Verizon Fios triple play

@luckystrike: You should talk to a supervisor if things have been misrepresented. From personal experience, I've found repeatedly that Verizon reps don't so much lie as talk without knowing what they're talking about. I've lost count of the number of times I've gotten wrong information over the phone. Ask the same question of two reps, you'll usually get different answers. That being said, I have had some success taking the matter up the line. In fact, the last time I had a battle with Verizon, the supervisor (manager?) I dealt with ultimately resolved the problem. Then he asked, "Is there anything else I can help with?" I said, "Yes, you can take off the $50 charge [for a piece of equipment] for my trouble." And he did!

Two tips for dealing with Verizon: (1) Explain matters calmly and rationally, repeating yourself as often as needed without getting emotional. (2) Have as many facts on hand as you can, so that you'll know at once when you're given incorrect info.

Last time I did this on the internet I made sure to print all the pages with the pricing.

I had the exact same experience as @luckystrike, only with a live rep on the phone who quoted me a great price and then 3 days later I got an e-mail confirmation with totally different pricing. I spoke to supervisors, I called the BPU, they put me in touch with the "executive offices" who told me that pricing never existed so they didn't know how I came up with those numbers! Meanwhile, the fact that I gave them the rep's name, phone number and extension didn't hold water with them -- they said there was no such person. I tried calling the number and extension, but whoever answered said his line was busy. The BPU was of no help (they had been great help previously with other complaints I had). For "my troubles" they gave me HBO at half price for 6 months.

I'd say file a complaint with the BPU, but don't expect them to actually help you. But at least your complaint will be on file.

Verizon is a poorly organized company. There are departments that run other departments and so on.

Go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VerizonFiOS and post your problem. They most likely will respond to you.

We have had luck tweeting when a large company screwed us over.

I randomly tweeted about how bad FIOS remote controls suck last week. Minutes later Verizon's Support Team responded. "What's going on with the remote control? Please let us know we can help". So I told them hardly any of the buttons work, it's like trying to get a UHF signal with rabbit-ear antennas, I can pull up the Guide or the DVR screens instantly, but then it takes forever to navigate around to finally watch something... They asked basic questions - new batteries? Does it light up when you press the buttons?

Then we followed each other and took it to DM. "How long have you had the remote?" they asked. "Maybe 4 years," I responded. There was a pause. Then I got this, "You can purchase a replacement from this site" and they gave me the URL of their online store, where new remotes were $15.

So I replied, "Thanks. Well, I already pay you ($17/month) to rent the machine, I guess another $15 to make it work is what I get."

And that was the last of my twitter contact with @VerizonSupport, who, remember, contacted me (I honestly wasn't intending to get anything out of it, and apparently they weren't intending to give me anything, either. So, try your luck with them, but don't expect much.

If you use the remote heavily, I think it's reasonable to expect it to show signs of wear after four years. The contacts in the buttons might be worn, which would require a replacement unit. However, it is worth trying new batteries. Before you put them in, clean the battery contacts (in the remote) with a pencil eraser. Do so patiently and thoroughly. Sometimes, this is all you need. Do this even if you've just changed the batteries, as some batteries sitting on the shelf can be half-drained.

I bought a new remote for downstairs and it still doesn't work right. I've replaced batteries several times and still there's a problem. I think it's their equipment that's the problem.

I get a free remote from them about once a year, simply by asking, saying the old one doesn't work. Never had an issue.

And if a tech is over, ask them for one. They have piles in the vans usually.

ctrzaska said:

I get a free remote from them once a year, simply by asking, saying the old one doesn't work. Never had an issue.

I tried that, they said I had to buy it. I guess it's because "I'm a girl...."

Tom_Reingold said:

If you use the remote heavily, I think it's reasonable to expect it to show signs of wear after four years. The contacts in the buttons might be worn, which would require a replacement unit. However, it is worth trying new batteries. Before you put them in, clean the battery contacts (in the remote) with a pencil eraser. Do so patiently and thoroughly. Sometimes, this is all you need. Do this even if you've just changed the batteries, as some batteries sitting on the shelf can be half-drained.

They're really bad remotes, Tom. I've had TVs and remotes for a long time, and these things suck balls. They start breaking down within months (this one did). I really, really miss my old TiVo, and its remote. Had that for about 3 years with no issues at all. My FIL's remote is practically dead in the water for volume and channel changing, and they got theirs years after I did.

ridski said:

They're really bad remotes, Tom

I won't argue with that!

Ridski, I bet it's your accent. ;-)

I just logged into my triple play and I called and confirmed the price. Looks like I got lucky!

This is What YOU HAVE
Verizon Triple Play
Your Current Price:
$70.00/mo
with 2 year agreement
24 Months Remaining
Price Thru March, 2017 = $70
includes $109.99 in monthly discounts
$59.99 Escalation Discount for 24 Months (No Bundle Downgrade Allowed) Thru March 11,2017
$30.00 Escalation Discount for 24 Months (No Bundle Downgrade Allowed) Thru March 11,2017
$20 Get More Guaranteed Discount for 36 Months Thru March 11,2018
Price Thru March, 2018 = $159.99
includes $20.00 in monthly discounts
$20 Get More Guaranteed Discount for 36 Months Thru March 11,2018
FiOS TV Ultimate HD
530+ channels
170+ in HD
Cinemax, Showtime and more
Compare TV
close FiOS TV Ultimate HD Feed your TV a non-stop diet of HD with our hottest package. With FiOS TV Ultimate HD, you'll get 530+ all digital channels and 170+ HD channels. Includes Cinemax, NFL Red Zone, Showtime, EPIX, THE MOVIE CHANNEL®, and FLIX® premium channels
See More
FiOS Quantum Internet
Download and upload speeds up to 75/75 Mbps
See Details
close FiOS Quantum Internet FiOS Quantum 75/75 Mbps Internet is like rocket fuel for your computer. Perfect for homes that have multiple devices on the Internet at the same time.
See More
FiOS Digital Voice - Unlimited Plan
Local, regional & long distance + 20 features
See Details

Im getting ripped off compared to you ...

