Ticked off with Verizon

[Bethers]

I got an email from a customer service person with Verizon. Instead of calling her like she asked, I clicked on some links to see what it is all about. They have changed their mobile data plans. Sounds good at the same 5g plan is now $50 instead of $59.99. I've always thought they were all ripping us off at the higher rate and still would be but .... Yes, I know I said they ticked me off. So I went into my account and attempted to take the new plan. Lo and behold I cannot. In order to take it I have to UPGRADE my current device - for a fee of $99 and a new 2 year service contract. Otherwise I have to continue to pay more monthly than new people will pay.

What in the world happened to taking care of your customers? They only care about getting new customers or getting us to sign longer contracts. I don't want a new contract as when my contract on my phone is up, I might completely change carriers again - or go with a smartphone and get rid of the aircard. Oh, they are devious.

I am going to call later and see if I can sweet talk them - as I truly think this is so unfair.

[Rufflesgurl]

Beth - About 2 yrs. ago my daughter went through something similar with Verizon. They were offering new customers better deals than long standing customers. Doesn't make sense to me. Anyway, she told Verizon to get lost and switched to an iPhone with AT&T and has been happier with them. I remember she was at least as ticked off as you are right now. They get us stuck with those 2 yr. contracts.

Good luck.
Linda

[Travelinana]

I really think all of them do this. AT&T does it and so does Dish Network. Recently I switched from AT&T (had been with them all my life through numerous name changes, etc) to Verizon. In doing this, I soon received a huge bill from AT&T..I called them and this was from about 5 years ago, when I suspended a wireless card because my contract wasn't up and they wouldn't let me cancel. Oh yes, I forgot 6 months later to end the contract so it's been running all this time without even a notice of any kind. I told the CSR where he could put this bill plus about 5 minutes of reminding him of my history with them, and letting them know they can forget ever getting me back I was told they will ruin my credit but I'm mad enough to stand my ground on this one. I hate the way they do business...it's called 'gotcha'

[Bethers]

Funny, I always got great customer service from AT&T - and they always matched prices if I got an offer less. I switched to Verizon because AT&T were all of a sudden calling some areas "roaming" on my data plan. They weren't yet charging for them, but couldn't tell me they wouldn't start charging. So I switched. When they offered anything to "new" people that was better than what I got, they always matched it. So far, Verizon didn't once before and now I'll see what happens this time. Yes, they all play the game - but I play back. This one just was worse - as if I click on data plans now, they don't even show my old one - just the new ones at a lower price - but they can't be selected without "upgrading". So they are telling me the data card I bought just over a year ago isn't good? When they wanted me to take a 2 year contract on it back then (I only took a one year and had to pay more for that privelege) and now they want more from me. Yep, it's all a scam. I wish the Sprint and other networks that have no contract would have better coverage - would switch to one in a heartbeat if it did or if I was most of you. I have to have coverage as often as possible - as I'm running a business that requires it.

[retiredhappy]

Got so tired of dealing with Verizon tht I switched to Cricket. My unlimited phone plan has unlimited texts and calls for $37.19 a month including taxes.

I also bought their aircard and pay $40 a month for a plan that is more than enough for me. If you need more airtime pick their $45 or more plans. Their coverage, so far, has been as good as Verizons and at the KOA just outside of Kerrville, I couldn't get Verizon at all but can get a good signal on Cricket. If you want to stop Cricket just don't pay the month's bill and they shut it off. When you want to start it up again, call or go online and for $15 reconnect fee, they start it up again. So far I've been really happy with Cricket except it is difficult when you have to call them but then so is Verizon. I'm really happy NOT to have any contracts and am saving about $35 a month. Check them out.

[bluepinecones]

Give us an update when you talk to them, Beth.
I have At&T and for most part have been happy with them. However when I got my hearing aids I needed to get a newer cell phone (one that was BlueTooth capable, if that tells you anything about how old it was) so it would work with the streamer device for hearing aids. Local AT&T office said I could not upgrade phone and keep plan I have as it was no longer available. I called AT&T customer service and was told no problem upgrading and keep old plan.
Birdie - I had no service at Blue Cypress either; the gals with Verizon did.

[GlennaRae]

That sort of stuff irks me as well. Also you might want to check if you use cable. We have a plan that includes internet, phone and cable. Bill is almost $180.00 per month. I was thinking about dropping one DVR box and was told they could sign me up for another year for $20.00 less a month with same service. After a year just come in and renew the plan or see what other special they are offering. I suppose I should be happy saving $240.00 a year but I am thinking how many years I have overpaid $240.00

[ilovecamping]

We have AT&T and have for lots of years. In about Feb it was time for us to renew and we chose to go with smartphones. I only chose this so I could tether to my laptop when camping. Since the weather was getting nice I looked into cost of getting the higher data plan to tether and found my smartphone isn't capable of tethering. I am very upset but can't get anyone to do anything about it. The girl at the local AT&T store told me it would but they say they can't do much about it except put a mark on her record or something like that. My husband has already went back to his old phone. Just be careful when you buy a new phone or whatever to check with their customer service and not listen to the people in the stores.

[Bethers]

We have AT&T and have for lots of years. In about Feb it was time for us to renew and we chose to go with smartphones. I only chose this so I could tether to my laptop when camping. Since the weather was getting nice I looked into cost of getting the higher data plan to tether and found my smartphone isn't capable of tethering. I am very upset but can't get anyone to do anything about it. The girl at the local AT&T store told me it would but they say they can't do much about it except put a mark on her record or something like that. My husband has already went back to his old phone. Just be careful when you buy a new phone or whatever to check with their customer service and not listen to the people in the stores.

If you have data on the phone and can connect the phone to the internet - chances are you CAN tether - they just don't want you to. What kind of smartphone do you have? You might be able to figure it out

Part of the reason Verizon is doing what they are doing - is they will no longer have "unlimited" data on the new packages people buy for data on their smartphones. They have caught on everyone is tethering - so those already doing so with the "unlimited" aren't going to want to change anything. The rest of us won't be able to tether and have the same data allowance as the air cards allow - or so it appeared to me. They are trying to get rid of loopholes and it looks like they are lowering prices but in the long run, they'll make more money.

[AlmostThere]

You can go on YouTube and find out how to tether the phones that the manufacturers say won't tether, but they will warn you that it does negate your warranty etc so beware.

[sunshinecruiserTN]

I changed to the cheaper plan while I was in FL but did it over the phone. Got a 4g aircard that backs up to 3g if no 4g service. It was time for me to upgrade for free so I did. I've been pleased with my change. I've been w/Verizon since I first began using cell/aircard service. All of my family is Verizon so it would be costly for me to change carriers.