Beginning to dislike Verizon

[bonoriffic]

For those of you who feel cheated into paying $10 for internet, perhaps you would also like to pay the true cost of the phone as well? I work for a company that makes among other things cell phones. We get the phones for cost, that is if anyone would ever want to do that. The true cost of these phones are close to $200, but frequently given away for free or under $50.

The Droid for example is $50 this week at Best Buy for Verizon and the Droid Eris is free. Without a contract the Droid costs $599. I saw someone complain that the phones without internet only had a 1.3 MP camera. The shame you must feel that your phone isn't a good camera. And you have to use a keypad instead of a touch screen... how can you sleep at night.

A 3G phone also doesn't always require the $10 internet plan. It is quite clearly marked on their website as optional for many 3G capable phones.

 

[tiredsigh]

Look at Page Plus cellular!

Do a search on customers who like it and all the ins and outs. I am not technologically patient If I can't figure it out pretty quickly, I don't want to deal with it. I went to howard forums to learn about it. That forum does not sell anything but it is a message board about cell phones and plans.

I switched because I was on an old TMobile plan and couldn't add another line to it. So I started doing my research. I don't need a data plan for my personal cell since I have a work blackberry already.

I do the $29.95 per phone a month plan. No tax. No fees. Nothing. While it is prepaid, you can set up automatic drafts from your account so it is as easy as my postpaid.

It runs on the Verizon network. Great coverage. The only limitations are the phones. You must use a verizon enabled phone. It can be one that is meant for prepaid or you can use a verizon phone from the store that is for a postpaid account. No discount on phones, but I don't care. The savings are substantial.

$29.95 plan is for 1200 anytime minutes and 1200 texts a month.

$39.95 is for unlimited talk and texts.

Since you do it by phone, you can have the smaller plan for people who use less and the higher plan for those who use more.

They might even have local stores for you to visit.

Not having taxes and extra fees is also huge

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

We currently have data blocked on all of our phones because Verizon kept charging us $1.99 in data charges every month - even though we never used it. I had a big fight with them about it. They claimed I "mistakenly" went to get it now and downloaded a free mobile IM app at 7 am. I told them my phone isn't even on at 7 am. Next March all of our phones will be up for renewal and we are running to AT&T for iphones.

This kept happening to me also...I have it blocked and haven't had any problems since.

 

[Coach81]

We pay about $250.00 per month for our two Iphones (plus home phone service).. that is ridiculous.. but I love my IPHONE!!!

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Hmmm, maybe it differs by person/account? I found 2 different 3G multimedia phones that didn't require one.

I too logged into my account with Verizon and found NO 3G mulitmedia phone that did not require the internet.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

It stinks...I am running on a phone right now that IF I were to go in and buy it now I would have to get the internet. We are running out our contract and then RUNNING out of Verizon. We are going to move over to AT&T, their plans are cheaper and we can get the iPhone! The next 6 months won't go by soon enough!

I don't understand this...you need the data package with the iPhone as well...you can't use the phone without it. I looked into this as I am also with Verizon and wanted the iPhone...it was more expensive then what I got (The Droid - LOVE IT) and the service with AT&T is horrible in our area.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

For those of you who feel cheated into paying $10 for internet, perhaps you would also like to pay the true cost of the phone as well? I work for a company that makes among other things cell phones. We get the phones for cost, that is if anyone would ever want to do that. The true cost of these phones are close to $200, but frequently given away for free or under $50.

The Droid for example is $50 this week at Best Buy for Verizon and the Droid Eris is free. Without a contract the Droid costs $599. I saw someone complain that the phones without internet only had a 1.3 MP camera. The shame you must feel that your phone isn't a good camera. And you have to use a keypad instead of a touch screen... how can you sleep at night.

A 3G phone also doesn't always require the $10 internet plan. It is quite clearly marked on their website as optional for many 3G capable phones.

Yes, the costs of these phones are WAY overpriced. Believe me they are not "giving" us a break with their $50 phones with 2 year contract. All the pricing is way inflated...

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Sprint has a plan that costs the same as verizon's 700 minute family plan but has 1400 minutes AND their free nights starts at 7pm as opposed to Verizon's 9 pm. With all those extra minutes and 2 more hours of free calling time you might not lose the freedom to call your family and friends.
Just a thought!

