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Please explain this all of your friendly, helpful Verizon reps out there.....

GTAexpert

Apr 23, 2010, 4:05 PM
http://jkontherun.com/2010/04/16/verizon-heres-the-t ... »

Please explain whether or not they actually train you to say these things belittling the competition. And before any of you start saying this blogger "just hates Verizon and it's high prices" remember he WAS a 10 year customer.....I'm just curious about your thoughts! ๐Ÿ˜
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WernerCD

Apr 23, 2010, 8:42 PM
anything to not have a bad mark on your numbers.

I work at an authorized retailer - and while I won't go to THOSE extremes - I will try to convince a customer to stay.

I don't let the stress about numbers get to me that's undoubtedly worse in corporate stores tho.
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primus

Apr 23, 2010, 8:46 PM
Just because he was a 10 year customer, it doesnt mean he is telling the truth.

Several parts of his story seem like total BS he is writing to try to make his experience seem more entertaining. This is a person writing on a website intended to get people to come back and read more, and thus needs to be entertaining.

VZW reps are trained to not say anything bad about the competition, when dealing with customers reps are to go over VZW strengths, not the competitions' weakness.

This of course changed recently when AT&T started pulling in more net adds, then it became ok to say the 5X more 3G coverage.

If that story really happened, that store's manager wouldnt be working for VZW and the sales reps would be at risk of losing their ...
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Menno

Apr 24, 2010, 12:09 AM
it was about a verizon authorized retailer.
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OrionsVantage

Apr 24, 2010, 12:13 PM
Menno said:
it was about a verizon authorized retailer.


And that sh!t happens way too often.
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Amarantamin

Apr 25, 2010, 3:01 PM
I dunno, in the comments some other posters had the same story regarding their experiences with Verizon.
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texaswireless

Apr 23, 2010, 10:08 PM
Not sure how to answer this. No this is not how we are trained.

Lots of holes here. He came to cancel BOTH of his lines? Really? He had Verizon Wireless for 10 years but he did not port out at least his voice line? Why did he feel the need to get a Palm Pre when Pre Plus is available on Verizon Wireless for $50 (or free since he likely had a NE2) and there is no discount for voice service and data service on Sprint.

Yeah, lots of holes so no reason to comment on the Verizon Wireless alleged "comments".
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 8:52 AM
What part of unlimited for $99.99 don't Verizon fan boys get? Seriously....he wanted the Pre with a cheaper rate plan....why does it HAVE to be Verizon....you completely proved the point I was trying to make. Thanks ๐Ÿ˜
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texaswireless

Apr 26, 2010, 9:00 PM
The story doesn't make sense. Again, why did he not port and save himself the trouble? We will never know because he is not here to answer the most basic of questions.

You asked a question, I answered it and said there were some things that looked fishy.

Considering the Pre Plus currently offers a different and better handset than Sprint that is a perfectly acceptable question.

What part of people don't always tell the truth don't you understand? Considering we can't ask him we simply have to ponder what may have been. Who are you to determine this story is cut and dried? If you are simply re-posting an article or blog your knowledge of the facts are just as worthless as mine.

Now, to give you the benefit that I misread the ...
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epik

Apr 24, 2010, 12:25 AM
Do you REALLY think I've been trained on how to belittle my competition, and in doing so, the customer as well?

The other day I was talking about pride in our brand:
https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/forum.php?fm=m&f ... »

This is the opposite of having pride in your employer's brand. This is blind loyalty.

Yes, we are trained and encouraged to find all options for all unsatisfied customers, but at the end of it all, if someone wants to cancel the only training someone would receive on how to ridicule a customer and their choice in carriers comes from that person's parents, upbringing, or childhood environment.

Verizon doesn't train or encourage us to belittle the competition - know our differences and speak to them, ...
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OrionsVantage

Apr 24, 2010, 12:34 PM
I work in an indirect in an area where all 4 'major' carriers and most of the bigger prepaid carriers all have pretty decent service. Its a completely oversaturated market. To make matters even more difficult, most of my customers are moderately up to speed on whats going on in the world of wireless technology.

