blog.JacobBurke.com » Verizon Wireless

Goodbye Verizon, it’s been a great 7 years…

Jacob Burke — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:16:03 +0000

For those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter @jacobburke, then you are not aware of the switch that I made on Tuesday over to AT&T. After 7 years of locked down phones, trying to sweet-talk customer service representatives and who knows how many handsets, I have walked away from the big V.

My most recent issue with Verizon over the weekend was the last nail in the coffin. I had enough of being told one thing and then another. I was sick of being financially stunned each month with crazy fees and outrageous charges. I got an iPhone.

I took a sip of the Cupertino kool-aid when I purchased iPods, yesterday I took a gulp out of that same cup by getting the iPhone. I have yet to drink the whole thing and buy a Mac, just not ready to fully join the Apple empire.

I will admit that in the past 24 hours, I am really liking the phone and the AT&T reps have been great.

I still can’t believe I did it, after all of the hating on AT&T and the iPhone – I just figured if I couldn’t beat them, then I might as well join.

Cheers!

Verizon offering no-contract plans, still making more money…

Jacob Burke — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:58:15 +0000

Verizon Wireless has announced that customers can get a plan without a one or two year contract locking them down. The only caveat, you have to pay full price for the phone. While I think this is a great move for Verizon to give more flexibility to their customers, how many people are actually going to pay full retail price for a new phone or device just to avoid a contract.

The reason why users are signed up for a contract is because the carrier subsidises the cost of the phone and the up-front savings are actually applied to the cost of the phone over the life of the contract. So, I think Verizon is being a little unfair here. If I am going to pay full retail for a phone up-front, then I want a reduced monthly cost, because there is no subsidy to make up since I am paying full retail. Verizon is making out better with this no contract offering. Full phone costs up-front and still charging the same monthly rate. Yes, they may end up losing customer or two since contracts are not locking them down – but they are making even more money now.

I am still undecided at this point if I will switch to a no-contract plan when my current contract ends, I guess we will see if Verizon launches some new phones that are worth using between now and May 2009.

What are your thoughts on the new Verizon Wireless plan?

Cheers!

Goodbye Voicemail!

Jacob Burke — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:59:27 +0000

I called Verizon today and had them disable the voicemail on my account. I am sick of these messages being left with no contact details from unknown numbers. Damn telemarketers and scam artists!

You are better off emailing me or sending me a text message.

Cheers!