| Author |
Message |
MailMan
Posts: 4 |
 
Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:24 pm |
Well, my rant has to do with Verizon's widely touted "New Every Two" program where you are told that if you enter into a new 2 year service agreement, you get a free phone upgrade (or a $100 credit).
I went into my local store about a month ago to check on my upgrade, and was told to come back this month. Went in, picked out my phone, was at the checkout counter, and the sales rep says that my wife's phone is the primary phone on our $59.99 a month account, so my family share plan (second line phone) doesn't qualify for the New For Two since it isn't on a separate plan of at least $34.99 a month. WHAAAAATTT????
No where, but no where did their in store or print ads tell you that if you are on a Family plan with the In calling that you don't get the free phone upgrades on 2nd, 3rd, or 4th phones your family members might have.
This seems like classic bait and switch advertising to me.
Anybody have suggestions as to what I should do to get Verizon to honor their stated advertising?
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KittyChan
Posts: 233
Phone Model:
Moto Razr v3t
Service Provider:
T-Mobile |
Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:41 pm |
In order to qualify for the new every two, you have to have a month bill of aleast $34.99. I found this on the VZW page.
You must retain the same wireless handset for 24 months in order to receive the full advantages of this program. If you choose to replace your handset at a discounted price prior to completing 24 months of enrollment in the program, you will forfeit your benefits and be automatically reenrolled in the program. If you enrolled in the program on or after 11/25/02, you must take advantage of the New Every Two offer within six months of becoming eligible; otherwise, you may be charged full retail price to upgrade your current handset. Discount amount will be applied toward the two-year Customer Agreement retail price. Additional Family SharePlan® lines are not eligible to participate in the program. The amount of any available mail-in rebate may apply against and reduce the amount of the New Every Two credit.
Has far as getting VZW to honor the new every two, I don't know if there is anything you can do. Did anyone tell you that the additional lines were not eligible for this program when you signed up for the contract? Good luck. 
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MailMan
Posts: 4 |
Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:34 pm |
Have they changed their plan since it was first rolled out to deny eligibility to additional Family Share Plan members?
It defeats the purpose of a Family Share Plan if I have to have an entire separate plan of $34.99 or greater to get the "free" upgrade. You would think that the 2 year contract I signed and the 24 months I waited to conclude the contract would make me eligible for the New Every Two program, but it doesn't according to the local VZ store.
Small print or not in print. Definitely poor customer service image. Not the way to keep customers from changing services...
Bad, bad, bad.
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katsmeow
Posts: 1
Phone Model:
LG 6100
Service Provider:
Verizon Wireless |
Sun Aug 21, 2005 10:06 am |
[quote="MailMan"]Well, my rant has to do with Verizon's widely touted "New Every Two" program where you are told that if you enter into a new 2 year service agreement, you get a free phone upgrade (or a $100 credit).
You might consider pointing out that you paid two activation fees when you opened your family share account and you would have to pay two early termination fees if you cancelled during the contract. So in all ways beneficial to them, they treat the family share account as two lines. You have nearly $34.99 or whatever per line in monthly fees. I think it is reasonable of you to expect that they would allow you to get new every two. Keep calling the customer service line. You may be able to get someone to agree to do it, or to give you a credit on your bill to go toward buying a new phone. That often worked for me with Sprint. Good luck.
meow.
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JSS
Posts: 113
Phone Model:
LG VX8100
Service Provider:
Verizon |
Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:42 pm |
When looking on VerizonWireless.com, I just typed New Every Two in the search thing, got to an FAQ about it and got what KittyChan posted.
I don;t think you got a bait and switch or really, anything of the like. It is a special promotion. Understanding that you,when upgrading that line are already getting a discount. Say that you see a Mototola phone that you like for $149.99 after rebate with a two year contract. That phone likely has a full retail price of between $279.99 and $349.99. Without the NE2, that phone is already discounted around $130 to $200. You already get a discount when signing the 2 year contract.