I can't tell you how many times a day i have to educate customers about sprints '4G'. "Its only offered in a handful of cities right now, yes it is faster, no its not true 4G, but rather WiMax" etc. Not only are we required to sell value in the slightly more expensive plans but we also have to counter the mass marketing of all of the other carriers. If i have to mention that Sprint's 4G claims are a little misleading to keep ...
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diggitydogg76

Apr 24, 2010, 7:45 PM
You may want to put a little more time into researching your competitors 'shortcomings'! First, how can you say that WiMAX isn't true 4G and in the same breathe talk about the superior LTE (which by the way is technically called 3GPP and also fails to qualify as a true 4G product). Either way, I think its rather humorous that you are comparing a theoretical system to one that is already in place & growing everyday!

Second, Texas has WAY more than 1 city currently covered under the WiMAX 4G svc inc Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Abilene, Lubbock, Odessa, Corpus Christi, etc.

I'm not very knowledgeable about the iphone, so I cant say anything about the 'true multitasking'
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OrionsVantage

Apr 24, 2010, 8:50 PM
Hrm...that is a good point. There is more than one city in Texas that has WiMax. I was wrong there. Regardless it still is only offered in a very small area of the nation, and its not offered at all where I'm located. This is where i have to educate my customers on sprints '4G'. We don't get it where we live but customers don't know that.

Which brings me to talking about LTE.

I didn't mention LTE. How can you defend WiMax and in the same breath put words into my mouth? I try very hard not to mention 4G in my store. Why would i? I'm trying to get somebody to buy something today, not to wait until the verizon LTE comes out. Either way i think its really funny that you sprint fanboi's are really quick to jump down somebody's t...
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WernerCD

Apr 25, 2010, 11:35 PM
what 4G is before you spout off what is or isn't 4G.

best to stay silent and let people wonder if your an idiot.... than to open your mouth and prove em right.

I'm an att customer and i know what 4G is.
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diggitydogg76

Apr 29, 2010, 3:16 PM
According to Phone Scoops glossary:

Fourth Generation (4G)

A somewhat vague term used to describe wireless mobile radio technologies that offer faster data rates than current 3G (third generation) technologies.

4G networks are also more data-centric and based on standard Internet technologies such as IP. Voice service is typically provided using a special form of VoIP.

WiMAX and LTE are examples of 4G technologies.
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sunilsonia

Apr 29, 2010, 3:30 PM
diggitydogg76 said:
According to Phone Scoops glossary:

Fourth Generation (4G)

A somewhat vague term used to describe wireless mobile radio technologies that offer faster data rates than current 3G (third generation) technologies.

4G networks are also more data-centric and based on standard Internet technologies such as IP. Voice service is typically provided using a special form of VoIP.

WiMAX and LTE are examples of 4G technologies.


He said he's an at&t customer. That says it all! What does at&t know about 4G when they can't even get 3G straight? Most outages on 3G = AT&T! HANDS DOWN!
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WernerCD

Apr 29, 2010, 6:54 PM
I think you misread what I said... or I mistyped what I meant ๐Ÿ˜›

I'm an AT&T customer, on 3G. No LTE/4G in sight for me. I'm not going to diss on Sprints WiMax because I don't have it (either as an option or even where I'm at).

I'm an AT&T customer/sales rep - I don't need to lie about Sprint not being true 4G to sell phones. I don't need to lie about Sprint to feel better that I don't have it.

I've *NEVER* had issues with 3G coverage on AT&T. Or had outages. Or problems.

*Shug* I used to be a Sprint customer... but AT&T has better coverage where I'm at. I like both companies.
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diggitydogg76

Apr 29, 2010, 9:01 PM
I've sold for quite a number of carriers over the last 12 years (TMO {and VoiceStream back in the day}, VZW, ATT, Sprint, Nextel {both before & after Sprint merger), Cricket, etc)and I gotta say, my loyalty as a rep goes to the company that pays me! However, I am never dishonest or misleading to any customers when comparing to other services. Of course there are going to be things on one provider that no one else can compare with, but thats the joy of compitition. No one provider has it all, nor will they. All that can be done is to find the one that meets your needs better. What works for this city boy certainly wont work for some country bumpkin. I'm just tired of people trying to twist & turn facts in order to boost their own sales....
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sunilsonia

Apr 29, 2010, 10:39 PM
WernerCD said:
I think you misread what I said... or I mistyped what I meant ๐Ÿ˜›

I'm an AT&T customer, on 3G. No LTE/4G in sight for me. I'm not going to diss on Sprints WiMax because I don't have it (either as an option or even where I'm at).

