Price for Life*
After seeing how much I was being charged for having a home phone that we hardly ever use, I decided to shop around for other options. We have a Verizon land line and Verizon DSL. I also have a Verizon cell phone, but even though everything is on one bill, I was told a few years ago by the Verizon DSL customer service that the cell phone didn’t help prove that I was a dedicated Verizon customer.
I inquired about other options on Facebook, and I looked at some websites (geez, Comcast– I could not easily find out how to get the simplest cheapest cable internet on your website). I finally called Verizon to see if I was obligated to remain on their DSL for any set period of time– I’ve had it since 2002, but to get lower prices, you have to sign up for x amount of years. I shouldn’t admit this, but my bill records are a bit sloppy, and I wasn’t sure. However, when the customer service rep told me that I signed up for “Price for Life” on September 1, 2009 (which obligated me to two more years at $29.99 (September 2011!) and then after that I would ALWAYS have that rate– a “PRICE FOR LIFE”) I was confused. That’s only a few months ago, and I didn’t recall signing up for it then– but I did remember signing up for a Price for Life a while ago. She said they have only had the “Price for Life” a few months, so that wasn’t possible. After dropping a bunch of things on my land line (which reduces my phone bill by more than $15 a month), I hung up and wondered about this “Price for Life” business. If I signed up for it in 2007, then maybe I had fulfilled my obligation on September 1, 2009. I called back and spoke to a DSL rep, and found out that this was the case– I signed up 9/1/07 and as of 9/1/09, am no longer obligated to Verizon, but will have $29.99/ month DSL for life. A PRICE FOR LIFE. Even with Clear Internet or Dry Loop DSL options, I decided that sticking with our land line and the $29.99/month DSL was a decent deal.
And then yesterday, a manager from Verizon called me to explain that PRICE FOR LIFE does not mean FOR LIFE. It means “until Verizon decides to raise the price.” I didn’t realize “Price for Life” had an asterisk behind it.
HUH???
I asked for this in writing. She said she had no way of mailing or emailing me anything. The manager understood how ridiculous calling something “Price for Life” when it is not for LIFE is… she said every customer she explains this too has the same disbelief.
If they do raise the price, I will supposedly get an email to my verizon email, that I do not use. I requested it be sent to the account I do use, but she couldn’t guarantee that it would be delivered there. I will have to keep an eye on it.
I let her know that I had researched other options. I do not need a land line. I have other options. I am not obligated to Verizon in any way. And that if they raise the price, I will leave. I am not the one that called it “Price for Life”. Verizon did. And if they can’t stand behind it, I will leave. And I’m free to leave even if they don’t raise the price. So, if you have any recommendations for Internet service, let me know!
I found it slightly ironic that she called on the day I decided to be my Computer-Free day. I think I need to spend one day a week not looking at the computer at all. I did that yesterday, and hope to do one next week too. And I hope to decrease my overall time spent on the computer. So, it’s time to sign off now.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Found the press release about Price for Life– interesting, supposed to be speeds up to 3 Mbps, but I really only have 1.5 Mbps, and it could have been only $27.99, but I pay $29.99. Argh, Verizon.
http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2007/consumers-can-now-enjoy-a.html
Consumers Can Now Enjoy a Lifetime Price With Special Verizon High Speed Internet Service Plan
Reliable Network and Reliable Price Enhance Customers’ Digital Lifestyles
News Release
August 27, 2007 –
NEW YORK – Consumers looking for fast, affordable broadband service now have the offer of a lifetime – Verizon High Speed Internet service with a low monthly base price that’s locked in for life.
Between now and Oct. 31, 2007, qualifying customers who sign up for Verizon High Speed Internet with a two-year commitment will pay the same low monthly base-rate for as long as they keep the Internet service over a Verizon phone line.
“Verizon’s reliable network now brings consumers a reliable price,” said Susan Retta, vice president for Verizon broadband marketing. “With connection speeds up to 53 times faster than 56K dial-up, delivered to the home over a dedicated line from our central office, Verizon High Speed Internet service makes a real difference in people’s online lives. Our new offer gives customers the confidence that they can enjoy their digital lifestyle for many years with a great rate, backed by the quality of the Verizon network.”
