Verizon Wireless Scammed me BIG TIME!

[pyrobling]

Originally Posted by xraymed

*****touche*****

LMAO!!! Thats funny!!!

[Pony99CA]

I really doubt that anybody was "scammed" here. Maybe some reps were wrong about what they said, but that could be a simple mistake. If Verizon makes things right with a refund, then there was no scam.

As for data plans, I think what xray wants is similar to Mobile Web, where Internet access used minutes, not data (and only cost $5 per month). It was great on my Motorola V710, because I could even do Bluetooth tethering with the phone, basically getting unlimited Internet access nights and weekends for $5 per month.

Steve

[VTDr0p0ut]

I have found Verizon to be very "he said, she said, who cares, this is what I'm saying now" For the longest time, VZW never had a standard answer for the question "if I dial *86, does it use minutes?". Now they do. I think when a question varies outside of the lines of some FAQ they might have available (Adam?), they will tell you their opinion rather than something they've researched. I've learned to always double check that they comment on their testimony in my account, but as is shown all over the internet ($0.002 == $0.00002 in VZW logic), that's not always 100% effective. If VZW DOESN'T give a refund, what else would you call it other than a scam? In the classic vcents example, the customer was scammed out of $74... in this case, if VZW doesn't give a refund, our forum friend here would be scammed out of a significantly larger sum of money. If it was his "ignorance", I would call it a hard (and expensive) lessoned learn, but when a company representitive tells you something, especially customer service/sales, you need to be able to take that to the bank, or else what's the point of asking something if the billing system is going to do something completely different to you? Verizon needs to have some liability (and educated reps) on the front lines (no offense to the people here on the boards, but some of the people I talk to in the store/on the phone sound less informed about VZW's offerings than the people on the other side of the counter).

[Marvelous Merv]

Something similar happened to me with my first Treo 650 - I tried to "get by" with a 20MB plan, then sailed over that amount in my first month by a two-fold figure and ended up with a $350 data charge. This is the root of my frequent exhortations to all those who THINK they can get by with a limited data plan - go unlimited, or don't go at all.

I had a similar issue with text messaging - I switched phones and THOUGHT I kept the same unlimited text plan, but it was dropped during the switch and I racked up $150 in texting costs. No sympathy from Verizon - just the offer to retroactively apply the new program to the current billing cycle.

It is for this reason that I think there needs to be federal legislation over the amount that a cellphone bill/charge can exceed the the amount of the most appropriate calling/service plan. Maybe something like two or three hundered percent. This way, if you should have been on Unlimited data, but went with a limited data plan, the MOST you could be charged would be between $80-$120. Same with text messaging. The gouging on plan overage MUST stop. This kind of legislation should apply to all situations or ATLEAST the first billing cycle with a new phone or significant change to a calling plan. All of my billing nightmares have occurred - like the original poster - with my first bill with a new plan or phone...

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by VTDr0p0ut

If VZW DOESN'T give a refund, what else would you call it other than a scam?

Bad, but not a scam. A scam must have some dishonesty or the intent to bilk somebody out of money. Check the definition. If the rep made an honest attempt to answer the question and got it wrong, that's bad, but not a scam.

If they don't refund the money, that might be actionable, but it would be a civil suit. A scam could be prosecuted in a criminal case, and I doubt this would be.

Originally Posted by VTDr0p0ut

If it was his "ignorance", I would call it a hard (and expensive) lessoned learn, but when a company representitive tells you something, especially customer service/sales, you need to be able to take that to the bank, or else what's the point of asking something if the billing system is going to do something completely different to you? Verizon needs to have some liability (and educated reps) on the front lines (no offense to the people here on the boards, but some of the people I talk to in the store/on the phone sound less informed about VZW's offerings than the people on the other side of the counter).

I agree that Verizon should be liable for their advice, but that's not always the case in the world. For example, if you call the IRS and get bad advice and underpay your taxes, you're still liable for the tax and any penalty and interest, I believe. Yes, it sucks and shouldn't work like that, but life isn't fair.