I'm an AT&T customer/sales rep - I don't need to lie about Sprint not being true 4G to sell phones. I don't need to lie about Sprint to feel better that I don't have it.

I've *NEVER* had issues with 3G coverage on AT&T. Or had outages. Or problems.

*Shug* I used to be a Sprint customer... but AT&T has better coverage where I'm at. I like both companies.


Any and all of AT&T's reps that I've spoken have either lied or just hid "certain facts" about problems ...
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diggitydogg76

Apr 30, 2010, 1:44 PM
Maybe AT&T users should research the equipment they are sinking their hard earned money into before doing so & blaming someone else for the misinformed purchase. The same goes for the return/warranty program they have in place ... it can be found online & in print at the store so dont blame the company when you dont like the process you agreed to by signing up for service. Thats why you get a TOS booklet with EVERY phone that you are SUPPOSED to read before turning on your phone. Next time perhaps you'll read it! You hear what you want to hear and b*tch about what you were too lazy to research!
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sunilsonia

Apr 30, 2010, 2:02 PM
diggitydogg76 said:
Maybe AT&T users should research the equipment they are sinking their hard earned money into before doing so & blaming someone else for the misinformed purchase. The same goes for the return/warranty program they have in place ... it can be found online & in print at the store so dont blame the company when you dont like the process you agreed to by signing up for service. Thats why you get a TOS booklet with EVERY phone that you are SUPPOSED to read before turning on your phone. Next time perhaps you'll read it! You hear what you want to hear and b*tch about what you were too lazy to research!


I read all I could get my hands on about the phone from the Professional as well as other...
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alee

Apr 30, 2010, 5:41 PM
Was your phone made by ATT or Samsung? When you buy a washer or dryer and during the manufactures warranty, the appliance breaks, who is responsible for repairs, Sears or Whirlpool? You can blame ATT for the build quality of your phone, but truth be told, Samsung built your phone. See, the problem with you is that you are blinded by hate by what you perceive as a ATT mess up that you cant see the fact that your argument is illogical. At least ATT has a three strike policy because Verizon does not.
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diggitydogg76

Apr 30, 2010, 6:24 PM
EXACTLY!!
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diggitydogg76

Apr 30, 2010, 6:26 PM
Sounds like you should look for a new carrier then lol Just keep in mind, a POS on AT&T will still be a POS on Verizon or anyone else. It's the handset, not the carrier thats responsible for the quality of the product, AT&T just gives you the system to use the phone.
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WernerCD

Apr 30, 2010, 3:01 PM
Guess what? AT&T ain't alone in this regard.

You put someone on commision - the will spin he good and downplay the bad to make a sale.

You are an idoit if you think this don't happen at vzw, sprint, t-mobile, page plus, etc...

The thing about the iPhone... People yell and scream about ATT, but

1 no proof they are peaving AT&T
2 no actual knowledge of when AT&T exclusivity actually ends
3 no reason to stay with AT&T as it is. With the droid and the incredible... The evo... Those who want to leave can

piss and moan, but obviously AT&T does somehing right to keep it's numbers and keep apple.
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WernerCD

Apr 25, 2010, 11:17 PM
wimax IS 4G... ๐Ÿคจ
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Azeron

Apr 25, 2010, 11:22 PM
...but it sounds good, doesn't it? It's like the Firestone guy telling the blonde that she needs her headlight fluid changed.
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 8:54 AM
Explain to me how Wimax is not "true" 4G.....please do explain.
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 1:34 PM
Wimax is 4G in that 4G stands for a 4th Gen tech. What is Sprint going to do thou in a few years when everyone else is on LTE and Sprint is on Wimax? Bye bye roaming contracts.
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 1:37 PM
That makes sense if Sprint was not planning to go nationwide with Wimax.....however, they are planning to go nationwide. Good point though.
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 1:44 PM
Well, its also the global factor. They will have to do what VZW does now with the dual band phones. (CDMA/GSM) Because as far as I have read, overseas they plan on using LTE.
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 1:49 PM
Something that a lot of people don't realize is that Wimax is currently used in 135 countries already worldwide....So all this talk about Wimax not working anywhere else is somewhat unfounded.
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Amarantamin

