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According to the Star Phoenix out of Canada, the demand for PR people continues to grow.
According to the paper (interesting stat of the day) there are over 11,880 PR people in British Columbia, and the demand continues to soar.
Cool.
Great story and great read. I’ve run into the same thing with Verizon but I like your solution. That will be my next step. And yes AMEX gets it. As does Chase, fyi.
Great story and great read. I’ve run into the same thing with Verizon but I like your solution. That will be my next step. And yes AMEX gets it. As does Chase, fyi.
Thank you for this, Peter.
I don’t know what needs to happen for the US to stop allowing corporations to rape American citizens, but your post surely gets the conversation going.
No comfort, no apology and still inexcusable – but a vast number of UK companies have adopted this desparation-opertion system. People who “never lie” often do when they are desperate. Companies that have not yet created a new way to earn revenue they no longer receive the old way, act that way too!
It has nothing to do with desperation, I do not think they “rape” Americans or Britons, but on the contrary it is the people from the UK and America that pay these companies to continue to operate. If people did not willingly give these companies their money, then they would not be in business. The reason they get away with this kind of business is because people still pay them regardless, so they are just out there trying to make extra bucks. I agree in no way what they are doing with their internet offers or anything (although I use Verizon only because it is literally the only service for internet I get out here), I agree that they are doing the right thing for themselves because, let’s face it, wouldn’t you want to make more money if you knew you could?
The good thing is…we don’t need or want the government to deal with this. We the people make corporations do what we want by buying or not buying their products. Case in point? Non-GMO foods or gluten free foods. We have more power than we think…and it’s in our credit cards not pitchforks.
Yeah, sure, that’s why you have private medical care and the rest of the civilized world got rid of it decades ago. The US is an intrinsically corrupt and amoral country.
It’s also why the rest of the world came to the U.S. for medical CARE, since competition breeds quality.
Seriously? How out of date are you? Seriously? This is part of the reason Americans get scammed, you are living in a fantasy past where the US was leading in anything other than overcharging. Do a tiny bit of research before you make such laughable claims. Search for “knee replacement cost belgium” without the quotes. $13,600 in Belgium or $125,000 in the US.
@cageordie the comments you just typed probably come from a mobile with an OS made by Google or Apple, both of which are US companies. This is called innovation and leadership. Belgium on the other hand might have cost effective knee replacement surgery, but what else?
You miss the point John. If you think the US leads the world in medical care you are fifty years out of date. Belgium was just the first one I found a specific price for. Nobody comes to the US for medical care outside of movies, tissue matches and a few hyper expensive drugs. The US has less drug safety than other countries, so you can be experimented on here before it is legal elsewhere. The saddest thing in all this is that you think you know what you are talking about and you are deluded and deceived. Look at the average life expectancy by country, the US has very nearly the same medical outcome as Cuba. The only thing in the medical field that the US excels in is charging. Medical care costs more here than anywhere else.
You compare list prices for disimilar products. In Belgium and other socialist countries you pay by waiting for care. It’s fairly simple to compare outcomes from date of diagnosis, and by that measure the US leads the world.
On the cost issue, no one except wealthy foreigners pays the inflated list prices. The actual cost is a small fraction of the list price. You compare the US life expectancy to Cubas’, what you’re missing is that the US includes everyone, including murder victims, foreign born and lifestyle disease deaths. Other countries exclude some of this based on their stat agencies decisions, in a very opaque manner.
How dumb are you? These are the commercial prices. There is no price for people in the rest of the industrial world. My brother had two weeks in the top cardio thoracic unit in Europe and 12 hours of open chest surgery to fix a rugby injury. His total bill was zero, nobody ever mentioned money, it is all a benefit of being a citizen of a civilized country. The cost for an American to go to Belgium to be worked on without cover from their national health scheme is what I quoted. When you go to a commercial hospital in another country you are a customer just like you would be in the US. The only difference is that you aren’t ripped off. Are you really so ignorant that you think that people pay out of pocket for health care in the civilized world? Only the Good Old USA, in the industrialized world, lets people die because they don’t have money. Your death panels aren’t groups of people who make sure that patients aren’t being left to die when they can’t speak for themselves, they are Indian call centers who deny coverage for treatment you need. That’s how you will die. You personally. Your doctors will want to do something for YOU and the dweeb with two months training in a call center in India will look at your account and the hundreds of thousands of dollars you paid your insurance company and say “that procedure is not covered”. And they’ll give you a couple of aspirins and tell you to come back next week. And you won’t make it to next week.
