Verizon and Crappy Business Practices

GreNME · 20th March 2009, 10:00 PM

In case you haven't heard, Verizon has gotten snagged with some pretty shady new agreement rules. On top of that they're making it awfully difficult to opt out:

Quote:

To opt out you can call 1-800-333-9956. Or you can follow the instructions in the mailing to go to verizonwireless.com and log into My Verizon where you will find no mention, no button, no link and no help. Ah, but you forgot to check your Messages. There you will indeed find a link to CPNI. The link is marked "Not available." Dead end.

You could then call Verizon's excellent telephone support. (Nope, I'm not being sarcastic.) They won't be able to find the opt out button either. But during the 8 minutes the rep puts you on hold, you'll be amused to hear one of their continuous bits of self-promotion tell you that Verizon never shares your personal information. Oh, what a wry sense of humor Verizon has!

(Upon refreshing the browser, the page seems to be offline for now. I'll leave the link in case it comes back. This one covers more information. The instructions alone make keeping the text worth it for Verizon customers.)

Maybe this ticks me off because I'm a Verizon customer. It's nothing new in stupid, back-handed business practices that some companies engage in to increase their bottom line, but I hate feeling like I have no other choice but to deal with it if I want to have the capabilities their products provide. to be locked into stupid contracts that one side of the contract is entitled to change at any time it finds a way to improve its profits.

So, is it unreasonable to find this crap reprehensible? Is it ridiculous to think more competition would clamp down on these practices? I'm definitely curious for outside input and opinions.

KoihimeNakamura · 21st March 2009, 12:06 AM

No, possibly, and I'd recommend some regulations governeing how you can opt-in/opt-out...

.. but that's just me

Starthinker · 21st March 2009, 06:04 AM

Let them share my information. How else will I get discounts and coupons for things I want and need?

I love Verizon as I set my account to their lowest costing service after each billing cycle and if I get close to using up those minutes I change my plan to the next higher plan with no penalty, no hassle, just a few clicks online. With Cellular One it was one service for two years, if you went over your minutes better turn your phone off because next thing you know a few over minutes would triple and quadruple your monthly bill.

Alareth · 21st March 2009, 07:56 AM

The Verizon practice that always bothered me involved deposits.

Deposits generate interest, so you actually get back a bit more than you paid.

At the time I was selling Verizon through RadioShack, customers that paid deposits were billed a $15 "Deposit Processing Fee" on their first bill. I'm pretty sure this was done to offset any interest earned on the deposit.

20th March 2009, 10:00 PM	#1
GreNME Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 8,283	Verizon and Crappy Business Practices In case you haven't heard, Verizon has gotten snagged with some pretty shady new agreement rules. On top of that they're making it awfully difficult to opt out: Quote: To opt out you can call 1-800-333-9956. Or you can follow the instructions in the mailing to go to verizonwireless.com and log into My Verizon where you will find no mention, no button, no link and no help. Ah, but you forgot to check your Messages. There you will indeed find a link to CPNI. The link is marked "Not available." Dead end. You could then call Verizon's excellent telephone support. (Nope, I'm not being sarcastic.) They won't be able to find the opt out button either. But during the 8 minutes the rep puts you on hold, you'll be amused to hear one of their continuous bits of self-promotion tell you that Verizon never shares your personal information. Oh, what a wry sense of humor Verizon has! (Upon refreshing the browser, the page seems to be offline for now. I'll leave the link in case it comes back. This one covers more information. The instructions alone make keeping the text worth it for Verizon customers.) Maybe this ticks me off because I'm a Verizon customer. It's nothing new in stupid, back-handed business practices that some companies engage in to increase their bottom line, but I hate feeling like I have no other choice but to deal with it if I want to have the capabilities their products provide. to be locked into stupid contracts that one side of the contract is entitled to change at any time it finds a way to improve its profits. So, is it unreasonable to find this crap reprehensible? Is it ridiculous to think more competition would clamp down on these practices? I'm definitely curious for outside input and opinions.
	__________________ _{Like love, criminals will always find a way. -- foxholeatheist The kind of pacifism I endorse is brought about by eliminating one enemy combatant at a time.-- JoeyDonuts}

21st March 2009, 12:06 AM	#2
KoihimeNakamura Creativity Murderer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 6,868	No, possibly, and I'd recommend some regulations governeing how you can opt-in/opt-out... .. but that's just me
	__________________ Don't mind me.

21st March 2009, 06:04 AM	#3
Starthinker Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5,014	Let them share my information. How else will I get discounts and coupons for things I want and need? I love Verizon as I set my account to their lowest costing service after each billing cycle and if I get close to using up those minutes I change my plan to the next higher plan with no penalty, no hassle, just a few clicks online. With Cellular One it was one service for two years, if you went over your minutes better turn your phone off because next thing you know a few over minutes would triple and quadruple your monthly bill.
	__________________ \|¦¦\|¦ \|¦\|\|\|\|¦\|\|\|¦\|\|¦¦\|¦\|\|\|\|\|\|\|¦\|¦¦¦¦\|¦¦¦¦\|\|¦\|¦\|¦¦\|¦ \|¦¦\|¦ He who doubts victory has already lost the battle. Below the navel there is neither religion nor truth.

21st March 2009, 07:56 AM	#4
Alareth Expert Expertologist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 6,684	The Verizon practice that always bothered me involved deposits. Deposits generate interest, so you actually get back a bit more than you paid. At the time I was selling Verizon through RadioShack, customers that paid deposits were billed a $15 "Deposit Processing Fee" on their first bill. I'm pretty sure this was done to offset any interest earned on the deposit.
	__________________ Pixelated Reality \| Alareth Does Art! Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright, until you hear them speak