Complaint Rating:

I was a customer of Verizon Wireless for about 13 years. During that time I had practically no problems with their services and policies. To gain superior voice qualities of GSM (as opposed to Verizon’s Qualcomm CDMA format). I decided to go with a GSM carrier and chose AT&T. This also afforded the advantage of “rollover minutes”.
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I terminated Verizon’s service on 7-22-10 at which time my numbers were ported to AT&T. Verizon informed me I’d be obligated to continue (contractual) payment through 8-18-10. That meant I would be paying Verizon and obtaining NO SERVICE from 7-22 -10 through 8-18-10. I wasn’t too thrilled at paying a prorated $81.40 for NOTHING, (no service) but was prepared to live with it. I requested they bill this ‘no service provided’ time frame at a lower monthly plan rate.
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“Nawww….that won’t happen” was voiced in so many terse words. End result, I paid ‘full boat’ current plan for about 27 days of cellular service which I didn’t and couldn’t access. I went ahead and paid for this non-service, having no other choice. A disappointment, to say the least. Nothing like paying good money for nothing.
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Almost immediately I received a communiqué from Verizon Wireless stating: ”Reclaim your seat at the top of the mobile food chain.” (a bit presumptuous I thought) ”Come back and get up to $100 off on any phone. Plus, pay no activation fee. Whatever your reason for leaving, we want you back. Plus, get back any early termination fee you may have paid. A special offer just for you”.
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The foregoing last paragraph illustrates a problem I’ve had with many companies and services for many years. You’re a forgotten mushroom while continuing service, for years, never missing an on time payment. Quit? Never a customer? Oh wow! “Have we got a deal for you”. Sort of like a job I had many, many years ago. The only way to get a raise was to quit. Why can’t a 13 year loyal customer be worth as much as someone who has NEVER contributed income to the business? (That’s a rhetorical question, of course)
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