FIOS contract up - Price Increase

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ddurrett896
Posts: 1712
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2014 2:23 pm

FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by ddurrett896 »

Current Verizon Fios customer with no contract and discounts that have expired. 50/50 internet with preferred TV and basic phone bundle.

Was paying $110/month - bill jumped to $138 and will increase to $160 September 2018 when the last $22 discount expires. If I renew, my best rate is $128, saving me $10. My fear is that I renew at $128 then come September 2018, I jumped to $150 when the last discount expires. Since I'd have another 15 months left in contract, Verizon has no motivation to help with the bill and I'm stuck at $150.

My thinking is that I can terminate the service in my wife's name, then start service in my name. The new customer rate is $118 and that upgrades me from 50/50 to Gigabit. Don't really need it, but want the $118 lock for 2 years.

Has anyone done this before or have any recommendations? Thanks!
zag00
Posts: 450
Joined: Wed Oct 29, 2014 3:15 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by zag00 »

A simple name change may not qualify as a "new customer" as the service is being billed to the same address.
Any no contract options in your area? Spectrum?
Internet/Cable prices are becoming outrageous nowadays, so to keep them manageable there may not be another option other than to swtich providers every so often...or cut the cord and pay for internet only.
Topic Author
ddurrett896
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Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2014 2:23 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by ddurrett896 »

zimmer0 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:49 pm A simple name change may not qualify as a "new customer" as the service is being billed to the same address.
I'm not talking about changing the name.
My wife cancels on 12/15/17.
I setup service in my name 12/16/17.
FraggleRock
Posts: 362
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2017 5:50 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by FraggleRock »

Call them and ask to speak to a retention specialist.
That is what I do with the cable company every few years.
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StevieG72
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Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by StevieG72 »

I have passed on Fios for this reason.

Price is reasonable until all of the discounts expire.

Not crazy about adding more equipment to the exterior of my house either. Just got rid of an old landline phone box, utility company peak service power saver contraption, and cleaned up the old cable box.

.
Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.
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dm200
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Location: Washington DC area

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by dm200 »

I suspect that Verizon will not allow that Trick. Probably based on location of service - or something like that. You have to watch Verizon (especially FiOS) like a hawk to make sure they live up to their promises and do not mess you over.

I would look into alternatives and call their bluff - threaten to leave if they do not cut back the price increase. THEN, if they will not - cancel. In my experience, Verizon FiOS folks plat hardball - AFTER they get you into service.
JohnnyB
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:10 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by JohnnyB »

I was in the same situation. I called and spoke to retention agents several times with no luck so I canceled Fios and switched to Comcast. Within a month, I started getting mail asking me to come back at the introductory rate. I'm sure Verizon doesn't expect people to cancel on them. They lost 2 years of service from me. Once my 2 year commitment with Comcast expires, I plan to switch back to Fios at the lower rate. For me, Fios is a much better service but I'm not going to pay tons more just to keep them.
Palatineman
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Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:40 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by Palatineman »

ddurrett896 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:54 pm
zimmer0 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:49 pm A simple name change may not qualify as a "new customer" as the service is being billed to the same address.
I'm not talking about changing the name.
My wife cancels on 12/15/17.
I setup service in my name 12/16/17.
This works with me and comcast every 2 years. Only I don't have a wife. My mom lives with me and we cancel and get a new customer service contract with the lower rate.

The only hassle is the return of equipment and installation of the new one's.

With Comcast it is now self-install, so no waiting around for a technician. Steps every 2 years is:
1. Cancel the contract right before expiration of old rate
2. Get a new one established with promotional rate without credit check run ($100 deposit refundable after 12 months of continued service with them - if you don't want a credit report hit)
3. Pick up new equipment from comcast store and self install with phone help - if needed
4. Drop off old equipment to UPS store and make sure you get and keep the receipt

Saved $40/month with this - No hassling or negotiating with anyone..
TheGipper
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Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2015 9:52 am

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by TheGipper »

Palatineman wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:10 pm
ddurrett896 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:54 pm
zimmer0 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:49 pm A simple name change may not qualify as a "new customer" as the service is being billed to the same address.
I'm not talking about changing the name.
My wife cancels on 12/15/17.
I setup service in my name 12/16/17.
This works with me and comcast every 2 years. Only I don't have a wife. My mom lives with me and we cancel and get a new customer service contract with the lower rate.

