Disappointed, can no longer trust Verizon for customer service

Question

Looks like I'm not the only one disappointed in Verizon's customer service, I've already seen a number of complaints on forums and this website itself.
I'm writing this "discussion" in efforts to get something done about Verizon's customer service. Yes, I know there are good customer service representatives but also there are bad representatives that can definitely bring it down for customers like myself.
I was charged $299.99 for returning a damaged device after getting a warranty exchange for a different model. I was on my third model of the pantech breakout and started seeing the same issues I had with previous phones on my current phone, I called customer service and was told by an extremely rude representative to "buy a lotto ticket, because the chances of multiple phones having the same issue is the same as you winning the lotto." Her tone was sarcastic and rude which offended me and closed any chance of me willing to work with technical support or other representatives to fix this issue. My previous pantech breakouts and the one I was using had issues of my SD formatting, SD ejecting without me doing anything, contacts disappearing, phone memory deleting to make room for updates that I had turned off, and basically I was losing data on my phone from pictures, contacts, to personal emails and content without me even doing anything. I went through 3 models and worked with technical support to change my phone, SD card and back memory up but still had a number of issues. This is when I called and was told to buy a lotto ticket. I was extremely upset with the representative and told them to not send a warranty exchange phone because of her rudeness and attitude. I visited a local verizon wireless store and told them my situation and was given a deal - buy the battery of a samsung s3 and get it for free - note that i did have a small crack on my screen which the sales representative saw and DID NOT mention anything about there being a damage fee. I understand that on the box you use to return the device it does say that there will be a fee for damaged devices, BUT my issue is - why did the sales representative not notify me? Verizon was expecting back a pantech, not the samsung they sent out ... either way I had to send back my pantech, why not reconfirm there will be a fee?
I called verizon's customer service and told them my current situation, the lady told me to get in contact with my local store in which I did the exchange. Here are my call records:
Friday - verizon wireless center --> local verizon store (was told they will call me back monday after figuring out the problem)
Monday - NO call
Tuesday - I call my local store, the manager was not working and they told me to call on Wednesday which was when the manager will be in
Wednesday - NO manager, and the local store told me they will call me on Thursday
Thursday - I waited till 4pm (California time) and did not receive a call so I called them, they tell me that the fee is valid because "none of their representatives will EVER sell a phone without notifying their customers of any damage fees"
First of all, it took 5 days to even get a solid answer of my bill, and let alone ... the manager can't simply push the "verizon customer satisfaction guarantee, no one will sell a device without notifying customers of fees" slogan around and tell me I'm lying and that fees are valid. I turned to verizon's customer service for help and was told I can return my device and lose the fee, I asked if I would be given my old device back - NO I wont, so then what device do I use? NO device was to be given to me which sucks because I then would lose $150+ initial payment for getting a pantech breakout then the $40 for the samsung battery and was left with no phone.
After talking with supervisiors and managers, I was given the last deal - 25% off the $299.99 fee
My issue with verizon is that I do not understand WHY customers (myself) have to pay such fines when the issue lays within their customer service and sales representatives. I understand the issue with returning a damaged device BUT i do NOT understand why I am the only one having to pay consequences for this whole issue? Verizon is a big company, so are the under the impression losing one customer is nothing? I will now be returning my samsung s3 and doing an early termination because I am fed up with customer service, I believe it is wrong for anyone to be treated this way and then have to pay. I would rather pay the early termination, then be stuck with people telling me to buy lotto tickets and me to stop lying.
Verizon needs to do a check up on their customer service representatives and work on getting the window of communication open and seriously attend to the needs of customers because they just lost one customer who has been with them since 2008

Answer 1

I was charged $299.99 for returning a damaged device after getting a warranty exchange for a different model. I was on my third model of the pantech breakout and started seeing the same issues I had with previous phones on my current phone, I called customer service and was told by an extremely rude representative to "buy a lotto ticket, because the chances of multiple phones having the same issue is the same as you winning the lotto." Her tone was sarcastic and rude which offended me and closed any chance of me willing to work with technical support or other representatives to fix this issue. My previous pantech breakouts and the one I was using had issues of my SD formatting, SD ejecting without me doing anything, contacts disappearing, phone memory deleting to make room for updates that I had turned off, and basically I was losing data on my phone from pictures, contacts, to personal emails and content without me even doing anything. I went through 3 models and worked with technical support to change my phone, SD card and back memory up but still had a number of issues. This is when I called and was told to buy a lotto ticket. I was extremely upset with the representative and told them to not send a warranty exchange phone because of her rudeness and attitude. I visited a local verizon wireless store and told them my situation and was given a deal - buy the battery of a samsung s3 and get it for free - note that i did have a small crack on my screen which the sales representative saw and DID NOT mention anything about there being a damage fee. I understand that on the box you use to return the device it does say that there will be a fee for damaged devices, BUT my issue is - why did the sales representative not notify me? Verizon was expecting back a pantech, not the samsung they sent out ... either way I had to send back my pantech, why not reconfirm there will be a fee?
Crack voided the warranty, hence the 299.99
The rep made a mistake by judging this as a phone that could be exchanged by warranty, when it wasn't. Plus he / she should have informed you about the fees that do occur when / if the phone seems to be physically damaged.
How did you know the phone had a crack?
I called verizon's customer service and told them my current situation, the lady told me to get in contact with my local store in which I did the exchange. Here are my call records:
Friday - verizon wireless center --> local verizon store (was told they will call me back monday after figuring out the problem)
Monday - NO call
Tuesday - I call my local store, the manager was not working and they told me to call on Wednesday which was when the manager will be in
Wednesday - NO manager, and the local store told me they will call me on Thursday
Thursday - I waited till 4pm (California time) and did not receive a call so I called them, they tell me that the fee is valid because "none of their representatives will EVER sell a phone without notifying their customers of any damage fees"
First of all, it took 5 days to even get a solid answer of my bill, and let alone ... the manager can't simply push the "verizon customer satisfaction guarantee, no one will sell a device without notifying customers of fees" slogan around and tell me I'm lying and that fees are valid. I turned to verizon's customer service for help and was told I can return my device and lose the fee, I asked if I would be given my old device back - NO I wont, so then what device do I use? NO device was to be given to me which ***** because I then would lose $150+ initial payment for getting a pantech breakout then the $40 for the samsung battery and was left with no phone.
In this case you could return the phone and use the $300 or even less to purchase another phone of contract (third party sites).
After talking with supervisiors and managers, I was given the last deal - 25% off the $299.99 fee
This would be the best option in my opinion as you'll get a great phone for discounted price
My issue with verizon is that I do not understand WHY customers (myself) have to pay such fines when the issue lays within their customer service and sales representatives. I understand the issue with returning a damaged device BUT i do NOT understand why I am the only one having to pay consequences for this whole issue? Verizon is a big company, so are the under the impression losing one customer is nothing? I will now be returning my samsung s3 and doing an early termination because I am fed up with customer service, I believe it is wrong for anyone to be treated this way and then have to pay. I would rather pay the early termination, then be stuck with people telling me to buy lotto tickets and me to stop lying.
That problem is solely based on the store, and who manages it. Same goes for every other business out there.
Same goes for the Customer Service line.