How do you GOUGE customers?

[Estacey2011]

Well, it's as easy to make a choice as simply reading what Verizon told me about the $10.    "We have to pay extra for people who pay with a credit card"..  even going so far as to gripe about the $120 a year  giving a good customer who pays OVER $3600 a year for service  a discount. -  It's not so much the $10..   But the idea that the Business 'feels' it can just add or remove an item at their whim in their attempt at 'controlling' their customers.    I invested in the 'Unlimited'  because I grew weary of their constant SALES pitch of $15 for an EXTRA gig of Data if I should go over the meager 10 Gig limit  on my 4 phones..    PAYING them MORE money  - and get a notice that they want DIRECT access to my BANK.

Yes, it's enough to help someone make a decision on how well they are being treated by a 'service provider'
   Additionally, the story of how this comes out is used by their Competitor to adjust their own sales approach.

I tried 'reasoning' with Verizon,  Talking to a DEAF ear..    My MONEY is good..  Obviously my LOYALTY is of no value to them. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Estacey2011, We talked About your phone not working three days ago. We said that we would check back with you. Were you able to get your phone working?

Verizon_Customer_Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

If my response answered your question please click the  Correct Answer  button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

[lewisr13]

Sounds like the don't lose your discount message you got is because you signed up for the unlimited plan, you left that out of the original story or I missed it. The losing your discount refers to the $10 discount you can get IF you do auto pay through your bank account, not losing something you already had. you're losing an available discount.

[sprmankalel]

Estacey2011 wrote:

Well, it's as easy to make a choice as simply reading what Verizon told me about the $10. "We have to pay extra for people who pay with a credit card".. even going so far as to gripe about the $120 a year giving a good customer who pays OVER $3600 a year for service a discount. - It's not so much the $10.. But the idea that the Business 'feels' it can just add or remove an item at their whim in their attempt at 'controlling' their customers. I invested in the 'Unlimited' because I grew weary of their constant SALES pitch of $15 for an EXTRA gig of Data if I should go over the meager 10 Gig limit on my 4 phones.. PAYING them MORE money - and get a notice that they want DIRECT access to my BANK.

Yes, it's enough to help someone make a decision on how well they are being treated by a 'service provider'
Additionally, the story of how this comes out is used by their Competitor to adjust their own sales approach.

I tried 'reasoning' with Verizon, Talking to a DEAF ear.. My MONEY is good.. Obviously my LOYALTY is of no value to them.

Here's the deal. Verizon Wireless can change their offerings anytime they choose. Whether you had it or not they are able to take away a discount on their whim. With or without notice. At one point my bill was almost $500 a month. I never used that to try to bully them to give me any discount. I chose to have that many lines and services that equaled what my bill was.

Why do you think that they should give you a discount just because you subscribe to the network? That is like walking into Express and saying 'I will buy this shirt but only if you give me a $10 discount because I am buying it from Express.'. You wouldn't do such a thing. So why is it ok to ask for a discount from Verizon when you don't deserve it?

I signed up for paperless billing and auto-pay with my debit card. I get a $5 per month discount because I have only one line. I pay with my CC before the auto-pay date.

Verizon has the choice to incur that $120 per year per account or not. They choose not to.

So, simply put, if you want the $10 discount you will do as they ask to get it. If you don't want to do that then no discount for you.

[Piscestg]

Verizon has been taking my monthly payment from my checking account for years. I also have my monthly car insurance and gas and electric bills paid automatically from my checking account.

Credit card transactions usually cost the merchant a percentage of the sale. That may be a factor in Verizon's decision.

Some don't want Verizon to have access to their checking account. My credit cards have a higher available credit amount than I usually have in my checking account. I don't see this as something to get upset about.

