Written by Let’s face it, gadgets make the world go around now. After all of my extensive research, it was time to upgrade my phone to the Samsung Galaxy Note II. I looked online at my Verizon Wireless account and noticed that on Feb 17th, my main line became eligible for the upgrade. I figured that I could use my charm and good looks to get the hook up and get my phone a week early. The following chain of events showcases how poorly different divisions of corporations speak with one another.
First of all, I admit that I’m a geek. My line of work entails that I interact with technology, online, mobile, social, search… you name it. I need a phone that allows for effective multi-tasking.
I may be reading articles and “buffering” tweets… while copying the URL from the article to send out to client’s email. I need tools that make my life more effective or more efficient. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 does it. Sure, I have the Samsung Galaxy S3, and I’m trading it over to my wife. Her phone will become my son’s phone. Breadwinner gets the best phone in mi casa. 🙂
Wow.
The Note II features a 1.6 GHz quad-core processor, 720p resolution display, 2 GB of RAM, and storage capacity up to 128 GB.
This fucking thing is faster than some desktops and laptops that my friends have. I had to have one… as soon as fucking possible. I’ve actually seen videos of people USING the Note 2 AS A COMPUTER!
FINALLY, I’m getting closer to my early upgrade date of February 17th. Oh joy! Since I’m an impatient bastard most of the time, I decide to call Verizon Wireless Customer Service. I talked with a lovely sounding lady who informed me that, “Since you are one week away from your upgrade date, you can go into any Verizon Store, that is corporate, not a third party store… and they would give me the Samsung Note 2 a week early. Just drive to any store.
So, I drove to my nearest store. The Lee’s Summit MO Chipman Drive Verizon Wireless store. I walk in and go to the back of the store and talk with the man at the desk and the store manager. I inform them that Verizon Wireless Customer Service told me… “come in a week early, and get my upgrade”.
At which point, the manager gets a bit agitated and says something to the effect of, “Are you kidding me? I don’t know HOW MANY TIMES, that Verizon Wireless Customer Service reps have sent people in here saying we can give them upgrades.”
I was in the Verizon store with $300 for the Note 2. Because of whatever miscommunication that is going on between brand partnerships and the regular Verizon stores and overall brand… but I was not able to hand you my $300.
Once I got home, I logged into Amazon Wireless to look around. Maybe I’d go to another carrier… maybe I’ll wait until Feb 17th… OH LOOK HERE… Amazon Wireless has it for $150. Hrmmm. I submit my number to check for eligibility… BOOM. Eligible. Oh happy day! I fill it out, buy the phone…
My Samsung Galaxy Note 2 arrived at my house on February 15th, two days before my Verizon “Early Upgrade date” of February 17th. For $150 dollars less, I could get my Verizon phone via Amazon and get it two days before my early upgrade date. This business partnership hoses the Verizon Wireless reps in your store. Verizon needs to reevaluate this process.
Maybe, Verizon could give customers an upgrade date of one week less than usual. This might allow the retail sales team a bit of wiggle room for the retail stores. Verizon is cutting off their sales team’s ability to effectively make sales and represent the Verizon brand. Amazon does a better job than Verizon. Why wouldn’t I pay Amazon less?
And as a result. I was going to spend $300 in the VZW Store… but instead I gave $150 to Amazon… and got my phone 2 days before my upgrade date anyway. Boom.
Look at how much bigger it is than the S3. Ahhhh. In the end, I didn’t care WHO took my money… I just wanted this damn phone.