Apr 26, 2010, 1:51 PM
I've *heard* that Wimax towers are built to be easily transitioned to LTE if needed. Not sure if there's any weight in that statement, though.
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 1:52 PM
They are....at a cost. That is the one thing that stands as a hindrance for Clearwire and Sprint both should they decide to make the switch. Theoretically easy, but expensive.
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 1:53 PM
"As of April 2010, the WiMAX Forum claims there are over 558 WiMAX (fixed and mobile) networks deployed in over 147 countries."

http://www.wimaxforum.org/ »

I was not aware. LTE has been boasting to be THE global standard and truthfully I had not done too much back research on Wimax. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 1:56 PM
Anytime....thanks for getting the exact specs. This is why i get so frustrated at the AT&T fanboys and the Verizon fanboys screaming "LTE IS THE WORLD STANDARD!" Very few folks take the time to research their statements and you sir I commend! ๐Ÿ˜
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 10:44 PM
WHAT!!! I MEAN.... WIMIAX IS WORSE THEN DIALUP.. REPORTED SPEEDS ARE LIKE 40.0 KBPS!! AND I HEAR THE BACK HAUL IS GOING TO BE MADE WITH STRING AND TIN CANS!!

True Story ^ I read it on the internetz
๐Ÿคฃ
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diggitydogg76

Apr 29, 2010, 3:40 PM
I just read an article about a man pregnant with an alien baby ... its gotta be true, it was online ๐Ÿ˜›
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Amarantamin

Apr 26, 2010, 2:12 PM
Whoa, did you just do research instead of blindly posting opposition?

I applaud you, good sir!
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diggitydogg76

Apr 29, 2010, 3:32 PM
LTE & WiMAX are BOTH being used on a global level, this is just the first WiMax system in the US
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diggitydogg76

Apr 29, 2010, 3:30 PM
As it is right now, 3G services dont roam! There are data roaming agreements, but they dont cover the 'enhanced' services. I dont see how that would change at all!
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 8:55 AM
Also....in Texas, 4G is in many many cities. Some ridiculously small ones.....so the claims of Houston only are that much more ridiculous.
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mitchell1

Apr 27, 2010, 10:14 PM
how many handsets does sprint have that will work on clearwires system.
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GTAexpert

Apr 28, 2010, 8:12 AM
Well, I'm not quite sure what you mean by that...but if you are asking whether or not Sprint has devices that will work on Wimax, which is technically Clearwire's (which Sprint owns 51% of BTW), is three currently. The Franklin U300, U301 and the Sierra Overdrive. June 13th Sprint will be releasing the HTC Evo 4G phone...maybe you've heard about it?

Hope this answers your question and clears things up for you.
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Jayshmay

Apr 27, 2010, 9:10 PM
I have a question about your first line, you said belittling the competition would belittle the customer. How is that? So what you want about any company, doing so wouldn't offend me, the comment is about the company, not me.
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epik

Apr 27, 2010, 9:35 PM
It's disrespectful and an insult to our profession. If I want to talk comparisons, that's perfectly fine. But belittling the competition is unintelligent and immature. I'd rather a customer remember a positive experience: one where the customer heard about a company's strengths and priorities, rather than why the competitor sucks so much.
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Jayshmay

Apr 27, 2010, 9:37 PM
Too bad polititians aren't as mature & respectful of their competition, as yhou are!!!!!
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Amarantamin

Apr 27, 2010, 9:43 PM
No kidding; but, politics is more about public perception, and the idea is that if the perception of the opposition is bad, than one's own perception is good. This helps to cover up flaws in their own plans, or their lack of planning altogether.
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Jayshmay

Apr 27, 2010, 9:46 PM
More politians have no plan.
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Amarantamin

Apr 27, 2010, 9:53 PM
Exactly. And since the masses are so caught-up in the blatant mud-slinging, they don't realize this.

