Will Verizon Wireless Please Stop Harassing Me To Renew My Cell Phone Contract
For the last few weeks I’ve been receiving incessant phone calls several times daily from some unknown toll free number – specifically 1-800-261-1646. Because I have a habit of screening my calls and not picking up my cell phone if I don’t recognize the caller ID, the missed calls kept coming in. The unknown calls were perplexing because I recalled signing up my number for the National Do Not Call List. Eventually I gave up and chose to call the number back to see what was up.
The Verizon Wireless Sales Pitch – May We Bind You To A New Multi Year Contract With Just A Few Freebie Offers?
When I called the number, at first there was dead air and I wondered if I had called a scam number, but then a voice over the phone introduced himself thanking me for my interest in Verizon Wireless and requested my cell phone number. I was a bit suspicious but since my cell phone was indeed serviced through Verizon Wireless and I figured my cell phone number wasn’t really confidential information, I gave him my information. If he had inquired about the last 4 digits of my social security number I might not have readily given him the number, since I was still a bit suspicious at that point. But with my phone number information, he immediately ascertained my name so I figured he was at least somewhat legit.
Immediately he launched into a sales pitch to get me to sign up for a new binding multi year cell phone contract. On that point he was correct as my current wireless phone contract was near expiration. He informed me that I was eligible for a new phone (although he didn’t specify what model it would be) and offered to throw in an extra 100 minutes per month if I would be willing to renew my wireless contract. He offered to mail me my new phone replacement right away but I refused to get suckered in. I told him the extra minutes were useless since I never even get close to reaching my monthly limit and that I probably could find a better deal online without the need for a contract extension. Unable to lock up the contract and without even saying thank you or goodbye, the supposed Verizon Wireless rep hung up abruptly – a typical sales commission driven response.
After investigating further, the phone number traced to a 3rd party outsourced vendor working with Verizon Wireless to help it secure new contract renewals. Apparently the vendor’s allowed to call individuals on the Do Not Call List because they are calling on behalf of Verizon Wireless to customers who are all current or recent Verizon Wireless customers. However, it should be noted that they can still be blocked if you tell them not to solicit or call you ever again.
My Advice For All Those Nearing The End Of Their Cell Phone Contracts – Negotiate With Leverage
Cell phone wireless contracts are the most anti competitive mechanisms that major wireless phone carriers like Verizon Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, AT&T, and T-Mobile use to keep their users in line and bounded to them in customer servitude. This contractual obligation is frequently renewed and extended through clever solicitation of verbal consent, and the dangling of seemingly attractive freebie carrots – shabby offers that are not really all that great.
Currently my phone plan is under Verizon Wireless’ America’s Choice 450 Anytime Minutes with Unlimited In calling for $39.99 a year. However, because I took advantage of student and corporate employee wireless phone discounts, I was able to save 19% off my monthly cell phone bill. My 2 year wireless phone contract is indeed going to expire in a month or two but I have no intention of renewing my contract just yet. I want to make sure I maximize the leverage I have when negotiating better terms.
Wireless carriers are desperate to retain their customers and look to using legal contracts to prevent them from jumping ship to another carrier. My advice is to initially resist the temptation to accept any of the free phone deals, upgrades or whatever extra minutes they offer, because once you accept, you automatically agree to a new contract extension. Wait until your contract is fully expired before you negotiate – you’ll have a lot more leverage with these wireless companies once your contract is up. At that time, you have the option at your disposal to leave and go to another provider without a termination fee – their nightmare scenario.
So, wait till your wireless contract is up, and then ask for any and all upgrades you want in addition to a new phone at zero cost. Currently Verizon Wireless only advertises a measly “New Every Two” year phone upgrade that only provides a paltry $50 or $100 good towards a new phone. In my opinion, that’s not good enough – so be sure to demand more minutes, more functions (like internet access), and a new phone for free. They will happily oblige but just remember, you’ll be signing a new contract with them for another year or two in the process, but at least you’ll know you truly maximized your options.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
ah yes, the sales pitch phone calls. I love ‘em. We recently just had a salesguy from gold’s gym calling us non-stop for a couple of weeks until we told him to stop calling. very annoying.
February 8th, 2008 at 12:23 am
We are actually in the middle of an ongoing battle with SprintPCS to run as far away from them as possible after almost 10 years of doing business with Sprint. In the last 8 months my cell service has really gotten much worse. Dropped calls, underwater connections, excessive static, flipping from 5 bars to no bars in one spot and going into roaming all while the phone sits on a table in the same exact spot. Calling them does nothing. I get nowhere. I have begun calling every single time my service is sub-par. A wired line is looking good again. Their customer service is purely EVIL. We are kept on the phone for excessive amounts of time and bounced from one person/office to another.
Your comment about not accepting anything free, upgraded, enhanced, making a change whatsoever is right on the mark. It is costing me an additional 8 months on a contract I’d love to get out of. We have 4 lines and have managed to get one line canceled. One more will go soon. And then when my line ages out on the contract we run for the border. We are actually thinking we’ll go with Verizon because of their coverage, other family members already in the network and an employee discount via my husband’s employer.
Until December, I am forced to deal with it. Sprint told me I have to die before I can get out of paying the ETF. I was told this by their CONTRACT office. But the dude in the Philipines working for SprintPCS understood me when I said I want someone who speaks English!
I guess there isn’t a cell phone on the planet that really is fair, has great customer service and is contract free.
Ginger
February 8th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Ginger,
I completely know where you’re coming from on this. Unresponsive and rude customer service drives me crazy and makes me very upset as well.
