I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
I've only been reading this news group for a few months, but my impression
is that the least realiable place to get an answer about Verizon is inside a
retail store. I would call or email "customer service" with your question.
Alternately I suspect someone in the NG also knows the answer. I would
distrust any answer from clerks in stores until that answer has been
supported elsewhere.
--
Scott
<marinabob60@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162094968.970832.178910@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
In article <1162094968.970832.178910@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups. com>, marinabob60@yahoo.com took the hamburger meat, threw it on the grill,
and I said "Oh Wow"...
> I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO."
The store's right. There's no additional add-on minute packages. You
get the minutes in your plan, period.
> I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
>
--
trippy
mhm31x9 Smeeter#29 WSD#30
sTaRShInE_mOOnBeAm aT HoTmAil dOt CoM
NP: "Back For More" -- RATT
"Now, technology's getting better all the time and that's fine,
but most of the time all you need is a stick of gum, a pocketknife,
and a smile."
<marinabob60@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162094968.970832.178910@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
There's no way to get more minutes without signing up for a plan with them--
unless they'll make you a one-time accommodation. But you are a low use/low
fee customer and they have no incentive to do that. You have little if any
negotiating power.
As for changing carriers-- VZW generally has the best and most reliable
coverage in most markets. They know that-- and they know everyone else knows
it too. That's why they stick it to us on price and policies-- because they
can.
As for changing providers, check objective review sources (like Consumer
Reports) for network quality in the LA area-- and wherever you regularly
travel to. I suspect VZW will be the best there too-- but another carrier
may good enough to give you a decent signal. You don't need the best-- only
good enough!
The other carriers definitely have sweeter deals-- more minutes, features,
freebies, lower cost, etc. If you can find one that will give you decent
coverage where you live and travel-- go for it.
The store is right; they aren't selling used cars; you also can't negotiate
at a gas pump. However: you might be able to get customer service to give
you some bonus minutes for a period. But the plans are standardized and
depending on your way of thinking:
1) to maximize fairness to you the consumer, one standard for everyone
2) nah, can't think of any other reason.
dr
--
dr.news //stores.ebay.com/better-price-wireless (not better than you
deserve, just more than you're used to) //free.better-price.biz (for new
lines of wireless service; all carriers; the phones are almost always a
better-price)
<marinabob60@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1162094968.970832.178910@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
Douglas, you make an excellent point that I overlooked. You don't need the
best, you just need good enough for you. Thanks for reminding me... If the
term "best" means paying for some features that you don't need or want; then
better to get good-enough, or "just right" for you.
Marinabob60: If the coverage from any carrier is good enough to meet your
needs; then get the lowest price, best deal. Tells us what you found. dr
--
dr.news //stores.ebay.com/better-price-wireless (not better than you
deserve, just more than you're used to) //free.better-price.biz (for new
lines of wireless service; all carriers; the phones are almost always a
better-price)
"Douglas C. Neidermeyer" <doug@faber.edu> wrote in message
news:v4Cdndf7QeFADtnYnZ2dnUVZ_q6dnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> <marinabob60@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1162094968.970832.178910@m7g2000cwm.googlegro ups.com...
>>I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
>> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
>> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
>> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
>> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
>> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
>> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
>> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
>> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>>
>
> There's no way to get more minutes without signing up for a plan with
> them-- unless they'll make you a one-time accommodation. But you are a
> low use/low fee customer and they have no incentive to do that. You have
> little if any negotiating power.
>
> As for changing carriers-- VZW generally has the best and most reliable
> coverage in most markets. They know that-- and they know everyone else
> knows it too. That's why they stick it to us on price and policies--
> because they can.
>
> As for changing providers, check objective review sources (like Consumer
> Reports) for network quality in the LA area-- and wherever you regularly
> travel to. I suspect VZW will be the best there too-- but another carrier
> may good enough to give you a decent signal. You don't need the best--
> only good enough!
>
> The other carriers definitely have sweeter deals-- more minutes, features,
> freebies, lower cost, etc. If you can find one that will give you decent
> coverage where you live and travel-- go for it.