[Estacey2011]

I've been a Verizon Customer since at least 2011 - They offered a 'discount' of $10 if I were to go Paperless and set-up Auto-Payment  -  I did that - YEARS ago.. and paid them with "MY" method of paying "MY" bills.. and they GLADLY accepted my payment.. ( Nearly $300 a month! ) on time.. and in Full !
    Then they offer a NEW way of getting MORE money from me and I sign up..   I've had it now for about two months..  then comes this card  telling me.. "Don't lose your Discount"  (in short, the same discount I have had for YEARS)  -    Unless I CHANGE my method of Payment.. I'll LOSE something .. 
--
  Yeah, sure.. being paid by a CREDIT CARD -  Costs them a few pennies.. It's the PRICE THEY pay for offering CREDIT CARDS  as payment methods in order to ENTICE people into Paying!  -  they sure don't want Folding GREEN Bills  Mailed in an Envelope...    Obviously the money they have to SUCK UP by offering Credit Cards  CUTS into their PROFIT..   when a Customer pays some $300 a month - you'd think there'd be applause not  THREATS!..  "Change your method of payment or LOSE" 
--
  As for giving anyone direct access to your Bank Account or Debit Card.. That's YOUR business -  I'm sure you are completely satisfied with their Security  ( ATTENTION:  March 2016  Verizon has been HACKED.. Customer Records STOLEN )

That would mean that,  DIRECT access to your DEBIT card and BANK   'could be at risk'      Of course Credit Card information could be too...  Except,  the damage would be limited to the contract of the Credit Card Company (VISA or MASTERCARD)

  But you do as you please.. what makes YOU feel GOOD..   Meanwhile.. I'm firm..   After paying off the Contracts I Have in play - I'll SELL the Verizon equipment to some Verizon customer.. and bail..  they won't miss my money...   Additionally.. Verizon's Competitor is applauding Verizon's actions..  they don't seem to care..

   Thanks for chiming in...   I choose to continue to pay as I always have.. and.. .I'll be getting a PAPER BILL in the Mail from here on out..  and I'll pay as I always have.. 

[Piscestg]

I wasn't being ignorant or hateful in my response. I was explaining what works for me. And yes, accounts can be hacked, but I believe anything done online can be hacked.......credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, whatever.

Any comments in a public forum will usually be responded with other ideas. That's what I was doing. It seems that you are consumed with extreme anger over this. I can only wish you good luck. Again, I meant no offense. If making my cell payment was my main concern in life, I would be pretty darn lucky!

Cheers and try to chill just a bit. And remember, if we all thought the same on everything, life would be dull.

BTW- I've been a Verizon customer since 1993, but that doesn't make me a worse or better customer. All paying customers are the same.

[sprmankalel]

Estacey2011 wrote:

I've been a Verizon Customer since at least 2011 - They offered a 'discount' of $10 if I were to go Paperless and set-up Auto-Payment - I did that - YEARS ago.. and paid them with "MY" method of paying "MY" bills.. and they GLADLY accepted my payment.. ( Nearly $300 a month! ) on time.. and in Full !
Then they offer a NEW way of getting MORE money from me and I sign up.. I've had it now for about two months.. then comes this card telling me.. "Don't lose your Discount" (in short, the same discount I have had for YEARS) - Unless I CHANGE my method of Payment.. I'll LOSE something ..
--
Yeah, sure.. being paid by a CREDIT CARD - Costs them a few pennies.. It's the PRICE THEY pay for offering CREDIT CARDS as payment methods in order to ENTICE people into Paying! - they sure don't want Folding GREEN Bills Mailed in an Envelope... Obviously the money they have to SUCK UP by offering Credit Cards CUTS into their PROFIT.. when a Customer pays some $300 a month - you'd think there'd be applause not THREATS!.. "Change your method of payment or LOSE"
--
As for giving anyone direct access to your Bank Account or Debit Card.. That's YOUR business - I'm sure you are completely satisfied with their Security ( ATTENTION: March 2016 Verizon has been HACKED.. Customer Records STOLEN )

That would mean that, DIRECT access to your DEBIT card and BANK 'could be at risk' Of course Credit Card information could be too... Except, the damage would be limited to the contract of the Credit Card Company (VISA or MASTERCARD)

But you do as you please.. what makes YOU feel GOOD.. Meanwhile.. I'm firm.. After paying off the Contracts I Have in play - I'll SELL the Verizon equipment to some Verizon customer.. and bail.. they won't miss my money... Additionally.. Verizon's Competitor is applauding Verizon's actions.. they don't seem to care..

