have Droids,

So you buy your phones based on what the salesman is using

Most consumers typically buy what they want or need, in fact I doubt many of them even ask what phone the salesman (saleswoman) have.

I think you're more upset that you cannot get one because your family member is allowed to buy one yet. If you really want an iPhone buy one and pay the price like the rest of us

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

Makes no sense at all

I meant Verizon sucks for making their own employees wait that long for them to purchase the glorious iPhone 4 on their own network.

 

[Primejimbo]

I meant Verizon sucks for making their own employees wait that long for them to purchase the glorious iPhone 4 on their own network.

Don't you think paying customers should get it 1st? It's like that at most places, when I worked for Comcast and the DVR 1st came out only paying customers got it 1st before employees

 

[NKT]

Don't you think paying customers should get it 1st? It's like that at most places, when I worked for Comcast and the DVR 1st came out only paying customers got it 1st before employees

Employees pay for it just like customers. It's just a discounted price.

With that said, this isn't the first device to be witheld from employees.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I meant Verizon sucks for making their own employees wait that long for them to purchase the glorious iPhone 4 on their own network.

How does this make them bad? They're thinking about paying customers (full price) first, shocker.

 

[Primejimbo]

Employees pay for it just like customers. It's just a discounted price.

With that said, this isn't the first device to be witheld from employees.

Ok, customers who pay full price and customers who pay the employees paychecks. As with the DVR, as an employee I still had to pay for it.
Verizon probably does this because they know employees will set up deals with friends.

 

[NKT]

Ok, customers who pay full price and customers who pay the employees paychecks. As with the DVR, as an employee I still had to pay for it.
Verizon probably does this because they know employees will set up deals with friends.

It's more likely done to try and minimize stock issues. I realize there may not be that many, but it's something they can control...

 

[Kblakeshot]

Don't reward one inane thought with another, please.

This kid needs to buck up and wait for the phone while he enjoys his leech-count or get a new account and a phone day one.

Look people, first off im no "kid", ok. I came on the site because I had just found out and was frustrated. I had been holding my upgrade since May, do the math and yes... by the time I get the iPhone I would have been eligible for another upgrade at that point had I used my upgrade in May. (10 months). I am more than likely going to get my own line at this point though.

But with that said I dont see why all the hate like I cant afford my own line. Im sure most of you commenting would like to save 50% on your current cell bill? Exactly, and just because I am on a FAMILY Line means im a kid? I work for HTC and believe me, Family Lines are VERY common to people of all ages and obviously are for family's to share a plan. If I said I was on my buddies employee line, thats leeching.

Bottom line is no one was trying to get anything "free", I would have still had to pay my $199/$299 just like the rest of you. Its only my plan that is discounted, which I will pay the same amount with or without an iPhone.

And as for all the people saying "Oh, how stupid is it to go in and ask what phone the sales rep has?" Again, do some homework. Its VERY common. Yes most of us here are tech savvy and know our phones, but a lot of people get help from the reps. Go stand in a Verizon and browse phones while listening to customers. You know there is a such thing as ordering your phone online... but again some people want help or suggestions so they go into a local store.

People love flame on forums... probably the same people that started the "There will never be a Verizon iPhone" threads 6 months ago... Do homework.

 

[pvmacguy]

As an employee on the agent side of Verizon I will confirm that this is true. We also aren't allowed to activate any 4G device on our employee lines either until further notice. Total crap.

Also OP if I remember correctly since we get more 50% or more off the price of the plans we aren't eligable for any equipment pricing discounts thus we have to buy at retail price or in my case buy from our master dealer at our cost.

 

[Kblakeshot]

As an employee on the agent side of Verizon I will confirm that this is true. We also aren't allowed to activate any 4G device on our employee lines either until further notice. Total crap.

Also OP if I remember correctly since we get more 50% or more off the price of the plans we aren't eligable for any equipment pricing discounts thus we have to buy at retail price or in my case buy from our master dealer at our cost.