LOL! For the condescending tone. I am a principal engineer on flash storage for one of the biggest corporations in the US, in the past I have done guided missiles, electronic warfare, electronics intelligence, wifi, military networks and more crap than I care to remember. If you happen to be another very senior Silicon Valley engineer then we can compare notes. Otherwise you really don’t know what you think you know, you only know the public story.
Ah now, that is easy. It is capitalism you see. At least the version that Charles Dickens would recognize. Consumer protection is anti-american, unless someone can make money on it.
Thank you for this, Peter.
I don’t know what needs to happen for the US to stop allowing corporations to rape American citizens, but your post surely gets the conversation going.
No comfort, no apology and still inexcusable – but a vast number of UK companies have adopted this desparation-opertion system. People who “never lie” often do when they are desperate. Companies that have not yet created a new way to earn revenue they no longer receive the old way, act that way too!
It has nothing to do with desperation, I do not think they “rape” Americans or Britons, but on the contrary it is the people from the UK and America that pay these companies to continue to operate. If people did not willingly give these companies their money, then they would not be in business. The reason they get away with this kind of business is because people still pay them regardless, so they are just out there trying to make extra bucks. I agree in no way what they are doing with their internet offers or anything (although I use Verizon only because it is literally the only service for internet I get out here), I agree that they are doing the right thing for themselves because, let’s face it, wouldn’t you want to make more money if you knew you could?
Ah now, that is easy. It is capitalism you see. At least the version that Charles Dickens would recognize. Consumer protection is anti-american, unless someone can make money on it.
Ah now, that is easy. It is capitalism you see. At least the version that Charles Dickens would recognize. Consumer protection is anti-american, unless someone can make money on it.
There is always more then one way to skin a cat. Great read and this should be required reading for customer service folks at all American cell phone companies.
There is always more then one way to skin a cat. Great read and this should be required reading for customer service folks at all American cell phone companies.
Cell phone roaming charges are beyond ridiculous. Last fall my parents went to South Africa on vacation. Dad owns his own company so being disconnected for two weeks wasn’t an option (I do the IT for him). Like most trips, I figured I’d call At&t, sign up for the expensive roaming plan ($120 for 800megs) and just deal with it. So I call At&t and they tell me that South Africa isn’t covered by “worldwide data” and that its $20/meg (YES PER MEG!) to use an iPhone in South Africa. He averages ~30 megs a day (email, 4sq, twitter, instagram, fb), so that’s $600/day!
I ended up finding iPhoneTrip.com, they rent SIM cards. Despite being named iPhone, the SIM cards work for any unlocked device. At&t unlocked the phones for free (had over a year) and I rented global SIM cards for $14/day, each with 100megs of data/day. They landed in London for a layover, full signal. All over South Africa, checking in on Foursquare and posting photos to Instagram and Facebook.
Moral of the story, I will NEVER pay my local carrier for roaming, its insane. Rent a SIM for your phone, its WAY cheaper!
Cell phone roaming charges are beyond ridiculous. Last fall my parents went to South Africa on vacation. Dad owns his own company so being disconnected for two weeks wasn’t an option (I do the IT for him). Like most trips, I figured I’d call At&t, sign up for the expensive roaming plan ($120 for 800megs) and just deal with it. So I call At&t and they tell me that South Africa isn’t covered by “worldwide data” and that its $20/meg (YES PER MEG!) to use an iPhone in South Africa. He averages ~30 megs a day (email, 4sq, twitter, instagram, fb), so that’s $600/day!
I ended up finding iPhoneTrip.com, they rent SIM cards. Despite being named iPhone, the SIM cards work for any unlocked device. At&t unlocked the phones for free (had over a year) and I rented global SIM cards for $14/day, each with 100megs of data/day. They landed in London for a layover, full signal. All over South Africa, checking in on Foursquare and posting photos to Instagram and Facebook.
Moral of the story, I will NEVER pay my local carrier for roaming, its insane. Rent a SIM for your phone, its WAY cheaper!
My understanding is that Verizon “rents” time on networks in other countries and those networks charge crazy prices for the privilege. Can Verizon shop around? No idea. Can they inform you ( and I mean in a way that makes it understandable and useful) of this price gouging? Heck yes. Shame on Verizon.
My understanding is that Verizon “rents” time on networks in other countries and those networks charge crazy prices for the privilege. Can Verizon shop around? No idea. Can they inform you ( and I mean in a way that makes it understandable and useful) of this price gouging? Heck yes. Shame on Verizon.
Great article. I have Verizon and did same global plan. Was in NZ for work and Africa for Kilimanjaro but did work while there. Kept getting the warnings. Yep. They didn’t tell me NZ and Africa don’t apply. And London was still expensive. .50 cents per text. I’m with you. Brilliant job.