>
> Doug
>
I have the same plan as you. A couple of years back when my contract was
almost up VZW had a 100 bonus minute promotion on the second line, of
which I took advantantage, thereby increasing my total usable minutes to
500. It's possible they may offer it again some time.
Bruce
marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote in news:1162094968.970832.178910
@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
> I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote in news:1162094968.970832.178910
@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
> I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
Bob, do you travel long distances out of state very often? VZW used to
offer regional plans with lots of minutes for less money than this
nationwide crap most people don't need, now. Maybe you'd be better off
with another carrier that has good Southern California service and a
regional plan with lots more minutes in it.
As a benchmark, I'm an Alltel customer in SC with a regional plan that
covers NC/SC and areas of the border states from Chesapeake Bay to
Jacksonville, FL along the coast back into eastern TN. 700 minutes is
$39 with all the toys, including free LD, Unlimited N/W, Unlimited M2M,
voicemail and the usual toy package. After 6 months they added another
hundred minutes a month I don't really need...800 mins/$39 + tax, about
$46 here. If I take a Florida trip, I simply call 611 and have her add
100 minutes of nationwide minutes to my account for $10, which doesn't
expire if I don't use it all. If I run out in FL, I simply add another
$10/100 min block, instead of paying cellular a house payment when I get
home. It's a much better deal for those of us who infrequently travel
outside the large region, but need more minutes at home.....
Check out a similar plan in SoCal.
Larry
--
I sure hope Halloween comes real soon....
I've run out of Halloween candy THREE TIMES SO FAR!
Yes, it can happen, but it usually only happens when Verizon has a
"promotion". However, there are some 'variations' permitted. A lot depends
on what kind of customer you have been. No late payments, payment amount,
etc. I was also allowed the 100 Minute bonus which kept me in a preferable
old plan, but only for a year. If I spent more each month, I could have
kept it 'for life', or until I changed plans.
Call customer service and ask. Be nice, but it wouln't hurt to say without
a deal, you'll leave. Don't be surprised if they turn you down flat. Most
customers who say they'll leave...don't. Also, before you really do leave,
try again. Things and agents change. But if not, ask for details on how
to 'port' to show you're serious.
"Bruce" <not@home.info> wrote in message
news:Xns986B90C94A13Anothomeinfo@207.115.17.102...
> MarinaBob60,
>
> I have the same plan as you. A couple of years back when my contract was
> almost up VZW had a 100 bonus minute promotion on the second line, of
> which I took advantantage, thereby increasing my total usable minutes to
> 500. It's possible they may offer it again some time.
>
> Bruce
>
> marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote in news:1162094968.970832.178910
> @m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
>
>> I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
>> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
>> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
>> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
>> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
>> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
>> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
>> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
>> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>>
>
I vote that you choose a new carrier. Verizon's service and especially
customer service has gone down hill and the hill seems pretty steep lately.
The next time I need a phone and am unencumbered by a two-year scam
(ooopps, I mean plan) I will shop around to the carrier that wants my
business most. I will get the phone I want and the plan I want and all
for the cheapest possible cost. New every two is a joke now so I will
never re-up on Verizon unless they match the best deal possible.
It also gives them the headache of having to make them pass my phone
number along to the next carrier. They can fight for my business next
time in two years. Or possibly I will disconnect the current number and
start a new Verizon service just to get the best deal.
Got to play the game that the carriers are running. So far Verizon's
done nothing to warrant my loyalty. Maybe you can get Catherine
Zeta-Jones to deliver you a knew phone to your house. She wins the best
looking carrier contest.
Can you hear me now Verizon?
marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote:
> I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>
I am the OP to this tread. I made my decision. I went with Sprint.
For the same price ($59.99) we get 550 minutes and nights start at
7:00 pm.
Also Costco had a great deal for the Sanyo Katrina Blue Tooth - $10
each after rebate and the price included a case, car charger and
earpiece. Also no activation charge. They handled the porting of the
numbers which took less than two hours to transfer over. Yes I will
have another two year commitment after my 30 day trial period, but
there doesn't seem to be a way of getting around that anymore.
So far the phone works great, Haven't had any dropped calls. With the
Altel merger, I have anolog at no extra costs.
I do make a couple of trips a year to the mountains and I don't know
how the Sprint service will work there, but I decided to make my
decision based on my usuage for 95% of the time and that is in the city
which is L.A. for me.
