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Verizon Data Plan Changes

Joben

Oct 28, 2010, 5:10 PM
I'm aware that the new tiered data plans have arrived at VZW, and I'm aware of the prices. I also see they have the pay as you go option at $1.99/MB, so my question is do smartphones still require a data package, or are they relinquishing that? It seems highly unlikely that they would remove the data requirement, but still worth asking because I haven't seen anything to disprove that to be true.
Thanks
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NotaRep

Oct 28, 2010, 5:28 PM
The pay as you go option is typically for the older feature phone and the regular phone, not usually for the smartphones. Where are you seeing this $1.99 option? Are you able to switch to it on your online account.
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OrionsVantage

Oct 28, 2010, 5:49 PM
Smartphones will still require either the 29.99 or the 15 plans. You most likely will not be able to switch this without visiting a store or calling in to customer service. I know a lot of channels are going to require Management approval for the 15 package. all it takes is 301 MB to incur $45 in overages and Verizon has stated that there will be NO CREDITS for overages on the 15 plan.

I'm not allowing a single Android device to walk out of my store with the $15 data plan.
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Azeron

Oct 28, 2010, 6:03 PM
"Allowing"? Really? So if a customer wants a Droid X and refuses to sign up for the $29.99 OPTION...What will you do? Refuse to sell him the phone?
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OrionsVantage

Oct 28, 2010, 6:06 PM
Yes.
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Joby Dick

Oct 28, 2010, 6:50 PM
I don't blame you. It would be ridiculous to sell an Android device without an unlimited package, considering that it is constantly connected to e-mail and social networking sites, not to mention the amount of data the customer will use downloading apps, surfing the web, watching YouTube videos, etc. It would be asinine to sell a limited data package. Basically, it would result in a massive customer issue that VZW has already stated they won't fix!

+1 Orion
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OrionsVantage

Oct 29, 2010, 10:26 AM
Not only is it a potential VZW customer service nightmare, its a bad business decision. Commissions are reduced with the $15 data package (at least on the indirect side). It is not worth me selling an X (which i still have a hard time getting ahold of) for a reduced amount of money when i know damn well that i will have another customer buy and include the $29.99 data package.

Also, i'm not interested in hearing about $60 to $75 in overages from a customer that refused to listen to either me or one of my reps. The customers are not always right. That is why my reps are trained extensively, to educate the customers on what goods and services are going to best fit their needs.

My choice to deny the "option" of a limited data package...
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eric815

Nov 1, 2010, 6:43 PM
Your commment proves to me that all you Verizon Sales people are no better than car dealers. Scum of the earth! Im tired of you guys asking "Oh do you want protection, how bouts a rip off case?, what about an undersized screen protector? , you should really get that unlimitied plan.."

Well, Im glad I have my extra family line that I use to upgrade my phone early with the buddy option. I basically buy the phone with the data plan, then when I get home I go online to my account and change the device back to my old Moto E815. It drops the data plan on the device and all I pay is $10 a month and its a basic phone for my house. Then I can do what I want with the newly purchased droid, like place it on my other line which is not due for an upgr...
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Menno

Nov 1, 2010, 7:11 PM
That you're just another ignorant consumer who completely missed the point of what he was saying.

Here's the TRUTH: If you don't keep that phone active on the SAME account (not always the same line) as the line you upgraded for at least 6 months, that store will EAT the 300-400 discount they gave you on the phone for signing the contract because verizon doesn't pay unless the phone remains active for 6 months or more. It is WELL within their rights to replace restrictions in this manner or they couldn't do business.

(For the record, the example you listed would be acceptable to basically any retailer, in fact, most would offer to switch that phone to the line you wanted it on IN STORE for you, no problem)

On top of that, the reaso...
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epik

Nov 1, 2010, 9:23 PM
I have no need to disagree with Menno's response to your comments, but I can add some perspective to the conversation.

First, what I think you're looking for is the system that many of us, Menno and I included, have been promoting for quite some time: carriers need to get out of the subsidy business.

