I-Phone Upgrade - "fee" --- $200.00 ?

Hello,
I got my first I-Phone - 3G on 1/9/09. Last night I lost it ----
I have a security code on it, also have a ME account, got home and searched for my phone - it was offline, then I get to ATT and suspended the phone. Tried to search a few hours later - offline, tried again this AM -- offline, then I did the option to clear my personal settings.
Went to my local ATT store to ---- buy a "replacement" phone. The person checked my account, said ---- there is a $200.00 upgrade fee if I upgrade before June ## 2010. I asked --- how about if I do NOT "Upgrade", just get the 8GB 3G (I had a 16GB 3G), he said --- STILL a fee if change before June ## 2010 --- that date is contract related.
ATT said --- APPLE is charging that fee, I called Apple they said -- ATT is charging that based on their contract !! my chain is being pulled, somebody --- is lying ---
And ---- what does my "contract" date mean ??? when I was with Verizon --- I lost a phone back in 2006, I reported it lost, got a NEW phone for half the cost but --- I needed to get a NEW 2 year contract as my contract was long over.....
So ----- does anyone know this issue --- WHY ---- is there an upgrade fee, and IF I decided to get a low end 3G phone --- WHY does that fee still apply, as ---- a 8GB 3G is NOT an upgrade !! it's a "downgrade" compared to what I had (16GB).
I'm just trying to replace a ---- lost phone, and somebody is playing games......
Information is GREATLY --- Appreciated !!
Bob

AT&T's fully subsidized price for the iPhone is as follows:
3G - $99 for the 8GB & $149 for the 16GB.
3GS - $199 for the 16GB & $299 for the 32GB.
This price is for new AT&T subscribers, and for existing subscribers who qualify for AT&T's upgrade or subsidized pricing with a new phone. This price requires signing a two year contract for the subsidy.
AT&T offers a special program exclusively for iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G: early upgrade pricing. This gives customers who do not yet qualify for a upgrade—likely because they received a subsidized device within the last year or two—the opportunity to upgrade at a special price that’s still below AT&T’s actual cost.
AT&T's early upgrade price for the iPhone is as follows:
3G - $299 for the 8GB & $349 for the 16GB.
3GS - $399 for the 16GB & $499 for the 32GB.
This price requires signing a new two year contract beginning on the new iPhone's activation date.
Apple and AT&T's no-contract/full retail sales price for the iPhone is as follows:
3G - $499 for the 8GB & $549 for the 16GB.
3GS - $599 for the 16GB & $699 for the 32GB.
This is Apple's full retail sales price for the iPhone, which doesn't require a two year contract with AT&T. Any discounted price less than this price is AT&T's subsidized price, which requires a two year contract for the subsidy paid by AT&T to Apple on your behalf.
You get the less expensive price only if you are a new AT&T subscriber, or an existing subscriber who has fulfilled their existing contract for AT&T's subsidy provided by AT&T for an existing phone - in this case for the iPhone that you lost. You haven't fulfilled your contract for the subsidy that AT&T paid Apple on your behalf for the iPhone that was lost.
And ---- what does my "contract" date mean ??? when I was with Verizon --- I lost a phone back in 2006, I reported it lost, got a NEW phone for half the cost but --- I needed to get a NEW 2 year contract as my contract was long over.....
Because the contract for your Verizon phone that was lost was long over - you had fulfilled your Verizon contract for the phone that was lost, Verizon sold you a new phone at half the full retail price or at Verizon's fully subsidized price for the phone, which required signing a new two year contract with Verizon for the new phone sold to you at a discount. If the Verizon contract for your phone that was lost was not long over at the time, doubtful that Verizon would have sold you a new phone at 50% off the full retail sales price for the phone if you had not fulfilled the contract for the subsidy paid by Verizon on your behalf for the phone that was lost.

Similar Messages

$30 upgrade fee is for Wireless Workshops and Backup Assistant Plus?

