Complaint Review: Mobile Telesys -Verizon

I tried to exchange a very difficult to operate telephone (recommended by their sales staff) beyond their 30 day exchange period. Nice phone, just not user friendly like the ever popular Nokias.

I explained that two days after purchasing the phone I departed on a military assignment, and in no feasible manner could I have exchanged the phone within a 30 day period. The rep in the Carlsbad mall informed me an exchange would now require corporate approval. I concurred and asked him to call corporate for me. He refused. That conversation ended with some swearing by both parties and abruptly ended.

I eventually reached Mobile Telesys Customer Service. Not only did they refuse to assist, they also refused to divulge a corporate address to which I could write. They offered a local address. Turns out it was the address to the same customer service center I spoke with earlier. Pretty convenient that they can intercept complaints filed against themselves.
In a last ditch effort I called Verizon corporate. Their customer service department responded with mere apologies. Too bad the words "I'm sorry" don't manifest themselves into real solutions. Glad I only signed up for one year.
The phone was for my mother. I wanted to be able to reach her from abroad.

I was unable to do so, but the real tragedy here, I would say, is three-fold. First of all: shame on Mobile Telesys. They are strictly commission sales oriented and are not concerned with repeat business. They exhibit that quite well.

Secondly: shame on me. Had I not been in a hurry when I bought the phone I would have discovered I was buying through an outside agency and would have avoided doing so altogether.

Lastly, and worst I think: shame on Verizon. They are allowing unethical scam artists to represent them publicly. In an industry that's already circumspect, ie. incredibly, inconvenient calling plans with little air time offered during hours when normal people are at home or awake, you'd think they want to convey a different image. Guess they don't have to when everyone must have a cell phone.