I visited this store on March 23rd, 2015. I was not only due for an upgrade, but I ran into a problem when my Maxx HD kept looping in boot mode (there was nothing I could do to fix it and every tech said it was completely gone) so now I was faced with getting a new phone, and fast. I now live in Florida, and my parents live 1200 miles away and connection is absolutely key and a necessity. I'm also on their line, so I'm able to not have to pay long distance calls.
I walked into the very very slow Verizon, "licensed" not actual retailer, store looking to upgrade (I had one due and I was really short on cash at the time, again, emergency). I wasn't really greeted. I shuffled in awkwardly and was eventually approached by a gentleman. I explained my situation, and mid-explanation, I'm assuming a co-worker walked in and he cut me short to tell his friend he's "sorry he couldn't make it to his wedding" and asked how things went. During this time, he was also checking Facebook on his phone and hardly listening to anything I had to say. I walked in there, knowing I wanted a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S4, and at my upgrade price would be $0.99. I was set on that, and very happy, due to short hours at work - and also just moving down here and still getting settled, so money is tight. He must have not heard me say anything, because he stated he was "going to bring me some options" and walked away. I tried to tell him I knew what I wanted but he completely ignored me. I almost left then.
He came back with the Galaxy S5 and LG G3. He started being a regular "salesman" and started opening it for me to see and I stated I "Didn't like LG phones, and I know what I want, exactly." I have worked in enough tech support to understand that LG has very major breaks, statistically, and I didn't want to be in this predicament a few months later. He got up with a huge huff, sighed angrily and walked to get me a Galaxy S4, not even offering a refubished version. I sat there confused. He started saying I should enroll in Edge and that if I did I would get the case, screen protector, car charger and save $7.00 off my "line." I'm under a family plan, and I'm not the main account holder, so I said I wasn't allowed to make those decisions and I really just needed a phone. Then he showed me that I would have to spend $140.00 on just the phone for my upgrade. I checked online when I got home and saw that the Galaxy S4 with a 2-year contract was $99.99. So that's where the first lie was.
The next lie wasn't really direct. I asked what enrolling in Edge would entail, but he was so enthralled with trying to set up this whole thing on his computer and eventually had to walk away to get an iPad to finish my service. He was also talking to his buddies a few times. He also already had the phone on and ready to go before I could even say "I want a refubished one." This just flat out irritated me. While everything was printing, he was explaining that "It would look like you're paying for your phone, but you are not." I asked what he meant and he just went and explained what I would be signing for - that I couldn't end a contract with them in six months, etc. and where to sign, where to initial. I felt so rushed to get out of there, at this point, I signed away.
Now I've got a copy of everything and my bill and saw that I'm financed for my phone. I had to do my OWN research to find out that enrolling in Edge is paying for my phone, full price, in payments over time. Wasn't I just told I wasn't going to be paying for my phone? Why didn't he mention this? I understand sales are commission based, but seriously? I got flat out lied to.
I wrote a review on their facebook - explaining my situation. The next morning somebody from Cellular Sales contacted me and left a voice message (as they called from a restricted number) asking me about the review. I didn't leave my phone number, and my salesman couldn't get into my plan, or my phone number, until I gave him information. So how did they even get my information? Nothing is listed on my facebook? Now that I'm completely creeped out and they went through their own devices to contact me, I will be going to a REAL Verizon Wireless store to have this all sorted out. I do not want to be enrolled in Edge and I signed a contract under false pretenses.
Next time I need a phone, I'll do more digging around than trusting an an authorized dealer. read more