I certainly sympathize with people getting huge bills like this, and think they should get refunds, but let's keep things in perspective. Unless you believe that the rep intentionally misled the guy, you can't call this a scam.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Marvelous Merv

It is for this reason that I think there needs to be federal legislation over the amount that a cellphone bill/charge can exceed the the amount of the most appropriate calling/service plan. Maybe something like two or three hundered percent. This way, if you should have been on Unlimited data, but went with a limited data plan, the MOST you could be charged would be between $80-$120. Same with text messaging. The gouging on plan overage MUST stop. This kind of legislation should apply to all situations or ATLEAST the first billing cycle with a new phone or significant change to a calling plan. All of my billing nightmares have occurred - like the original poster - with my first bill with a new plan or phone...

I like that idea. I just hope it won't be a case of "be careful what you wish for". Imagine Verizon reacting by introducing new pricing plans as follows:

• 10 MB -- $25
• 50 MB -- $50
• 200 MB -- $150
• 500 MB -- $300
• Unlimited -- $500

That could backfire for those of us who want unlimited data.

Steve

[Marvelous Merv]

Right after that - as your Congressman or Senator - I will introduce legislation titled "The Compact Electrical Device Power Standard" which will do two things - standardize the power connectors for AC/DC power sources so that consumers are no longer forced to purchase proprietary power supplies for all their electronics AND replace the unnecessarily large AC adapter/cigarette lighter ports in automobiles with something much, much smaller...

[Pony99CA]

Originally Posted by Marvelous Merv

Right after that - as your Congressman or Senator - I will introduce legislation titled "The Compact Electrical Device Power Standard" which will do two things - standardize the power connectors for AC/DC power sources so that consumers are no longer forced to purchase proprietary power supplies for all their electronics AND replace the unnecessarily large AC adapter/cigarette lighter ports in automobiles with something much, much smaller...

China seems to already be doing the former. I heard they've made mini-USB connectors the standard power connector for some devices.

As for cigarette lighter ports, don't change those. You'll make lots of existing gear completely useless. I'd rather you focus on preventing AC adapters from having the brick (transformer) connected to the plug. Put the brick away from the plug so they won't hog power strip outlets or force me to buy wide-spaced power strips (or Power Squids).

Anyway, I think we're drifting from the point of this thread. Has the OP heard anything more about a refund?

Steve

[GWK]

Originally Posted by Marvelous Merv

Something similar happened to me with my first Treo 650 - I tried to "get by" with a 20MB plan, then sailed over that amount in my first month by a two-fold figure and ended up with a $350 data charge. This is the root of my frequent exhortations to all those who THINK they can get by with a limited data plan - go unlimited, or don't go at all.

I had a similar issue with text messaging - I switched phones and THOUGHT I kept the same unlimited text plan, but it was dropped during the switch and I racked up $150 in texting costs. No sympathy from Verizon - just the offer to retroactively apply the new program to the current billing cycle.

It is for this reason that I think there needs to be federal legislation over the amount that a cellphone bill/charge can exceed the the amount of the most appropriate calling/service plan. Maybe something like two or three hundered percent. This way, if you should have been on Unlimited data, but went with a limited data plan, the MOST you could be charged would be between $80-$120. Same with text messaging. The gouging on plan overage MUST stop. This kind of legislation should apply to all situations or ATLEAST the first billing cycle with a new phone or significant change to a calling plan. All of my billing nightmares have occurred - like the original poster - with my first bill with a new plan or phone...

The last thing we need is more legislation ruining the phone systems. People, you continue to give up your rights to a free market in the interest of 'fairness' and you will soon be singing the praises of dictatorship. If anything, we need fewer laws, fewer lawyers, and less oppression on the free market system. Supply & demand, and old fassion competition will drive the prices down soon enough.

As for the unfairness of the added charges for going over, systems are designed and built for the expected usage. When you exceed this usage of you plan, you cause undue concerns as to wheter the designed system will work and should pay the price for it.

NO, I DO NOT WORK FOR ANY OF THE WIRELESS COMPANIES.

It's just tiring hearing folks look for work arounds on the system in an attempt to get something for nothing. If you want it, do what the rest of us due, pay for it. With less 'work arounds' the cost to those of us doing it right would go down.

Now off my high horse, I hope VZW gets off thier and rabates Athiel's money as they (thier representative) were obviously at fault in this. It is unfortunate that this error was made, but it is time for them to own up if they have not. Athiel whats the update on your situation????