This Upgrade Fee is a Rip off

[Jugganaut]

I recently bought a Iphone @ best buy (for work). They said because I upgraded the device on this line there is a charge for $40?

I explained that I didn't activate anything.

I bought a Iphone 11 Pro MAx at best buy. I said I would like an unlocked iphone. They said, "who's my carrier..?" I said, "Verizon" and he said, "get a Verizon Iphone, their unlocked anyway." Paid the $1399 cash, I got the phone and popped in my sim. end of story. 

There was nothing different, no new lights, no reps called me congratulations on my new purchase, no new services, i didn't change anything

But I see an upgrade fee..hmm?

Messaged Verizon. They said, "I can understand your point, however this charge is for getting services activated on the new device you have upgraded to" That makes no sense. I have other phones.. S10, One Plus that I pop my sim into and there were no activation fees.

I've been with you guy since 2010, but this is ridiculous. I don't get that scammy $40 of my bill considered me a lost customer. I'll talk with your reps from an At&t store and port my number over and be done with you guys.. 

[Tigerstep]

Then return the phone. The moment you were asked which carrier should have been a red flag to stop the sale.

Next time order the unlocked version directly from Apple. Once your account is accessed, you get the fee. If you had AT&T and did the same thing, you'd still see an upgrade fee. I understand you're upset, but your beef is with Best Buy.

[Jugganaut]

I respectfully disagree. 

What you're saying will fix the problem, but in a sense you're also saying that I should have known better to not get this "upgrade fee"?  

Verizon customer service explained (when I messaged online support) that the "upgrade fee" is for getting services activated on the new device that I have upgraded to. Fair enough, show me..?

I said there was nothing different, no new lights, no new services, no reps called me congratulating me on my new purchase, i didn't change anything.. my bill is exactly the same, so what is an upgrade fee and why am I paying it..?

The "beef" is with whomever charges me for services not asked for or given. It literally makes no sense. I'm not paying for Verizon & Best Buy's "under the table shaking hands practices", lol.

[Ann154]

Here is the explanation for why Verizon Wireless was adding the upgrade fee when they first started charging it. The dollar amount and which purchases it applies to has changed since then. The reason why they have the upgrade fee still applies even if not every customer utilizes those tools. 

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/vzw/2012/04/bl2012-04-11

[Jugganaut]

I respectfully disagree. 

In the link that you posted it says,

"On April 22, Verizon Wireless is implementing a $30 upgrade fee for existing customers purchasing new mobile equipment at a discounted price with a two-year contract This fee will help us continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever."

I didn't get a phone at a discounted price from Verizon and I don't have a 2 yr contract w/ Verizon.

Bought the phone cash. I transferred the sim from my Iphone X & put it in my new 11 Pro Max and I got a $40 upgrade fee, but if I bought it unlocked (which Verizon phones are anyways) and did the same thing as Tigerstep (from the previous reply) described, I would not get the "upgrade fee" even though I'm still "upgrading" ?? Makes no sense..

It's a rip off. I'm getting charged for nothing, literally nothing.

[Tigerstep]

Your account was touched, this sets off the fee. This is why you were asked what carrier you were with. 

For contrast, I also purchased a new phone recently -- an unlocked S20 from Amazon. When it arrived, I popped my old sim in and everything worked fine. No fee hit the account because it was never accessed. The way to 100% never get an upgrade fee is to not mention you have a carrier if in person or choose unlocked at checkout online. 

Just an FYI, phones purchased through Verizon or a partner are subjected to a 60 day lock. 

[Ann154]

@Jugganaut 

As I wrote earlier:

The dollar amount and which purchases it applies to has changed since then.

Verizon Wireless are been charging upgrade fees for device payment agreement purchases AND full retail price purchases for a few years now. The dollar amount is now $20 for online purchases and $40 for in store and third party retailer purchases. 

Do I like it or agree with it, no. However, I'm not going to complain about it because I know my choices. I can choose to pay it when I purchase from Verizon Wireless or I can choose to purchase from the phone manufacturer directly.

You have that same choice. 

[Jugganaut]

You guys are missing the point in its entirety.

I am asking what is an upgrade fee and what are the services that it gives me after I pay for it? It doesn't matter if I like it or not, nor am I asking for a work around on how not to pay it. I'm asking, what is an upgrade fee?

I pop my sim in and out all the time myself between my phones, so if Verizon or a third party, touches it, accesses it, caresses it, or whatever. what are the upgrades that were made at that point and time?...especially if I didn't ask for it.

So far no one on this community forum, no 3rd party (best buy when I reached out to them), or Verizon support has explained what this upgrade fee actually is..? What I have read on here and across the internet are a slew of complaints from Verizon customers about these so called "upgrade fees"  and why they are being charged for this service that essentially does nothing.

[Ann154]

The upgrade fee is an one time administrative fee and is used to continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever. 

[Tigerstep]

A cellular network and services doesn't operate for free. It's not much different than the government using tax money on infrastructure.