The funniest thing, anytime I see people arguing over political stand, it's always "Well your side sucks because---" back and forth. When I ask what their chosen side is doing to HELP, nobody can come up with an answer. It's like it's turned into a sports-style versus match or something.

=)
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Azeron

Apr 24, 2010, 4:26 PM
I was never like that because by the time I came to work for Verizon I had already worked for three other carriers and I honestly did not believe that Verizon was the best carrier in my region (but they paid better so what can you do?) There ARE employees who behave like that. Sales reps, it wouldn't surprise me at all. As they took this guy to a Retail Customer Support Rep to cancel, I bet he will have to explain that disconnect to the store manager. There was a period when I was an RCSR that I was not allowed to cancel a customer without explaining to a key holder and then THEY would make one last stab at talking the person out of churning. *Shrug* It happens...
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 25, 2010, 5:37 PM
We are not trained to bash the other guys. In fact our credo states ygat we should not.

This may have a case of the store just not being up with all the latest info. Most retail stores stay very busy helping customers from open to close and have very little time to do research on network technology let alone our current policies and features. Things are always changing and frankly for some people it is hard to keep up.

As for the rep having to call over the manager, if the customer was doing a current date disconnect as I'm pretty sure he was. That is something a manager would have to approve. As most disconnects processed at a retail level default to end of bill cycle.


If the gentlemen did get service as he wrote then I do f...
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Amarantamin

Apr 25, 2010, 5:43 PM
That's a good point, that last bit there. Nobody really blogs about when things went well, just when they are unhappy with an experience. He did say he was with Verizon for 10 years before this; so they must have been doing stuff right for a long time!
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Azeron

Apr 25, 2010, 11:43 PM
I've worked in retail and in the call center. In retail it is all about the bottom line and typically sales reps are very myopic. (Managers too now that I think about it.) Not only will some reps bash the competition (which the Credo forbids) they will bash indirects as well. This sets up an adversarial relationship between call center and retail at times. Especially when customers call the call center and roll the bus over the retail store (sometimes deserved and others not).
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 25, 2010, 11:48 PM
That is true. In the store I worked in there was always issues between direct and indirect reps. Mostly we were upset about the indirect reps that sold used phones and did not tell the customer. The ind by use used to sell the vx8100 and pass it off as a new one. This was in 2008/2009, when we had the vx8350 and 8360s already in stock.

Truthfully the job is pretty miserable, not an excuse... just saying.
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deepskyblue

Apr 26, 2010, 8:42 AM
people are so smug when they go to sprint, they think they've found a mecca.

oh my god! people sell a lesser service for less!

this guy is an idiot too.

so now he can enjoy sprints 4G network on his 3G phone, or wait, no he can't.

but at least now he can use up his 5 gig monthly limit on his data card up in 2 minutes instead of having to wait 36 minutes, so that'll be nice.

i imagine the author would gloat to steve jobs that he bought a chinese of knock off of an ipod and it's better than an ipod cause it has more memory and costs less.

so what is he trying to prove? that a company that employs tens of thousands of people has some people working for them that aren't that bright? that they can't explain that verizon has a b...
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GTAexpert

Apr 26, 2010, 9:03 AM
The only thing that is not profound is your post.

What is profound is....the fact that you have HORRIBLE grammar and use words like profound.
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sharpone

Apr 26, 2010, 9:17 AM
as a former sales rep for vzw, when i would get those customers who wanted to cancel, i would run thru them as quickly as possible. Oh you want to cancel? anything i can do for you? "make your plans cheaper" oh okay.. type type blam cancelled. I didn't get paid to keep customers, and by helping them I might be missing out on something that does get me paid, so why would any reasonable sales rep try really hard to keep someone to stay? I would never lie to keep people, or give them a hard time because I would want their business if and when they came back.

either the rep in this story is one of the good ones, a customer service rep that doesn't care about quotas, or is TOTALLY MADE UP
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 1:32 PM
Thats why he got passed from the sales rep to the csr.

Also, as you said it has been awhile and things have changed. ๐Ÿ˜
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WernerCD

Apr 26, 2010, 11:45 AM
How can you use up "unlimited" in 2 minutes?