This was an internet glitch offer I caught online. This offer technically doesn't exist. They tried to charge me $159.99 and after speaking to various reps and after 2 weeks the dust settled and they had to honor the price even though it was a internet price glitch. Electronically Verizon couldn't correct the price under me or it would be considered fraud. This offer is being given for 144.99 for new customers though!

Just got my first bill! I saved screenshots and made copies of this just in case Verizon tries to double cross me in the future. Great deal but I still don't trust Verizon. Most of the reps (9 out of 10) are liars fyi! Remember to go online to upgrade/renew and find deals instead of speaking to untrustful reps. Shopping carts checkouts and digital contracts don't lie!

Current Activity
Monthly Charges
3/25 4/24 Triple Play Bundle Includes:
FiOS Digital Voice UnlimitedView Details 30.00
FiOS TV Ultimate HD 89.99
Movie Package Ultimate HD .00
HBO .00
FiOS Internet 75/75 60.00
Special Bundle Discount thru Mar 11, 2017 ($59.99 off TV)-59.99
Get More Discount thru Mar 11, 2018 ($20.00 off Internet)-20.00
Special Bundle Discount thru Mar 11, 2017 ($30.00 off Internet)-30.00
Triple Play Bundle Price 70.00
3/25 4/24(Rent): HD Set Top Box 2 @ 7.99 15.98
2/11 3/10Verizon Wireless Monthly Charges 69.98
Monthly Charges Subtotal $155.96
Change in Service
3/12 3/24 FiOS TV Select HD (removed)-19.49
3/12 3/24 Cinemax/Showtime/Starz/Epix (removed)-13.00
3/12 3/24 HBO (removed)-8.66
3/12 3/24 FiOS TV Select HD Bonus Pack (removed)-2.17
3/12 3/24 FiOS TV Ultimate HD (added)39.00
3/12 3/24 Get More Discount (removed) ($2.17 off TV)2.17
3/12 3/24 Cinemax/Showtime/Starz/Epix Discount (removed) ($13.00 off TV)13.00
3/12 3/24 FiOS Quantum HBO 12 Mo. Credit (removed) ($8.66 off TV)8.66
3/12 3/24 FiOS TV Select HD Bonus Pack Credit (removed) ($2.17 off TV)2.17
3/12 3/24 Special Bundle Discount (added) ($26.00 off TV)-26.00
3/12 3/24 FiOS Internet 50/50 (removed)-21.66
3/12 3/24 FiOS Internet 75/75 (added)26.00
3/12 3/24 Get More Discount (removed) ($8.67 off Internet)8.67
3/12 3/24 Get More Discount (added) ($8.67 off Internet)-8.67
3/12 3/24 Special Bundle Discount (added) ($13.00 off Internet)-13.00
Change in Service Subtotal -$12.98
Current Activity Total $142.98
Taxes, Governmental Surcharges and Fees
Verizon
NY State and Local Sales Tax 4.17
911 Surcharge 1.00
Verizon Wireless
Taxes, Governmental Surcharges and Fees 5.48
Total Taxes, Governmental Surcharges and Fees$10.65
Verizon and Verizon Wireless Surcharges and Other Charges & Credits
Verizon
Video Franchise Fee 2.46
Federal Universal Service Fee 3.38
PEG Grant Fee 1.00
Regulatory Recovery Fee - Federal .08
Regional Sports Network Fee 4.99
FDV Administrative Charge .99
NY Municipal Construction Surcharge 1.49
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless' Surcharges and Other Charges & Credits 5.00
Total Verizon and Verizon Wireless Surcharges and Other Charges & Credits$19.39
Total New Charges $173.02

So $173 a month?

Only slightly less complex than my tax return...

Yeah including the cell phone bill on $80 tax included. This is a Verizon one bill account

So, $93 a month?

If anyone wants to reduce the tax just change your address to a residence in the state Nevada and your cell/cable tax will drop significantly!! State of Nevada has the lowest tax bill for cable/cellular service. Just make sure you go paperless and change your billing address to Caesar's Palace Hotel in Las Vegas or any hotel in Vegas and watch you're ridiculous tax rate drop! I plan to do this once I get my Verizon rewards card redemption in the mail. I heard it works wonders! Please share your experience!!

Correction...Change your billing address. Your current service residence remains unchanged even though your billing address is in Nevada.

Nevada average state-local tax rate is 1.9%!!!

Click here to see where your state tax level lies.

http://money.cnn.com/interactive/pf/taxes/state-cellphone-taxes/

@luckystrike do you live in New York?

yeah. NY tax has city tax as well. 17.7% state and local!! Crazy high. Almost as bad as Washington!!

Yeah, you have a few other charges you wouldn't see on an NJ bill too.

I didn't see the wireless charge included. This looks like a great price.

It's a nice price, but at some point you might have to forward your mail to Riker's...

It's a nice price for only 2 years. Afterwards, Verizon will get their revenge on me on the back end when the price jumps to $160 in year 3 and $180+ in year four. I'm sure Verizon is not gonna make the same mistake twice. The reason why the bills are so complicated is so that they can continue to add hidden fees and new tax laws every year. $30 in tax every month and growing!