I recently upgraded my device, over the phone, using the 2 year discount price of $199. I was completely unaware and never told by the VZW agent that I would be paying an extra $30 to help VZW offset the cost of Wireless Workshops and their Backup Assistant+ crap. The agent on the phone told me to expect a $199 + tax charge on my next bill but failed to mention the extra $30 and, to be quite honest, I'm pretty upset about this. I called the customer support line and was told the $30 free is there to support the cost of the Backup Assistant Plus service (which I do not use and have completely removed it from my phone because it's trash) as well as the Wireless Workshops they offer in their stores. This is complete ** and if I had been made aware of this nickle and dime scheme by VZW when I was upgrading, I would have canceled my upgrade and gone with another carrier instead of signing another 2 year contract. I will NEVER go to a workshop for a device, service, whatever that I know how to use or could spend an hour researching online so why am I having to pay for this? I use Titanium Backup Pro and the Android SDK environment to backup my phone and data instead of the clunky Backup Assistant Plus trash. In fact, I've completely removed all traces of BA+ on my phone...
So why am I "donating" $30 to Verizon for services that I, and I'm willing to bet most people, don't use? Why wasn't I made aware of this by the VZW agent I spoke to on the phone?
/rant

steelystan wrote:
The final price of the phone was $260. I was told by the VZW agent to expect a ~$199 + tax ($215) charge on my next bill. There was no mention of a $30 upgrade fee. I was not notified BEFORE the purchase, and if it's listed on the discount upgrade page it's not very clear.
I did not see the articles in the news about this fee in the past and VZW did not make it clear to me that I would be charged this fee. I expect the VZW phone agent to make me aware of the fee's associated with any service I use, like this upgrade, but the agent failed to mention it.
Yes, I am complaining about the discount. I'm already unhappy that I was forced to lose my unlimited data plan when upgrading (unless I paid for the phone in full), but being charged an extra $30 for "services" like BA+ and workshops is absurd. Regardless of how much of a discount it was I don't like having surprise fee's come up on my cell phone bill. Why don't they include that free in the displayed upgrade price? Why not show $229.99 instead of $199.99?
And it's 57% discount, not 60%+
Well according to the stats you just posted sales tax is 8% so since you insist on including that, then at full price a $600 phone plus 8% is $648. $260/$648 is 40% thus you received a 60% discount. Also even at 57%, you are complaining about a 57% discount? Really? If you went to a car dealer and got a 57% discount you'd be ecstatic. If you got a TV for 57% you'd be ecstatic.
This fee was announced April 11th 2012 It made ALL the major news sources.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/11/verizon-upgrade-fees/
http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/11/technology/verizon-upgrade-fee/index.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/11/verizonwireless-upgradefee-idUSL2E8FBGQ820120411
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/04/verizon-upgrade-fee/
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/04/verizon-to-start-charging-30-upgrade-fees-on-april-22/
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/verizon-wireless-to-add-30-upgrade-fee-for-all-existing-customers/29184
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/11/verizon-wireless-phone-upgrade_n_1417959.html
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Starts-Charging-30-Phone-Upgrade-Fee-119201
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57412428-1/verizon-to-start-charging-for-phone-upgrades/
http://news.yahoo.com/verizon-jumps-board-upgrade-fee-train-230900778.html
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-04-11/verizon-wireless-upgrade-fee/54173448/1
Just to name a few sources.
There is no way you were not told in some fashion. You say VZW agent. So you ordered this over the phone? Ok so where did you see the phone you wanted? Um at this site? Well the fee is listed VERY clearly on the price of the phone. if youw ent into a VZW store it;s CLEARLY listed on the price tags.

A few questions on upgrade fee, overage charge on prorated bill, and data usage when phone is on WiFi