The NE2 is a bonus above that. It is not something that you are being denied of. It is the opposite, you are getting additional funding for any line that has a certain value ($34.99). The terms of the NE2 are available in any number of places. Certainly it is not a billboard on the wall when you walk into the store. Any salesperson would answer that question as soon as you ask.
This is not amterially different than any onterh terms and conditions of of any promotion comparable to other industries and these are available but, as with other industries, may be in the form of a document when you ask.
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MailMan
Posts: 4 |
Mon Aug 22, 2005 12:09 am |
I guess my frustration comes from the fact that regardless of whether I paid full price or a discounted price at the time I bought the second phone, I signed up for a 2 year committment, and the salesman at the time told me that I would get a new phone every two years.
Nothing was said to me that the new phone offer was only on the primary line. Family share members don't qualify.
It may be on their website, but it sure wasn't explained to me or my wife, and if I had a tape recorder running two years ago, I'm fairly confident I would have had his assurance that I was setting myself up to be a log term customer with regular upgrades every two years.
I'm certainly paying better than $70 a month with my existing service, which is more than twice the $34.95 plan minimum to qualify for tne New For Two program. Fairness doesn't seem to enter into their considerations though... This is the kind of stuff that makes people question the company's sincerity.
MailMan
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rensack
Posts: 67
Phone Model:
Nokia's all they way except for 1.
Service Provider:
T-mobile |
Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:58 am |
| MailMan wrote: | I guess my frustration comes from the fact that regardless of whether I paid full price or a discounted price at the time I bought the second phone, I signed up for a 2 year committment, and the salesman at the time told me that I would get a new phone every two years.
Nothing was said to me that the new phone offer was only on the primary line.
Family share members don't qualify.
It may be on their website, but it sure wasn't explained to me or my wife, and if I had a tape recorder running two years ago, I'm fairly confident I would have had his assurance that I was setting myself up to be a log term customer with regular upgrades every two years.
I'm certainly paying better than $70 a month with my existing service, which is more than twice the $34.95 plan minimum to qualify for tne New For Two program. Fairness doesn't seem to enter into their considerations though... This is the kind of stuff that makes people question the company's sincerity.
MailMan |
i say drop the cell phone company and switch to a different one. i've been a verizon customer before and now im happy with T-mobile.I get 1000 mins nites and weekend like veryone else.the best part is i got 5 (for less than $110 including tax) lines and if i use more than 800 mins per month i dont get charge extra cause i never when up my plan of 1000 mins(where talking about just one line) Now in Verizon there family plan 1000 mins means 200 mins per line.If i gone up more than 200 mins. I half to sell my house or get a 2nd mortgage just to pay it. Been with T-mobile for 5yrs and counting. When it comes to the phone they will give you a free phone every year in all 5 line every year.(with 1yr contract) Each phone has a one year warranty with no extra charge.plus,i can switch the simcard to a different phone and keep all of numbers.Verizon phones i have to go the store and get them to do it.plus pay an additional fee.Hell no!!!
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Bass_Master
Posts: 20
Phone Model:
Motorola V265
Service Provider:
Verizon |
Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:10 pm |
This is good to know.
I thought it covered both my phone and my wife's. We just started a new plan - $69 for 700 shared minutes - but they bill it as $60 for the one phone and $9.99 for the second.
So, in two years, we'll be able to get one new phone for free I guess. That blows. Seems to me we're paying $35 each ...
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Bass_Master
Posts: 20
Phone Model:
Motorola V265
Service Provider:
Verizon |
Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:15 pm |
Sorry to DP, but I still think this is odd.
With all the promotions on phones they have for new plans, seems I might be better off just signing up for a new plan in two years rather than taking "advantage" of the new every 2 deal.
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Bass_Master
Posts: 20
Phone Model:
Motorola V265
Service Provider:
Verizon |
Mon Aug 22, 2005 2:18 pm |
| katsmeow wrote: | | ... You might consider pointing out that you paid two activation fees when you opened your family share account and you would have to pay two early termination fees if you cancelled during the contract. So in all ways beneficial to them, they treat the family share account as two lines. ... |
Yeah .. those are good points. Paying the activation fee and having to worry abou the early termination for both should count toward the new every two as well.
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