Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
chelsiewizper
Newbie

In 2014 my boyfriend decided to add a line to his verizon plan for his elderly father (age 80). At the same time, I switched to verizon and was given a free Iphone 5C for activating a new line of service. We had just started dating at the time so we did not discuss it, and his father went into the Verizon store, told the clerk that he wanted the most basic phone they had (again, hes 80 years old) so he was set up with a basic LG flip phone that cost him $30 (which doesnt make sense because he could have gotten the same exact Iphone 5C I did for free since he activated a new line-- but I guess that was not explained to him). Ever since, the flip phone has been nothing short of a true nightmare. It drops calls all the time, has a very low speaker which he cannot hear out of because hes 80 and hard to hearing, and he cannot text at all because it requires pressing the number buttons a million times until the letters appear (you remember what that was like back in the early 2000's). Recently, the flip phone has begun to work even less than before. A weird water mark has appeared on the screen dispite the fact that my FIL swears he has never gotten it near water, his caller ID does not display the correct phone number of who is calling (it displays random numbers and when he clicks to call them back they are disconnected numbers), and sometimes when people call in they can hear him but he cannot hear them-- this happens a lot. So needless to say, it is time for anoter phone. Unfortunately verizon stopped doing free upgrades after 2 years so he has not had a new phone in over 5 years. My question is this-- since we did not get the free phone when we activated his new line of service is he elligable for it now? It looks like all the phones are very expensive and the only way to get a free phone is to activate a new line of service. Is there a way to activate a new line of service, get the free phone, and then deactivate his old line? We have been loyal Verizon customers for many years now and it seems like only the new customers are getting the perks while loyal old customers are not being given any discounts towards new devices. He is elderly and cannot afford to increase the monthly bill by paying monthly for a new phone. He is also retired military and was never told that there is a military discount that can be applied. I feel like since we sent him into the verizon store alone back in 2014, he was taken advantage of and talked into buying this piece of junk flip-phone so that the sales clerk could make a comission they were not going to make off the free phone. Are there any options for him or should we just deactivate his line altogether and go with another provider that will give him a free phone? 

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
rcschnoor
Legend

@chelsiewizper wrote:

In 2014 my boyfriend decided to add a line to his verizon plan for his elderly father (age 80). At the same time, I switched to verizon and was given a free Iphone 5C for activating a new line of service. We had just started dating at the time so we did not discuss it, and his father went into the Verizon store, told the clerk that he wanted the most basic phone they had (again, hes 80 years old) so he was set up with a basic LG flip phone that cost him $30 (which doesnt make sense because he could have gotten the same exact Iphone 5C I did for free since he activated a new line-- but I guess that was not explained to him). 


If he was upsold from "the most basic phone they had" to a smartphone, you would be here complaining that they took advantage of him forcing a data plan on someone who didn't need it. It's hard to believe that exactly what was explained to him 5 years ago could be remembered accurately. Possibly they DID try to upsell him but he repeated his request for "the most basic phone they had". 

Because he did not get a free phone when signing up 5 years ago does not make him eligible for one now. Are you needing to purchase an additional phone at this time, too? Most free phone offers are BOGO with at least one new line of service. If your fil does not care if he gets a new number, there is no reason you cannot purchase 1 new phone on a current line(other than your fil's line) and then open up a new line of service for your fil. You could then cancel his current line of service.

For the military discount to be applied, the account must be in his name, which I assume it isn't.

Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
chelsiewizper
Newbie

Hi, thanks for your help, no need for the rude tone. He simply wants a working phone instead of this outdated archaic flip phone. When we looked up the prices a certified pre-opened IPhone is $170 or a new one is free with a new line of service. Every single member of our family uses Verizon already so we would have no use for a new line of service. My boyfriend and I both have the latest iPhones which we religiously upgrade every year so we do not need a new phone. The question is-- can we add a new line of service, get the free iPhone, and then disconnect the old line of service he was previously using without facing any penalties? And if so, what would be the difference in Verizon just giving him the free phone since we're literally just going to add a new line of service and cancel the old line-- leaving them with exactly the same number of lines on the family plan? 

