Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
rockman20
Enthusiast - Level 2

Or is the answer both?

I have been a loyal Verizon customer since 1996. I have done the flip phones, I have done the BlackBerry, I have done the Android, and now I am on the Windows. So far out of every phone I have ever used, I love my Windows Phone. I love that it just works. I don't constantly have to reboot, I don't have constant lockup issues, I don't have anything that I have experienced with previous smart phones. App store is lacking, but seriously........there are only 2 companies that I would want an app for that isn't there yet.

I am due for an upgrade. I have 2 Lumia 822's and an Android on my plan. Both of the Windows phones are due for an upgrade. If 8.1 would ever be released to the 822, I would stay with that. If 8.1 was offered on another Nokia phone at Verizon, I would go with that. Instead, the only thing Verizon offers for 8.1 is the HTC One M8. Awesome phone, don't get me wrong, but seriously? You are forcing me into a $200 phone (with a new contract) times 2 just because Verizon cannot play well with others?

I am eyeballing AT&T. I know the coverage areas are less than Verizon. I know an AT&T customer very well and so far there is only 1 area where I can get a signal that he cannot. I think I might be able to live with that. Every Windows phone AT&T offers comes with 8.1. So that is 4 phones I could chose from. I have been happy with Verizon for many years, but when I look at the supposed "underdogs" in the wireless market and I see that they appear to be able to work with Microsoft and make things happen, I have to start to question. Has Verizon finally gotten too big for their britches? When I see companies that are supposed to be under Verizon and they are able to make deals with a company like Microsoft and offer their customers bigger selections it makes me wonder if I am being pushed into what Verizon feels is right for me. I already pay a premium for my bill. I am okay with that when I look at the coverage map. But being forced into paying for a new device instead of allowing me to update my old one.........I am starting to lose my loyalty.

I am sure there is a lot more to this issue than what I see. But Verizon, I am just a dumb customer that knows what I want. I don't know the politics or the BS that goes on behind the scenes, nor do I want to. But I do know that I look around and see other carriers offering a bigger selection of a small marker and I see that they appear to be working with Microsoft a lot better than you are. This is MY reality and it is causing me to question if I really want to be a loyal customer anymore.

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Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
bsites1968
Contributor - Level 2

I'm starting to take it personally, too.  We have treated Verizon well.  Why can't they treat us well?

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
rednibkram
Specialist - Level 1

Do yourself a favor, LEAVE VERIZON!  I'm leaving as soon as AT&T gets Denim on the 1520.  I originally was going to wait to see if the Icon got it first, but now I've decided that with the treatment I have received from Verizon, screw them, I'm going to AT&T!    Its not just for the lack of the update, but for the complete lack of ANY information from Verizon regarding this issue.  We have been treated like Cinderella by her ugly wicked step-mother and I think its time to put the glass slipper on and walk over to AT&T!

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
Not applicable

Why are you still giving that going to AT&T line?

Don't wait go now. January 2015 is the time to go and get what you keep hollering about.

No one cares if -2% market share walks with your glass slippers over to AT&T.

I am waiting at AT&T forums for your foray about if AT&T doesn't get Emerald before Sprint or T-Mobile then you will jump to them.

It is just a phone and not the end of the world. And a phone that makes and receives calls and texts and emails. Geesh

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
Alexvrb
Contributor - Level 1

Elector wrote:

It is just a phone and not the end of the world. And a phone that makes and receives calls and texts and emails. Geesh

You keep saying this. You don't even need a smartphone for that, Elector. People *occasionally* buy smartphones for their advanced functionality, much of which is added and/or improved via regular updates. These updates are quite frankly one of the hallmarks of a modern smartphone platform and are a huge part of the smartphone experience. By making a statement like the one I quoted above it makes you come off as someone who never really embraced smartphones in their entirety... and thus your point of view on updates is skewed.

Regardless, when one particular platform's updates are held up by one particular carrier, people are bound to be annoyed. If the attitude at Verizon is the same as yours "who cares there's not enough of them they don't matter" well then I'm quite disappointed. With that being said... yes if you're going to switch just do so. A lot of people are somewhat more entrenched in VZW (for whatever reason, coverage, bundle with TV, etc) and thus switching is less appealing. IMHO those who are not able to switch easily have more of a compelling reason to vent frustrations and to try and enact change. Those who have little to nothing tying them to Verizon can just walk away and say tell VZW on the way out why they left - if they care.

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
Not applicable

Phones have come a long way. However the basic premise is still make and receive calls.

Sure they do more today because technology advances everyday. So they are little computers, GPS devices, fax machines and the list goes on. I understand all that.

What I cannot understand is if you purchase a device and it worked on day one, why now waste time constantly hollering about any updates. Personally I don't care if my phone gets updated. If I get one then yippee.

However I am not wasting my life complaining about not getting one, or getting one faster, or if AT&T or any other carrier has released it. I also cannot fathom the speculation on why the update was sent back to Microsoft.

Who really cares what reasons are. It was sent back.

Then you have that other guy saying if cyan or denim are at AT&T first he/she is jumping to them.

It is the same tired old song. Then on another thread states he had a conversation with Nokia and Verizon and was told it was apps. Again it really makes no difference what the reason is. Its not released.

Venting is fine, but when it keeps popping up over and over all the venting in the world is not going to matter.