It would be much more beneficial to you and many others if you shopped for your phone from manufacturers and electronics retailers at the retail price set by the manufacturer. Yes, this does mean that you'd be paying over $500 for a Droid, but it also means you'd have more control over your pricing, you'd avoid contracts, and the responsibility for your usage will be entirely yours.

All too often, consumers assume that because they s...
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OrionsVantage

Nov 2, 2010, 3:54 PM
It seemed like you wanted to rant because you got ripped off by a salesperson that either didn't know what they were talking about or one of the bad seeds.

Sales is the oldest profession in the world, and the most vital profession in the world. Its a shame that a couple of different avenues of sales has gotten a bad rap.


(And i would totally do a buddy upgrade in store. I have no problem with that at all.)
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This_Troper

Nov 2, 2010, 4:14 PM
More of a short-lived sale, and the seller is usually unenthusiastic and apathetic.


More so than someone selling phones, even!
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NotaRep

Nov 3, 2010, 11:30 AM
Let's be honest, the potential "customer service issue" (i.e saving the customer from themselves) is BS. The real reason why you refuse to do is the reduced income and the increased potential of having to deal with an irate, irrational consumer.

If you received the same money from selling either plan, and knew that they would deal straight with Verizon if there were overages, then, while you may encourage them to go with the unlimited, you wouldn't push them or turn down the sale if they refused.

There are legitimate reasons why people would want an android and wouldn't use 150 MB of data per month. Are there more people with those legitimate reasons than there are irrational people who won't listen to your warnings and still come back...
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Menno

Nov 3, 2010, 1:44 PM
Because they DONT deal straight with verizon, they come back into your store and bitch about it. On top of that, if you get enough customers from you store going over (even if it isn't your fault) Verizon bitches at YOU for not qualifying them properly.

The Average Smartphone user on Verizon uses 500MB a month. The average DroidX user was consuming 5x that amount. (2.5GB) If you use just the AVERAGE amount of data, you're looking at a $60 data charge.

If you as a user look at 5-10 emails, 10 web views, and and image or two uploaded/viewed, you're looking at 320MB, which is $45 in data charges for that month.

There is NO valid reason for an android customer to start off on the $15 plan. Period.

The only way you can effective...
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NotaRep

Nov 3, 2010, 2:39 PM
NO legitimate reason? So I suppose Wifi doesn't exist anymore? It's not possible that the person uses their phone's data features at home and school/work where WiFi networks are available? Perhaps they just like how the phone looks, or they want it just for it being an Android (Hey, it works for Apple)? Why do YOU get to dictate the reason that a person gets a phone?

Also, where exactly does it say rooting voids your warranty? Even if it does, I've exchanged phones that were rooted; it's not like the reps are going to ask or check if the phone is rooted.

Lastly, it may be "pro-consumer" in some to most scenarios, that doesn't mean that's why you're doing it; no your reasons are more selfish than that.
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epik

Nov 3, 2010, 2:47 PM
I'm in WiFi 95% of my day and I still use more than 150MB a month on my Incredible by the end of the month. And that's without applications automatically pulling data. That's just me going online or into the Facebook app!

Rooting is considered an adverse modification of the phone, which always voids the warranty. I've turned away dozens of rooted phones when they come in bricked. If the rep doesn't check for it, you lucked out.

Read my other post on the selfish reasoning. The commission difference for my reps would be a whole freaking dollar, and after taxes it will be less than fifty cents. Do they want those fifty cents? Sure. Is it going to be the difference between paying their mortgage and living on the streets? Definitel...
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Menno

Nov 3, 2010, 2:50 PM
So you're saying you NEVER leave coverage, or that your phone's reception of said wifi never gets weak enough that it switches over to 3g for a bit.

Again, if you get the phone and come back in a few months because your data is under, I'll be more than happy to drop your rate for you (and if you want to talk selfish motives, I don't get paid until 6 months out, so I AM taking a hit if I change in 3 months)

I dictate it because it's my ass on the line if they're not responsible. And I deal with hundreds of customers a week. if they're new to smartphones I DO know better than they do how usage works, and I'm willing to bet I know more than a lot of people who are on their second phone.

