My wife and I have been customer's with Verizon for many years. We have a joint service account with two separate phones and lines. Very recently and one year into the service contract (2 year contract), my employer offered me a phone for work that I could also use for personal use. The phone was through a different company (the new Palm Pre via Sprint, which is awesom bye the way). Couldn't turn it down. Because I didn't want to get hit with their ridiculous early cancellation fee (up to $175), I decided to give the phone to my son and we would honor the two year contract. I ported my current mobile number to my new phone with Sprint so that all my clients, friends, etc could still get a hold of me. I then went to the local Verizon at Hill Road in Ventura to have them activate a new phone number on the existing phone for my son. I asked several times whether there would be ANY fees and the sales person (Jerry) said no...only a $9.99 month by month charge and any cancellation fee would only apply if my wife cancelled the joint contract account all together. A few days later we recieved a bill in the mail, which included a $140 early cancellation fee. Of course, I went down to the local store on Hill Road and after waiting (they make you take a number) for 45 minutes, explained the situation calmly and they proceeded to give me the run around. I was of course upset and made it clear that I was not happy. The manager asked me to leave the store, so I left. This is the absolute worst company that I have ever dealt with...what happened to "the customer is always right"? If you are smart, you will have done some investigation and read this. Find a company that is customer friendly, even if you have to pay a little more. We will not pay the $140 and could possibly hurt our credit...but oh well - don't reward bad behavior. It's not even the money. It's the fact that they lied and even if they thought it was an honest misunderstanding, they need to work on retaining existing customers and not just signing up new suckers. By the way, if any of you idiots at Verizon want to take a postive step in the right direction, my cell phone (with Sprint) is 805-218-8996.

I have a complaint concerning my Treo 755p cellphone and Verizon wirelss. I work at home and often use my cellphone for business purposes. For some reason the reception on this phone is extremely poor for me; to likes of 1 to 2 bars. My wife also has a Verizon phone, however her's works fine. I have contacted Verizon about 3 weeks ago, at which point they sent me a duplicate replacement phone. I used this phone for about 2 weeks with same results. I called back and tech support worked with me for about an hour, to no avail. Lloyd the support guy promised to call me at noon the following day...no call by 2 o'clock so I called. Had to explain the whole situation to (2) people from scratch. End result, now they want to send techs out test in my area...then if problem persist they will see about replacement phone.

Now, I'm a reasonable guy, but why do I have to wait any longer to obtain a working phone for a company who proclaims coverage everywhere? So, in the meantime I'm left with a unreliable phone until Verizon see fit to address the issue. Not good customer service!

An open letter to Verizon Wireless:

Dear Sir or Madam:
As a new customer, I signed up for a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Select Family SharePlan which includes ‘Unlimited Text, Picture, Video & Instant Messaging.’ My account was opened in February 2009 and when I activated my five lines, I specifically requested a data block on all of the phones. The CSR activated the blocks and I was ready to use my phones.

When I started getting my bill, I noticed several charges for $1.99 for megabyte usage. So the next month, I called and inquired as to why I was being charged for data access after it had been blocked. The CSR told me that the previous Verizon employee who activated my phones had forgotten to add a few blocks. She informed me that the problem was now taken care of; that I wouldn’t be billed any data charges again. For the next 4 billing statements, I had data charges on various lines. I called each month and each CSR could not explain why, but each insured me the problem was taken care of.

Although all my family members know data access is blocked, simply hitting the wrong key on accident will incur a data charge. My line has been charged a few times, and I have not used any data. My mother’s line has been charged for data access as well; she can barely use a computer, much less cell phone internet.

When I made my routine monthly call to Verizon Wireless in June, I explained that I wanted this problem fixed for good. I was transferred to technical support and they could not find the reason, as all the necessary blocks were in place. That tech support employee then transferred me to “level 2” care to see if they could figure out the problem. They couldn’t find out why I was being billed either, so they said that a team engineer would return my call within the next day once the ‘glitch’ is found.

I waited about a week and I never received a call back from Verizon as promised. I then called back, and spoke to a gentleman who informed me that I couldn’t block data charges completely unless I also agreed to block picture messaging.

