I’m not going to mention a specific online store because I don’t want to be sued into oblivion, but I found several ads for “free” Smart Phones with free shipping, plus a free service pack that included a car charger (19.95 value) and a screen protector (9.95 value).

“All you had to do was sign up for new service or renew your existing service.” Or so I thought. My existing phone just reached the point in my contract where I could “renew every two”, that is, get significant discounts on a Smart Phone if I renewed my Verizon Wireless service, so I clicked the eligibility button on the”xyz company “ webpage and “WOW”, I qualified! “I’m Getting A New Phone!!!”

However, when I proceeded to checkout, I noticed that the “free charger” and “free screen protector” was missing from the order, so I called the sales number to see what happened. I explained what was going on and the sales  person seemed to listen patiently. But when we went to finalize the order, the sales person began pushing hard to get me to purchase the “car charger” and “screen protector”. Finally, after emailing a screen shot of the ad showing “…free”  “…free”, the sales person said they would throw them in at no charge.

The next concern was my “rate plan” I have the 1400 minute family share plan which includes “friends and family”. We also were “grandfathered” in to 250 text messages per line for $5.00 each, and a Corporate discount of nearly $15.00 per month. Our data plan was $15 on one line, and I understood that it would double to $30, since I would need a 2gig data pack (doubled to 4 gigs because of a limited time Verizon promotion for no additional charge) do operate a Smart Phone. The salesperson assured me that the plans and rates would remain the same, only the data plan would increase, meaning a net increase of only $15 per month. So with all the bases covered, I said, “let’s proceed!”

All the sudden, I received page after page of email telling me that “xyz company” was taking over my wireless billing, that changing the service would alter the agreement and result in loss of service.

The new agreement enabled all kinds of things I didn’t want, like allowing them to track my gps and phone numbers for marketing purposes. At the end it said “Click Submit t” to accept and the unit would ship. No way I was going to submit myself to that.

“xyz company” said in their ad that they had 24 hr service, so I gave them a call. However, when I called,  I got a voice message stated that their hours were 9am to 9pm eastern Monday-Friday, and 10am to 5pm on weekends, so I called Verizon Wireless (who was very helpful).

Guess what happened next. Verizon informed me that “xyz company” had changed my Verizon plan. My 1400 minute plan changed to 700 minutes with no “friends and family”, I lost my $15 corporate discount, my $5 text plan was changed to $30 per month unlimited text message plan, with a net increase of $45 per month, and the potential to have significant overages. In essence, my “free phone” was going to cost me at least $540 over two years. Even worse is, “xyz company” clicked “submit” for me on the agreement AND activated the SmartPhone the day the order was placed. They hadn’t even shipped it yet. That burned me flat to the core. I’m getting all hot just writing about it!

The good news is, Verizon reversed all of the “xyz company” transactions, reinstated my service and discounts. I had to prove my case first, but that was easily taken care of with a couple emails proving there was no way I could have received and activated the unit “the same day the order was placed”. Besides, Verizon allows you 14 days to “change your mind” without penalty, and the state of South Carolina allow 72 hours to change your mind on internet and catalog orders. 

I notified “xyzcompany” that I would simply refuse “their shipment” and that if they tried to press the issue any further or disrupt my cellular service, that I would be in contact with the Attorney General of both states AND the Federal Trade Commission. So far, no reaction from “xyz company”.

11/28/2011 Noon Update: Even though I cancelled the order of my Smart Phone, “xyzcompan” shipped anyway. In fact, they shipped “next day air”, instead of “ground” (free) as requested. FedEx delivered it and took off in the truck before I could refused the package. No worries, I was able to take it to the local “ship it” store, mark the unopend box "refused", and they return the package “free of charge”.

“xyzcompany” used an oversize box without any apparent packing to protect the Smart Phone. The box was not marked “fragile” or “this end up”. Turning the box gently from side to side indicated that it was floating free in the box, therefore making it subject to shipping damage. The more I think about, the more I'm convinced that "xyzcompany" is a scoundrel and thief!

Bottom line: Beware of 3d party Smart Phone Deals