If you don't agree to it, then fine, buy the ...
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epik

Nov 3, 2010, 2:52 PM
If this business were about the unselfish acts of sales reps, we'd all be buying phones grocery store style with no help whatsoever. Pick up a phone off the wall and take it to the checkout.
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Menno

Nov 3, 2010, 3:05 PM
Do you have any idea how many additional customers I could sign up for smartphones and tell them it's going to be half the price?

Just put a single line at the end of my receipt that says "Customer assumes all responsibility to track their usage" and a handout about how much 150mb is and my Data activations would go through the roof. Most customers wouldn't get their first bill until their 30 days were over. And then I just tell them to call Customer service if they go over. As Epik said, the difference in payout is $1 or maybe $2 so the lost revenue would be made up for quickly in volume.

So if making the most money was my ONLY goal, then the $15 plan would be pushed on every customer.

Think about it
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NotaRep

Nov 3, 2010, 10:30 PM
People love reading too much into the post. I never said I was opposed to doing it; obviously it's "your" (well maybe, but that's another argument) store and you're welcome to refuse service, just don't lie about it being for the noble customer service reason. It's so you make more and have to deal with less (Which I haven't argued against).

Not everyone uses the phone religiously and for those that don't and are near WiFi, 150 is possible. People (OK, reps) love to over-represent the typical data sizes. "5 emails and you're over 150 mb!!!!!" That's simply not the case, but it's understandable why it would be overestimated: better safe than sorry. Plain text emails ( which android conveniently converts the messages to) are a few kilobyte...
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Menno

Nov 3, 2010, 10:45 PM
I never said that there was no possible situation. I said that it was for the minority of users.

(5 emails, 10 webviews and 1-2 picture uploads a day WILL send you over)

But unless you KNOW your data usage there is NEVER a situation where getting the limited plan is smart. If you KNOW your data situation (as in, you're actively using data on a similar device already) and you want the $15 plan, then you get it.

If you're coming from a blackberry or a dumphone to android you're an idiot to start with the $15. And yes, it is pro consumer to stop this.

I already told you, ALL motives are selfish, that doesn't make them wrong. My intentions is to have you leave as a satisfied customer. If you sign up on the $15 plan without your ...
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NotaRep

Nov 4, 2010, 10:22 AM
Menno said:
I never said that there was no possible situation. I said that it was for the minority of users.

Menno said:There is NO valid reason for an android customer to start off on the $15 plan. Period.
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60dollarcarcharger

Nov 4, 2010, 11:14 AM
Menno said:
I never said that there was no possible situation. I said that it was for the minority of users


    Menno said:There is NO valid reason for an android customer to start off on the $15 plan. Period
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Menno

Nov 4, 2010, 7:23 PM
Right and if you had reading comprehension, you would see I said that a customer MUST know their data first. Which they CANNOT know without actually using it first, thus NO ONE sets up with 150mb plan
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Menno

Nov 3, 2010, 10:58 PM
Iphones got popular requiring unlimited data.

Most android games have a social networking plugin. With 2.2, a lot of apps have the ability to auto update (most google apps do this by default)

There is NO WAY TO PREDICT what a customers usage will be until they've used the device. My dad got the thing for Pandora to listen to at home (over wifi) and that was it.

He consumed almost 800MB a month (used almost a gig his first month)

UNless that customers knows how their usage translates into data usage on that type of device there is NO LOGICAL REASON for them to start on a lower rate plan.

If someone has never had a smartphone before, how will they know what their usage will be like? How will they know that that awesome game th...
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NotaRep

Nov 4, 2010, 10:20 AM
Menno said:
NO ONE HERE IS ARGUING that the $15 data plan won't work for anyone.


I see, so it wasn't you that posted this...

"There is NO valid reason for an android customer to start off on the $15 plan. Period."

Oh wait a minute...
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60dollarcarcharger

Nov 4, 2010, 11:18 AM
Way to quote half the idea....

who's the deceitful one?
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NotaRep

Nov 4, 2010, 12:01 PM
You typically only quote the relevant parts. Who like more lessons on how internet forums work?
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epik

Nov 4, 2010, 12:08 PM
You also don't twist words to suit your point. One quote referred to the fact that 150MB on an Android phone makes no sense. The other was him saying it's possible that somebody (any smartphone) to be just fine on the 150MB plan.