I will check it out. I want people to not hesitate to still call me too.. thats what I worry about.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I too logged into my account with Verizon and found NO 3G mulitmedia phone that did not require the internet.

I stand corrected. I think that the Motorola Rival does not require the data plan. I think.

 

[taximomfor4]

I am with AT&T (Verizon doesn't work in my neighborhood), and have been since Cingular turned into AT&T. I went to upgrade dh's and dd's phones on New Years Day, and they, too, required Date plans for their phones. They had different phones available for different "tiers" of data plans. All the smart phones required a more expensive data package (including internet). The smaller, more basic phones' data requirements, however, were satisfied by the text package we already have on our family plan.

Perhaps, even though Verizon uses the word "Data", some of the phones require only texting there, too?

 

[JnABouley]

Verizon has the best service in my area. I just recently upgraded to a Droid Eris and I LOVE it. But I've only ever had a "bare-bones" cell phone. I love the internet access, the Apps. I now have a calendar that I can sync with my calendar on my computer. I can get GPS directions Totally Neato in my opinion. But 29.99 a month for me.

However if you don't want these services Verizon shouldn't be forcing you to buy it just because the phone you want to upgrade to can do all these things. My thoughts on this are that if enough people complain or write in that they want certain plans available you'd think Verizon would fill a need. And maybe the prices would stabilize or even go down if everyone got the newer phones? Wishful thinking maybe.

I do agree with the poster who wrote that they (big business) are just out to nickle and dime us to death for their profit margin.

 

[disney1990]

I am with AT&T (Verizon doesn't work in my neighborhood), and have been since Cingular turned into AT&T. I went to upgrade dh's and dd's phones on New Years Day, and they, too, required Date plans for their phones. They had different phones available for different "tiers" of data plans. All the smart phones required a more expensive data package (including internet). The smaller, more basic phones' data requirements, however, were satisfied by the text package we already have on our family plan.

Perhaps, even though Verizon uses the word "Data", some of the phones require only texting there, too?

Nope, the only phones you can get without a data plan are the "simple feature" phones. They have poor cameras and no video on these cameras. In addition, the couple that have keyboards are not rated very well.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I have been debating on switching to Verizon. We have T-Mobile now, but it doesn't work everywhere. It works sporadically or not at all at my kids school, the local supermarket and a section of town I drive through everyday. We switched to AT&T once but it was even WORSE and we dropped calls all the time, so we switched back. We've stayed with t-mobile mainly for price. Verizon has always been more expensive when I priced it.

We went to Verizon back in January, but realized me contract wasn't up until February. Well, 2 days after visiting the Verizon store is when they made the switch requiring the Data plan with phones. My friend upgraded her Verizon phone to the EnV3 just before the switch.

So now I am out of contract, and not sure what to do. Even if I go with a simple phone, I have a dilema for what pan to get. I currently have 1000 minute family plan plus fave 5s with t-mobile. There is no 1000 minute plan offered by verizon. I can pay less & get 700 min. or pay more & get 1400 min plus 10 f&f. 700 minutes may not be enough, 1400 plus f&f is overkill.

But I would have better coverage & more free mobile to mobile since most of the people I know are on verizon.......

 

[tinker&belle]

Look at Page Plus cellular!

Do a search on customers who like it and all the ins and outs. I am not technologically patient If I can't figure it out pretty quickly, I don't want to deal with it. I went to howard forums to learn about it. That forum does not sell anything but it is a message board about cell phones and plans.

I switched because I was on an old TMobile plan and couldn't add another line to it. So I started doing my research. I don't need a data plan for my personal cell since I have a work blackberry already.

I do the $29.95 per phone a month plan. No tax. No fees. Nothing. While it is prepaid, you can set up automatic drafts from your account so it is as easy as my postpaid.

It runs on the Verizon network. Great coverage. The only limitations are the phones. You must use a verizon enabled phone. It can be one that is meant for prepaid or you can use a verizon phone from the store that is for a postpaid account. No discount on phones, but I don't care. The savings are substantial.

$29.95 plan is for 1200 anytime minutes and 1200 texts a month.

$39.95 is for unlimited talk and texts.

Since you do it by phone, you can have the smaller plan for people who use less and the higher plan for those who use more.

They might even have local stores for you to visit.

Not having taxes and extra fees is also huge

Just looked at this and it looks great! My concern is that I know FIL has verizon and only gets one bar at our house, but friend with ATT gets five bars here. Does anyone know if ATT has similar co-branded company?

