Verizon fail.

[Elise.m]

I need to get this off my chest in another form, cuz I think everyone around me has heard this story about 2 times and they're already tired of the stupidity Verizon is pulling.

So about 4 weeks ago, we found out Verizon was charging us a subscription for Bejeweled when I purchased Unlimited and it clearly said that on my phone. We go in, they "fix" it and while we're in there they put new software on my LG Voyager (which has been discontinued). They say it'll only take a few mins, then a few mins later they say it'll be done in 30 mins. So we leave, go eat lunch (and we're slow eaters) and walked around a new shopping area. Probly took about 1-1.5 hours. We go back to Verizon and it's not done, they say it's going to take a couple hours. We just decided to leave it there overnight since it was already 5:00 pm.

The next day I call before I go in to make sure that it's done, and they tell me "Yeah, it's done but we have to get you a new one because it's stuck on roaming and it's not supposed to do that" I'm thinking "Sweet! A new phone!!"

I get the "new" phone, take it in, they transfer all my contacts, music, pictures and videos. Bring me the phone and say "Um, we're going to have to order you a new one because your external screen isn't working" *sigh* Ok. What else can I say?

I get the new one, and I went in there yesterday to get all my stuff transferred. She tells me they can't transfer all my pictures, videos, and music because her manager has been telling them not to... Even though the person just did it like two weeks ago! Takes the phone, backs up my contacts online and says "Hm... The screen isn't working..." After she's calibrated it 4 times. So, needless to say, I'm getting another one. After the 4th one they have to give me a new different model... Thank god. And I left there with no contacts on my phone, and had to figure out how to fix that by myself later. She did show my how to transfer pictures by myself though, which was easier than having them do it.

On top of all of that, they tell me that if the phones aren't sent back in 10 day our account gets charged. They didn't tell me that the first time. AND Fed Ex is really annoying with getting this phone to me! I just missed one today, by 20 mins. The girl didn't say for certain she was going to overnight it, she just said she'd "try" ...Who knows what that means in Verizon language.

Seriously, after this whole ordeal, I'm very tempted to take my business to AT&T.

And I think they're still charging me for bejeweled, but I can't check cuz my Verizon is "unavailable at this time, please try again later"

[Nate]

Yeah...do that. And get an iPhone. you'll be happy you did

[rabernet]

Wow - that really does stink! I'm a long time Verizon customer and I also have the Voyager, which I happen to love.

The location that you are going into - have you asked if it's a Corporate store, and not a franchisee? I only ask, because in my experience, I get much better service in a Corporate store.

Also, definitely sign up to manage your account on Verizonwireless.com. Once you register on there, you can download Backup Assistant. It's free if you are managing your account online. I make all my payments online, I order new phones online - I go into Corporate stores for technical help or to hold a phone I'm interested in, but I order my phone online (better prices, instant rebates vs. mail in rebates, etc).

The Backup Assistant saves all your contacts online. So if you ever lose your existing phone, or it's so dead nothing can be retrieved, you simply download Backup Assistant on your new phone, and it downloads all your contacts onto your new phone. Any time you add a new contact, it will back that up onto your account.

Again, sorry that you're having such a hard time. AT&T service absolutely stinks in my area. Verizon has always had the best coverage for me, and I've been lucky that my experiences with them have always been positive and any issues are quickly resolved when I do have any.

[Elise.m]

I wish they hadn't hiked their early cancellation fees, then it would be worth it. Since we have two lines, it would be about $700 to switch

[Elise.m]

It is a corprate store. I originally went to the one in town, but they're a franchise, and couldn't do the things that I needed them to do with the bejeweled in the first place.

I did the whole back up assistant thing last night. She half way set it up for me while I was at the store, then I had to figure out the rest by myself. It's pretty neat, but at the time when I was leaving the store and wanted to call and scream at my BF, I couldn't remember his work phone, and the Backup Assistant hadn't updated yet, so I didn't have my contacts... I got them later when I got home.

The voyager is a really cool phone, but the refurbished ones are refurbished for a reason... They don't work! Mine original one worked fine with the exception of the symbol button not working 100% of the time, but I'd take that over the touch screen not working.

[Clementine_3]

I wish they hadn't hiked their early cancellation fees, then it would be worth it. Since we have two lines, it would be about $700 to switch

I could be wrong but believe that the new, ridiculously high fee applies only to smart phones, not regular phones. Also, even if it does apply to all phones now you would not have to pay it since (I'm assuming) you got your phone prior to the new fees going into effect. When did you sign your contract? That is what it will be based on.
How long 'til you are eligible for a new phone? It may be worth it to upgrade early, if it's been at least a year, you won't get your NE2 discount but you won't be suffering with refurbished junk either.
Verizon is funny, they can be very helpful and very useful sometimes and total...ummm...sticklers other times. I love to hate them

[dc4teg]

by the title of the tread I automatically knew your pain.... I HATE VERIZON!

[accidental777]

As someone who used to sell phone contracts for a living....I will tell you to call up verizon corporate and complain. If they don't listen the first time, make sure you keep going up the ladder until someone does. Maybe you could get something taken off of your bill because of all that you have gone through to get things working the way they should. Usually verizon reps over the phone are pretty pleasant to deal with.
I have stories about at&t reps though, it would take me hours to get them to fix something. Some of the people I got stuck talking to were clueless.
Sprint on the other hand was always great to deal with. It is just too bad that their coverage sucks so badly.

[Elise.m]

Thanks everyone for understanding, lol... Every time I think I've dealt with the situation, Verizon finds a way to send me another crappy phone!

That's interesting about the fees Clem. I only talked to the guy at the franchise about the fees, so maybe he had his facts wrong, or he wasn't telling me everything. He was pretty darn rude in the first place, so I wouldn't be surprised if he left out that part of the change. I'll have to talk to my BF about that then...

Oh, and we're not due for an upgrade until March... I think. That's what the franchise guy said

[accidental777]

If the franchise guy said you were not due for an upgrade until march, go check out the wireless department at wal-mart. I know it sounds corny, but I had plenty of customers that ran into the same situation. We had no problem going in and doing an override if the upgrade was a few months away. Especially if you are considering canceling their service, or if your phones are just past the point of functioning.