In previous posts he's mentioned multiple times that Blackberry users are more likely to be fine on the lower plan, while the Android platform itself isn't compatible with the 150MB plan. I agree with him.

Personally, I think it's possible for an Android user to be on 150MB. I find it highly unlikely, however. My Incredible is on WiFi 95% of the day, and I still blow right through 150MB each month, and that's WITH setting changes to reduce the automation of the Android platform. It's illogical to have ...
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epik

Nov 4, 2010, 11:59 AM
Menno has said on several occasions that a Blackberry user is the most likely candidate for the 150MB plan, and that Android users would be hard-pressed to exist on that plan.

He never said it would be impossible for someone to use the 150MB plan, he was pointing out that it's impractical for the overwhelming majority of people.

If you're going to quote someone, pull from more than one post. In a thread like this, you've got ten messages to quote from in the conversation that all up to an argument.
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NotaRep

Nov 4, 2010, 12:05 PM
I don't need to quote more than one post when I'm showing a contradiction in statements. He says one thing, then he contradicts it. How is that not clear? I'm not understanding the difficulty here.
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epik

Nov 4, 2010, 12:10 PM
And I'm not understanding how one comment specifically geared toward Android phones constitutes a contradiction in a different quote talking about smartphones in general, which at this point would include multiple platforms and devices.
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NotaRep

Nov 4, 2010, 12:08 PM
I know being a wireless phone rep doesn't require any advanced education, or even a high school education for that matter, but I would expect at least some competency in reading comprehension.
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epik

Nov 4, 2010, 12:18 PM
Actually, the job does require those things. I can't speak to agents selling Verizon, but Verizon will only consider non-college grads if they have 10 years of experience. And if you don't have a high school diploma, forget about your application getting through HR's filtering.

And as far as reading comprehension, I would expect a degree of competency in seeing beyond one post at the bigger conversation. I don't see a contradiction in the two quotes you provided. One is about a specific operating system, the other is not.

Your arguments are subjective and ill-formed. You seem to be unable to see the practical and logical opinion that's being presented to you. You're hung up on different points throughout a conversation that spa...
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mellowlen62

Nov 4, 2010, 5:19 PM
That was a completely unwarranted response. I have a headache reading this entire thread, but let me just say that as a customer only, I have a Blackberry (newly purchased and on the $15 plan). So far I am doing fine with it. I monitor data carefully. I had a droid and doing the very same things now that I did on the droid I am using FAR LESS data. The droid just uses data when you're sleeping or something, even with WIFI on. My kids both have droids and when I look up the data usage I am floored how much more they use than me. I don't think anyone can say it in any other language. If I were a rep, and I'm not, I wouldn't sell one with the $15 plan either. Now leave everyone alone because you're really just annoying.
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Menno

Nov 4, 2010, 8:25 PM
First off, Not only do I have a high school diploma, but I also have a college degree. As an added bonus, I also know how to read things.

Ok since you can't track a conversation, let's break it down for you, ok:

-For an OVERWHELMING majority of users, the $15 is not sufficient.
-The only way to know that the data plan is sufficient is by actually USING the device in question.
-If a customer gets the cheaper plan, even against my warnings, and they go over, they'll come back to MY store and chew me out about it. Why? Because they have your attitude. They assume that I'm just a glorified happy meal salesman so they don't believe me when I tell them about data usage even though I have YEARS of experience and thousands of customer i...
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OrionsVantage

Nov 5, 2010, 11:18 AM
This has been, quite possibly, my favoritest thread ever (as far as PS goes).
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epik

Nov 3, 2010, 2:43 PM
In the end, the rep is damned if they do and damned if they don't.

DO sell the $30 plan:
Rep seems greedy, when in reality the difference between the commission on the $15 plan and the $30 plan is maybe a dollar (at least, it is in the corporate stores). More so, the data metric that the rep is tracked on would be more incentive to sell the $30 plan, since it will increase the averages of your metric, even though they really won't see much money from it. The incentive is to keep their job and keep their boss off their back.