The only hassle is the return of equipment and installation of the new one's.

With Comcast it is now self-install, so no waiting around for a technician. Steps every 2 years is:
1. Cancel the contract right before expiration of old rate
2. Get a new one established with promotional rate without credit check run ($100 deposit refundable after 12 months of continued service with them - if you don't want a credit report hit)
3. Pick up new equipment from comcast store and self install with phone help - if needed
4. Drop off old equipment to UPS store and make sure you get and keep the receipt

Saved $40/month with this - No hassling or negotiating with anyone..
Exact same process works for me with FioS
JohnnyB
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:10 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by JohnnyB »

To those that cancel their service and signup using wife/mom's name, was phone service involved? We wanted to keep our existing phone number so the cancel option didn't seem like it would work for us. I'm trying to convince my DW to drop the phone next time we switch so we can try the name switch-a-roo.
Palatineman
Posts: 139
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:40 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by Palatineman »

JohnnyB wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:48 pm To those that cancel their service and signup using wife/mom's name, was phone service involved? We wanted to keep our existing phone number so the cancel option didn't seem like it would work for us. I'm trying to convince my DW to drop the phone next time we switch so we can try the name switch-a-roo.
If you mean cell phone number - I have that through another provider - so no issue there.

I have a land-line in the comcast package as I WFH a lot on conference calls and the clarity of a land line compared to any cell phone would not cut it. I have to change the land-line number every 2 years.
Palatineman
Posts: 139
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:40 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by Palatineman »

JohnnyB wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:48 pm To those that cancel their service and signup using wife/mom's name, was phone service involved? We wanted to keep our existing phone number so the cancel option didn't seem like it would work for us. I'm trying to convince my DW to drop the phone next time we switch so we can try the name switch-a-roo.
May I suggest not to think of this in terms of a name switch-a-roo.

Think of this just as any other "new" customer they sign up.

Your wife would no longer be a customer and you would be their "new" customer in the process.

Best of luck!
Topic Author
ddurrett896
Posts: 1712
Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2014 2:23 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by ddurrett896 »

JohnnyB wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:48 pm To those that cancel their service and signup using wife/mom's name, was phone service involved? We wanted to keep our existing phone number so the cancel option didn't seem like it would work for us. I'm trying to convince my DW to drop the phone next time we switch so we can try the name switch-a-roo.
That requires you to jump ship for a years or two then come back. I have a house phone, but never use.
TLC1957
Posts: 396
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2017 7:49 am
Location: Pa

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by TLC1957 »

Had Fios for 2 years, as noted they raised the price, I called and they agreed to lower the price $5 wow after raising it $60. I called Comcast and got a much better deal. That was 6 weeks ago.....every week Fios sends me mail telling me they miss me and to come back! Also no less than 4 Fios door to door sales folks have knocked on my door!! The same thing happened to my neighbors switching from Fios to Comcast.

So when I returned the Fios equipment to the UPS store they made a point to tell me to hold onto the receipt for ONE YEAR because Fios has this habit of saying they never received the equipment back and wanting $$ to replace it. :annoyed
9liner
Posts: 258
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 12:03 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by 9liner »

ddurrett896 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:16 pm Current Verizon Fios customer with no contract and discounts that have expired. 50/50 internet with preferred TV and basic phone bundle.

