Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
Terrys_Customer-Chand

"There is no such thing as ethical/unethical in business" -  is that from the Verizon web page?

I do not always have the time or resources to research every purchase decision.   Historically, I have found success in working with organizations and people that I can trust.   I mistakenly included Verizon in this category. 

General feedback from above is that I was a fool to believe the Verizon sales person and to put any faith in Verizon. 

But I would suggest there are ethical sales people, and we should all seek to promote the success of those who believe in business ethics, and challenge the success of those who seek to profit on the misfortunes of others.  

As for me, I will continue to seek remedies for challenge Verizon's efforts to enforce an overly compensatory and unfair contract.  

Would be interested in any input from people who believe in business ethics

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
jroeder
Specialist - Level 2

rschnoor is correct. It just sounds like you made a uneducated purchase, and now you are regretting it. You already signed a 2 year agreement, and since your still arguing your points I feel safe to say you are outside of the return period. You're not the only one, it's called buyers remorse. It is not Verizon's fault or liability that you no longer want the jetpack, you wanted it the day you purchased it and you agreed to the 2 year.

Verizon has no invested costs true, so the money they make is called profit.........

You received no benefit-Incorrect. You received benefit that is why you purchased the product. You stopped receiving benefit from the product after you learned about the hotspot feature. However at time of purchase you did and thats why you agreed to the 2 year agreement. (Again, classic case of buyers remorse)

Contract was initiated in a manner that was deceptive, ...strongly suggestive of unethical practices by Verizon- That was not deceptive or unethical. You signed the 2 year on it, why? Because it benefit you and let you use the network on your iPad. Why didn't they tell you about the hotspot? Because you didn't ask.

Basically you found an alternative to the jetpack, your hotspot. So now you are trying to find any possible way to get out the contract by pinning the blame on Verizon when it's YOUR responsibility as a consumer to do your research. I guarantee you didn't get your home internet connection without doing research, so why would different rules apply here?

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
rcschnoor
Legend

Terrys_Customer-ChandlerAZ wrote:

As for me, I will continue to seek remedies for challenge Verizon's efforts to enforce an overly compensatory and unfair contract.  

Would be interested in any input from people who believe in business ethics

I have given some input and I DO believe in business ethics.

I simply disagree that what you have described indicates unethical behavior.

I find it interesting that if someone does not agree with your take on this matter means they are in favor of unethical behavior. That seems a bit much. However that seems to be the way of things in this society, if someone does not agree with your point of view, they are obviously wrong/evil/unethical/whatever.

I tend to think, instead, that there can be more than one way to look at a situation. There IS more than one way to approach a need and not everyone is going to think the same way is the best. Does this make them unethical? NO. Simply a difference in opinion.

It saddens me that you believe an opinion differing from yours is equivalent to supporting unethical behavior.

Regardless, good luck with your endeavor.Smiley Happy

Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
armaki
Contributor - Level 1

No, it's not from verzion's website, I understand it's your attempt at humor, but it's called reality - that's where it's from.

Whom do you trust is up to you. Children trust anyone they see - doesn't mean they should.

All I am saying is, you have to do your own homework. That's life now. It isn't how it used to be in the 50s.

Btw, I hate verizon with a passion. But that doesn't mean all faults automatically lie with verizon.

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
Terrys_Customer-Chand

Greatly appreciate your response.   I do not believe that having an opinion different than mine equates to unethical behavior.

Unfortunately, I am the only person on this e-mail string that was present at the meeting with the verizon rep.   Whether you choose to believe that the verizon rep lacked ethics in this transaction is up to you....I would not be writing this if I did not feel that way, not expecting you to send me a check, just hoping to warn others and possibly find a remedy I had not thought of.

I normally do research my contracts.   I have entered into a lot of phone contracts over the years.   This is the first time I have felt cheated.   I did not think that cheap little device would cost me so much and provide so little benefit. 

The issue of the contract being overly compensatory for Verizon is clear.   Whether I can get a remedy at this time is a question

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
rcschnoor
Legend

Terrys_Customer-ChandlerAZ wrote:

Greatly appreciate your response.   I do not believe that having an opinion different than mine equates to unethical behavior.