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Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
bsites1968
Contributor - Level 2

Didn't you already post this on about a dozen other Cyan posts?  You must watch a lot of reruns on TV.  Smiley Happy

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
rockman20
Enthusiast - Level 2

It is amazing how combative some people can get on a public form. With most of the replies on this thread, it doesn't matter what I say. Everything will always be wrong and I will be in the wrong. That is alright by me. As I stated in my original post, I am just a dumb customer that knows what I want.

So, why did I write this? Because I work in an IT related field where I work with many large vendors. These large vendors tend to start to take notice when more and more people start complaining about the same thing. Right now the Microsoft market on Verizon is weak to say the least. A larger vendor will not take note to many complaints. It is just the way business works. You are a successful company and you concentrate on the items that have made you that successful. If I don't make my voice heard, then Verizon doesn't see that there is yet another unhappy customer. If the numbers don't add up, you get rid of the item as it is weighing you down.

As a member of this form I have the right to voice my opinion. I am not attacking other posters, I am stating the facts as they are to me. The other awesome thing about being a member of this form is that if I don't want to read something, I have the choice not to open it or read it. If I am tired of seeing everyone complain about a particular item, I glaze over it and I move on with my form browsing.

A phone is a phone, that is absolutely correct. But if I wanted just a phone, I would have found the most stripped down, generic, least functional phone out there. But I wanted more. I wanted my phone to interact with my computer. I wanted to be able to use a remote terminal connection to connect to Microsoft servers here at work. I wanted my One Note documents to be at my fingertips whether I was at my desk at work or on the road with my phone. That is why I chose the phone I did and the same reason why I went with the OS that I did.

2 years ago this was the best there was for Microsoft. Now they have something better. This something better has been out for a little while now. This something better could easily be put on my current phone which would mean I can have Cortana, the swype texting, the ability to utilize a background picture, a file manager so I can actually move files on my phone, a new notification area, the ability to project to my computer without needing to use a third party app, a more robust calendar, and the ability to utilize a VPN connection which would be terrific for my work.

So yes, a phone is a phone. But I didn't buy just a phone. And yes there are complaints all over the web about Verizon not releasing the update to phones. But if voices are not heard, as a company, you assume that nothing is wrong.

A car is a car. It gets you from point A to point B. So because of that, I think we should go back to the Model A. No power steering, no cruise control, no overdrive, no AC, no power anything, and definitely no 400, 500, or 600 ponies under the hood to tow the 10,000 pound boat behind. But why have all of those comforts when bottom line is, a car is a car. Let's say you spend over $20,000 on a car with no heated seats. A few years down the road you find out that the company who built your car has offered an upgrade. You can now have heated AND cooled seats for free. Your car is capable of the upgrade and all you need to do is allow them to update it. However, the dealership you bought the car from is not allowing this upgrade because they are still working with the manufacturer of your vehicle. You wouldn't be mad?

It may not be EXACTLY the same thing, but it is along the same lines. If I knew my phone was not capable of the update, I would suck it up and I would buy a new phone and things would be fine. But when I know that the reason why I can't get the update is because a company that I have been with for 18 years now seems to be dragging their feet and they can't give any other explanation other than they are working with Microsoft? I am a little upset and I feel a little cheated.

So for those of you who are tired of reading posts about people complaining about the 8.1 update, please, feel free to never open this thread again and feel free to stop following it so you will never get updates on it again. For those who feel that a phone is a phone, I have around 5 old phones sitting around my house that I would gladly sell to you. They all sent and received calls very well back when I was still using them. However, my needs have changed and I now need more than just a phone which is why I went with a Microsoft smart phone.

For Verizon, I hope that you are listening and I hope that you add me to the list of unhappy customers you have right now. I know that I am just a drop in a very large bucket for you, but I would like to believe that you still care about all of your little drips. And for everyone else, thank you for reading this.

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
grafixguy
Contributor - Level 2

I'd like to believe that, too, but through their actions, or should I say inaction, they've pretty much proved that they don't care. To be honest, I can see why, but at least come out with a statement for Windows Phone users telling us they have no plans to further support the devices and perhaps offer a trade in program.

It's enough of the BS. I really have no problem being last, but this has gone beyond that and there's no realistic end in sight.

Re: Is Verizon killing Microsoft or forcing loyal customers to spend more money?
Not applicable

Wow what a long analogy amounting to zero.

Let's try your car analogy in a better perspective. All cars do the same basic functions. They move on four wheels, they have an engine, brakes, wipers etc. But it is not a given right to get any upgrade from the Model A up to a Model T.

If you want heated seats you pay for them, you want premium features you pay for them. Although a Hugo and Tesla are both autos the add ons and build quality are what distinguish one from the other.

Now your cell phone analogy, you purchased a phone (Windows phone in this case) which has a less than 2% customer base and falling in the USA. The carriers took Microsoft devices to sell and make money, they have lost money. Now in cars if there are improvements you don't get them unless you buy the newer model.

Same with cell phones, on date of purchase it was working as it should and it still works today. Now in that venue because Microsoft/Chrysler puts out a enhancement not having to do with safety but to bring more bells and whistle to the phone/car does not require the carrier/dealership to give those bells and whistles.

In the case of safety Verizon's as well as dealerships provide the update. (Hate having to use both analogies)

Like I said the phone worked on day of purchase, it works now. So you are getting the service from the carrier which is access to the cellular and data network. That is it.

Now like car dealers if your Hugo is getting new stereo speakers but one dealer is charging for them and another down the road is installing for free which do you choose? The premium speakers do not make the car go any faster, it is simply a perk not a necessity much like the phone updates.

But I loved you long drawn out analogy.

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