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

It is of the utmost importance that we provide you with the best information to get your line upgraded to a device that better fits his needs, chelsiewizper. These BOGO promotions will only be able to be taken advantage of when first adding this line. We do have other promotions and deals on this following link:

 

http://spr.ly/66071zHCh.

 

OmarC_VZW 

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
chelsiewizper
Newbie

Ok yea so all those phones cost a monthly fee of $20. So it seems like the answer to my question is no. Under no circumstances will he be able to get a free phone. As I understand it, he can either buy a certified pre-owned phone for at least $99(depending on which phone he chooses), buy a new phone for a monthly fee of at least $15, buy a phone off eBay and activate it to Verizon, or cancel his line altogether and go with another provider. Terribly disappointing.

The morale of the story is since Verizon no longer does free upgrades of any kind for any reason, it is VERY important to make sure to have chosen a good phone upon initial line activation because you're stuck with it for life or until you buy another phone. 

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
Tigerstep
Specialist - Level 3


You realize 2014 was 5 years ago, right? You don't ask for a promo half a decade later expecting it to be honored.

As far as the phone, if he wanted a flip phone to begin with, he got what he asked for. Yes, he could have gotten a better deal on a new line, but that doesn't change the transaction. If a customer asked for product A and got sold product A, you can't be upset he didn't get product B.

On the upside, black friday is coming up soon!

Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
chelsiewizper
Newbie

I'm not asking for a promo to be honored 5 years later I was asking if there were any current options for a loyal paying customer who's been with the company for over 5 years without ever having upgraded their phone-- the answer is no, Verizon only entices new customers. 

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
rcschnoor
Legend

@chelsiewizper wrote:

Hi, thanks for your help, no need for the rude tone.  


Sorry, not trying to be rude. If you feel that stating facts makes it a "rude tone", I can't help that.


@chelsiewizper wrote:

Every single member of our family uses Verizon already so we would have no use for a new line of service. My boyfriend and I both have the latest iPhones which we religiously upgrade every year so we do not need a new phone.  


Is it your "boyfriend's father" or your "father in law" who is in need of a new phone? It seems someone who upgrades to the newest iPhone EVERY YEAR may have a few extra dollars available to gift a new phone to their elderly parent who wouldn't need another one for several more years.

When you exaggerate at least part of your story, it makes one wonder if you are doing the same for other parts of your story. Again, not trying to be rude, just wondering about some inconsistencies in your story.

You say you don't need a "new line of service" except that you are asking for a "free phone" which is usually one of the prerequisites for what you ask whether you are a new customer or an existing one. While you and your boyfriend may not be in need of a new phone, what about your other family members who also use Verizon? Possibly THEY may be willing to add your boyfriend's father to their plan if they purchased a new phone and got the BOGO deal on a new line of service for your boyfriend's father. Then you could simply cancel his current line of service.

Of course, another provider is always an option, too.

Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
Piscestg
Specialist - Level 1

I've been a loyal customer of the same grocery store for nearly 30 years. It's just not fair that they have yet to give me free groceries. I don't understand.

 

I've also been a "loyal" Verizon customer since 1993. I've spent thousands on new phones, iPads and service. However I'm still waiting for a new phone. It's just not fair.

 

The current "I'm owed something free" mentality just amazes me.

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Re: Didnt get a free phone when I added a line of service- can I get one now?
chelsiewizper
Newbie

Thanks for you help everyone. You must all be internet trolls because not a single one of you actually helped me to find a solution-- just seemed like a bunch of angry/rude/confrontational people looking to interact with others on the internet and start some drama. Sad use of your time but c'est la vie. We decided to just buy a phone off EBay as even the flip phones they're selling from Verizon are $100 😂. Do y'all work for Verizon or do they give you perks for standing up for them? If not, you should because you all do a really good job of making people feel like a piece of garbage for not agreeing 100% with the company and their policies. 

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