Unfortunately, I am the only person on this e-mail string that was present at the meeting with the verizon rep.   Whether you choose to believe that the verizon rep lacked ethics in this transaction is up to you....I would not be writing this if I did not feel that way, not expecting you to send me a check, just hoping to warn others and possibly find a remedy I had not thought of. Yes, we are aware you "feel" the Verizon rep lacked ethics. That does not mean the Verizon rep DID lack ethics, though. As you have pointed out, you inherited your smartphone and simply brought the device in to Verizon to activate it. IF you would have asked about the capabilities of the phone, the rep would most likely been willing to describe them to you and THAT description could have included the hotspot. It appears you DID NOT do so and the rep, as a result, thought you were aware of the capabilities. When you then asked for a method to connect the iPad to Verizon ALONG with the rep assuming you were aware of the capabilities of your phone, suggested another method. THIS is not unethical. For example, if I drove a pickup truck to a Uhaul dealer and asked for a way to transport a refrigerator, it would not be unethical for the Uhaul dealer to rent me a truck, EVEN though my pickup was fully capable to do the job. There ARE different ways to do things and differing opinions on how to do them.

I normally do research my contracts.   I have entered into a lot of phone contracts over the years.   This is the first time I have felt cheated.   I did not think that cheap little device would cost me so much and provide so little benefit. But the point remains that the cheap little device DID provide the benefit you had wanted, connecting your iPad to Verizon. I assume you ALSO were aware of the monthly fee and therefore at least at the time thought it wasn't too expensive, or why else would you have made the purchase. As has been pointed out, this seems more a case of buyers remorse.

The issue of the contract being overly compensatory for Verizon is clear.   Whether I can get a remedy at this time is a question

Smiley Happy

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
Not applicable

Actually it does not state just arbitration.

If you're a Postpay customer, you can dispute your bill within 180 days of receiving it, but unless otherwise provided by law or unless you're disputing charges because your wireless device was lost or stolen, you still have to pay all charges until the dispute is resolved. If you're a Prepaid customer, you can dispute a charge within 180 days of the date the disputed charge was incurred. YOU MAY CALL US TO DISPUTE CHARGES ON YOUR BILL OR ANY SERVICE(S) FOR WHICH YOU WERE BILLED, BUT IF YOU WISH TO PRESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO BRING AN ARBITRATION OR SMALL CLAIMS CASE REGARDING SUCH DISPUTE, YOU MUST WRITE TO US AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE ADDRESS ON YOUR BILL, OR SEND US A COMPLETED NOTICE OF DISPUTE FORM (AVAILABLE AT VERIZONWIRELESS.COM), WITHIN THE 180–DAY PERIOD MENTIONED ABOVE. IF YOU DO NOT NOTIFY US IN WRITING OF SUCH DISPUTE WITHIN THE 180-DAY PERIOD, YOU WILL HAVE WAIVED YOUR RIGHT TO DISPUTE THE BILL OR SUCH SERVICE(S) AND TO BRING AN ARBITRATION OR SMALL CLAIMS CASE REGARDING ANY SUCH DISPUTE.

Full contract is located here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/support/customer-agreement

And any contract entered into via fraudulent means is void. Omissions of fact or non disclosure can void out a contract.

However in fairness, the store person could have just been poorly trained or did not care to mention hot spot abilities.

It would be a tough call in court since the customer signed the contract.

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Re: How to void an unconscionable contract with Verizon?
vgage03
Newbie

Its bad business practice not to have ethical services. As it may be a reality that sales people will be unethical it says a lot for a business that would back them. It is very sad when I go to the store to purchase a new phone that I have to look the sales clerk in the eye and tell them not to BS me. To give it to me straight and usually you get different responses after that. Now in regards to your question I am in a similar boat. I have a mobile hot spot that I do like but I want to find a cheaper alternative to internet access then verizons highly over priced data plans. My phone line contract is almost up so I will transfer my phone line to that contract and stop using the hot spot. I really doubt verizon will let you out of the contract so you just need to decide what will save you more money. Continue to pay the monthly charge for the hot spot or is it cheaper to pay the cancellation fee and use the feature on your phone.

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