Carrier Verizon SCAM Stores Bay Area

[MadeByApple]

The Verizon stores in the SF Bay Area have iPhone X max in stock, but are saying these phone HAVE to be sold with a bundle.

Dumbest lie ever. The reps are saying apple has packaged these phones to be sold as bundles only.

After hearing several stores tell me different variations of the above story. One manager finally “waived” the bundle and sold me the iPhone X Max. He explained the Max is in high demand.

To offer a bundle is one thing, but to lie to customers and say they HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BUNDLE is a complete lie.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I would think the stores could set what ever rules for purchase they want.

I think AT&T did this long ago but have not heard of it lately.

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

The Verizon stores in the SF Bay Area have iPhone X max in stock, but are saying these phone HAVE to be sold with a bundle.

Dumbest lie ever. The reps are saying apple has packed these phones to be sold as bundles only.

After hearing several stores tell me different variations of the above story. One manager finally “waived” the bundle and sold me the iPhone X Max. He explained the Max is in high demand.

To offer a bundle is one thing, but to lie to customers and say they HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BUNDLE is a complete lie.

When i worked to At&t we had to bundle our phones with case and a car charger. Or we could not sell it. That was a long time ago. When we received enough complaints i think they were forced to tell them the case and car charger was optional and not required. But for a while there, we were not allowed to sell a phone. Unless it was bundled with something.

 

[MadeByApple]

I am sensing a similar trend here in the Bay Area. Most of the Verizon stores are ran by a company called Victra.

I hope enough people realize this scam and put a stop to it. Sounds like a class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

Unless I’m completely wrong and Apple is allowing this. Seems unlikely since the bundle includes cheap products found on amazon for a few bucks.

 

[bradley8795]

The problem is that when you are purchasing through a third party they can legally put any restrictions on it that they want. And if you don't like it then tough. Sucks but that is how it goes. Best way to put a stop to it is not to purchase from them.

 

[C DM]

The Verizon stores in the SF Bay Area have iPhone X max in stock, but are saying these phone HAVE to be sold with a bundle.

Dumbest lie ever. The reps are saying apple has packaged these phones to be sold as bundles only.

After hearing several stores tell me different variations of the above story. One manager finally “waived” the bundle and sold me the iPhone X Max. He explained the Max is in high demand.

To offer a bundle is one thing, but to lie to customers and say they HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BUNDLE is a complete lie.

We are talking about the XS and not the X, right?

What's exactly bundled?

And are we talking about official Verizon corporate stores, or third-party authorized reseller stores?

 

[MadeByApple]

The problem is that when you are purchasing through a third party they can legally put any restrictions on it that they want. And if you don't like it then tough. Sucks but that is how it goes. Best way to put a stop to it is not to purchase from them.

Sure, but the fact that reps are saying APPLE made this bundle arrangement seems very wrong. Customers are given wrong information and making buying decisions because of it.

This issue might not be a VERIZON problem but maybe just Victra which runs majority of the stores in this area.

Turns out I bought a phone from non-Victra store in San Jose.
[doublepost=1537981954][/doublepost]

We are talking about the XS and not the X, right?

What's exactly bundled?

And are we talking about official Verizon corporate stores, or third-party authorized reseller stores?

Yes only iPhone XS.
They are selling a $60 package that has a cheap case and screen protector. Pretty much forcing the up-sale onto customers.

One time I asked if I could return the bundle after purchasing and the rep said no that is not allowed under return policy. I asked why and if I could see the policy— he hung up on me after.

 

[Azzin]

Retailers were doing the same here in the UK right after the XBOX 360 launch.

Game (UK high street retailer) were only selling a 360 with a bundle of 7 or 8 games.

The staff and “managers” thought they were ever so clever when they were ringing mine through the till.

Right up to the point that I pulled out a printout of their returns policy and returned all of the bundled games that is!

 

[C DM]

Sure, but the fact that reps are saying APPLE made this bundle arrangement seems very wrong. Customers are given wrong information and making buying decisions because of it.

