Verizon to Initiate $30 Device Upgrade Fee on April 22

[joepunk]

Motherf@#$%&*

Oh wait a minute

While the upgrade fee is not unique to Verizon Wireless, most devices can be traded in with our green friendly trade-in program at verizonwireless.com/tradein as a way to save money or potentially offset the fee completely.

So if I understand this correctly, if a person wants to keep their old phone for whatever reason the will get charged the "upgrade" fee but if they turn in their old phone they might not have to pay some or all of the fee. Oh, and does this upgrade only require smart phones or all phones because I don't have a smart phone and don't see getting a smart phone for a long while?

 

[hexonxonx]

Motherf@#$%&*

Oh wait a minute



So if I understand this correctly, if a person wants to keep their old phone for whatever reason the will get charged the "upgrade" fee but if they turn in their old phone they might not have to pay some or all of the fee. Oh, and does this upgrade only require smart phones or all phones because I don't have a smart phone and don't see getting a smart phone for a long while?

The fee will be charged regardless of turning in the old phone. Turning in the old phone will give the owner credit which will compensate for the charge.

 

[dapetrun]

Post the CEO of VW's address and let's give 'em hell...

I have a suggestion:

(I'm knee deep in doing my taxes, only stopped here to take a break, or I would research this)...

Why doesn't someone post the name and address of Verizon Wireless's CEO and everyone could send him a nasty gram telling him where he can stick his $30 upgrade fee.

When I first came to VW 12 years ago, I took about an hour giving the sales rep my name, billing address, etc..., picking out just the right phones. The rep had programmed 3 cell phones and when we went over the various plans I asked for a monthly estimate of all fees and taxes that I would receive on my first bill. When he came to the $25 activation fees X 3 he had a difficult time explaining with any sound reasoning what that $75 was for. I asked that he waive the 3 activation fees or I would walk. I got about 3 steps away before he reluctantly caved!

 

[bigchief]

HOLD ON A MINUTE!!!

Americans pay to sign a new contract??? LOL

Not only have the worse data plans in the world and the worst pricing plans

You also have to PAY to sign up for 2 years? LOL

In the UK they pay ME £110 to take a new contract...

2000 minutes
5000 minutes network to network
5000 texts
Unlimited Data with no fair use or throttling
Free iPhone 4S
24 months
£35 a month = $45 per month without VAT

I guess that monopoly issue with the Bell Corp really didn't solve anything did it.

Yea, and you pay $10-$12 for gas to put in those golf carts you ride around in over there. A $36 dollar upgrade fee once every 2 year is baby **** compared to that. I will live here any day when we compare the cost of living in your country.

 

[AppLCII]

Maybe I'll switch carriers every 2 years.

This seems to be a viable option for cable/internet providers as well. Loyal customers get screwed.

 

[ewo1992]

F these phone companies!

 

[bad03xtreme]

F these phone companies!

It would be nice to get to be the pitcher instead of the catcher in this relationship for a change...

 

[nburwell]

When it's time for an upgrade, call and tell them to waive the fee. If they say no, tell them you want to port the number to a different carrier. I guarantee you they will waive all the fees.

This is what I will be doing. Or if the associate I'm talking to "can't" waive the fee, then I'll nicely ask for them to put someone on the line that will waive the fee. I'm going to remember this when it's time for me to upgrade in February '13.

 

[kdarling]

Hmm.

So basically, it simply means that the two year contract pricing on phones is going up $30, right?

A previously $70 upgrade is now $100, and so forth.

So I'll just wait a month after a new phone comes out, and it'll have the inevitable price drop of at least that much.

Biggest effect will be on those who can normally only afford free upgrades.

 

[phyzics101]

this sucks

 

[Nostromo]

HOLD ON A MINUTE!!!

Americans pay to sign a new contract??? LOL

Not only have the worse data plans in the world and the worst pricing plans

You also have to PAY to sign up for 2 years? LOL

In the UK they pay ME £110 to take a new contract...

2000 minutes
5000 minutes network to network
5000 texts
Unlimited Data with no fair use or throttling
Free iPhone 4S
24 months
£35 a month = $45 per month without VAT

I guess that monopoly issue with the Bell Corp really didn't solve anything did it.

Exactly.

Verizon's Bull$$$t fee just adds to overcharging the US customer.

Apple gets sued for eBook pricing - nobody ever takes a look at cell phone pricing. Cell phone companies have created a nice, little cartel with nobody stepping on the other's toes by giving customers good prices.

What fee will Verizon come up next to annoy its customers?

 

[twoodcc]

terrible. apple should make them stop this for people buying iPhones

 

[bad03xtreme]

Motherf@#$%&*

Oh wait a minute



So if I understand this correctly, if a person wants to keep their old phone for whatever reason the will get charged the "upgrade" fee but if they turn in their old phone they might not have to pay some or all of the fee. Oh, and does this upgrade only require smart phones or all phones because I don't have a smart phone and don't see getting a smart phone for a long while?

I just got an "appraisal" of my current phone for a trade in value to help offset the cost and big surprise...

Value= $0.00.

F you Verizon.

 

[jp6304]

This is the response I got from Verizon while buying a phone today...

You are now chatting with 'Ant'

Ant: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

You: Since when is there a 30 dollar fee to upgrade a phone?

Ant: I'd be happy to assist you.

Ant: That actually just began today. It is $30 and it is still one of the lowest upgrade fees between all of our competitors.

You: IS there any way that can be waived?

Ant: Unfortunately not. Are you already in the order process?

You: Yes

Ant: Fantastic, where are you at in the order?

You: I'm at the review order page.

Ant: Ok, you are almost done with the order and then you can forget about the upgrade fee for another 20 months!

Ant: Great job!

Ant: If you send me your confirmation number when you are finished I can make sure your order is processed properly for you!

You: Wow. No. Actually, based on that response, I'm going to cancel out now and give this transaction some more thought. Thanks.

 

[TechieGeek]

Can't this be argued as bait-n-switch? I mean, a lot of people signed up for contracts with the promise of the upgrade after a year, no?

I don't think so.

I think when you sign the contract, you're not getting the right to get a cheaper phone after two years. You're signing that you'll stay with the carrier for two years to "pay off" the subsidized phone you're getting at the time you sign the contract. At the end of your contract, you've "paid off" your phone and if you want you can get another discounted phone.