The other incentive is to prevent a situation where a customer comes in to complain and have the problem fixed. That customer will almost always have a slight to extreme negative view on that rep and store, even...
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OrionsVantage

Nov 4, 2010, 1:16 PM
Have you EVER worked in a commission based sales job? I'm guessing not. By going through the proper sales process and properly qualifying the customer we can then decide what Data usage they're going to need. If they're interested in an Android device, then 999/1000 they're going to crush 150 MB. I'm not going to satisfy that 1 customer with the $15 plan, but i'm saving the majority of customers money in the long run.

BY doing this, i'm providing a better level of customer service, therefor increasing my odds of obtaining referrals from the customer, which will then increase the amount of money i make.

EVERY action is a selfish action. There are no goodwill deeds. I've stated many times that the refusal of selling android pho...
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Azeron

Nov 4, 2010, 11:01 PM
Absolutely. After ten years in wireless the LAST thing I want to do is interact with a wireless consultant. I know exactly what I want and if I upgrade online I do not have to worry about the sales rep removing my grandfathered features.
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epik

Nov 5, 2010, 9:06 AM
Ha! When I'm done with wireless, I'll buy phones the same way.
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Menno

Nov 5, 2010, 10:09 AM
If I didn't sell phones, I'd most likely buy online as well. But that's because I know what I want and don't want to wait in a store to get it.

That kind of attitude I understand.

What I don't get are the people who come into the store because they need information, order the phone online, and then come back to have me set it up for them,
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epik

Nov 5, 2010, 11:31 AM
Yeah, see, I would never have to do that!
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Fathead826

Nov 7, 2010, 12:14 PM
While of course there are customers who would benefit from the $15 plan, I've already seen someone who switched to it on Oct 28th and has blown through 2 gigs worth of data on a droid in that time frame. Gotta love Pandora....and of course, the customer blamed the rep who switched the data plan for it.
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epik

Oct 28, 2010, 11:20 PM
I'm forcing all of them onto the $45 plan, personally. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.
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Menno

Oct 29, 2010, 8:23 AM
Yes, that's actually exactly what I'm doing. There is no way in hell I'm going to deal with that customer bitching about overages, and they will go over.

The only phone id considerthat package ok for would be bberrys. And even then they are signing a waiver stating that they understand exactly how much they are paying should they go over.

The average smartphone user consumes 500mb of data. That is $60 a month in data
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mellowlen62

Oct 28, 2010, 8:31 PM
How do you feel about this plan with a Blackberry? I do very little - some emails, check Facebook once or twice a day, look up a movie, occasionally directions. Is the $15.00 just not going to cut it for something like that? I love Android but I just didn't use it enough to warrant the $30.
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CellStudent

Oct 28, 2010, 10:53 PM
If you have a WiFi capable Blackberry, turn your WiFi on 24/7 and make the switch. If you have an older non WiFi device you should be very very cautious.
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howardk111

Oct 29, 2010, 6:20 AM
I rarely use wifi on my Blackberry, yet don't even come close to consuming 150MB a month. I use my BB for email (of which I receive plenty) and occasionally the web browser for looking up information or reading an article. I do not watch videos. Making the switch to the $15 plan was not a difficult decision for me. If I had an extremely active month consuming data, I would still not reach 150MB, but even if I did, it would end up costing me no more than what I would have paid for that month had I not made the switch.
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hrmles1

Oct 29, 2010, 8:57 AM
Although I agree 100% with your reasoning (I'm not allowing a single Android device to walk out of my store with the $15 data plan.) I don't think that you can really get away with that if a customer really pushes the issue. Verizon is offering the option and you can't "not" allow it. It reminds me of the time that I went to a Verizon Kiosk inside of a Circuit City store wanting to purchase a phone at full retail price. The manager said that he would not sell me the phone without a contract. Really?? I called customer service and they called this kiosk manager and set him straight.
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Azeron

