Canceling data plan after returning IPAD

Question

I am posting this hoping to save time for the next person who runs into this.
I purchased and IPAD2 on the IPAD2 launch day. I wanted an ATT because I travel internationally, but it was sold out. Apple employees were recommending that we buy whatever was in stock (Verizon sold out the last). I used the verizon IPAD and activated the Verizon service on it using the IPAD and used it for the time I had the IPAD.
Then later I went back to the Apple store (early morning) They luckily had a 64 GB white ATT IPAD (what I wanted). I returned the Verizon. The apple employee made sure that he wiped out the device in front of me. I thought it was all done.
But today, I got an email from Verizon saying that my automated billing was done and it only gave the last 4 digits of my SIM card on the IPAD I had returned. 
This is where the really painful interaction with Verizon started. This saga took about an hour on Sunday April 10th starting around 11:30 PST.
I searched on the Internet and called the Verizon wireless customer service. I specifically told her about IPAD 2 and my situation. She said she located my account (but it was for an old wireless service we had with Verizon 2 years ago. We were loyal verizon customers for 10 years before we switched to ATT for iPhone). She kept asking me more info and after about 5 minutes, she said she would have to transfer me. Then she simply dropped the call on me.
I called again. This time the person (Debbie) asked me the same set of questions again, and told me I would have to call my bank and put a stop payment on the credit card. She was unable to help me. 
I asked to talk to a manager. His name was Dave. This was a smart guy. He told me that IPAD2 was not handled by their department (they are postpaid only). And gave me a phone number for the IPAD2 data plan department.
The right number to call for IPAD2 data questions is 1 800 786 8419
I called the IPAD2 data plan number. It asked me for the 10 digit phone number (which I did not have because I had returned the phone and the verizon billing email only mentioned the last 4 digits - there was no other information in the billing email). I was then connected to a live person.
The person was completely clueless  and kept giving me false information. First she said there was no way to look me up if I did not have the device. When I asked to connect to a manager, she said she will look me up by name. She did. I was the only person with that name (I have a unique enough last name). She said she would need the MEID number for the device for her to help me. I said I did not have it because I returned the device. She said I was out of luck. She even suggested I contact Apple and find it out.
I told her this did not sound right. She should be able to look me up by name, or by email ID or by credit card number which I had supplied when I activated the plan from the device. She said she will check with a manager. Came back a couple minutes later and said she cannot help me without the MEID.  She was so sure about it.
  I asked her if she could at least provide me the phone number for the phone. Which she did. 
So I searched on the web again. Turns out that apple has a good article on the web site
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4061
You can get your serial number, phone number, MEID etc from itunes if you have ever backed up the ipad. Fortunately I had.
I then called the verizon 800 786 8419 number again.
This time it told me it connected me to the Colorado department of verizon. 
I was able to enter the 10 digit phone number I had now.
This time I got connected to a customer rep who knew what she was doing. The whole transaction took a minute to finish. This is how it should have been.
She asked me the last 4 digits of my credit card number. Told me that she would refund the data plan and cancel automatic reactivation for future.
I wish they can train customer service employees better at Verizon. As much as I was loyal to Verizon for 10 years, I have to say ATT customer service is far superior after being with ATT for less than a couple years.

Answer 1

Great description of the problem, told without rancor.   I am glad that you finally received an appropriate resolution.  I, too, have just completed a needlessly complicated encounter  with Verizon over the iPad 2 and, thankfully, also had an appropriate resolution.   I work with the public and understand how easy it is to have a misunderstanding on both sides of the fence.   While I communicated my frustration over the situation, I didn't make any personal attacks and suspect that helped to get the deal done.   There were a few times I wanted to threaten Verizon with a switch to ATT but I was able to control myself with a few well timed "goosfraba".