ZDnet:Verizon Wireless to add $30 upgrade fee for all existing customers

[Dictator]

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetrevi...ustomers/29184

Verizon Wireless subscribers looking to upgrade to the Galaxy Nexus or the iPhone 4S in the coming months might be in for a bit of a shock, and maybe heartbreak.
Starting April 22nd, Verizon Wireless will apply $30 upgrade fee to the phone purchases of existing customers. This, of course, is in addition to the price of a phone and the toil of a two-year contract.
Verizon has a little bit of semantic fun with the press release, using ”discounted” instead of “subsidized” to refer to its carrying half of the new phone price burden. It’s a transparent substitution, and not one likely to make customers any less unhappy.

This fee will help us continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever.

[RVAbrendan]

If they were smart, they'd merge the $30 price hike into the new 2-year agreement price, raising far less eyebrows. This is a little ridiculous, though. "Pay US for the opportunity to give us more money per month!"

[Enter Apotheosis]

"Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever"

I do not give a flying **** about any of those things. Oh well, this is just what Verizon does.

[Dictator]

I can't say I know anyone who has EVER attended a verizon wireless workshop. If they are so in demand, charge people a fee to learn to use their new phones.

also, my wife who doesn't have a smart phone...nor does she want one, will need to pay to upgrade her phone.

[roanoker]

Damn. Bye, bye verizon.

[skinswillwin06]

Not defending Verizon, but the other carriers already do this...

[MattFancy]

Not defending Verizon, but the other carriers already do this...

Yeah I didn't know that until I read a few articles on this yesterday. Doesn't make it any better, but VZW isn't the only one. Still a stupid fee.

Although, how can they charge you if technically you're not under contract anymore?

[Pick6]

Well you are paying less than a upgrade fee AT&T and Sprint already charge. Also, isn't this fee waived if you go the full 24-months without changing phones. As a federal employee verizon gives me 15% off my bill every month and have good service. Doesn't really bother me.

---------- Post added April-12th-2012 at 03:46 PM ----------

Yeah I didn't know that until I read a few articles on this yesterday. Doesn't make it any better, but VZW isn't the only one. Still a stupid fee.

Although, how can they charge you if technically you're not under contract anymore?

I thought the same thing. I think the article is missing the point of, "if you want to upgrade early," then this fee is applied.

[MattFancy]

I thought the same thing. I think the article is missing the point of, "if you want to upgrade early," then this fee is applied.

That's what I'm confused about. Do you pay the extra $30 to upgrade if you want a new phone before you are due to upgrade? Or is that $30 a fee to upgrade even when you are eligible to upgrade?

I can get a new phone in November. So if I wait til then do a pay or fee?

[Forehead]

Well you are paying less than a upgrade fee AT&T and Sprint already charge. Also, isn't this fee waived if you go the full 24-months without changing phones. As a federal employee verizon gives me 15% off my bill every month and have good service. Doesn't really bother me.

Back up there! How do you swing this?

[RVAbrendan]

lol, I still get my 20% monthly discount from when I worked at Circuit City back in 2004.

[I_Bleed_B&G]

A lot of the times they will waive this. Well at least that was my experience with AT&T when I had them. I have sprint now and am up for renewal. Just waiting for a tight phone to come out but we'll see if they do the same. Kinda miss AT&T though

[drtdrums]

I will now abuse the hell out of my unlimited data package that I'm grandfathered into.

I will get my $30 out of their asses the first month I have my new phone. Netflix/audio streaming, get ready.

[Dictator]

From another site...

Only users upgrading at the end of a contract, and therefore receiving the discounted price on a new mobile phone, must pay the $30. If a user is upgrading before their contract is complete and paying the full price of the phone, the fee will not apply

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/74849.html

[MattFancy]

From another site...

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/74849.html

That doesn't make sense at all. If you're contract is over, why should you pay a fee?