Upgrade Fee

[gregump29]

Recently encountered this "upgrade fee" on my bill after purchasing a more expensive phone. No mention of the fee from Verizon Employees, no literature provided either. Just appeared on the bill. When I contacted Verizon to question the fee I was told its standard on new phone purchases. When asked why the Verizon Store employees never mentioned the additional charge or why no information was provided about this "hidden fee", I was put on hold. The call taker was absent for maybe a minute. When he returned, $15.00 was to be removed from my bill.

Can't say this was a victory, but I did voice my displeasure about the way a Multi-Billion dollar company has to stoop to what amounts to nothing less then deceptive business practices to secure additional revenue. Come on people, all we are asking for is for you to be upfront and honest with your customers, or in my case a soon to be ex-customer. I mean really, if you are going to steal from me, put a gun to my head and make me feel better about it.

I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears, as I was told by the call taker that," Verizon does not have a complaint department". Gee wonder why. At any rate, a complaint was filed with the PA. State Attorney Generals Office, Department of Consumer Affairs, for deceptive business practices. Keep you posted!     

[internetfate_net]

Here: Upgrade Fee FAQs | Verizon Wireless

"The $30 upgrade fee applies any time you purchase a new device at a discount, with a contract extension, to replace an old device. This fee is in addition to the cost of the new device and applicable taxes. The upgrade fee does not apply when a new device is purchased at the full retail price."

[Ann154]

The upgrade fee has been in place since April 22, 2012 which is well over two years ago.

[gregump29]

Thank you very much for this information. It's
still unconscionable that Verizon Employees do not divulge this fee to their customers. I certainly would not have purchased the phone that I did if this hidden fee was disclosed. This is the first upgrade I made in all my years as a customer. I usually only got the free phone.

Still doesn't make good business sense that Verizon is going to lose a customer who pays approximately $3000.00 per year for service, over a $30.00 upgrade fee.

[deb2too]

I think most wireless companies have same type fee but under a different name. Verizon may charge less than others not sure?

[internetfate_net]

Verizon charges $30. If I'm not mistaken other carriers cause upwards of $40.

[Ann154]

Sprint has an upgrade fee and it is $38 last I heard. The upgrade fee at AT&T is $40 per line upgraded. T-Mobile doesn't have upgrade fees anymore as they have gone to a full retail price only model with customers paying full price up front or on their installment payment program.

[flutterfly8497]

If it showed up on your bill,  you didn't buy the phone at a corporate store. Corporate stores charge the upgrade fee at the time of purchase. If it's billed, then you were at a third party retailer. Still, online or in store the upgrade fee is included on the info card for the phone. The fee has been in effect for for almost three years now, and thoroughly discussed, debated, and criticized. Nobody wants to pay more, but it is clear this type of fee is now an industry standard.

Not that it justifies the fee, but every cell phone company (except prepaid and T-Mobile, who no longer subsidizes equipment) will charge a similar fee. Most, as pointed out by others, are higher. Leaving Verizon isn't a way to avoid the fee, and when you switch you will pay activation fees that are most likely higher, as well. You can also pay full price for your phone and not have to pay that $30 upgrade fee. I'd wager AT&T, Sprint, U.S. Cellular, and any others I am forgetting,  have customer complaints about the same issue. It comes down to which carrier gives you the service you want/need at a price you find reasonable.

[flutterfly8497]

When you get a new phone (free or discounted), that is an upgrade. So if you have gotten a new phone and signed a new contract,  you upgraded.