Why does Verizon make it so hard to buy from them? (iPhone, towers)

[tnff]

Up front info: Yes, I know there are other carriers, but they don't have decent coverage where I live. T Mobile is close so soon as they build a tower around here, I'm done with Verizon.


I need to vent. Just spent 2 1/2 hours ordering a new phone with Verizon on their website. Local store directed me on line due to COVID. Can't even pick up a phone there; have to have it Fed Ex'd. What should have been a very simple purchase turned into an ordeal of verify and reverify and having to log in under my account, then having to log in under her account, resetting both passwords along the way.

It was absolutely the hardest, most frustrating purchase I have ever made in my life. Worse even than buying a car. Literally. Just bought a new truck and it took less time and hassle than buying this phone was. Why do some businesses make it so hard to give them my money?

Like I said, soon as T Mobile builds a tower around here, I'm switching.

[Ed_RDNC]

Keep in mind, the cell phone providers do NOT own the towers. They lease them, and those leases come and go, so the actual local coverage does change. (See any of the cell tower mapping websites, Google "cell phone tower map").


Also, the cell phone provider coverage maps are NOT generated by field measurements, but rather by their sales department. In other words, they can be trusted, but only to a certain extent, and certainly not city block by block. The only way you will know for sure that you have good coverage is to actually hold a phone in your hand at that location.


As far as the purchase experience, you're probably buying a very expensive piece of technology. It's not surprising that they require a fair amount of ID verification. I got a new Verizon phone right before COVID and it took me two trips to a storefront, and then they had it FedEx'ed it 2-day to my billing address. I thought that was reasonable.

[HenryDavid]

Verizon customer service is absolutely terrible..
Long wait until a human comes on the line. The customer service rep refused to listen to what I wanted, and, instead tried to forcefeed me what I did not want... Their DSL internet service sucked, my landline was too expensive for what I had.
I told the rep that I am done with her & Verizon's BS and that I am terminating them. She wanted to transfer me to a retention manager - i told her to stick her "script"where the sun don't shine.




I called Comcast, signed up for their TriplePlay package (TV, Internet, Phone)and got a great deal with price lock for 2 years.Installation was done on time and quickly.Best part - they transferred my phone # and terminated Verizon for me!!.


Verizon sucks - plain and simple...
Good riddance...

[phetaroi]

Let me tell you my experience with Verizon.

I went to the Verizon store and bought a Pixel 4 smart phone. I had something 2 weeks to upgrade to the Pixel 4XT, and after less than a week, I did. They took the Pixel 4 and had it shipped back to some distribution center in Texas. Apparently the phone never got there. Their fault. Not mine. It Fed Exed out on their dime. They charged me for both phones. That was $1,000 down the drain.

Will they deal with the issue? No. Not online. Not on the phone. Not through certified mail.

I'll keep their monthly service, but I'll never buy another phone from them.

[tyCable]

I have verizon. I told them, I have this much money. I want that phone. With all the features. Then I told this is what I have for the 1st payment. I make sure it's more than enough. The only thing now is to activate my iPhone. Nothing to it. So I am with Verizon yet.

[marcandme]

I forgot my G-mail password, and it will not recover it. I have had a couple of people help me try. So now Verizon tells me I need it to buy another phone???? We are on a family account.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by tnff

Can't even pick up a phone there; have to have it Fed Ex'd. What should have been a very simple purchase turned into an ordeal of verify and reverify and having to log in under my account, then having to log in under her account, resetting both passwords along the way.

As an IT Professional: this was all on you. First thing I ask anyone that wants me to setup a new phone: Do you know your Gmail or Apple password? The number of times they do not...SMH.
You didn't remember your password? O M G Damn you.... Verizon? This is their fault? OMG and then you had to logout as you, login as her and then.... she couldn't remember her password? Now you have to reset it?!? OMG The horror that Verizon won't let you buy a phone for someone else?!?! OMG... YOU forgot another password??? How is this anyone else's fault... but yours.

Maybe you need a password manager:
https://www.lastpass.com/

Worse even than buying a car. Literally. Just bought a new truck and it took less time and hassle than buying this phone was.

Didn't need a password for the car.

phetaroi has a pretty valid complaint.

[Hemlock140]

My last Verizon experience has been completely different. My wife and I walked into the store (masked) and asked to upgrade our i-phones from 6 to XR. The woman backed them up, activated the new ones, restored the data to the new ones, and explained some of the new features. The cost of the phones was a monthly charge on our bills, other charges were added to our account for the next billing, nothing due at that time, and away we went after about 30 minutes. It was a very smooth operation, in fact we did a positive review on Yelp.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by tnff

Up front info: Yes, I know there are other carriers, but they don't have decent coverage where I live. T Mobile is close so soon as they build a tower around here, I'm done with Verizon.


I need to vent. Just spent 2 1/2 hours ordering a new phone with Verizon on their website. Local store directed me on line due to COVID. Can't even pick up a phone there; have to have it Fed Ex'd. What should have been a very simple purchase turned into an ordeal of verify and reverify and having to log in under my account, then having to log in under her account, resetting both passwords along the way.

It was absolutely the hardest, most frustrating purchase I have ever made in my life. Worse even than buying a car. Literally. Just bought a new truck and it took less time and hassle than buying this phone was. Why do some businesses make it so hard to give them my money?

Like I said, soon as T Mobile builds a tower around here, I'm switching.

Weird.
I just left t mobile for Verizon.
But where do you live. Because here in Chicago the stores are open. I was just in Verizon store 2 days ago.

[Floorist]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

Weird.
I just left t mobile for Verizon.
But where do you live. Because here in Chicago the stores are open. I was just in Verizon store 2 days ago.

T mobile told me I had to upgrade my phone, so I did. The phone was defective, neither T mobile or Alcatel, who made the phone would help me. Luckily I have a friend who works at Walmart. She got Walmart to warranty the phone.