News
Verizon to charge $30 upgrade fee starting April 22
By Charles Starrett
Contributing Editor
Published: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
News Categories: iPhone
Verizon Wireless has announced that it plans to implement a $30 device upgrade fee starting April 22. According to the company, the fee will apply to existing customers purchasing new devices at a discounted price with a two year contract. “This fee will help us continue to provide customers with the level of service and support they have come to expect which includes Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance on devices that are more sophisticated than ever,” said the company. Notably, both AT&T and Sprint charge similar fees for device upgrades.
Related Stories
- AT&T’s GoPhone to add LTE/HSPA+ support for iPhone
- Report: iOS 7 ‘black, white, and flat all over’
- Apps: Foursquare 6.2, Hyper Breaker Turbo, Pandora 4.3 + Shazam 6.0
- Apps: ABC Aquarium, Disney Jr. Appisodes, Pinterest 2.4 + Pocket Informant Pro 3.0
- Report: iOS 7 could see Flickr, Vimeo integration
- Google Play Music All Access to get iOS app support?
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, giveaway update
- Apple drops refurbished fourth-gen iPad, mini prices
- Judge: US can show Apple e-book pricing conspiracy
- AT&T’s GoPhone to add LTE/HSPA+ support for iPhone
- Report: iOS 7 ‘black, white, and flat all over’
- Apple WWDC Keynote set for June 10
- Apps: Foursquare 6.2, Hyper Breaker Turbo, Pandora 4.3 + Shazam 6.0
- Apple patent application details interactive AirPlay, TV
- Report: iWatch pushed to late 2014?
- Griffin releases iPhone 5 Survivor + Catalyst Waterproof Case
Recent Reviews
- Lynktec TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus
- C4 Electronics Dolry HiFi Stone 30-Pin AirPlay Adapter
- Boombotix Boombot Rex Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Nuu Splash Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Scosche boomBottle Weatherproof Sport Wireless Speaker
- HMDX Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband
- Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
Recent Articles
- Costs associated with using FaceTime
- iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
1
God dammit Verizon, you just broke my BS meter again. Now I have to buy a new one…
Posted by Nick on April 11, 2012 at 8:19 AM (PST)
2
Nick, be aware that there’ll be an upgrade fee for a new BS meter.
But seriously, this is a ridiculous money-grab. Customers can order and activate a new device right from home without ever talking to a single Verizon rep.
And their “Wireless Workshops, online educational tools, and consultations with experts who provide advice and guidance” ... really? Give me a break, these resources are of extremely little value. I’ve gotten more bad advice from a Verizon drone than I care to remember.
Posted by rockmyplimsoul on April 11, 2012 at 9:48 AM (PST)
3
So, current VZ customers like me will pay $229 for the same phone that a new VZ customer would get for $199. And VZ says this $30 will help defray the cost of providing customer service. But who is more likely to need customer service, the new VZ customer or the one who’s been with VZ for years?
Posted by roncron on April 11, 2012 at 9:56 AM (PST)
4
What a bunch of crap. Never to be a free phone ever again. F___off Verizon!!
Posted by Griff on April 11, 2012 at 3:22 PM (PST)
5
Why is it that Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and all the other big guys spend so much time. money, and effort to attract new customers, yet place so little value on their existing ones? It seems that this upgrade fee is another incentive for us to move from one carrier to the next each time we want a newer device. So much for customer loyalty!
Posted by Nancy on April 11, 2012 at 3:28 PM (PST)
6
Looks like I’ll be changing carriers every two years - that should be areal costs savings for them!
Posted by Gary on April 11, 2012 at 4:01 PM (PST)