How is Sprint less? They have a better deal (for, in most cases, equal service) hands down than AT&T and Verizon.

On Sprint you spend $130 for what on Verizon/AT&T would cost you $230. Yeah... people are *REAL* stupid for being proud of that. Don't know how they go to sleep at night.
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WernerCD

Apr 26, 2010, 11:47 AM
http://shop.sprint.com/en/solutions/mobile_broadband ... »

4G
All you can stream, browse, email, chat, watch and game.
(aka... unlimited)

3G
5GB2
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Menno

Apr 26, 2010, 11:58 AM
Werner, it's useless arging facts with this guy.. look up his posts from last week about how verizon won't be able to handle 4g because they don't have enough t1 lines.
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Archer Bullseye

Apr 26, 2010, 1:41 PM
Haha that was a classic. I burst out laughing when I read it. ๐Ÿคฃ
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WernerCD

Apr 26, 2010, 2:22 PM
Arguing with idiots is a losing battle.

but I get so bored at work โ˜น๏ธ

Yeah... Blue makes some very... interesting... comments. The human race amazes me at times.
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Amarantamin

Apr 26, 2010, 2:47 PM
Blue is from the past. Much of what he talks about would have been accurate several years ago.
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Jayshmay

Apr 27, 2010, 9:26 PM
Yeah, yeah, I know, I get bored @ work too.
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Azeron

Apr 27, 2010, 6:13 AM
Indeed. Just reading posts by this guy makes one dumber.
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deepskyblue

Apr 26, 2010, 2:57 PM
I did not know that they removed the data cap for 4G.

I also will concede to being wrong if you can show me that i am.

I still stand behind the premise of my origional post. The author is smug, and he is suggesting that sprint has network superiority to verizon.

My premise is that that is not the case, that sprints network is not as good as verizons.

The derisive tone is for color.
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Amarantamin

Apr 26, 2010, 3:53 PM
They did remove the data cap for 4G. It's advertised for gaming, large downloads, and video streaming.

Hehe, no you won't.

Let's see... CDMA vs. CDMA with roaming agreement on both sides. Verizon has somewhat larger 3G. Sprint has the only 4G.

Sprint and Verizon networks are identical for voice thanks to roaming. The differences are listed above, and are very minor. Which is 'better' depends on one's service area, and is purely based on if one company has 3G and the other doesn't. Until the EVO comes out, 4G is a moot point except for connection card users.
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epik

Apr 27, 2010, 10:36 AM
Don't fall into the "unlimited roaming access" misnomer. Roaming agreements are not a carte blanche arrangement for every tower in the system, they are a methodical collaboration of towers selected to fill in holes in each of the carrier's overall signals. Just because Verizon and Sprint have a roaming agreement doesn't mean I can use Sprint any time, any where - or vice versa.
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Amarantamin

Apr 27, 2010, 2:59 PM
True that, there's a clause that half of the minutes on any single line cannot be roaming off of another network for a 3-month consecutive period, or the customer will get a letter politely telling them to get back on their own network or GTFO. With Sprint, anyways. I'm really not sure how Verizon handles it.
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gloopey1

Apr 27, 2010, 4:50 PM
...would you want a wireless service that roams 50% of the time? As much as I like Sprint, that's unaceptable to me. I would have to get service with another provider.
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Amarantamin

Apr 27, 2010, 5:40 PM
...

You wouldn't want it. And the service provider wouldn't want you. That's the idea. Roam %50 or more, continuously, and Sprint will drop you. %50 is unacceptable. I agree.

On that note, though, I've only ever seen my phone in roaming during brief periods in the middle of nowhere while travelling. Every city I've visited, I get Sprint signal. Not that I travel all over the US, just in my state, but still; it's nowhere close to %50.
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texaswireless

Apr 26, 2010, 9:05 PM
Under Palm Pre specific circumstances.

Most intelligent folks would agree WiMax has very spotty service. I know, I own one in Dallas Fort Worth. Works great, where it works.

Now, if you were to get a Palm Pre VZW is offering the tether package for free right now (with a regular data plan).