I don’t understand. I am paying extra for picture messaging. Why would I want to block something I am paying for? Before I originally signed up, I was told that I could block data access. I don’t think my request is unreasonable. In fact, I just switched from AT&T, where I had a data block AND picture messaging. Verizon is acting like it is impossible block because the two are tied together.

If blocking data access and picture messaging are truly tied together, it is because they were designed as such. From your business point of view: let’s say 10% of your customers (a very conservative guess, I’d say) are charged $1.99 extra each month for data they didn’t use. 80 million customers * 10% = 8 million customers. 8 million customers * $1.99 = $16 million extra dollars each month! I understand the profit motive here, but it’s a dirty, deceitful business practice. From a customer’s point of view, it’s ridiculously unfair. Every other major wireless carrier has the ability to block data charges completely without blocking picture messaging that the customer pays extra for.

The first 6 customer service representatives I spoke with did not even know about such an issue. In fact, three of the CSRs I spoke with agreed with me and said it’s a common complaint! In all honestly, this problem has not been fixed for one of two reasons: First, Verizon realizes the profit in deceit, or/and, second, Verizon hasn’t instructed their engineers to fix the issue. We both know it can be fixed, but clearly, it’s not a priority. I bet if Verizon lost, instead of gained $1.99 each occurrence, you would have the problem fixed tomorrow.

I encourage you to search Google for phrases such as, “Verizon $1.99 data block.” You’ll find pages and pages of customers discussing this exact same issue. In fact, many of the discussions take place on forums.verizon.com. Your customers are upset, yet nothing has changed.

In short, when I come time for millions of your valued customer’s to renew their contract, we will consider the unfair charges and unethical business practices. You should revaluate your plan and treat your customers like your business depends on them, because it does.

I would like an explanation and a refund of all related charges to date, please.

Sincerely,

******* *******

Verizon Wireless keep charging for data downloads on my phone, even though every "extra" service has been cancelled. The phone is used only for making and receiving calls, yet Verizon Wireless charge $5.98 every 3 - 4 months for Data downloads. When I call them about it, they can tell me that the downloads are music, and they are not downloaded via the phone, but via the internet. When I ask how they get to the phone when downloads and texting are blocked, their answer is that someone has accessed my online account and is sending the music to my phone. I pointed out how ridiculous this was, but to no avail. One customer service representative even suggested that my children have set up a "fake" account, because that's what he did as a child! Verizon Wireless are simply trying to make more money and hope that no-one notices. My advice is to check your bill very carefully.

On December 22, 2008 I renewed my plan and upgraded to Friends n Family. A second phone number was added, ...and the charge was to be 9.95 per month.

When I recieved my first bills, the second number was charged $39.95, plus Vcast and Net services for an addtional $25.00 I Paid the 79.95 1400 minute plan charge. An error had occured in the set up of the accounts on Dec 22. The error was "corrected Jan 11, 2009.

Yesterday I got a collection notice for 86.05 plus a collection cost of 15.48. I called the ERS COLLECTIONS and was told I had to pay or provide proof that I did not owe the money. THIS IS ILLEGAL, it is up to them to to prove I owe the money.

SOOOOOOO I called VZ and got one of their barely english speaking "customer service" folks on the phone. I was so mad at her insistance that I owed the amount because I changed the account on Jan 11.

I got out my reciepts and called back, this time to someone I could understand.
The long and short of it.. I have to pay the collection agency and was given a $30 credit for the month the phone was not listed (their mistake mind you). BTW, the second CS agreed she didnt understand why I was getting charged! Additionally NO ONE could tell me what the additional charges were for, the difference between the 39.95 and the 86.05.

IN ADDITION, I keep getting billed for VCAST and NAGIGATOR having cancelled with the 30 "free trial" date. When I asked USELESS CS 1 why, she said it was cancelled on June 30th... LIES LIES LIES

I am self employed, and they told me I had to go to the store where I purchased the service for any further explanations or credits. I charge $60 per hour as a self employed person. I have already lost more then I can ever recover, to say nothing of my blood pressure.

VERIZON WIRELESS IS A CHEATING, LYING, DISHONEST SERVICE.

DO NOT SUBSCRIBE.

I am cancelling my service and have advised them to send the charge immediately to ERS Collections... I will never pay that bill.