1st question, I bought 2 iPhone 4s's Dec 2011, unlimited plan which was up Dec 2013. April 19 2014, I bought 2 iPhones, 1 5c, 1 5s with the more of everything plan, which is not more of everything, it's far less then my old plan, but whatever. I got charged a total of $60 for a $30 upgrade on each phone. I'm not upgrading, my plan was expired, I bought 2 new phones and was forced into a new plan in order to get new phones, how is this an upgrade? Never been charged in all these years(early 2000's I became a customer) of being a loyal Verizon customer of an upgrade fee, unless I was upgrading my phone before the contract was done. If I was a brand new customer to Verizon would I get charged this upgrade fee?
2nd question, my bill cycle runs from the 24th to the 23rd, since I bought these new phones on the 19th, there were 5 days left to the billing cycle, so they prorated old plan and new plan. New plan is 1 GB, 5 days were prorated, I used in those 5 days between the 2 phones 371.77 MB, and I'm being charged for an overage of 206.61 MB of $15. Now my plan gives me 1 GB a month, that would be 1024 MB, I didn't go over this 1 GB in the month, so why am I being charged an overage for 5 lousy days?
3rd question, really 5 days and I used 371.77 MB's of data? Strange, didn't get the new phones until after 6pm on April 19th, yet I have all kinds of data charges on that day, when both phones were in my home, connected to WiFi the entire day. I spent the entire day online jerking around with 2 different Verizon employee's over getting new phones and a new plan in my home, on my computer, never touched my phone the whole day. Couldn't the day before I smashed the screen beyond use. So how on earth did I have all these data charges on that day? Now I could understand if I had, had the new phones earlier in the day, because there seems to be some strange glitch with these iPhone 5's were you use data, even when your phone is connected in your home to WiFi, but these were the 4s phones during the times of these data charges..
I'm not happy at all, first I got jerked around by 2 different Verizon employee's online, every option I tried they had some stupid reason why I could not do that and that I had to go with 1 option, I got so fed up, I didn't process my order online. I then turned around and went over to Sprint and spent time online with a Sprint employee, where I did not get jerked around, where I could have placed my order and then went to the store and picked up my phones right then. But no I was foolish, long time Verizon customer, happy with Verizon until this day, so I got in my car, drove to a store and spent an hour doing the whole process over with a nice friendly store employee(not a Verizon store). Now I get these upgrade fees, overage fee for 5 days of data service, where I was not over my monthly 1 GB, and all kinds of data charges appearing in the 5 days of the bill cycle on these new phones. Might not be much strange added on data to some, but in 2 years 4 months of the 4s iPhones, never used more then 1 GB a month and now so far I will exceed that 1 GB in this new billing cycle and by at least 1 GB, it would be 2 GB's except I shut one phone completely down and the other one is down to bare minimum, when nothing has changed in the way we are using our phones, and we are not using more data. I have now completely shut my phones cellular data off, I've turned it on in this billing cycle 6 times, bare minimum of only when I absolutely have to. The other phone, I can't do that with, and that phone is going through double, possibly triple the amount of data then the 4s, same user on both phones. I do now shut the cellular off of that phone when it comes into the house and it's not turned back on until it's out my door, so I will see if these strange data charges stop for when the phone is in the home hooked to WiFi. On top of that, I have shut down every app on that phone that is needed when WiFi can't be accessed, cellular is turned off except for 2 or 3 things. This is a bunch of garbage, I have 2 smartphones, and I have to shut them down and turn them into nothing but a normal old phone. What the heck is going on with this?

I will try to address your concerns - and explain why things are as they are ... you may not like the explanation but hopefully it will help you understand what has happened and what you can do moving forward.
I got charged a total of $60 for a $30 upgrade on each phone. I'm not upgrading, my plan was expired ... If I was a brand new customer to Verizon would I get charged this upgrade fee?
Verizon's definition of "upgrade" is purchasing phone at a discount and agreeing to a new contract - if you are a brand new customer, you pay a $35 activation fee. If you are an existing customer, you pay a $30 upgrade fee - this has been in place for about 2 years now.
2nd question, my bill cycle runs from the 24th to the 23rd, since I bought these new phones on the 19th, there were 5 days left to the billing cycle, so they prorated old plan and new plan. New plan is 1 GB, 5 days were prorated, I used in those 5 days between the 2 phones 371.77 MB, and I'm being charged for an overage of 206.61 MB of $15. Now my plan gives me 1 GB a month, that would be 1024 MB, I didn't go over this 1 GB in the month, so why am I being charged an overage for 5 lousy days? You only had the new plan for 5 days - pro-rating means you get about 34 MB per day, or about 170 MB for those 5 days. If you used 371, that a 200 MB overage. You likely were only charged for 5 days of the new plan as well...
... I have shut down every app on that phone that is needed when WiFi can't be accessed, cellular is turned off except for 2 or 3 things. This is a bunch of garbage, I have 2 smartphones, and I have to shut them down and turn them into nothing but a normal old phone. What the heck is going on with this?
My daughter recently upgraded from her iPhone 4 to a 5c - her data spiked and she used nearly 1 GB in the first week where that was about what she uses an entire billing cycle. We went through all her data settings and discovered she had about 10-12 apps (Facebook, Instagram, etc) that were updating all the time, connected to wifi or not. She shut most of those off and will open the app and update manually when she is on wifi. She downloaded and is using Onavo to manage her data and understand what gets used and when. I hope we have it under control, but the defaults on the iPhone 5 seem to turn on everything to update constantly, and that's just not a good thing.
It does seem the iPhone 5 series takes more work than any phone I've ever used to keep data usage manageable.