This issue might not be a VERIZON problem but maybe just Victra which runs majority of the stores in this area.

Turns out I bought a phone from non-Victra store in San Jose.
[doublepost=1537981954][/doublepost]


They are selling a $60 package that has a cheap case and screen protector. Pretty much forcing the up-sale onto customers.

One time I asked if I could return the bundle after purchasing and the rep said no that is not allowed under return policy. I asked why and if I could see the policy— he hung up on me after.

So are these actual corporate Verizon stores, or just third-party authorized reseller stores (which is what it all sounds like, and wouldn't really be something new)?

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Its a 3rd party store. When I was with Verizon, I made the mistake of walking into one of those. I was signing up 4 lines of service, all brand new 7 Pluses (Then current iPhone). They wanted me to shell out all of the taxes up front, $30 "setup fee" per line and I would still be billed activation fees from Verizon. I called the guy out on the setup fees. He said they would setup my phones and transfer all of the information over to them...etc. I said I don't need that. I know how to do it and I wanted to do it at home. He said that "I had to do it".... "to prevent fraud." I told him to jump off a cliff and said you just lost a lot of commission over this BS! Went home, ordered it all online at Verizon's website... where I didn't have to pay taxes up front and no garbage setup fees. I even had customer service waive the activation fees as well.

 

[Plett]

I clearly don't have any idea how other carriers handle this, but I will say Verizon does not seen to care if their resellers identify themselves as resellers either by signage or up front in the store. I figured it out long ago (Similar story as this), but still hear these stories all the time. Makes me cringe really. Reselling is one thing, making people think they are dealing directly with Verizon is rubbish.

 

[C DM]

Its a 3rd party store. When I was with Verizon, I made the mistake of walking into one of those. I was signing up 4 lines of service, all brand new 7 Pluses (Then current iPhone). They wanted me to shell out all of the taxes up front, $30 "setup fee" per line and I would still be billed activation fees from Verizon. I called the guy out on the setup fees. He said they would setup my phones and transfer all of the information over to them...etc. I said I don't need that. I know how to do it and I wanted to do it at home. He said that "I had to do it".... "to prevent fraud." I told him to jump off a cliff and said you just lost a lot of commission over this BS! Went home, ordered it all online at Verizon's website... where I didn't have to pay taxes up front and no garbage setup fees. I even had customer service waive the activation fees as well.

The tax part really depends on the state you are in more than anything else.

 

[myfoneisdank]

gamestop does this all the time with video game consoles. it's sketchy and petty but not illegal.

 

[nburwell]

When i worked to At&t we had to bundle our phones with case and a car charger. Or we could not sell it. That was a long time ago. When we received enough complaints i think they were forced to tell them the case and car charger was optional and not required. But for a while there, we were not allowed to sell a phone. Unless it was bundled with something.

I'm curious if someone sold just a phone (sans bundle), would they be terminated?

This is why I refuse to step foot in any cell carrier authorized retail store. I much prefer to order my phone's directly from Apple or T-Mobile web site.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

The tax part really depends on the state you are in more than anything else.

While I know taxes are state dependent... In my (Arizona) experience, Verizon does not charge taxes up front on a payment plan... if you buy through Verizon.com. The taxes are broken down into the monthly payments.

 

[C DM]

While I know taxes are state dependent... In my (Arizona) experience, Verizon does not charge taxes up front on a payment plan... if you buy through Verizon.com. The taxes are broken down into the monthly payments.

Interesting, it hasn't been like that in California.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Interesting, it hasn't been like that in California.

Well... my experience was also in late 2016 too. Could have changed at this point.

 

[blwade]

While I know taxes are state dependent... In my (Arizona) experience, Verizon does not charge taxes up front on a payment plan... if you buy through Verizon.com. The taxes are broken down into the monthly payments.

Really?? I originally ordered my XS Max through Apple (with the Verizon payment plan) and decided to take advantage of the buy one get one at Verizon... in both cases I had to pay tax up front...

 

[lsutigerfan1976]

I'm curious if someone sold just a phone (sans bundle), would they be terminated?