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Nope, the only phones you can get without a data plan are the "simple feature" phones. They have poor cameras and no video on these cameras. In addition, the couple that have keyboards are not rated very well.

Look good at the multi media phones. On the motorola rival, it says that the data plan is OPTIONAL. It also states that on one other multi media phone. It took me looking twice to see that.

 

[disney1990]

Look good at the multi media phones. On the motorola rival, it says that the data plan is OPTIONAL. It also states that on one other multi media phone. It took me looking twice to see that.

Several Reviews right off of the Verizon Wireless Website. Do you want this phone? I don't.

“DON'T BUY THIS PHONE!!”
Reviewed by BigTimeTexter20 , Forest Lake, MN on February 26, 2010
2
Ease of use
4
Display
3
Design
1
Features
3
Battery Life
0

This phone was great at first, then the long battery life goes down hill real fast, my slider broke of the rail and it shuts down and reboots all the time. It even likes to shut off and not turn back on while you are in the middle of calling someone or even texting. I am now without a phone until they can send me one. My advice, DON'T BUY THIS PHONE!!

Pros:
great for texting

Cons:
battery life short slider breaks


“Junk!”
Reviewed by BlueNinja14 , Big Bear City, CA on February 25, 2010
1
Ease of use
2
Display
1
Design
2
Features
2
Battery Life
0

I purchased 3 of these in June 2009. All three have failed. 2-25-2010

Pros:
small

Cons:
doesn't last very long. short life span.


“Terrible Phone”
Reviewed by Stuckforayear , Florida on February 25, 2010
1
Ease of use
1
Display
1
Design
1
Features
1
Battery Life
0

Terrible phone - I don't recomend it and everyone I spoke to AFTER this phone was selected for me by Verizon have told me how awful it is - mostly the battery for them. Freezing up for me and the volume is too low many times to hear the caller on the other end.

Pros:
keyboard is easy to use

Cons:
the phone freezes up and won't let you do anything

“This phone has major issues!!”
Reviewed by NotTheRival , Charleston, SC on February 26, 2010
1
Ease of use
3
Display
1
Design
1
Features
1
Battery Life
0

I purchased this phone and within a week the screen starting going white and the speaker went out. I could only talk on speaker phone or with a Bluetooth. The touch screen would freeze up and the buttons wouldnt work. The screen progressed to not lighting up at all and eventually the phone just died and never came back on. I lost all my numbers and it would never turn on ever again. After receiving the replacement phone after 2 or 3 days while on a call the bottom half of the screen went white and again the touch screen froze up. I've worked in the cell phone business and this phone has major issues. CAUTION!!!!

Pros:
cute size

Cons:
screen goes white shortly after purchase


“Terrible Phone”
Reviewed by rmplteazer on February 26, 2010
1
Ease of use
3
Display
2
Design
2
Features
2
Battery Life
0

I bought this for my mom so she would have a reliable phone and I am so disappointed. She never receives half her calls and the battery dies within 24 hours.

Pros:
cute

Cons:
rarely receive calls and the battery always dies.


“Great Idea....Horrible Phone”
Reviewed by rlsmith , NH on February 25, 2010
1
Ease of use
2
Display
2
Design
1
Features
2
Battery Life
0

I loved this phone at first, then it started to go crazy. The first one the screen warped colors and the touch screen wouldn't always work. When I got the second one, no lie within 2 weeks the top and bottom pieces came apart. I just received a third one today and the touch screen is acting up and the screen freeze. This by far is the worst phone I have ever had!

Pros:
great color and compact size

Cons:
horrible touch screen falls apart and really bad speakers


“Cheaply made”
Reviewed by CshannonL , Sarasota, FL on February 25, 2010
2
Ease of use
3
Display
3
Design
1
Features
2
Battery Life
0

I think this phone is cheaply made and I do not recommend purchase of this device.

Pros:
long battery life

Cons:
technical problems "freezing"

 

[disney1990]

Chatting with Verizon Wireless right now and they say that it REQUIRES a data plan. Here is the entire conversation.