Thanks for chiming in... I choose to continue to pay as I always have.. and.. .I'll be getting a PAPER BILL in the Mail from here on out.. and I'll pay as I always have..

The issue is that you changed your plan to the New Unlimited plan, right? With that came the $10 discount for paperless and auto-pay with bank information. I will point out that it is CLEARLY outlined in the details of the discount. If you didn't want to lose the discount you had previously you should never have changed your plan. YOU made that decision. If you want the discount offered by the new plan you will do it within the requirements. As I stated before, by not enrolling in auto-pay and paperless billing, you aren't sticking it to anyone. Sure you will receive a paper bill in the mail and Verizon will have to pay the CC processing fee but why do you think that extra $10 is attached to your bill? It is to cover the cost of paper, postage and the CC processing fee. So you're paying for it in the end.

Also, you DO NOT have to stay with Verizon until your devices are paid off. You can switch at any time b y walking into a store  for the carrier you wish to be with. They will gladly help you switch to their service and Verizon will send you a final bill with the balance due for all equipment and usage through the date you port your numbers out.

Honestly, since you think you will find greener grass, this might be the best option.

[sprmankalel]

Piscestg wrote:

I wasn't being ignorant or hateful in my response. I was explaining what works for me. And yes, accounts can be hacked, but I believe anything done online can be hacked.......credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, whatever.

Any comments in a public forum will usually be responded with other ideas. That's what I was doing. It seems that you are consumed with extreme anger over this. I can only wish you good luck. Again, I meant no offense. If making my cell payment was my main concern in life, I would be pretty darn lucky!

Cheers and try to chill just a bit. And remember, if we all thought the same on everything, life would be dull.

BTW- I've been a Verizon customer since 1993, but that doesn't make me a worse or better customer. All paying customers are the same.

Your response was great. Some people will ALWAYS try to play the 'I pay $XX per month' card. What they fail to realize is that they pay that much because they CHOOSE to have that many services. Then they think that they should get special treatment. The world doesn't work that way. You're right. This person is very angry over something that is a non-issue. Then they come here and spread the negativity.

Wait until you have been called a troll or accused of being a VZW employee because you have a differing opinion or you point them to the truth.

[Piscestg]

sprmankalel wrote:

Piscestg wrote:

I wasn't being ignorant or hateful in my response. I was explaining what works for me. And yes, accounts can be hacked, but I believe anything done online can be hacked.......credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, whatever.

Any comments in a public forum will usually be responded with other ideas. That's what I was doing. It seems that you are consumed with extreme anger over this. I can only wish you good luck. Again, I meant no offense. If making my cell payment was my main concern in life, I would be pretty darn lucky!

Cheers and try to chill just a bit. And remember, if we all thought the same on everything, life would be dull.

BTW- I've been a Verizon customer since 1993, but that doesn't make me a worse or better customer. All paying customers are the same.

Your response was great. Some people will ALWAYS try to play the 'I pay $XX per month' card. What they fail to realize is that they pay that much because they CHOOSE to have that many services. Then they think that they should get special treatment. The world doesn't work that way. You're right. This person is very angry over something that is a non-issue. Then they come here and spread the negativity.

Wait until you have been called a troll or accused of being a VZW employee because you have a differing opinion or you point them to the truth.

Thanks. I've had a few snags with Verizon but for me they have the best service, hence the higher price than others I suppose.

I was grandfathered for years but I bought a cellular iPad in March. To get that on the plan I had to switch to the new unlimited. I knew that I would loose my employer discount, but that was my choice. It costs me $15 more a month with both devices. They work great and I'm happy with my choice. But I investigated it before I switched, so now I can't cry about it.

A few years ago I bought a performance car that prefers premium gas, which is what I always use. Shortly after the price for premium went up from 30 cents more than regular to 40 cents more than regular. I guess I could constantly holler are the gasoline retailers or perhaps Ford for making such an engine. But everything isn't about a dollar to me. If it was a problem, I'd sell the car. I like it and that was my choice.

And yes, I stopped commenting on most of the Apple and Android sites because I'm a troll if I have a slightly different opinion. Ha.