This is why I refuse to step foot in any cell carrier authorized retail store. I much prefer to order my phone's directly from Apple or T-Mobile web site.

At the time when I worked for them. You had to sell the phone with a case or car charger. You could substitute a Bluetooth headset. But they couldn’t leave without accessories. Or they couldn’t get the phone. Period.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I would never buy a cell phone from a 3rd party store. Might as well buy from a Mall Kiosk, at least they give you a bag of incense!

Buy from a company store or Apple is even better!

 

[Waterman316]

Last year, I bought my fiancé’s X the day after launch day. We set out to hunt one down. Found one at a store 20 minutes away. When we got there someone already bought it. So we found another one 25 minutes away from there. So we went to get it. They had it out of the box, and were getting ready to activate it when they asked what case we wanted. Told them we were going to get the case elsewhere, since they didn’t have one we wanted. They replied with well it comes with a case which lead to us questioning why it did. They then told us that there was an additional $200 membership that we had to buy in order to buy the phone. I asked to buy the phone without it and they refused, said they couldn’t. I politely told them to go f theirselves and that I’m not going to get ripped off, and left. The stores name was go wireless. Made a complaint with the head of the company, especially since they never told us over the phone that we had to buy the stupid membership. They ended up giving me a $25 gift card for my troubles.

Oh and we found the phone, 35 minutes further yet from there, at a target store, that was more than polite and helpful throughout the whole thing.

 

[MadeByApple]

Last year, I bought my fiancé’s X the day after launch day. We set out to hunt one down. Found one at a store 20 minutes away. When we got there someone already bought it. So we found another one 25 minutes away from there. So we went to get it. They had it out of the box, and were getting ready to activate it when they asked what case we wanted. Told them we were going to get the case elsewhere, since they didn’t have one we wanted. They replied with well it comes with a case which lead to us questioning why it did. They then told us that there was an additional $200 membership that we had to buy in order to buy the phone. I asked to buy the phone without it and they refused, said they couldn’t. I politely told them to go f theirselves and that I’m not going to get ripped off, and left. The stores name was go wireless. Made a complaint with the head of the company, especially since they never told us over the phone that we had to buy the stupid membership. They ended up giving me a $25 gift card for my troubles.

Oh and we found the phone, 35 minutes further yet from there, at a target store, that was more than polite and helpful throughout the whole thing.

Glad you caught on! Sadly, many people fall victim to the trap and believe the only way to get the phone is with these bundles or membership. Man, I just hope enough people voice their complaint to help put a stop to this.

 

[Waterman316]

Glad you caught on! Sadly, many people fall victim to the trap and believe the only way to get the phone is with these bundles or membership. Man, I just hope enough people voice their complaint to help put a stop to this.

I’ll never forget the look on the guy and girls face. They clearly took me for an idiot and didn’t think I’d tell them to shove it. It was priceless. When they first told me I had to buy a $200 membership I literally busted out laughing.

 

[C DM]

Glad you caught on! Sadly, many people fall victim to the trap and believe the only way to get the phone is with these bundles or membership. Man, I just hope enough people voice their complaint to help put a stop to this.

These kinds of bundling things have been more or less the norm, or at least far from unheard of, when it comes to third party resellers for years and years now, even before smartphones, let alone iPhone, were around.

 

[Appurushido]

The Verizon stores in the SF Bay Area have iPhone X max in stock, but are saying these phone HAVE to be sold with a bundle.

Dumbest lie ever. The reps are saying apple has packaged these phones to be sold as bundles only.

After hearing several stores tell me different variations of the above story. One manager finally “waived” the bundle and sold me the iPhone X Max. He explained the Max is in high demand.

To offer a bundle is one thing, but to lie to customers and say they HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BUNDLE is a complete lie.

Why bother buying at a carrier store in the first place? Just go directly to an Apple Store and buy it there. Since the Xs/Xs MAX came out (minus launch day) they have been available daily. Easy as pie and don't have to worry about any carrier restricted rules. Don't stress yourself over this. Life can be much easier.