Why Verizon

[racedog]

For me: Coverage & Inertia.

Inertia?

 

[Doug Moffat]

Inertia?

A failure to investigate other options.

 

[racedog]

A failure to investigate other options.

Ah, ok, in that context it makes sense.

 

[anon(9898026)]

all carriers have network issues but as of right now, I can safely and honestly say Verizon has the least for me overall.

and I'm not a big Verizon customer service fan but their network service seems more reliable than any other carrier at this point.

also I'm paying less on Verizon now than what I would get with any other carrier postpaid wise so I can overlook my Verizon cs complaints

 

[Doug Moffat]

I have a paralegal who formerly worked for Verizon. She's got some great stories about the straight out lying that they habitually practiced.

By way of example, they often claimed they couldn't switch your phone number to another device so they would be paid for a new activation or renewed contract.

And always trying to steal your unlimited data from long term customers.

Liars and thieves although she claims things have improved considerably.

 

[Doug Moffat]

I think we tend to forget that while Verizon is a premium service t-mobile, Sprint, etc. kept them honest.

I recently cut my Verizon bill in half, got unlimited data and several expensive devices. But without the smaller carriers Verizon would still be tricking old ladies (and everybody else) out of their older unlimited data plans and pulling a host of other tricks on long term customers.

So let's not get too nostalgic over Verizon and their once dominant coverage.

 

[Almeuit]

I think we tend to forget that while Verizon is a premium service t-mobile, Sprint, etc. kept them honest.

I recently cut my Verizon bill in half, got unlimited data and several expensive devices. But without the smaller carriers Verizon would still be tricking old ladies (and everybody else) out of their older unlimited data plans and pulling a host of other tricks on long term customers.

So let's not get too nostalgic over Verizon and their once dominant coverage.

Oh I was with T-Mobile before VZW .. I don't hate them. I loved them when I had them. I just swapped due to it being cheap, getting free phones for people on my plan (bill credits take care of it), and extra coverage can't hurt. Especially with the gf going out of town a few times later this year on her own .. doesn't hurt to have the coverage.

 

[anon(9898026)]

I don't hate T-Mobile either. without them and we all would be paying a lot more for one line. I do think their prices are creeping up too fast. I'm paying less on Verizon and getting more coverage so it's hard to turn that down

 

[johnmcc0710]

coverage and their customer service. it is much improved from a couple of years ago. I just moved to the from T-MOBILE. I had of problems with T-MOBILE customer service. in the end they did make it right.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Coverage and customer service, I tried Tmobile and used them for nearly half a year pre paid for the unlimited streaming comparing them to Verizon. Works well in most places, but some locations absolutely no service so I stayed with Verizon.

 

[sulla1965]

Coverage, coverage ,coverage. I'm not even with big red anymore. BUT I always use a Verizon MVNO. Even if I'm on tracfone, I make sure to use Verizon's network.

 

[Climb14er]

Out west, go outside of the metro and ski areas and Verizon's service in the rural, outlying areas far exceeds that of the other carriers. ATT comes in second place. Yes, I've had my issues with VZ over the years but a number of the reps, supervisors, even AD's recognize my seventeen year longevity with VZ and most times, they go out of their way to help me out... especially with equipment issues. I don't love VZ... I simply tolerate them.

 

[cbreze]

Only been with Verizon about 8 or 9 years or so, coming from T-Mobile. I don't quite get all the disgruntled-ness regarding customer service. In that amount of time I've maybe gone in store twice for some question I maybe had. Most recently I traded an iPhone 6s for a 7 straight across trade, even steven. They were running a sale I couldn't refuse. CS was stellar. Everything else I do over the web site which is practically nothing as I just coast along happy and have no issues. Not sure if people go in with an attitude or what. Maybe it's because I live in Oregon. Friendly folks here.
All CS is run by humans so no matter what service you use you deal with people who maybe aren't having their best day. In the West, Verizon works very well and better that any other in the back country and the roads less travelled i use Also, a bargain price for what I'm getting. At this rate I see no reason to even consider a switch and if I did go to say, ATT, I'd regret it the first time I had no signal where Verizon always had it maybe on some back country trail. For me coverage is number one and speed is second. Without a signal you're toast.

 

[Doug Moffat]

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I'm not praising T-Mobile or any other small carrier. I'm simply saying without the competition Verizon would still be screwing people until the cows come home.

I have a friend who worked for Verizon and have already referenced some of the tricks they used. Still use? Like claiming they couldn't port a number to another phone on your account to add a new activation or force new contract.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I'm not praising T-Mobile or any other small carrier. I'm simply saying without the competition Verizon would still be screwing people until the cows come home.

I have a friend who worked for Verizon and have already referenced some of the tricks they used. Still use? Like claiming they couldn't port a number to another phone on your account to add a new activation or force new contract.

T-Mobile is the exact reason Verizon came out with the new unlimited plans. Competition is good for consumers.

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

Only been with Verizon about 8 or 9 years or so, coming from T-Mobile. I don't quite get all the disgruntled-ness regarding customer service. In that amount of time I've maybe gone in store twice for some question I maybe had. Most recently I traded an iPhone 6s for a 7 straight across trade, even steven. They were running a sale I couldn't refuse. CS was stellar. Everything else I do over the web site which is practically nothing as I just coast along happy and have no issues. Not sure if people go in with an attitude or what. Maybe it's because I live in Oregon. Friendly folks here.
All CS is run by humans so no matter what service you use you deal with people who maybe aren't having their best day. In the West, Verizon works very well and better that any other in the back country and the roads less travelled i use Also, a bargain price for what I'm getting. At this rate I see no reason to even consider a switch and if I did go to say, ATT, I'd regret it the first time I had no signal where Verizon always had it maybe on some back country trail. For me coverage is number one and speed is second. Without a signal you're toast.

My thing with Verizon customer service is of you call 4 reps with one question you have a good chance of getting 4 different answers.

 

[Almeuit]

My thing with Verizon customer service is of you call 4 reps with one question you have a good chance of getting 4 different answers.

Same with other carriers to be honest (I've been on all 4).

 

[eshropshire]

A failure to investigate other options.

I have looked at all of the options. With my corporate discount Verizon our family plan is a great deal. Every switch plan I see requires you to buy new phones. All of our phones are paid in full. Not paying for phones saves a ton of money. What is the point of saving on a plan when I have to add $90-120 per month for new phones.

In addition we travel a lot, often in rural areas. I almost always have great signal and 4G, those around me with some other provides struggle to even make phone calls. Years ago I suffered with Sprint before data was a big thing. Almost impossible to make calls in our neighborhood. Verizon and AT&T users had 4 bars. Today my friend with sprint can make calls from the neighborhood, but gets no data. That 1% difference they talk about is only for those who seem to never travel outside of cities.

 

[cell adviser]

Honestly other than coverage I have no idea. I guess maybe they like the feel of being on a premium Network. However I went to Sprint and I'm saving about $60 a month and have two additional phone lines with Sprint. I noticed little to no difference in service. Not sure why anyone would be with Verizon anymore I just don't know.

 

[Mooncatt]

Honestly other than coverage I have no idea... Not sure why anyone would be with Verizon anymore I just don't know.

You answered your own question. When you travel a lot or live off the beaten path, Verizon is just about the only option for reliable service. And as has also been pointed out, they are no longer always the most expensive. Corporate discounts and other promotions can sometimes make them one of the cheapest options.

I'm actually in both of those categories. I'm also not one that uses a lot of customer service, so that doesn't play much into my decision. It'll take something extreme for me to leave based on that, like how Spirit gave me the boot years ago for going over the data limit on my "unlimited data" plan.