{"id":4815,"date":"2012-04-13T14:46:57","date_gmt":"2012-04-13T18:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/geekitdown.com\/blog\/?p=4815"},"modified":"2012-04-13T14:46:57","modified_gmt":"2012-04-13T18:46:57","slug":"verizon-want-a-new-phone-itll-cost-you-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/geekitdown.com\/?p=4815","title":{"rendered":"Verizon: Want A New Phone? It’ll Cost You $30 Extra"},"content":{"rendered":"

That’s right, starting April 22nd<\/sup>, Verizon Wireless will charge existing customers $30 to upgrade<\/a> to a new phone. The charge will apply to existing customers who, \u201cpurchase new mobile equipment at a discounted price with a two-year contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Verizon<\/p>\n

Taken from the official Verizon news posting:<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Complete rubbish. Basically, Verizon is charging customers for the privilege of owning a new, more modern phone that they prefer customers buy anyway. At the same time, they’re thumbing their collective noses at customers who want Verizon Wireless service by charging an extra $30 on top of the already exorbitant cost of the service, 2-year nearly unbreakable contract and data usage caps (unless grandfathered in). If monthly charges aren’t covering those kinds of things, then what are the charges paying for? Data is separated, the nickel and dime charges (activation, etc.) are separated, text message charges are separate, users pay for apps separately, so Verizon can’t explain the $30 fee away for any of those reasons.<\/p>\n

Frankly, this comes across as just another way to charge customers for a company’s inability to properly budget or worse yet, reach investor expectations. There’s simply no realistic justification for a charge this high. Shame on you Verizon, greedy is a terrible way to be perceived.<\/p>\n

If you enjoyed or found this article useful, please show us some support by liking us on Facebook<\/a> or by sharing us on your favorite social website. Thanks!<\/p>\n