I went into the Verizon store one day on S. Lake Ave.in Pasadena because I was tired of getting dropped calls by my Sprint provider. I went to Verizon because of the catchy commercials where they show their users "never" getting dropped calls. It was on a day when the use of my cell was critical, and Sprint just could not keep up... I needed something reliable.
I went to Verizon for the reason I described above, and also because I saw the commercial advertising the new (at the time) Blackberry Storm... Buy 1 get 1 free. So that is what I did. I explained clearly that I needed a reliable phone that does not drop calls, since much of my work is over the phone. She reminded me that if I purchase the BB Storm with a 2 yr contract, I can get a 2nd one free. Great! I dont need it, but if it's free, why not? Then she said I also get an Internet Wireless card free. Really? Great! If it's free, I'll take it. "but i do not want either activated until i authorize to do so"!
"no problem, " she said. "You can activate online whenever you want, or just call us whenever you are ready". I purchased some of the necessary accessories for my equipment, along with the initial activation fee, and was satisfied (momentarily).
Towards the end of the transaction, I was presented with a form for my signature, which was specifically communicated to me that it was my authorization to accept the free additional products (2nd BB and Wireless Card). I reminded the sales rep, "I do not want these additional items activated at all". She insisted that it was just to accept the items. Yes, I was given a copy.
35 days later, after being out of the country, I come home to a $424 bill!!! Despite me never using the additional products that were supposedly free, I still get charged for it, and am told that I authorized the activation at time of purchase. Customer Service said I signed for it... The same authorization that was supposedly only to accept the free items. And, what I signed was a receipt showing coded numbers that were associated with the scanned items, not any contract! Customer Service over the phone said go back to the store... The store said call back customer service. Finally they told me that if I want to change the plan, I will have to pay and additional $175 to cancel my contract! On top of my monthly bills of approx $500 after taxes!!! AND I ONLY USE 1 PHONE WITH LESS THAN 1000 MINUTES A MONTH!
Guess what people, I'm going to AT&T, gonna pay the typical $150/mo, get the iPhone (although I was pretty happy with the BB, too bad VeriSIN left a bad taste). Send it to collections, I'll dispute all day long... Everything is well-documented. I was taught to never lose reseipts!
The sad part is, I turned my back on a company (Sprint) that really had nothing wrong other than dropping my calls... And I'm not saying that is okay. But the customer service at Sprint always corrected my problems without any hesitation. I just feel embarrassed returning to them after I left them.
I hear great things about AT&T... I really have my fingers crossed!
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