CURSE YOU, VERIZON!
Generally speaking, Verizon Wireless has been a pretty good carrier. Since the switch from AT&T/Cingular, I've had fewer dropped calls and some pretty decent customer service. The only problem so far has been that I seem to be on an uphill trend as it relates to the amount of money I pay them every month.
First it was just my phone and my wife's. Then I added the Blackberry and the cost of e-mail/internet. Then came my son's phone (he's 12). And, finally, me being the guy who has to have access everywhere I go, the wireless card was added.
What was once a convenient wireless plan at $69 per month is now over $230! But I can't blame anyone but myself. I do have a choice in the matter, right?
But this friendly (albeit expensive) relationship came to a screeching halt this past Friday. You see, my son lost his phone when we were at the Grand Canyon a few weeks back (my wife swears she handed it to me). So, thinking of the possibilities as we walk through the door, any optimism was dashed quickly once our predicament was explained to the customer service rep at Verizon.
The good news, they said, was that they have a lost or stolen phone policy. Great! (Imagine my son and I looking at each other and sharing a warm father/son moment). However, it turns out that the policy's cost depends on the status of your free upgrade (we are scheduled on his lost phone for September). So, according to Verizon it was either $200 for a new phone (with $50 rebate now $150) or wait until September.
Now, let me remind you that I am currently paying Verizon $230 per month. And I paid an average of $100 for the phones I have now (3).
Isn't that enough?
And, aren't the phones made in China for $15-$20? And they wanted to charge me $150? It's frustrating even telling you about it.
But, you know what? The solution, which I figured out while in the store, was that there was one simple and no cost solution. The one, I guess, that was on the last page of the Verizon customer service rep training manual:
If you have another phone (perhaps an old one laying around the house),Verizon will switch the phone over - for FREE. As in no charge.
The lesson here? Do not throw away, donate, give away or garage sale your old cell phones - they can come in handy. Place them in a junk drawer (along with your cords and chargers) for an emergency.
We hadn't done that. We weren't prepared. Luckily an Aunt had an extra phone and we were home free. We went back to the Verizon store, handed them the phone and within 5 minutes he was back texting his friends.
Did I do all that just so he could text again? No, it is a safety thing. Right.
OPPORTUNITY STRIKES AGAIN!
So, being that this site is about ideas, here's one that came out of my experience. A place where, I think, many good ideas take root.
For all those people out there who lose a phone and do not have one to spare, take heart! I will open a store (virtual or next to Hallmark) that buys and sells Verizon phones. I'll pay $5 to the old owner and charge $25 to the new owner.
The best part? I won't charge either person any fees and I won't force a contract on anyone.
Everyone wins. Except Verizon, I guess.
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