I signed up for cell phone service a little over a year ago, and my contract has expired. I have now received two phone calls by Verizon salespeople offering a “Special Deal”. Some background first - I have the 400 minute, free night time and weekends for $39.99 plan. With the plan came a LG VX6000 phone and and a one year contract. Now I “own” my phone, and can leave Verizon whenever I want with no penalty. I don’t use all of my minutes because I have a work cell phone as well.
This happy salesperson calls and says “Your contract has expired, we would be happy to sign you up for another two year contract for $39.99 a month.”
My first question: “What if I don’t sign a contract, and just keep paying the bills you send me without a contract? Will you shut off my Phone?”
Verizon rep: “No, you’ll just be a monthly customer, paying as you go.”
My second question: “So what will you give me for signing a two year contract with you, locking up my cell phone business for 2 years?”
There was a slight pause… “You get the $39.99 locked in for the life of your contract…”
My response: “That’s nice, but my $39.99 is locked in for the life of my contract already - if you attemp to raise the price, I’m cancelling the service and going to another carrier.”
Silence on her end.
“Listen”, I said, “you give all sorts of free phones for people signing up for a new two year contract - why don’t you give me one of those new Razors for free and I’ll sign some sort of contract with you.”
Verizon Rep: “I’m sorry sir, we would give you a $100 credit for a new phone but your previous contract was only for one year instead of two, so you do not qualify.”
Some silence on my end. “What does it matter what my previous contract was? You’re trying to make it worth my while to sign up for a new contract”
“You will get the $39.99 locked in for two years, that’s the best we can do.”
CLICK…
I think I’m about to save $40 a month…