Oct 29, 2010, 10:02 AM
More than likely that manager got his arse chewed out by his boss. Verizon has reports they run daily showing how many phones were sold without contracts are on one year or two year contracts. The suits want every phone sold with a two year contract obviously.
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punisherbv

Nov 4, 2010, 10:59 AM
Honestly, one thing i have noticed is that some peoples discount may be different but they do give you a discount on the 30 a month data plan for unlimited data. For me it came to 24.89 a month, which isn't as bad as 30 straight through. Just my opinion.
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OrionsVantage

Oct 29, 2010, 10:30 AM
I'm the manager of an indirect location. I have the right to refuse service to anybody i choose. The customer can call customer service all they like but customer service can not call me and tell me how to run my business.
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hrmles1

Oct 29, 2010, 5:46 PM
You are incorrect. You have certain control for sure like pricing and if you want to offer a discount on accessories but you cannot refuse the sale of a phone at full retail. Please get your facts straight before you post. Other people will chime in here to support my claim.
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Azeron

Oct 29, 2010, 6:00 PM
You MAY be correct technically, but in reality I do not think a customer could call customer care and they call him and force him to sell that phone at full retail. I just do not believe it can be done. What would probably need to take place is that an Indirect Manager might be able to reach out to him and ask/beg/plead with him to do so, but is it really worth all that when the customer could simply be directed to a direct store? Any inventory he has belongs to him not Verizon so I am not even sure that he could be dictated that he has to sell it. I know that when I was in Care and Tech it was difficult enough gaining agreement from Direct stores. Indirects? Forget about it.
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Menno

Oct 29, 2010, 9:37 PM
Actually yes they can.

I did it all the time with high demand phones. If you wanted to buy a phone retail, and I had issues stocking them, you couldn't get it in the store, at least not until it was easier for me to get ahold of. This was my companies policy, and they NEVER got in trouble for it.

But that's not what he was talking about, he's talking about refusing to sell a phone on the $15 data.

Here's why. Because of how borked our legal system is, if I as a retailer sold you on that plan, even if I warned you DOZENS of times about the overages and you went over, you could STILL sue me or verizon because of the overages. at the very least, you would be coming into my store screaming that I credit you back the charges so you o...
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hrmles1

Oct 29, 2010, 11:48 PM
Thanks Menno for your response. I usually look to you as the authority. My question to you then is this. If the indirects can basically set their own rules then what is the benefit to me as a customer to do business with an indirect as opposed to a Verizon corporate store?
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 12:15 AM
For the most part, yes they can.

They have to adhere to certain Verizon guidelines, but a lot of stuff is left up to them:

-They can require additional contracts, like requiring a specific plan on a device for the first 6 months. Since verizon doesn't pay them a cent until 6 months in, this is the ONLY way they can make up the equipment subsidy.
-Set prices on phones. They purchase phones from verizon or distributors, so they own them. This is why phones can be cheaper, or more expensive than corporate stores offer. They can also refuse to offer full retail or one year pricing again because of how Verizon pays out spiffs.
-Most retailers have to abide by the 30 day return policy, but they can put extra stipends. For example, some...
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 12:24 AM
Crystal clear Menno and if I lived near your store I'd be sure to give you my business!!
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Azeron

Oct 30, 2010, 3:56 AM
Boy, you broke it down. Nice job!
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texaswireless

Nov 1, 2010, 1:10 PM
Excellent Reply.

I sure wish more small agents would understand those benefits you mentioned. Too many get the deer in the headlights look when a customer says they just want to buy from corporate.
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Mikey C

Nov 7, 2010, 6:47 PM
Wow.
I cannot say how much I am enjoying this thread. and to think all this started with a question about verizions data plans.

And I agree with menno 100 percent on this post. all my buisness is local, so i need to keep a good reputation. Otherwise my customers will go to corperate stores.

Just thought id chime in.
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OrionsVantage

Oct 30, 2010, 12:58 PM
You are incorrect. I have ALL control for sure like pricing and if I want to offer a discount on accessories but I can refuse the sale of a phone at full retail.