Do I have to pay the upgrade fee if I buy my phone from apple?

I can't find anywhere where the upgrade fee is explained fully. I know if I buy my phone from apple, it is a "verizon" phone -- will they charge me the upgrade fee, will verizon charge it when I activate the phone, or does it not apply if I buy it via the apple store?

If you are buying the phone at full price (or Verizon EDGE), there won't be any upgrade fee. If you are getting a subsidized phone (2-year contract) there will be an upgrade fee.

$30 UPGRADE FEE - SHENANIGANS!

Well Verizon, you've managed to do it. I've been a customer for well over 8 years. I'm in my ReNew Every Two period so I was considering moving from my Android to an iPhone 4S (16GB).
I looked online and found that I was eligible for a $30 discount. Wow! Awesome! But I didn't buy right away.
A few days later, I'm in a brick and mortar Verizon store to pay my bill. While there I asked a rep to look into what it would cost to update my plan and move to a new phone. He said the device would cost $199. I mentioned it was $169 online. He mentioned the $30 upgrade fee.
My eyes squinted and I walked out without saying a word. I looked it up online and sure enough, you clowns are charging a $30 upgrade fee. Net 0. Do you really think that offering a $30 discount and then inject a $30 "upgrade fee" would be acceptable? You guys at verizon are out of touch.
Come August 2012, I will end my 8 year commitment with verizon and move to another service. Sure, the other services will stick it to me in other inventive ways but it wont be verizon. If that's how this company treats its loyal customers then count me out as a paying customer.
Vote with your dollars, folks.
Note for the moderator. I looked up the other $30 Upgrade Fee forum posts - they've all been closed.

"Come August 2012, I will end my 8 year commitment with verizon and move to another service. Sure, the other services will stick it to me in other inventive ways but it wont be verizon. If that's how this company treats its loyal customers then count me out as a paying customer."
No, I'm not willing to pay $200 for a phone. $169.00, yes! You see, a company typically offers incentives to entice someone to purchase something. In this case, verizon is offering a $30 discount. Yaaaaaaay!
Then, as you start researching more and more about the transaction one finds out about the $30 "upgrade fee".
Also, let's see. They promise to break my contract where I was offered "unlimited data". Now they are breaking the terms of my contract and limiting it to 2 Gigabytes per month. Granted, I only use about 300M / month; but, if I use a feature of my droid for it to act as a WIFI hotspot I'll go over that 2GB pretty darn quick.
So, certain features of my phone drew me to it: WIFI Hotspot, unlimited data, and tethering to a laptop were all features I thought would be great. Of course, the service rep when I signed my contract made no mention of additional fees (WIFI Hotspot - $20/month, tethering - additional charges (dont remember so I'm not posting actual value)).
So, I shouldn't feel jilted, huh?
Uhh, Hmmm, yeaaahhhh. Thanks. I'll vote with my dollars elsewhere.

Upgrade fee? Really??

So Verizon provides a discount to certain companies or government agencies. THEN they decide to charge a $30 upgrade fee to counteract the discount they provide. For example: The phone I wanted was $199 with a 2 year contract. I received a $30 discount through my work. I look at the invoice and there's a $30 upgrade fee added on. So basically the discount is null and void. Needless to say I'll shop elsewhere even though I've been a Verizon customer for at least 10 years.

kymjj wrote:
I am with you I have a discount on my line through my employer and it clearly states that we do not have to pay ANY fees but they are charging me anyway. I am done with Verizon they do not care about long term customers the call center people are rude and by the way no in the store ever said a word about an upgrade fee and it was no where on the reciept and I did not have to sign any paperwork while there.
Hate to break it to you but ALL the major carriers have upgrade fees. In fact at&t and Sprint are HIGHER. I guess you intend to play musical carriers every to years to avoid a $30 fee.
Let's see a $600 phone can be had for $200 plus a $30 upgrade fee which is basically a 62% discount yet people feel they are being ripped off? Amazing.

