Comments on: Cell Phone Upgrade Fees

By: technokat

technokat — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:18:34 +0000

Jawsche,

Please tell me HOW a company that charges me $200 for a phone has to charge me to use it? Shouldn’t that be included in the fee when I buy the phone in the first place? Had I know that the charge for using this phone would be $218, I would probably have gone much cheaper. The salesperson at the AT&T store never mentioned this fee ONCE. This is misleading. I refused to pay it the first time I saw it conveniently “show up” on my bill. I tried to call AT&T but it was after business hours. So surely they aren’t using these fees to pay for round-the-clock customer service.

When the fee showed up on my second bill, I called AT&T during hours and the customer service rep was happy to waive the fee. If this fee is necessary, why was it waived so quickly and easily?

I don’t enjoy free ANYTHING with my phone service, so I cannot see how charging me this hidden fee AFTER the fact is justifiable.

I think the cell phone companies sell us garbage equipment at prices that create enormous profits to begin with–now they want to nickel and dime us claiming they have to spend time and money to “switch” lines to better phones? Sorry…I don’t buy it. Please outline the reasoning in detail so that you can actually back your claim that this fee is necessary.

By: Justin M

Justin M — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:49:45 +0000

I never had a problem with verizon wireless. i have had them for a solid 4 yrs now. Changed phones many of times. even got out of some of the $35 connection feels when registering a new handset. I have a family plan with 4 lines, and every 18months i get the free phone or early upgrade. NO MONEY out of my pocket, nothing changed on my bill either.
I also just go directly through the VZW DIRECT store, or call customer service. Sorry everyone is having a problem. I guess i just got lucky so far.

By: Jawsche

Jawsche — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:49:23 +0000

Upgrade fees are actually justified. All companies do them, and it’s to go towards discounts in other areas and support other free services. At least, that’s how it is with the company I work for. We offer lots of different free services from the phones and the website, and the only way we can keep these services free and easy is to charge upgrade fees. It all makes sense when you hear the business explanation from someone who knows what they’re talking about. It’s easy to think it’s bogus when you have no idea how cell phone services work.

By: mapgirl

mapgirl — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 15:33:08 +0000

Blah. My phone died this weekend. Let’s see what Verizon charges me today.

Nice template change. I like the lighter colors, but you can tell I’m already partial to pastels.