Complaint Review: Verizon - New York, New York

I purchased The motorolla V710 from a verizon store after my free phone stopped working. Because opted out of the insurance on my initial phone, the only way to upgrade my phone was to purchase at full retail price whichever phone I chose. I'm ok with this since I didn't get the insurance.

After spending quite a bit of time checking out all of the phones in the store, I decided to go with the motorolla v710. This really is a great phone. As a phone it's hands down the BEST phone I've ever owned. Reception almost never drops. It has a 1.2 megapixel camera, a transflash memory card, it plays mp3's, video and also, (the main reason I chose this phone),

is that it's a bluetooth (BT) phone.

Bluetooth allows you to sharefiles between your pc as well as link with other BT devices, such as wireless headsets, pda's and even other BT. The file sharing prospect was a huge factor in chosing this phone. I ploped down my $400.00 for the phone and starter kit; holster and charger, and was on my merry way.

Due to my pc being down for about a month, I was well past the point of the "fifteen day " return policy when I discovered that almost every BT feature on the V710 is disabled by Verizon. In actuality, what they,(verizon) advertize as a "Bluetooth" phone is actually only a "bluetooth headset" compatible phone.

When I returned to the verizion store where I purchased the phone, the sales person was actually put out that I would even care that the BT on my phone was crippled. "Doesn't your headset work?" I was asked. When I stated that the BT was capable of much more than just providing wireless headset service, like filesharing between other BT devices, he actually said,"why would you want to do that?"... I was floored.

On a second attempt at getting some answers, I called verizon customer support. The "answer" I recieved for verizon disabling the BT was that it was done for security reasons, and that "at this time we see no reason or need to change the features of your phone". So basically, they,(verizon) did this for my own good...?...Hmmm...THAT SOUNDS COMFORTING!!..

What I believe to be the "real" reason for the disabling of the BT on the verizon network is that verizon wants you to use their services to fileshare, all of which they charge you for. Downloading pictures, wallpapers, mp3's games ect. So basically my BT phone was never meant to be a real BT device on the verizon network.

The part that really blows my mind is that after

talking to other people who owned the v710, I get the impression that many people arent aware that thier phone is crippled, or just don't care....Sheep!..I wish I had that luxury...But alas, Verizon advertised a BT phone, I paid for a BT phone, so I want a BT phone!

Since I purchased my phone in Feb of 05, the price on the motorolla v710 has come way down, and is a good deal if you are looking for a solid and reliable phone. But BEWARE, if you are looking for a bluetooth, do not choose the v710 or verizon. A co-worker uses Cingular, and his phone is FULLY blutooth enabled, and totally secure. Guess that blows verizons "security" reasons out of the water doesn't it.

Jim

Gig Harbor, Washington
U.S.A.