Upgrade Fee?! R U Kidding Me!

I about lost it a few minutes ago in the Verizon Store when they told me we now have to pay $30 to upgrade to a new phone! I wait 2 years for an upgrade and they're making ME pay THEM to buy a new phone??? You've got to be kidding me! If I didn't have my 3 kids, myself and all my home services with Verizon I'd cancel everything and go somewhere else! AND, the new iPhone 5 is $4 more a month for insurance! This is beyond ridiculous! Very unhappy customer!

Brian68 wrote:
If one cannot afford the $30 upgrade fee maybe they should not be spending $200 on a phone in the first place. Just saying.
Also why is this still news to people. This policy has been around for 9 months now. Not to mentioned it's mention on the website or at any store where you get a phone BEFORE you buy.
I also love how people threaten to leave to go to companies that charge even higher upgrade fees. I also love how getting a $650 Iphone 5 for $230 is considered being ripped off. Where else does getting product for 65% off represents being ripped off? Complaints like this make me wish Verizon would go the t-mobile route and get rid of upgrade discounts.
Verizon Wireless said that they would consider it if T-Mobile is successful with their plans.
I think that VZW would have to define "successful", though. T-Mobile has had unsubsidized plans for a while now, and their customers knew that it was an option. Now that Value plans will be the only postpaid choice for new customers, Verizon Wireless can watch how this goes for T-Mobile and act accordingly. I think that it will be like everything else in this industry-once one company does it successfully, others will follow suit.

Trying to understand upgrade fee

I have spent the better part of the last three months trying to understand why one has to pay an upgrade fee. If we renew the contract and buy another phone, then why do we need to spend an additional $30 for an "enttled" upgrade? Why not build it into the phone price if everyone has to pay it? It seems petty if you deal with Verizon Wireless on a longterm basis

Why do doctors charge multiple co-pays instead of just adding that price into the outrageous charges they submitted to the insurance carriers?
They charge the upgrade fee because you are purchasing a phone that costs $500-$800 for less that 1/4 the cost of the phone.
You see you charge co-pays separate from your charges. Verizon does the same. So this should not be an issue.
Good Luck

$30 upgrade fee... really?

After standing in a Verizon store for 30 minutes (8 employees, 6 customers... yet somehow no-one could help me) to simply buy an iPhone 5s in a box I was told I owed the price of the phone plus a $30 upgrade fee. I asked the associate what that was and he told me it was for all of the assistance required to set up a smartphone. I noted that I required no assistance - I was buying it in the box and would set it up later - but he said that didn't matter. Shocking.
What's the point of the upgrade credit if it's going to be clawed back with no say on my part? I left with a bad taste in my mouth.
I was a pretty happy Verizon customer until yesterday. If any of you marketing types are reading this, be aware that I've moved from Promoter to Passive, heading towards Detractor. If you want to do the right thing, refund my $30.
In the meantime you ought to get rid of that stupid nickel-and-dime policy. Reduce the upgrade credit if you want, but don't give an upgrade credit and then say "just kidding".
My 2c.

Unless you were purchasing the phone at full retail price, I don't think the store reps are allowed to sell you the phone in the box only. They have to open and activate it in the store. At least that's what my experience was when I purchased the Tbolt and later when I brought in a slightly used Galaxy Nexus. I would have preferred setting up my Gmail account at home when connected to wifi instead of using the cellular data connection. Instead they had to activate theSIM cardand pphone before I left the store. I think I did manage to skip the Gmail account sign-in on the Nexus, but not on the Tbolt.
If you were purchasing at full retail price, the $30 Upgrade Fee doesn't then apply.