Under the new offer, customers who order Verizon High Speed Internet service online with a connection speed of up to 768 Kbps (kilobits per second) and a two-year commitment will pay $14.99 a month for as long as they subscribe to the same price-for-life plan. The same plan applies to Verizon’s 3 Mbps (megabits per second) service, which is available online for $27.99 a month. The plan is also available by calling a Verizon customer service representative at 1-800-742-5375, with pricing ranging from $17.99 to $19.99 a month for a connection speed of up to 768 kbps and $27.99 to $29.99 a month for a connection speed up to 3 Mbps.
The plan applies to Verizon’s base Internet service. Customers can learn more about the price-for-life offer by visiting http://www.verizon.net/highspeed .
For added savings, consumers who order Verizon High Speed Internet online receive their first month of service for free and a free modem, regardless of the connection speed they choose.
Verizon High Speed Internet Gives Families More
Verizon High Speed Internet is part of the Verizon networks that more than 100 million people rely on every day. The service offers consumers many advantages over dial-up services, including the ability to be online and use their phone at the same time so they no longer miss important calls while enjoying the Internet.
Verizon High Speed Internet service gives customers access to an extensive collection of features and services, including:
* Online protection with Verizon Internet Security Suite: In one download, this comprehensive online protection suite provides anti-spyware, anti-virus, firewall, parental control, pop-up blocker and privacy manager protection that run continuously behind the scene, as long as the computer is on. The suite automatically updates every three hours, for continuous protection against the latest online threats. The cost is just $4.99 a month for use on up to three household computers.
* Verizon Premium Tech Support: Subscribers to Premium Technical Support benefit from a single point of contact, unlimited use of the service, and expert one-on-one assistance for a wide variety of issues like spyware, adware, viruses, hardware issues, computer operating systems and other problems not typically covered by Internet service providers. Among the computer components and peripherals supported are routers, network cards, video cards, sound cards, CD/DVD reader-writer, hard drives, flash memory systems, printers, scanners, gaming consoles and firewalls. The cost is $9.99 a month.
* Online gaming from Verizon: Play hundreds of the most popular PC games for free with Verizon Arcade, or choose from a variety of Verizon Games on Demand packages, including Family Place, a package that features more than 400 family-friendly casual games for just $7.99 a month.
* Free entertainment for children of all ages with Disney Connection: From activities, games, and classic cartoons to movie previews, music videos and more, Disney Connection provides age-appropriate content for preschoolers, kids, teens and Disney enthusiasts, including access to Playhouse Disney Preschool Time Online and Disney Game Kingdom Online.
* Free news from ABC News Now: A 24-hour news and information channel, ABC News Now delivers live breaking news, headlines every half hour and over 25 original news, lifestyle and entertainment programs such as “Politics Live,” “What’s the Buzz” and “Money Matters.”
* Free sports from ESPN360: The service offers programming that includes hundreds of hours of live games, analysis and exclusive content on-demand with exclusive access to the Internet’s best events. In 2006, the service delivered more than 200 live sporting events – including FIFA World Cup soccer, college football and basketball, IRL racing, collegiate wrestling and baseball, UEFA Champions league soccer, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and more.
No matter what speed or plan customers choose, Verizon High Speed Internet includes 24 x 7 live customer support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, nine e-mail accounts and 10 MB (megabytes) of personal Web space. For additional information about Verizon high-speed Internet plans, consumers can call 1-800-742-5375 or visit http://www.verizon.net/highspeed to see if the service is available to their homes and to place orders.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 62 million customers nationwide. Verizon’s Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation’s most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.
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January 11th, 2010 at 10:39 am
We got rid of our land line after moving. We already pay a boatload for our cell phones, we didn’t need another expense. We rationalized having the regular line (while in Philly) for the kids. But you don’t need it – really. As long as school can reach you, and you have a way of calling in emergencies, it doesn’t matter. And John signed us up for a Google Voice account. So we now have a local Maine number that calls both our cell phones. Just like a “regular” phone line – but completely FREE! Can’t recommend it enough.
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January 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Maybe I should write on post on Google voice?
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January 11th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Yes, I am back (yet again) to say thank you for inspiring me to write another post – on Google Voice. Wish they’d start Google Net (free internet for the masses). But I guess we can’t expect everything. Yet. ;o)
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