In fact i can refuse the sale of a phone at full retail, a phone with a 1 yr contract, a phone on a 2 yr contract. Hell i can refuse the sale of a car charger if i wanted to (not that i would, but this is to prove a point)

Since neither my inventory or company is owned by Verizon, a Verizon care rep can not tell me how to deal with my inventory.

Please get your facts straight before you make a post. Other people will chime in here to support my claim.


Thanks for playing.
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 8:59 PM
You could and you would get sued!
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 9:07 PM
if they tried suing though they wouldn't really get anywhere with it. Everywhere it says "verizon" on a sign for those stores it either says authorized retailer or premium retailer right under it.
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 9:09 PM
I meant that he couldn't arbitrarily sell to one person and not to another. Couldn't sell a 1 year contract to 9 people and refuse to do so for the 10th.
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 9:12 PM
actually he more than likely could. Most agents have a disclaimer saying they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.

Will it tick customers off? Yes. and it's a much better idea to remain consistent one way or another, but changing policy isn't illegal. If it was, there would be no such thing as "Exception upgrades"
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 9:18 PM
Refusing service is different. You can't tell one person they can have a one year and another that they must take a 2 year. If it is the case then it is just one more reason why I prefer to log into my Verizon account and get my phones that way.
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 9:23 PM
Verizon (corporate) does it all the time too. Again, exception upgrades, promotion upgrades, Multi-Fru exchange policies. etc.

Heck, the fact that the Dx has a mail in rebate while the LG ally is instant is an exception.

Verizon doesn;t change their polices on an individual level often because they can't because of their size and ONLY because of their size.

EVERY small business has exceptions as part of their standard operating procedure, it's the ONLY way they can survive.


Again, it's better to be consistent whenever possible, but it's impossible to be consistent all the time. If Verizon can't do it with 90+ million customers to average out the losses, how do you expect a store (or a group of stores) to do so?
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 9:33 PM
It's just a goofy system. An indirect should be able to make money on every sale. A phone at full retail, a 1 year contract, a 2 year contract, a head set. What kind of a crazy system would force a retailer to not sell a phone at full retail price cause they want to make more money selling it with a contract. Sounds kinda like the experience people get when they go to buy a new car. Not very pleasant.

As a consumer, if I was told one thing and then another customer went into the store and was given what I was not, I would never do business with that store again. In addition, I'd be sure to tell other people of my experience.
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 9:43 PM
I agree the system is goofy and needs to change.

It SUCKS to be a retailer a lot of the time. Seriously, a BOGO deal should be a great thing because of the additional traffic it drives to the store, but it's really frustrating for a lot of retailers because it either means they turn customers away (because they can't match the price) or if they can match it, they basically throw out ALL their profit in the hopes of maybe ACC sales.

It really sucks, but it's what they have to work with. On a full retail phone, you basically just break even. There is a "profit" but that's all eaten up by shipping, storage, and staff costs. One year contracts arn't much better unless the price of the device is signifigantly higher (100-150). Most ind...
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 9:56 PM
I agree Menno! We all love exceptions. In your example, if I was the one who benefited from the exception, I would expect the other person to be the one doing the complaining. I loathe going into the store to check out new devices. Every time I'm there I have to listen to aggressive sales people selling ignorant customers over priced car chargers, cases, device insurance, etc. Or spewing inaccurate information such as employee discounts applying to unlimited plans. You get the idea. It seems like a very difficult way to make a living. I have always respected your opinion Menno and I will continue to do so. Your well thought out and worded replies are greatly appreciated.
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epik

Oct 30, 2010, 10:07 PM
You can also respect Menno's opinion at our web site!
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 10:13 PM
Sorry Epik but I don't know what that means.
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epik

Oct 30, 2010, 10:33 PM
Oh, just a plug for the wireless advice site that Menno and I are running. The site is listed on both of our user profiles. 🙂
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 11:19 PM
Okay! Thanks! I'll check it out.
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mellowlen62

Nov 1, 2010, 11:51 AM
They promote it shamelessly. (Haha) No, it's a good site!! 🤣
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Menno

Nov 1, 2010, 12:05 PM
Shamelessly? Nah, I don't promote anything shamelessly...