30 upgrade fee is nonsense

So let me get this straight; I have been a customer for 15 years, pay more $ each year for your services, and now I want to purchase a new phone AND extend my contract with you another two years, and YOU want to charge me $30 upgrade fee for committing to pay you $280+/mo for another 2 years? What is wrong with this picture? I don't care if other providers charge it too. I am giving you another 2 years committment, you shouldn't charge me $30 for MY gift to YOU!!!!! So, no, I won't buy a new phone from you, almost have all 4 devices out of contract then I will switch! : )

So you'll switch and pay new carrier upgrade fees in 2 years. So you've been a customer for 15 years. So what? I don't
mean to troll and defend Verizon's policies, but policies do change over time. Sure you can vote with your feet and your
wallet, but if the upgrade fee is the issue, then there is no benefit to switching except perhaps on principle just because
you are mad. Not a rational reason. Besides, like T-Mobile, ATT is thinking of eliminating contracts and upgrade fees
anyway, probably will over next two years.

Early Upgrade Fee

I got switched to Verizon via the Alltel buyout so I'm not really sure how all this works with Verizon. I have a BlackBerry Storm and want to switch to a Droid. I have had my BlackBerry for a year and a few months. I am about 6-8 months away from NET. I heard there is an ealry upgrade fee that I can pay and upgrade at sale price? Is this true??

Hi -
What you are referring to, I think, is the ANNUAL upgrade.
It is only applicable to the primary line on a family share, or an individual line, where the voice/calling plan is $49.99 or higher. (So your data plan does NOT figure in to the cost of the plan).
After fulfilling one year of a 2-year contract, you are able to upgrade at the 2-yr contract pricing. That will extend your contract out for 2 years from the date of upgrade. Since Verizon is letting you upgrade early, (one year into your two year contract) there is a $20 processing fee on top of the cost of the phone. When you do the early upgrade, you forfeit your New Every Two eligibility for two more years.
So, if you are the primary on a family plan, or have an individual plan $49.99 or more (WITHOUT the data plan), then you can upgrade now. If you have had your phone "a year and a few months" then you should be eligible in just a couple of months for your NE2 (if you are primary, or on an individual plan) so that would save you $30 - $50 plus the $20 upgrade fee that will not be charged if you wait. You are eligible 20 months in or 4 months before your contract expires.

Upgrade fee fraud?

Is this fraud? I can see (now) that Verizon has an upgrade fee -- outrageous as it is to label less service an 'upgrade' -- but isn't it illegal or fraudulent to hide it? I bought my new phone (after 5 years with my old phone and 15 years with Verizon) at a Verizon store. Not only was I not told about an upgrade fee, but my itemized receipt says quite clearly 2 YR UPGRADE SMARTPHONE Price $0.00.
This charge was then inserted onto my online bill. I called, got into major arguments that derailed into why an upgrade fee is justified, but with no response to the fact that I was unaware of the fee, did not agree to pay it, and have a receipt that says $0 charge.
Do I have any recourse at all?

Thanks, Ann. Your note confirms that if it WAS a Verizon store, there is something wrong with being charged. Since I certainly bought the phone at a Verizon store, and have the itemized receipt to show it (complete with masthead and store number), and the receipt lists the upgrade fee as $0 -- well, I still am stuck about fraud, mistake, or recourse. I have mailed the receipt to Customer Service, but given past experience, I'm not expecting a reply. I'll continue to not pay, late fees will mount, the spiral of dissatisfaction will grow, I'll switch to another carrier asap -- all because Verizon can't admit to a $30 mistake -- unless, of course, it's a deliberate strategy to sneak in charges.

UPGRADE FEE WAIVER

Within the past two weeks or so, I spoke with a Verizon Customer Service Representative who guaranteed me that Verizon would waive the $30 upgrade fee if I were to purchase a smart-phone from Costco and sign up for a two-year contract. When I called Verizon today, the Customer Service Representative and her supervisor both told me that Verizon would not waive this fee. I have been a Verizon customer for many years and I am disappointed that a business such as Verizon will not stand behind what the original Customer Service Representative told me. The bottom line is Verizon should honor what the original Customer Service Representative guaranteed to me, that Verizon would waive the $30 upgrade fee.
She guaranteed me and I believed her. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Sure, Verizon may not honor what their representative guaranteed, but it
would be a bad reflection of how they operate their company and treat
customers.
In a message dated 9/16/2012 4:26:01 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
(http://community.verizonwireless.com/)
(http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/index.html)     (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/explore)
(http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewSho
pIndex)    (https://wbillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/nos/topline.jsp)
(http://support.verizonwireless.com/clc/)
Re: UPGRADE FEE WAIVER
created by tikibar1
(https://community.verizonwireless.com/people/tikibar1)   in My Verizon - View the full discussion
(https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/867796#867796)