Verizon is no loss to me. I had a $300 billing dispute with them that
took several months to resolve in my favor.
Bob
Just Me (remove <nospam> to reply) wrote:
> I vote that you choose a new carrier. Verizon's service and especially
> customer service has gone down hill and the hill seems pretty steep lately.
>
> The next time I need a phone and am unencumbered by a two-year scam
> (ooopps, I mean plan) I will shop around to the carrier that wants my
> business most. I will get the phone I want and the plan I want and all
> for the cheapest possible cost. New every two is a joke now so I will
> never re-up on Verizon unless they match the best deal possible.
>
> It also gives them the headache of having to make them pass my phone
> number along to the next carrier. They can fight for my business next
> time in two years. Or possibly I will disconnect the current number and
> start a new Verizon service just to get the best deal.
>
> Got to play the game that the carriers are running. So far Verizon's
> done nothing to warrant my loyalty. Maybe you can get Catherine
> Zeta-Jones to deliver you a knew phone to your house. She wins the best
> looking carrier contest.
>
> Can you hear me now Verizon?
>
>
>
> marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote:
> > I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
> > three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
> > new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
> > 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
> > Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
> > can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
> > really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
> > figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
> > with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
> >
Good for you. Please come back and tell us how things are with Sprint
in a year. You can just tell me if you want. I'm all for moving around
with cellular companies. It keeps them on their toes. Just like the
election tomorrow, when service gets bad you need to throw out the
company running the show and get the other guys to run it for a while.
Verizon isn't the the greatest like they say they are and maybe if they
lose customers they will wise up.
marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote:
> Hi:
>
> I am the OP to this tread. I made my decision. I went with Sprint.
> For the same price ($59.99) we get 550 minutes and nights start at
> 7:00 pm.
>
> Also Costco had a great deal for the Sanyo Katrina Blue Tooth - $10
> each after rebate and the price included a case, car charger and
> earpiece. Also no activation charge. They handled the porting of the
> numbers which took less than two hours to transfer over. Yes I will
> have another two year commitment after my 30 day trial period, but
> there doesn't seem to be a way of getting around that anymore.
>
> So far the phone works great, Haven't had any dropped calls. With the
> Altel merger, I have anolog at no extra costs.
>
> I do make a couple of trips a year to the mountains and I don't know
> how the Sprint service will work there, but I decided to make my
> decision based on my usuage for 95% of the time and that is in the city
> which is L.A. for me.
>
> Verizon is no loss to me. I had a $300 billing dispute with them that
> took several months to resolve in my favor.
>
> Bob
>
> Just Me (remove <nospam> to reply) wrote:
>> I vote that you choose a new carrier. Verizon's service and especially
>> customer service has gone down hill and the hill seems pretty steep lately.
>>
>> The next time I need a phone and am unencumbered by a two-year scam
>> (ooopps, I mean plan) I will shop around to the carrier that wants my
>> business most. I will get the phone I want and the plan I want and all
>> for the cheapest possible cost. New every two is a joke now so I will
>> never re-up on Verizon unless they match the best deal possible.
>>
>> It also gives them the headache of having to make them pass my phone
>> number along to the next carrier. They can fight for my business next
>> time in two years. Or possibly I will disconnect the current number and
>> start a new Verizon service just to get the best deal.
>>
>> Got to play the game that the carriers are running. So far Verizon's
>> done nothing to warrant my loyalty. Maybe you can get Catherine
>> Zeta-Jones to deliver you a knew phone to your house. She wins the best
>> looking carrier contest.
>>
>> Can you hear me now Verizon?
>>
>>
>>
>> marinabob60@yahoo.com wrote:
>>> I have the family plan paying $59 for two numbers and 400 minutes. My
>>> three year old phone just broke, so now I am shopping not only for a
>>> new phone but maybe a new provider also. For the same price we can get
>>> 550 minutes with rollover with Cingular. Can you negotiate with
>>> Verizon to get more minutes? I though I was told by someone that you
>>> can, but when I tried it in a store tonight, they said "NO." I don't
>>> really feel like paying another $10 plus taxes to go to 700 minutes. I
>>> figure if I can get another 100 minutes for the same price I would stay
>>> with Verizon. I live in the L.A. area.
>>>
>
negotiating more minutes 
Linear Mode
