Verizon is actually asking why I haven't upgraded!

Question

I have been with Verizon for nearly 20 years, and currently have a family share plan; 4 phones (3 smartphones [2-unlimited data, 1-2GB data], + 1 feature phone).  For years, I was practically a cheerleader for Verizon, due to their great cell service, resonable prices, great customer service, and rewards for loyalty. I always upgraded when my line(s) were eligible, and have paid Verizon much more than I would really like to actually figure out during those 20 years! 
However, that has changed, all in the course of just a year or two.  First, their NE2 dropped from $100 to $50.  Then it was dropped to $0.  Then they started charging $30 for the "priviledge" of signing another 2 year contract.  Then they stopped offering Unlimited data (but grandfathered it in).  Then they got rtid of unlimited data completely (unless you want to pay full retail ($500+).  Then they gave us a family data plan that does not save families much money at all (which is what everyone was really asking for), and actually increases costs for many of us.  All of this during a period of time when they are making record profits (from data), and are heavily marketing and pushing the data capabilities of their products.
My phone (primary, smartphone, unlimited data) has been eligible for an upgrade since April.  That is right around the time that Verizon decided to step up their policy of screwing loyal customers to a fever pitch, so I made the decision that I would not give Verizon any more of my cash than I absolutely had to.  I decided to vote with my wallet, not upgrade, and likely drop Verizon for something else.   Of course, with multiple phones/multiple contract dates, it is difficult to simply drop the entire plan and walk away, but I am biding my time untill each of those lines come off contract, (the 2nd of which is coming up soon) and then will likely move to a different provider.  See, I'm not just complaining, as some here have suggested, but I am in fact putting my money where my mouth is.
Interestingly, I got an email from Verizon today, asking me why I haven't upgraded yet, and asking me to fill out a survey.  I laughed at first, but then went ahead and filled out the survey.  Unfortunately, it didn't allow me to actually write any of my thoughts, but only provided multiple choice questions instead.  However, that did allow me to tell them that the major reason for not upgrading was 1) their new upgrade policies (including both the $30 fee and loss of unlimited data) and 2) their new plans (specifically their "share everything" plan).  This survey, just about 10 questions, made it a point to mention those new policies and plans, and ask about them.  Are they starting to see some actual pushback from customers?
Perhaps if everyone resisted the urge to get the newest available phones the second they are able to, and instead sat on their old phones for a while when their upgrade became available, Verizon would start to see how their recent policies are negatively affecting their customers' perceptions about them.  They might even pull back on those policies a bit?  By the time my 4th line is up, if they haven't started to move back toward the policies that made them #1 in the first place, I will likely bail.  That is not a threat, just reality.  Of course, Verizon could care less about a single customer, even one with 4 lines and a $250 month bill.  But if everyone had the conviction to do just that, you would see Verizon change.  Wishful thinking, perhaps.

Answer 1

donob12 wrote:
I wish you the best and hope you will keep us informed of your decisions.  I have two lines that have phones eligible for replacement 9/28/12.  I've read all the rumors but can't find on "My Verizon" any explanation of what options will be open to us.  My bill is a little more than half yours and I too have been with Verizon more than 15 years, I don't like the more money grubbing approach.
I need info that Verizon doesn't seem to want to give me.  I may go elsewhere.
you will have the option to keep your current plan (with the exception of a couple VERY old altell plans i think). however, if you have unlimited data, then you will have to select the 2gig individual data plan ($30/month). if you do this, your bill stays the same, but you have a 2 gig cap on data, as opposed to having unlimited data. your other option would be to switch to the share everything plan (will cost much more on an account with only 2 lines) or a prepaid plan.