Why you left your previous carrier.

wingedkinetics Oct 8, 2015 11:02 AM
- Member Since: Oct 7, 2015
I'm a loyal customer, so it took me a lot to leave my previous carrier; I'm glad I did. Here are my reasons for leaving... what are yours?
Carrier: Verizon
How long was I with them? 10 years.
Why did I pick them originally?: Back in 2005 I needed a cell phone that was good in rural areas, and their network was the best at the time.
Devices Owned? Hollywood 885, Droid, Droid 2, Galaxy Note 3.
Why did I leave?
- Verizon Edge: They took away subsidizing phones without actually decreasing the cost of the plan. Customers were effectively paying twice for one phone. Rotten business practices.
- "Reward Points": I wasn't even looking for any rewards, but they launched this points program, so I checked it out. The problem wasn't that I didn't like it, the problem is that it was insulting. Points were only redeemable for a discount on items (many of which were cheaper on Amazon even without the points.... 50,000 points and $50.00 plus shipping and tax for a speaker that retails for $100.00, but Amazon sells for $34.99, shipping and tax free? You have to be kidding me.)
- "It's the network": Maybe in 2005, but my reception with T-Mobile is better than it was with Verizon.
- Way too many "maybe's": Maybe we'll add wifi calling. Maybe we'll add more data. Maybe we'll support Samsung Pay. Maybe we'll enable you to take advantage of manufacturer rebates. Buy now, lock yourself in, and maybe get what you want; or maybe not. Great.
- Transparency: Verizon has a whole lot of plans without actual end dates or goals. T-Mobile doesn't give you the world, but at least they phrase their plans as "We are going to do thing thing by this date, and it will work." or "No, we are not going to do this thing, but we're at least not going to leave you hanging."
- Price: It's the obvious hit against Verizon, but I was paying $130/mo for 2 contracted 32GB Note 3's with wraparound insurance and a paltry 250MB of data to split between me and my wife. I know it's my fault for signing up, but damn. Their CEO loves to say that they won't compete on price... but let's be real, they're not really competing anywhere else either.
Relevant, interesting articles:
http://news.yahoo.com/verizon-won-t-lower-monthly-bills-just-compete-164036366.html