Verizon rep ripped off my mom

[zoo16]

So I visited my mom this past weekend, and she was so proud to show me an Android tablet she had bought online. I checked it over and told her she got a great deal on it; was a bare-bones, WiFi only model. It was perfect for all that she needed it to do. She then said "But you have to use this to make it work" and proceeded to grab a 4G MiFi device that she had bought at the local (Corporate-owned) Verizon store. I will give the salesperson the benefit of the doubt and assume that they said this in regards to the tablet not having data access aside from a WiFi connection. But here's the thing: my mom has been using Android smartphones for almost two years, and at that time was using a Droid3 on her Verizon account. The phone has the Hotspot feature built into it! The salesperson did not even bother to tell her that the phone would do exactly what she needed. Instead, the salesperson saw an easy target and sold her the MiFi device, which "conveniently" comes with it's own data line (and locks her into a fresh two year contract). I checked the date of purchase and it was past the 14 day return window.
That day we visited the same Verizon store and talked to a (different) salesperson about the problem: no dice. My mom would have to pay the early termination fee. I just talked to Verizon Customer Service on the phone and that rep also said "Nothing we can do. She signed the contract."
This is not finished. If Verizon will not make this right, they will lose the accounts for all my family. Yes, with Verizon's millions of accounts, those 10 or so lines are not much in the grand sense, but I am going to fight to get this resolved.

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[jspradling7]

That's kind of different for a first post.

I can understand your frustration. With all the new tech and services available now days, it can be overwhelming for folks. But there is a bit of personal responsibility to be expected if you sign a contract with anyone in any market. Read it, understand it, or get help before signing it. I'm sorry it happened to her but she shouldn't have signed without understanding.

[zoo16]

She knew exactly what she signed. Yes, the Verizon store reps are there to sell, but the rep is there to also recommend options and then help the customer decide. This particular rep did not do that, just told her that the only option was to buy a MiFi.

[Mutt]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[zoo16]

Thanks for the info, Mutt!

[bdnyy23]

I would suggest you check what she paid for the device, as it appears that Verizon has the hotspot for sale currently on-line for $20 (with 2 yr contract), so if she is stuck with it, you may want to make sure that she got it for $20 as it is showing as currently $50 off. I think Verizon honors price drops for 30 days.

[zoo16]

I would suggest you check what she paid for the device, as it appears that Verizon has the hotspot for sale currently on-line for $20 (with 2 yr contract), so if she is stuck with it, you may want to make sure that she got it for $20 as it is showing as currently $50 off. I think Verizon honors price drops for 30 days.

Also very good advice. I know she paid $100 for it, so I'll check for any deals she may be qualified for.

[mg8199]

I made sure I went with my mom as well as my wife when they upgraded so as to not get a raw deal.