Was paying $110/month - bill jumped to $138 and will increase to $160 September 2018 when the last $22 discount expires. If I renew, my best rate is $128, saving me $10. My fear is that I renew at $128 then come September 2018, I jumped to $150 when the last discount expires. Since I'd have another 15 months left in contract, Verizon has no motivation to help with the bill and I'm stuck at $150.

My thinking is that I can terminate the service in my wife's name, then start service in my name. The new customer rate is $118 and that upgrades me from 50/50 to Gigabit. Don't really need it, but want the $118 lock for 2 years.

Has anyone done this before or have any recommendations? Thanks!
Just did this yesterday. Switched service from DW to my name. Second time I have done this successfully.

Edit: We have internet only. Went from 50/50 service @ $54.99/mo to 100/100 service @ $39.99/mo. The $39.99 rate expires after 1 year at which time the rate goes up to $54.99. No contract or commitment required.
scifilover
Posts: 530
Joined: Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:56 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by scifilover »

Count yourself fortunate to live in a home that has two legitimate service providers; FIOS, and a cable co.

After Frontier purchased our FIOS line, and their service went to pot, we moved to comcast and saved a bunch. Then after two years with the comcast price rising to $250/mo, we went back to Frontier at $124 month for similar service. At the end of two years, I anticipate we will be moving back to Comcast.

Once you have the FIOS gear installed, the transition back to them is very simple, and there was no install charge.
Momus
Posts: 1023
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:23 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by Momus »

Palatineman wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 5:10 pm
ddurrett896 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:54 pm
zimmer0 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 3:49 pm A simple name change may not qualify as a "new customer" as the service is being billed to the same address.
I'm not talking about changing the name.
My wife cancels on 12/15/17.
I setup service in my name 12/16/17.
This works with me and comcast every 2 years. Only I don't have a wife. My mom lives with me and we cancel and get a new customer service contract with the lower rate.

The only hassle is the return of equipment and installation of the new one's.

With Comcast it is now self-install, so no waiting around for a technician. Steps every 2 years is:
1. Cancel the contract right before expiration of old rate
2. Get a new one established with promotional rate without credit check run ($100 deposit refundable after 12 months of continued service with them - if you don't want a credit report hit)
3. Pick up new equipment from comcast store and self install with phone help - if needed
4. Drop off old equipment to UPS store and make sure you get and keep the receipt

Saved $40/month with this - No hassling or negotiating with anyone..

Don't pick up anything and have your own modem and router, never pay stupid rental fee. I think I have saved $1800 for the last 15 yrs.
soccerrules
Posts: 1380
Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2016 3:01 pm

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by soccerrules »

same boat.
FYI -- if you ask to be transferred to the cancellation department, they can offer extra incentives to keep your business, that the normal customer service rep can not.
Don't let your outflow exceed your income or your upkeep will be your downfall.
Slacker
Posts: 1032
Joined: Thu May 26, 2016 8:40 am

Re: FIOS contract up - Price Increase

Post by Slacker »

TLC1957 wrote: Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:18 pm Had Fios for 2 years, as noted they raised the price, I called and they agreed to lower the price $5 wow after raising it $60. I called Comcast and got a much better deal. That was 6 weeks ago.....every week Fios sends me mail telling me they miss me and to come back! Also no less than 4 Fios door to door sales folks have knocked on my door!! The same thing happened to my neighbors switching from Fios to Comcast.

So when I returned the Fios equipment to the UPS store they made a point to tell me to hold onto the receipt for ONE YEAR because Fios has this habit of saying they never received the equipment back and wanting $$ to replace it. :annoyed
I've got a better one for you - I purchased a centurylink modem for fiber service in one state. We moved and in the new state the centurylink reps agreed that our currently owned modem would work just fine. They came out to do the install using my modem (they required an installer). They then immediately started charging me for the rental of a modem. Took 2 or 3 phone calls (also an email with purchase receipt) to get them to believe that the modem was one I owned and the installer never left us a modem. Took another month of billing before the charge was removed. In the end, they ended up giving us a $12 discount for one year due to this hassle.
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