[fairtomiddlin]

VZW announces new $30 service fee to upgrade to a new device at a discounted price:

Upgrade Fee

[Ittles]

I just read it. That makes no sense, they give you a discount on a new phone but turn around and charge you $30 to buy it. Stupid.

[rfkuehn]

So in other words, note the 2-year contract price for the device and add $30 to it. Kind of like the way airlines operate these days... $180 + $30 sounds less than $210.

[F2]

It's not as if they are losing money. They just are not making enough! The fee is for education/etc. What if you promise never to call them?

[the_stig#WN]

This is ridiculous.

[FASHER]

SMH

[F2]

There must be psychological reasons why they charge a fee rather than just raise the price of the phone $30.

Maybe they compare themselves to an airline where they charge a fuel surcharge. Basically, Verizon is saying:

"It is not our fault. We have no choice. The price of xxx has increased and we must pass that along to our customers."

[CharlesH]

Let's see... For new customers, there is a $30 activation fee; for existing customers, there is a $30 upgrade fee. So why not just raise 2-year contract price of the phones?

It was a pleasant surprise when I recently bought an airline ticket online, and the charge to my credit card was exactly the quoted fare. Airlines are now required to include all required charges, such as "911 security fee" and "fuel surcharge" in the quoted fare. Wouldn't it be nice if phone companies were subject to the same requirement?

[o4liberty]

This is just another way for verizon to make money. All the other carriers have done this for years so why all of a sudden? I have been with verizon for over 15 years and the last 4 years verizon has been going down hill from customer service to coverage. This is just another big company ripping off America!

Sent from my BlackBerry 9930 using Tapatalk

[Super_Mario]

I disagree with the extra fee, but at the same time we all want better phones, better coverage, faster service, better reps. I may be wrong but I'm sure that costs money. If all we wanted was just basic phones and regular service we would have prepaid plans or go with carriers like Cricket or Boost. We want premium devices and service but don't want to pay for it? I'm not sure if that makes sense. But then again, they say it's for mobile workshops and advise from experts, which I never use, so I feel I shouldn't have to pay for it.

[SwitchBeach]

I wish rather than putting it as a "extra fee", they would just price the device higher. It's the same end result for the carrier.

It's like the airlines that advertise a $300 fare and then tack on another $100 with random fees.

Or car dealers that do the same thing.

Just be honest and give me the bottom line to start with. Don't advertise a low-ball price and then jack up the final price by adding on the fee.

If they need to charge more for the devices, then just do so upfront.

[iRy757]

Other carriers have upgrade fees as well. And we do not charge the upgrade fee in store, it is applied to your next months bill.

Sent from space using Tapatalk

[CharlesH]

I wish rather than putting it as a "extra fee", they would just price the device higher. It's the same end result for the carrier.

For the iPhone, they are either contractually locked by Apple to a specified retail price, or they feel that they cannot quote a price higher than the competition. So they keep the quoted price the same and tack on mandatory fees.

The airlines have been called on this: the quoted price must now include all mandatory taxes and fees, such as the 911 security fee, fuel surcharges, airport gate fees, etc. I recently bought airline tickets, and the quoted price was actually the exact amount charged to my credit card.

[yungwunn911]

What is the upgrade fee for? If you buy a new phone and add it to your line of service?

This is such a bizzarre fee. What happens if you buy the phone on contract price, but tell them not to activate it, then go home and do an ESN swap online?

[Tiguere]

You will pay the 30 dollars if you are buying it using your upgrade discount.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

[revtech]

Everytime I have activated a phone I ask them to waive the fee, sometimes they say yes, and when they say no I say thank you and start to walk out and they say 'um, wait a minute . . . =)

[travaz]

I disagree with the extra fee, but at the same time we all want better phones, better coverage, faster service, better reps. I may be wrong but I'm sure that costs money. If all we wanted was just basic phones and regular service we would have prepaid plans or go with carriers like Cricket or Boost. We want premium devices and service but don't want to pay for it? I'm not sure if that makes sense. But then again, they say it's for mobile workshops and advise from experts, which I never use, so I feel I shouldn't have to pay for it.

Have you ever tried to get "education" from Verizon? Its great if you have an I phone or droid. But they have no one that can help you out with a BB.

[brucep1]

I'm getting really sick of Verizon. They remind me a lot of Apple. The whole, "We offer a great service and we're going to make you pay for it" thing is getting old.

[kbz1960]

I'm getting really sick of Verizon. They remind me a lot of Apple. The whole, "We offer a great service and we're going to make you pay for it" thing is getting old.

Ain't that the truth with anything these days.

[jlb21]

You can always contact Verizon customer care and say you want to upgrade but are concerned about the costs and that added fees like the new upgrade fee make it hard to do so. I bet you can find a rep who will give you a statement credit.

[Artemis68]

Yeah you can get around it if you find a nice phone rep. Good luck if you're doing a store upgrade. I upgraded recently and had to pay up. Bummer.

Posted from my Droid Razr Maxx.