BlackBerry Storm update leaks to the masses

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LegalEagle @ Nov 30th 2008 6:54AM

There is no legality issue with it. Its in line with pricing compared with other carriers. And YOU have to agree to purchase THEIR phone on THEIR service. And then you have to sign THEIR Agreement. Unless you go sans 2 year pricing, regardless of that, again you are agreeing to their terms and conditions. So there is no real legal standing on that mark. Now, however, in the future. If they cook up that cell phone users bill of rights like they have been talking "aboot". Then you may have a point. But the stipulations are in place based on their TOS agreement. So you don't have to pay the data plans. Just don't Choose Verizon.

Neutral

tra la la @ Nov 30th 2008 3:23PM

{defensive mode}

@ Legal

I like how you start out saying that Verizon is in line with other carriers, then end by saying "don't choose Verizon".

maybe it's just me, but that's a little contradiction there, isn't it?!

~~~~

@Mike

if you don't want to have to pay for a service on your cell phone, then either:
a) don't get a cell phone that requires a specific service, or
b) don't get a cell phone

either way, at some point, all devices will require some kind of data plan since more and more people are wanting their cell phone to be able to do much more than just make/receive calls. that ability comes at a price. if you're buying a vehicle and want power steering and seats, you pay more right? isn't that just a comfort option, and not exactly necessary?! even if the vehicle comes with it standard, it's still listed as an option and you still pay for it. it's essentially the same damned thing...

yes, there are still a lot of people who just want the phone for a phone, but they are quickly becoming the minority in this sense.

{/defensive mode}

also, I just did a search for "cell phone bill of rights", and one of the main topics that came up was about not deceiving the customer, and publicly and clearly posting all rates and fees associated with the service. The information for Verizon is made available both online, in store, and given to you when you sign up for service.

The problem is that people expect to be TOLD everything instead of having to read it for themselves. That way any responsbility is removed from them and placed upon the person/people/company who provides the service. I had that problem when I managed a retail store (non-vzw) -- if a customer disagreed with something, it was obviously because they were never told. Even if it was something that a "normal" consumer would never/rarely come across, and even if the practice had been in place for months/years. No matter how much explaining about why something is the way it is, they would still pitch a fit and want something because *they* were never told. So, I would literally take out our SOP (about 3-4" thick of paper), set it on the counter, and ask what they wanted to know. That usually shut them up (mostly because I was being an ass, even though I could have told them anything in that book).

That being said, companies cannot afford to take the time to tell each and every customer everything about everything. We cover the main points, but also make sure the information is available. With Verizon it's called Consumer Clear Disclosure. Do we cover everything anytime something is changed? No, but that's because a lot of stuff within the last few years has stayed relatively the same. Are there some reps who don't cover even some of the more basic stuff? Yes, but that can be said about ANY company.

Neutral

Matt K @ Dec 3rd 2008 12:47AM

I think the phone is actually yours. You pay for it, they sell it to you at a discount. You put their service on your phone. My question is, can they pull the GPS gimick they are trying: disabling GPS on your Verizon phone until you pay them $10/month to use the useless VZ Navigator. The GPS chip on your phone could be used with Google Maps for free or a third party such as Garmin (mobile for blackberry). It seems shady that in order to use either of those two services, you have to pay Verizon $10/month. It seems to me, as a non-lawyer, to be totally illegal. You are being charged to a service that they don't provide or at the very least, being billed twice (you pay for the data plan (no problem with that) and the VZ Navigator).

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