Upgrade Fee - damaging brand equity

So here’s the thing. I know that there are ‘rational’ explanations for the $30 ‘upgrade fee’. And that AT&T and Sprint are charging $36 or $38.
But that doesn’t change the fact that as a loyal Verizon user for 7 years, with multiple phone lines, I FEEL like I’m being ripped off.
And that is the problem with this charge. It directly impacts the way that customers feel about the brand, and hence the value of that brand. That’s what brands really represent to business - the ability to leverage customer emotion to sell products and services. Coca-cola rather than regular cola.
Damaging the way customers feel about your brand is serious, no matter how much you want to rationalize why the customers are wrong for feeling that.
Ask Toyota, Nike, Exxon-Mobil etc.
Another crazy thing is that this ‘upgrade fee' is a short-term, reactive strategy. Verizon say “we’re doing it because the other guys are doing it!" Wow, not exactly a leadership stance. Probably sooner rather than later a court, or a competitor, will change the rules here anyway. And Verizon will be forced to back-track. Meanwhile a huge ‘ding’ has been made in customer relationship, and the long-term value of the brand will have dropped by some huge multiple of the revenue gained through the ‘upgrade’.
Note to Verizon Wireless CMO - wise up buddy ...

Note to jandcinny
A) Since you are posting in the Apple forum I suspect you have an Iphone. So that means even with the upgrade fee you got a $650 Iphone for $230 or 65% off retail price. You'll be hard pressed to find any court that will say that you are being ripped off.
B) As you noted At&t, Sprint, T-mobile have been doing this far longer and not one case has been brought to court. So this "back-track" you mention will not happen.
C) A lot of things have fees attached to them. Even getting a pizza delivered to my house has a fee. This is despite the fact the pizza place hires drivers specifically to deliver pizzas. In other words I'm paying an extra fee just for someone to do their job.
D) Verizon is not obligated to give anyone an upgrade discount AT ALL. Verizon could go the t-mobile route and make you pay full price. Just like all those pre-paid companies do too. And upgrade fee won't look so bad then. And as it has been said if you want to avoid the fee pay full price for the phone.
E) Please quit bringing up "loyalty". I highly doubt ANYONE has stayed out of loyalty. If they have honestly that isn't very bright.
F) No one from Verizon is going to read this. Even if they do they are not going to take your suggestion seriously. Do you honestly think someone form Verizon is going to read this and come to some epiphany and do away with the upgrade fee? Do you think your "Note to Verizon Wireless CMO - wise up buddy ..." remark is going to have one iota of an effect? As if telling the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company to "wise up buddy ..." would be an effective way to get them to change their minds.

Upgrade Fee? Is it time for a new provider?

The new upgrade fee is a bit ridiculous. Verizon is by far the most expensive provider available.
Is it time to start searching for a new provider?

Hmmmm, sounds like a challenge. I live in a metro area so I know there are many providers to choose from. I have many friends who get excellent service from smaller providers. Last time I checked it's not 2003 and mobile phone tower usage is leased to providers not owned. There are probably plenty of service providers who are champing-at-the-bit to sign up ex-Verizon customers. I will do some research and let you guys know what I find.
Just to note, part of the reason cell phone makers charge so much for their phones is because of subsidies. Do you really think people would switch to next crapple iphone 7 if they actually had to pay $800 bucks for it? Apple, samsung, Nokia, ect. would have to drop their prices in order to maintain profit if service providers didn't use the phones to entice people to sign up for their price gouging scheme. Lucky for us we live in a free market so we can vote with our pocket book. I assume you probably work for Verizon so you may not be switching, but if enough people change their provider Verizon will start to feel the affect. Remember when Cingular used to exist?

I-Phone Upgrade - "fee" --- $200.00 ?

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