Actually, as far as the family on my account, we have always been able to get the discounted price. We never get the $100, $50, or now days $30 of the already lowest price, but we do get the usually $199 smarthphone pricing.

I definitely understand what people are saying in the customers are first and inventory needs to meet a certain level, but at the same time.. these are employees we are talking about. I would even feel better if at least my sister (the employee) got to get one. I mean they put in work and would have to spend earned money for the phone just like the customers.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Look people, first off im no "kid", ok. I came on the site because I had just found out and was frustrated. I had been holding my upgrade since May, do the math and yes... by the time I get the iPhone I would have been eligible for another upgrade at that point had I used my upgrade in May. (10 months). I am more than likely going to get my own line at this point though.

But with that said I dont see why all the hate like I cant afford my own line. Im sure most of you commenting would like to save 50% on your current cell bill? Exactly, and just because I am on a FAMILY Line means im a kid? I work for HTC and believe me, Family Lines are VERY common to people of all ages and obviously are for family's to share a plan. If I said I was on my buddies employee line, thats leeching.

Bottom line is no one was trying to get anything "free", I would have still had to pay my $199/$299 just like the rest of you. Its only my plan that is discounted, which I will pay the same amount with or without an iPhone.

And as for all the people saying "Oh, how stupid is it to go in and ask what phone the sales rep has?" Again, do some homework. Its VERY common. Yes most of us here are tech savvy and know our phones, but a lot of people get help from the reps. Go stand in a Verizon and browse phones while listening to customers. You know there is a such thing as ordering your phone online... but again some people want help or suggestions so they go into a local store.

People love flame on forums... probably the same people that started the "There will never be a Verizon iPhone" threads 6 months ago... Do homework.

You might want to go read my post eariler that point out why employee plans do not get the phone first.

I explained Verizon does not care what phone you buy. They make no money off the phone. Instead they make money off the plan. Employee plans make a lot less money than non Employee plans. If you are limited on a phone a lot of customers are going to want you lock you Employees out from getting a discount plan on them. If they want one they have to give up their discount then they giving same amount of profit to Verizon as customers so the limited supply of phones does not hurt by not having an extra one to sell.

 

[jacollins]

But with that said I dont see why all the hate like I cant afford my own line. Im sure most of you commenting would like to save 50% on your current cell bill?

I've got no problem with you being on their employee plan. Good for you, you've got a good price. However, the impression you gave me was an overwhelming sense of entitlement PLUS the temper tantrum about possibly not getting the iPhone 4 immediately on release at the cheap price. VS the regular paying customers. Can't say on the others, but THAT's what turned me off on you. Thus the leeching comment and all. You act like a leech, you're going to get called on it. You're more humble and understanding, it's less likely.

 

[blackberrypilot]

That sucks that employees have to wait so long to get a newly released phone. It makes me glad I don't work for a cell carrier.

 

[iamgriselda]

-customers come first (meaning customers not receiving an employee discount on their account)
-shes exagerrating, it could be 2 weeks and it also could be 2 months. all you can do is wait or start a consumer account on your own
-a lot of customers ask what employees use


i personally cant wait to get the iphone on my personal line...i will be patient and wait. same thing happened with other phones at launch, its not the end of the world.

 

[jmo1116]

Yes, when I went into VZ to ask about the iPhone, the employee told me he couldn't get it for 10 months. Good thing I didn't decide to work at Verizon before the iPhone release.

 

[AuroraProject]

Probably not. I know some people who work at AT&T and they have the same policy when new iPhones come out. I think they were finally allowed to buy the iPhone 4 back in October or November.

This. I work for at&t in network operations, we had to wait.

 

[shelbymayer]

I also work for AT&T and can confirm we were "supposed" to wait...they never gave us a time frame (10 months seems a little long)...but I found a loophole (with my managers approval because there was no rule preventing spouses from buying the phone on a non employee line)...used my wifes upgrade on June 24th and never had a problem (although I do not have an employee line...they didn't allow iphones when I first started working here and I already had a personal account so I never switched over...i'm wondering if I would have been flagged if I actually had an employee line and added a IP4 to it)