There are some disadvantages but the advantage of price is there. $119.99 gives you unlimited voice, text and 5 GB of data.
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WernerCD

Apr 27, 2010, 1:04 AM
Unlimted voice text data on one line for vz is 120... On sprint it's 99. Vzw price doesn't include gps or vcast, while sprints does - which would add $25 to vzw bill.

I said 130 on sprint tho...thats two smart phones at 1500 minutes - on a family plan. On vz, with equal options, u would spend 230 or so... Maybe more can't remember ATM.

U had your math in the wrong spot. Vzw AT&T is rediculously more expensive for smart phones.
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epik

Apr 27, 2010, 10:27 AM
What texaswireless is referring to is the $89.99 Unlimited Talk $ Text plus the $29.99 Email and Web feature, also commonly referred to as "data" on this forum, which adds up to $119.99.

His math is right, your semantics were different than his.

It's safe to say that on the Verizon forum the majority of people here refer to specific features in an "รƒฦ’ร‚ย  la carte" manner, not all in one program. That would be because 1) Verizon's never truly done that, and 2) only Sprint actually does it.

It's funny to me when Sprint fans make a point of showing "how much cheaper Sprint is" by pointing out all the other features that Sprint gives away with their service. Add up the same features with Verizon and Verizon is so much more expensiv...
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WernerCD

Apr 27, 2010, 5:31 PM
Is you can't really compare apples to oranges.

When you compare stuff, it makes more sense to do Apples to Apples.

Apples to Apples - a plan on sprint, with the same options on verizon - is X vs Y. 130 on sprint vs 250 on verizon. 99 on sprint vs 145 on verizon. blah blah blah.

I also try to also mention that their ARE differences... Ala'blache vs Ala'carte (I think I got those words right... I don't know french: aka Surrender isn't in my vocabulary). Money saved vs "bigger" network.
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epik

Apr 27, 2010, 9:31 PM
OK,then talk apples and apples. What's a Sprint plan with unlimited minutes and text with unlimited "web and email" run? From what I can tell, that would be $99.99 (yes, there are some added features in there, but I'm only concerned with the big three needs). Verizon is $119.99 for a similar plan.

$20. That's all you needed to say.

Instead, you go on and on about feature this and xyz that. I bet most - not all - most - customers only care about phone calls, text, and web/email. The rest might be cool, but not necessary. About the only add-on I would call valuable might be the GPS navigation, but on Verizon I have phone options where it's included.

My experience after years of selling add-on features up the wazoo, the custome...
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WernerCD

Apr 28, 2010, 1:49 AM
Includes gps, music, tv. On verizon that's $25 a month.

On top of the already mentioned 20.

For a grand total of 45 more a month.

VeriZon is good. It's not THAT good.

Yeah... Features they wont use because DRUMROLL SERVEY SAYS!!!! It's to f'in expensive on Verizon. Same reason they don't use internet on flip phones.

Include as the whe deal... I use the FEK outta my stuff. Why? Costs nothing extra. Would i for $45 more a month? Hellz to the NO.
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epik

Apr 28, 2010, 9:45 AM
The reason some - not all - but some of those features don't sell is simply because a majority of people don't give a crap. We're talking about a small percentage of the customer base. You could make it free all day long, and the truth of the matter is, a large number of people won't see value in certain products. They just don't care about them.

GPS I find extremely useful. And if I don't want to pay for it, I can get an Android phone which includes the service. Honestly, that's been one of the biggest sellers of these phones - people see the value in GPS.

Music: I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to, as that could be anything. I subscribe to Vcast Rhapsody for $15 a month - if that's what you mean, than you're example o...
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texaswireless

Apr 27, 2010, 10:27 AM
I was pricing the options based upon the original plans from the article. If we are just coming up with random stuff I can't read your mind.

He had a Palm Pre and an aircard. He did not have two voice lines.
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WernerCD

Apr 27, 2010, 5:17 PM
the original plan in question was a family plan?

It's been a few days since I read it, and I can't look it up here at work.

Or maybe I confused it with another, similar story.
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WernerCD

Apr 27, 2010, 5:23 PM
I was wrong... about being confused - I was right about it being two lines.