I too had Sprint PCS for several years before I finally finished my binding contract and switched to Verizon Wireless. These cellular contracts are very difficult to get out of. I have heard of people bailing out of their Sprint PCS agreements by telling Sprint that they are moving out of the country (white lies), which allowed them to successfully end the contract early without having to pay the unreasonably pricey termination fees. I’ve heard numerous stories of that approach working with Sprint PCS, but not with other carriers, including Verizon.
BTW, I encourage you to switch to Verizon Wireless as I’ve been happy with them overall, although I think call quality may be a regional thing. I’m located near Washington D.C.
March 16th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I too got countless calls from Verizon wanting me to update my cell phone calling plan. I said no and what part of no don’t you understand. I told them not to call me anymore but they kept on calling. I made a note of the number (which was not an 800 number) and called Verizon Customer Service. They said the number was the local Verizon store and they couldn’t do anything about it. So I called the store and chewed the manager out, told him the calls were harassing and I was on the do not call list. The calls finally stopped but it was a draining, frustrating experience.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I was surprised at how many folks receive unwanted calls to renew their cell phone contracts. I am in the business of renewing contracts with any cell phone customer with any carrier for whoever needs a renewal; however, I do not make phone calls to anyone. I do my work with them ony upon meeting them face to face and finding that they need to do a renewal. Then I go online and complete their order. Or they may go to my website and do it themselves choosing the changes they may wish to make and choosing the minutes they wish to carry which then determines their monthly payments. They can scroll and look at all of the latest phones and choose the one they want to have for the next 2 years. We get lots of happy customers. Maybe I can help.
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
800-261-1646 is one of several telephone numbers associated with Connect North America, a Canadian company which is purportedly making outbound calls on behalf of Verizon Wireless.
Connect North America is headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. The company also has a facility in nearby Presque Isle, Maine, United States.
Barry D. O’Donnell is President and CEO of Connect North America Corporation. Mr. O’Donnell is listed by the New Brunswick Certified General Accountants as having an office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. O’Donnell & Company is listed in Canadian phone directories as providing accounting and tax services.
John Maclean is Director of Operations for Connect North America.
Connect North America suggests that those seeking employment opportunities should contact Kim Dyer in Connect North America’s Presque Isle, Maine facilities.
If Connect North America is indeed calling Verizon customers on behalf of Verizon Wireless, they would not be in violation of Do Not Call laws, since they are calling as an agent of a business with which you have an established relationship.
The Better Business Bureau has no record of complaints for Connect North America. Frustrated recipients of their calls can certainly change that by visiting http://welcome.bbb.org .
While the federal Do Not Call law applies to companies soliciting individuals, it does not apply to individuals calling companies to express their displeasure with annoying calls. Federal law also does not prohibit individuals from calling companies to express their joy and excitement that such company has no compunction over being a massive hemorrhoid to millions of innocent phone customers.
Perhaps you’d like to express your joy and excitement each time you get a call from Connect North America. Just make sure you’re fully aware of the cost of toll calls to New Brunswick, Canada. And L’est you want to receive a ton of unwarranted e-mails, be sure to create a special e-mail account when contacting them electronically.
In Canada…
Barry D O’Donnell, President and CEO
Connect North America
Tel: 877-457-4466
Cell: 506-471-0192 (Canadian Number)
506-470-3636 (Canadian Number)
Fax: 506-450-4018 (Canadian Number)
b.odonnell@diamondfinancial.ca
b.odonnell@connectna.com
barryo@nbnet.nb.ca
506-457-4466 O’Donnell & Company Telephone (Canadian Number)
506-450-4018 O’Donnell & Company Fax (Canadian Number)
John Maclean, Director of Operations (in New Brunswick, Canada)
j.maclean@connectna.com
In the United States of America
Kim Dyer
Connect North America USA, Inc.
18 Greenhill Dr
Presque Isle, ME 04769
(207) 760-9120 Main Company Line (U.S. Number)
207-764-6484 (Direct Office Line) (U.S. Number)
k.dyer@connectna.com
In addition to your own US Senator and Congressman, you may also want to inform these individuals about the activities of their constituent businesses:
Rep. Michael H. Michaud
Second Congressional District of Maine
Washington DC
1724 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1902
Phone: 202-225-6306
Fax: 202-225-2943
Presque Isle, Maine
445 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: 207-764-1036
Fax: 207-764-1060
Susan M. Collins, United States Senator
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
(202) 224-2693 Fax
Olympia J. Snowe, United States Senator
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
(202) 224-1946 Fax
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 am
Recently, I was getting harassing calls from telemarketers saying my cars warrenty was about to expire. I did everything I could politely do to find out what company this was to file the proper FCC complaints, along with BBB, state prosucuter, etc…
When I called verison to get the information about where exactly the calls were coming from, I GOT STONEWALLED for well over an hour… Their technology is good, but they have a problem with taking care of their customers, so they resort to distrubuting fresh new toys to their “contractual clients”. (my spelling sucks, I admit it, no spell check here)…
ATTENTION VERIZON: WHEN MY CONTRACT IS UP I WILL SCREW WITH YOU. I’LL GO TO CRICKET, WITH ALL 4 OF MY CELL PHONE LINES (I have three employees at my business, and weve been using Verizon for a few years now, make it worth MY while)… How about FREE BLACKBERRIES instead of JUNK phones made in CHINA BY SLAVES that break into pieces after being in a pocket for 9 months??? Auf weidersehen, Verizon…
March 12th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Thanks for this article. I really wish there were something we could do about these loopholes in the Do Not Call Registry. I seem to be getting more crap calls now that I’m registered than ever before.
But I appreciate the information you provided, especially the identity of yet another pesky caller.