Verizon Freeup ripoff dishonest fraudulent billing and advertising Florida
I purchased a Verizon Freeup phone for the advertised price of $99.00 with the promise of a $50.00 rebate in May of 2002. I wanted a cell phone for use while traveling, and in case of emergencies. Also I wanted it for my camper, at a campground in the mountains where personal telephone service is not available.
The residents there are serviced by Verizon, henceforth I was assured a cell phone by Verizon would be operable there in the remote mountains. I found out differently, when I had an accident and had to drive myself 25 miles to town to the hospital. No satellite was servicing that area. Apparently the community has Verizon for residential and business, but allowed another private cable company the exclusive use of the air, with their own cell phones.
I too was given 1,000 hrs when purchased, and lost them when the phone was just 2 months old. I re upped the phone, another $30.00 and was given 200 hrs, 29 days later that was lost to them. I purchased a $15.00 card,100 hrs., and that runs out today 29 days later. I have used the phone 2 times...5 minutes each and now have only 30 minutes airtime left. I may just throw it away, because they will keep my minutes anyway.
Did I mention, I never received my Rebate of $50.00, they said after many calls, "I was told: it was sent... it was in process.... it takes 2 months... wait... it's on the way.... and lastly they never received my request." I was informed I cannot get it now with out resending all information, and the one coupon that came with phone. Of course that one coupon isn't available to me now. Rip off you bet.
Ruth
Port Charlotte, Florida
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Alan
Edmonton,Alberta,
Canada
Verizon FreeUp
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 12, 2003
I picked up on the promotion with the 1000 bonus weekend minutes, and I must say that the 1000 free minutes was the draw. Although I sympathize with you over your loss of service after such a short period I wish to point out where you need to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the service.
Amounts of replishment between $15.00 and $29.99 have a validity period of thirty days from the time of replenishment. With any system there may be periods at which the time is shifted back to the last business day (holiday season this happens). $30-$74.99 the validity period is sixty days. Just to be safe I check my balance by phone (1-866-837-3387) or by world wide web (http://www.verizonwireless.com and choosing the Prepay lookup option under customer service). I will replenish well before the expiry, just to be safe.
Given the bonus 200 minutes on $50.00 replenishments I still have 1000+ bonus minutes and a balance healthy enough to give me plenty of talk time, even to international destinations, and roaming off network.
Although it is alarming to have minutes forfeited for allowing to expire you have to be certain to keep replenishing the account often enough so this won't be a problem for you when you need the phone the most.
If an emergency phone that you want and don't want the bother of the expiry you will find that Tracfone offers a 1 year validity period for $94.99 or less. Although the minutes are fewer per dollar, you will have peace of mind with an active phone.
As for your rebate difficulty, you are not alone in your frustration. Rebates can be eventually had if you follow a few basic steps before filing the rebate application.
Note all addresses and phone numbers used to make inquiries and make sure these these are current and can get a person to answer any questions you may have.
Make a copy of the original rebate application before mailing.
Be careful to read the terms and conditions of the rebate process and pay close attention to any restrictions that may apply(residence, members of household, age, expiry of promotion, transferability, etc).
Rebates are usually handled in bulk by a third party company so allow the time the rebate says to allow and some.
Always retain all receipts as proof of purchase and do not destroy any material involved at least until the rebate check arrives in the mail.
Good luck the next time...
Alan
Edmonton,Alberta,
Canada
Verizon FreeUp
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 12, 2003
I picked up on the promotion with the 1000 bonus weekend minutes, and I must say that the 1000 free minutes was the draw. Although I sympathize with you over your loss of service after such a short period I wish to point out where you need to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the service.
Amounts of replishment between $15.00 and $29.99 have a validity period of thirty days from the time of replenishment. With any system there may be periods at which the time is shifted back to the last business day (holiday season this happens). $30-$74.99 the validity period is sixty days. Just to be safe I check my balance by phone (1-866-837-3387) or by world wide web (http://www.verizonwireless.com and choosing the Prepay lookup option under customer service). I will replenish well before the expiry, just to be safe.
Given the bonus 200 minutes on $50.00 replenishments I still have 1000+ bonus minutes and a balance healthy enough to give me plenty of talk time, even to international destinations, and roaming off network.
Although it is alarming to have minutes forfeited for allowing to expire you have to be certain to keep replenishing the account often enough so this won't be a problem for you when you need the phone the most.
If an emergency phone that you want and don't want the bother of the expiry you will find that Tracfone offers a 1 year validity period for $94.99 or less. Although the minutes are fewer per dollar, you will have peace of mind with an active phone.
As for your rebate difficulty, you are not alone in your frustration. Rebates can be eventually had if you follow a few basic steps before filing the rebate application.
Note all addresses and phone numbers used to make inquiries and make sure these these are current and can get a person to answer any questions you may have.
Make a copy of the original rebate application before mailing.
Be careful to read the terms and conditions of the rebate process and pay close attention to any restrictions that may apply(residence, members of household, age, expiry of promotion, transferability, etc).
Rebates are usually handled in bulk by a third party company so allow the time the rebate says to allow and some.
Always retain all receipts as proof of purchase and do not destroy any material involved at least until the rebate check arrives in the mail.
Good luck the next time...
Alan
Edmonton,Alberta,
Canada
Verizon FreeUp
#4Consumer Comment
Sun, January 12, 2003
I picked up on the promotion with the 1000 bonus weekend minutes, and I must say that the 1000 free minutes was the draw. Although I sympathize with you over your loss of service after such a short period I wish to point out where you need to pay close attention to the terms and conditions of the service.
Amounts of replishment between $15.00 and $29.99 have a validity period of thirty days from the time of replenishment. With any system there may be periods at which the time is shifted back to the last business day (holiday season this happens). $30-$74.99 the validity period is sixty days. Just to be safe I check my balance by phone (1-866-837-3387) or by world wide web (http://www.verizonwireless.com and choosing the Prepay lookup option under customer service). I will replenish well before the expiry, just to be safe.
Given the bonus 200 minutes on $50.00 replenishments I still have 1000+ bonus minutes and a balance healthy enough to give me plenty of talk time, even to international destinations, and roaming off network.
Although it is alarming to have minutes forfeited for allowing to expire you have to be certain to keep replenishing the account often enough so this won't be a problem for you when you need the phone the most.
If an emergency phone that you want and don't want the bother of the expiry you will find that Tracfone offers a 1 year validity period for $94.99 or less. Although the minutes are fewer per dollar, you will have peace of mind with an active phone.
As for your rebate difficulty, you are not alone in your frustration. Rebates can be eventually had if you follow a few basic steps before filing the rebate application.
Note all addresses and phone numbers used to make inquiries and make sure these these are current and can get a person to answer any questions you may have.
Make a copy of the original rebate application before mailing.
Be careful to read the terms and conditions of the rebate process and pay close attention to any restrictions that may apply(residence, members of household, age, expiry of promotion, transferability, etc).
Rebates are usually handled in bulk by a third party company so allow the time the rebate says to allow and some.
Always retain all receipts as proof of purchase and do not destroy any material involved at least until the rebate check arrives in the mail.
Good luck the next time...