Re-read the OP's link... he talks about canceling "both lines"... aka family plan.
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texaswireless

Apr 27, 2010, 6:29 PM
It is two lines. A Palm Pre and an aircard.
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texaswireless

Apr 27, 2010, 6:31 PM
"Today is a historic day in Mobile Tech Manor. It is the first day in a decade that I have no service on the Verizon phone network. I canceled my long-time account as I signed up for Sprint 4G service to go with my Palm Pre voice line on Sprint. It wasnรƒยขรขโ€šยฌโ„ขt a move I made lightly, I tested the Sprint 3G and 4G networks and decided the Sprint service was a better value for me. I entered the Verizon store to cancel my voice and data lines with mixed emotions."

From the article.
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yeahright

Apr 27, 2010, 8:38 PM
this post is pointless. You could easily replace the names of the companies in this story to any carrier and the same situation could happen. Salespeople are just like everyone else...there are good ones and bad ones....sounds like these where well intinitioned, but misinformed and they turned on the defensive but that just comes with sales....this same practice happens everywhere in any sales industry.

I have always taken the approach that it is not my job to tell you why someone sucks! It is my job to tell you on why you should buy from me.

So in that situation they should have focused more on the merits of Verizon and presented less competitor bashing.... but lets be honest, I could walk into carrier x and tell them I am switching...
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GTAexpert

Apr 28, 2010, 8:29 AM
I would hate to call it pointless....just an example of a bad rep/store staff who blatantly lied to keep business. I have been on the retail side as well as the B2B side of the business as a rep and manager. I have seen HORRIBLE things said to customer to win and retain business. You keyed on my exact points that I was trying to bring up. Kudos to you and other people on here like Epik, Menno, Kayslay, Jayshmay, Azeron, Sprint CC who inform people of the truth, not the BS. Had this story been about Sprint, At&t, US Cellular...anyone, I would have posted it to see the reactions of those who post here. To me it is hilarious and sad all at once to see folks blindly defending the carrier/employer without fact based merit, blatant anger, hateful ...
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epik

Apr 28, 2010, 9:51 AM
Thank you. This wraps back to the very first thing I said on this thread: Verizon doesn't train employees this way, employees find their way into this mode out of blind loyalty.

I try to keep my mind open to reality. If I left Verizon today, I would still use their service because I like it. I find value in it. But I'm not going to throw myself on my sword for Verizon in the least. I appreciate their brand without loving or worshiping it. When you love a brand, or worse, worship it, you can't help but respond emotionally and irrationally. And, I believe, this was the issue with the reps who helped the original blogger in the store.
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GTAexpert

Apr 28, 2010, 9:56 AM
Couldn't have said it better myself. I know I have gotten into irrational arguments on PS before, but my argument has been with the irrationality of the person with whom I'm arguing. I too love Sprint, but not with a blind loyalty that many people exhibit. ๐Ÿ™‚
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Azeron

May 1, 2010, 8:30 AM
I certainly don't love Verizon but I am sticking with them until I can find a clear cut better deal that makes sense for my three lines and the persons we call the most. GV and F&F is hard to beat for me right now.
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yeahright

Apr 29, 2010, 5:10 PM
I felt as if it was posted to point out flaws only in Verizon wireless and that is why I felt it was less then needed. This is a normal but wrong approach in all sales environments. I could walk into an apple store where I am having my macbook serviced and tell them I was switching to a Microsoft product and probably here a similar response. I just felt it was an attack directed towards Verizon when we all know there is a Tmobile employee bashing Cricket somewhere right now to a customer.
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Azeron

May 3, 2010, 3:10 AM
Well...anyone who goes through the hassle of posting this story on a blog is going to have a bias and almost assuredly not a positive one. That has nothing to do with our responses however. I agree that this could have been any carrier. I've worked with managers and sales reps who fit the profile at four carriers. I once had a SunCom manager gloat because it costs customers air-time (or so he claimed) for callers to leave them voice mails. This was 2001 and I seriously doubted it, but I made it a point to inform my customers and give them the option to remove voice mail. I almost never had anyone take me up on the offer, but it certainly covered my a** with the customers. When one is on the front lines, it simply does not pay to screw...
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mycool

May 3, 2010, 8:00 AM
I agree... it is a pointless post.

What would've helped was for him to post which location he went to so that others can know what to expect if they decide to visit that location.
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