-Sent from my Droid while writing for Phonecan.com

I don't know what you're talking about. 😎
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Menno

Oct 30, 2010, 10:39 PM
I'm glad I can help you out 🙂

I hate those kind of reps, trust me. people being dishonest with customers (even if they are doing so out of ignorance) is a big pet peeve of mine. I left/was fired from my last job because I refused to do that shady crap.

Basically there are three types of salespeople (in any field)

The Newbies: These can be a bit of the other two, but largely they're unsure of themselves. This is where the "order taker" comes in, the guy who reads from a script, etc. If they don't turn into one of the other two fast, they typically won't be working at that spot long.

The Shark: The pushy sales reps. High pressure sales, with a big of flattery sold in. These are the guys that take home the biggest paychecks ...
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epik

Oct 30, 2010, 10:44 PM
Time to write that one up and post it again!
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epik

Oct 30, 2010, 10:06 PM
Speaking of goofy system, part of the problem inside the corporate stores is that a sales rep (not a customer service rep) is paid much like an indirect agent. A one year contract yields very little. A prepay gets almost nothing. The two-year contract is golden. So many sales reps don't like to sell full-retail phones. First, no contract usually means no commission. There is no commission on the price of the phone. If the customer doesn't buy accessories, then it hurts their phone to accessory ratio, which they are measured on (along with a dozen or so metrics). If the full retail phone is later returned, it could possibly cost a rep money due to the handset return multiplier (hit a certain number of returns, your commission is multi...
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hrmles1

Oct 30, 2010, 10:09 PM
Thanks Epic. Is that how it's done in Europe? People buy their phones directly from the manufacturer not the wireless carrier?? That sounds like a good idea.
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epik

Oct 30, 2010, 10:31 PM
You're more likely to find unlocked phones in Europe, especially on the prepay side of the market, but you still have contract subsidized phones.

I'm not sure about all of them, but I do know that some carriers still sell devices with contracts in addition to pay as you go. The difference is, most (if not all) phones are free or close to free, depending on the monthly cost of the plan you chose. In the UK on Vodaphone, if you're on their £25 plan (about $40/mo for 100 minutes plus 500 texts and 500MB), the phone costs you £150 (abt $239). If you're on the £30 plan (abt $48/mo for 600 minutes plus "unlimited" texts and 500MB) or HIGHER, your phone is free.

In Germany the cost of the phone is 1 Euro (about $1.39). In Spain t...
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Azeron

Nov 4, 2010, 1:47 PM
So do you have a policy of your CSRs performing all full price phone purchases?
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epik

Nov 4, 2010, 2:36 PM
The only instance where I've allowed anyone in my store to stick a CSR with a full retail phone is ONLY in the rare case that a sales rep and a CS rep need to or wish to hand off to each other. Officially, I shouldn't be asking two reps to switch, and I definitely shouldn't be dumping a particularly unrewarding transaction to someone else because they're not on commission. But if the two reps want to switch off, and I know they're good about transitioning the customers, I will give them the go ahead.

Still, 99.9% of the month, you deal with what's handed to you. I've seen firsthand, and showed every rep who complains, that every customer is an opportunity. When treated with the same respect and enthusiasm as the next customer, they wi...
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Azeron

Oct 31, 2010, 1:05 AM
So...if you buy one phone and I buy a thousand you think that I should pay the same price per unit that you do?
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d4avzw

Nov 4, 2010, 11:17 AM
you may have control but as a premium retailer...... I don't think Verizon would appreciate it very much if you start refusing sales.... good way to have them snip your contract.
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Menno

Nov 4, 2010, 9:08 PM
actually they won't.

you refuse a sale, they go online.
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OrionsVantage

Nov 8, 2010, 1:50 PM
Yeah, i'm sure Verizon is going to get upset if i refuse to sell Droid X's on the $15 dataplan and one year contracts instead of waiting on the customers that are going to buy 2 yr, $30 data droid x's.

Verizon will surely get supremely upset if i reserve my inventory for the most profitable transactions.

Because we all know, business is all about how little over the bottom line one can stay.

🙄
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