Please wait for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience!
A Verizon Wireless online pre-sales specialist has joined the chat. You are now chatting with Heidi
Heidi: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
You: Does the Motorola Rival require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes the $9.99 data package with 25 Megabytes.
You: This is what your website says:
You: Data pkg $9.99 or higher optional
Heidi: OK.
You: OK what? It is a multimedia phone and does it require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes it does I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
You: I am not happy with Verizon requiring data plans. If I activate a telephone that I already own on my account, it is a LG VX10000 Voyager (Verizon Wireless), does it require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes you will because it will be a newly activated device after the data package is now required sorry.
You: So after being a Verizon Wireless customer for 15 plus years, it looks like we will have to find a new company. There are no telephones that meet my needs without a data plan. I need a camera, a phone that shoots short video and a phone with a keyboard.
Heidi: I have not heard from you for a few moments. Would you like me to keep this chat session open for you?
Heidi: Ok the Samsung Intensity will allow you to do this and does not require the data package.
You: Is this correct that you don't have a phone that will fill all 3 of these requirements.
You: No, the Intensity does not shoot short video, it only has a camera.
Heidi: Ok can I assist you with anything else today?
You: Do you have a cell phone available without a data plan that can fill these 3 requirements?
Heidi: Yes.
Heidi: The device will required the data package also.
You: No, I don't need the data plan.
Heidi: I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Heidi: Can I assist you with anything else today?
You: Did you answer my question? Do you have a phone that can fill these requirements without needing a data plan?
You: I have no need for a data plan.
Heidi: I am sorry we do not I sincerely apologize I understand your frustration.
You: Do you know if you will be getting in any telephones in the near future that can meet my needs?
Heidi: I am sorry I do not have access to this information.
You: Thank you.

 

[Green Tea]

OP, I completely agree with you. I have been a Verizon Wireless customer for about 12 years and I just got to the point in my contract when I could upgrade my phone. I was shocked to find that even though I could get a decent phone for free, I would have to pay $10 more per month to use it. No thank you. Over a 2 year contract that comes to $240 for a service that I do not need. I'll just keep my old phone until it dies and then buy a no-contract one. I have to stay with Verizon for another 1.5 years because my dd and dh just got new phones last summer, but when their contracts are up we are going to have to do some serious reevaluating.

What I think I can do, and I'm in the same position as you, is just go month to month after the contract expires. If a phone dies, just buy a pay as you go verizon compatible phone at Walmart, and switch the number to that one.

Experts-work, or won't work?

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Chatting with Verizon Wireless right now and they say that it REQUIRES a data plan. Here is the entire conversation.

Please wait for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience!
A Verizon Wireless online pre-sales specialist has joined the chat. You are now chatting with Heidi
Heidi: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
You: Does the Motorola Rival require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes the $9.99 data package with 25 Megabytes.
You: This is what your website says:
You: Data pkg $9.99 or higher optional
Heidi: OK.
You: OK what? It is a multimedia phone and does it require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes it does I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
You: I am not happy with Verizon requiring data plans. If I activate a telephone that I already own on my account, it is a LG VX10000 Voyager (Verizon Wireless), does it require a data plan?
Heidi: Yes you will because it will be a newly activated device after the data package is now required sorry.
You: So after being a Verizon Wireless customer for 15 plus years, it looks like we will have to find a new company. There are no telephones that meet my needs without a data plan. I need a camera, a phone that shoots short video and a phone with a keyboard.
Heidi: I have not heard from you for a few moments. Would you like me to keep this chat session open for you?
Heidi: Ok the Samsung Intensity will allow you to do this and does not require the data package.
You: Is this correct that you don't have a phone that will fill all 3 of these requirements.
You: No, the Intensity does not shoot short video, it only has a camera.
Heidi: Ok can I assist you with anything else today?
You: Do you have a cell phone available without a data plan that can fill these 3 requirements?
Heidi: Yes.
Heidi: The device will required the data package also.
You: No, I don't need the data plan.
Heidi: I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Heidi: Can I assist you with anything else today?
You: Did you answer my question? Do you have a phone that can fill these requirements without needing a data plan?
You: I have no need for a data plan.
Heidi: I am sorry we do not I sincerely apologize I understand your frustration.
You: Do you know if you will be getting in any telephones in the near future that can meet my needs?
Heidi: I am sorry I do not have access to this information.
You: Thank you.

That is very intersting, I wonder why it says the word optional on it then? Makes no sense.

 

[disney1990]

I give up. I am just going to keep my existing phone until it dies or until I have some other option.