Last week I went into the Verizon store in Reading, MA and spoke with very friendly Salesguy #1. He told me there was a promotion that if I got a new smartphone, I'd also be eligible for a free Ipad mini. This intrigued me as my old ipad is really on the way out with a cracked screen that is not repairable. I agonized about my current home phone situation, which is always hard to find, hear through, and keep charged, and decided now was the time to join the 21st century and get a smart phone. Ok. Arranged to move home services to
a new company and not get a home phone in my house since 1968. Really.
At my second visit to the store I was again greeted by fake sweetness by the sign in girl and introduced to friendly Salesguy #2 (#1 wasn't there.) I stated I was new to the idea of phones and contracts (label me "sucker" then and there) and began my questions by saying "There is a promotion for a free Ipad mini with purchase of a smart phone, right?" and was told that while he wasn't sure of it, if the other sales guy said it it is something Verizon would be able to do. I said "are you sure?" Yes was the reply. Ok. I then spent an agonizing 90 minutes trying to figure out the best phone and plan. Picked out cases. Even called Verizon to switch my home number to the new phone. Ok, I'd done it. My friend and I were relieved and happy. I was just happy not to have to go through this decision again for another 24 months.
Charming salesguy #2 then said "Ok, let's first settle up for the ipad." What? Back to the beginning we went, and now his memory said that he told me the Ipad wasn't free, but was at a reduced cost. Huh? The ipad would have cost twice as much as market value if this were the case. I asked to see the manager and was asked to please step back to the recesses of the store. Being me, I asked to see the manager up front. Shouldn't other soon to be taken customers hear our discussion? So, eventually the manager arrived and clearly couldn't care less about the fact that the sales people lie to customers. She called Salesguy #1 who said that he'd told me "a tablet" "might" be free, and also gave a different story. I was so mad at being a victim of the Bait and Switch sales tactic.
So, as of next Saturday I am switching to an Internet and very limited tv package with Comcast. I have to start the phone search all over again, or reconsider the services being brought in this weekend. What makes it really funny is that I barely even USE a phone -- I do most correspondence with email or FB messaging. So why is this such a big deal?
I hate it all because we are trapped by companies that charge too much for too little, and know that the consumer has no choice but to use it or walk away completely and not use technology at all. My TV has been broken for two peaceful weeks. I can live without it. But, to not order TV from a cable company means higher prices for everything else. It just doesn't make sense. No consumer wants to make a bad purchasing decision, but when all the options are bad, it brings on the feeling of being a sheep. Pick the least evil solution, and move on, I guess. I might choose smoke signals.
What will you create today? WITHOUT 4GLTE, 25/25mbs, and 255+ channels?