Great article. I have Verizon and did same global plan. Was in NZ for work and Africa for Kilimanjaro but did work while there. Kept getting the warnings. Yep. They didn’t tell me NZ and Africa don’t apply. And London was still expensive. .50 cents per text. I’m with you. Brilliant job.
Just checking Peter, did you mean 31,047.68? I retweeted this, and used a comma instead of a period…
Same thing I was wondering…
I did mean Thirty One Thousand Dollars.
Just checking Peter, did you mean 31,047.68? I retweeted this, and used a comma instead of a period…
Same thing I was wondering…
I did mean Thirty One Thousand Dollars.
We should have road-tripped home from Asheville! 🙂
Great story. Great solution. These phone companies need to come down to earth.
We should have road-tripped home from Asheville! 🙂
Great story. Great solution. These phone companies need to come down to earth.
Great story. Great solution. These phone companies need to come down to earth.
Great story. Great solution. These phone companies need to come down to earth.
P.s. I have an unlocked, old school Nokia I use when I travel – I buy a Sim card for a few bucks/Euros whatever, wherever I go, and it works perfectly for calls and texts. That’s more money Verizon’s not getting because I don’t feel like getting a global plan and I don’t know that my iPhone would work in a different country anyway.
P.s. I have an unlocked, old school Nokia I use when I travel – I buy a Sim card for a few bucks/Euros whatever, wherever I go, and it works perfectly for calls and texts. That’s more money Verizon’s not getting because I don’t feel like getting a global plan and I don’t know that my iPhone would work in a different country anyway.
Verizon sucks just as hard as ATT. I had a similar problem with ATT when I went to Italy last June and had their global service. Took 4 complaints to the BBB and FTC Dept of Consumer Affairs for ATT to get my bill figured out – after 7 months of mis-billings and erroneous charges.
And I hear you about AMEX. Best customer service ever. At any rate, good customer service shouldn’t be the exception, it should be the rule. I think the great problem is that too many large U.S. corporations realize that there is little choice for consumers, so we’re stuck with their crap. If we want things to change, then we need to vote with our wallets and make things change. And while we’re at it, flood these crappy businesses with BBB and FTC Dept of Consumer Affairs complaints.
Verizon sucks just as hard as ATT. I had a similar problem with ATT when I went to Italy last June and had their global service. Took 4 complaints to the BBB and FTC Dept of Consumer Affairs for ATT to get my bill figured out – after 7 months of mis-billings and erroneous charges.
And I hear you about AMEX. Best customer service ever. At any rate, good customer service shouldn’t be the exception, it should be the rule. I think the great problem is that too many large U.S. corporations realize that there is little choice for consumers, so we’re stuck with their crap. If we want things to change, then we need to vote with our wallets and make things change. And while we’re at it, flood these crappy businesses with BBB and FTC Dept of Consumer Affairs complaints.
Love this article. Great lesson for Verizon. Let’s hope they’re listening now.
Love this article. Great lesson for Verizon. Let’s hope they’re listening now.
Thanks for this Peter. Now I know, the next time I am in Singapore or Malaysia, I’m getting a local SIM card.
Thanks for this Peter. Now I know, the next time I am in Singapore or Malaysia, I’m getting a local SIM card.
I loath American mobile companies. I bought a simple unlocked phone for when I travel overseas and change SIM cards for whatever country. When I bought it, they let me know I am not charged roaming or anything else for incoming texts as I can’t control when other people text me. Common sense, right? The US companies ding you for incoming texts, spam and data no matter what then you have to fight to get things reversed. (Yes, I have unlimited texting, but that is not the point. If you don’t sign up for this ridiculous $20 a month plan, you get charged for it.) I wanted to get a SIM card for my friend who was visiting me from overseas… not so much here. It is RIDICULOUS and yet we don’t particularly have a choice as they are all like this.
I loath American mobile companies. I bought a simple unlocked phone for when I travel overseas and change SIM cards for whatever country. When I bought it, they let me know I am not charged roaming or anything else for incoming texts as I can’t control when other people text me. Common sense, right? The US companies ding you for incoming texts, spam and data no matter what then you have to fight to get things reversed. (Yes, I have unlimited texting, but that is not the point. If you don’t sign up for this ridiculous $20 a month plan, you get charged for it.) I wanted to get a SIM card for my friend who was visiting me from overseas… not so much here. It is RIDICULOUS and yet we don’t particularly have a choice as they are all like this.
The lesson here is actually never EVER pay your domestic company a penny while you’re outside of their area. I’ve travelled quite a bit internationally. It’s *always* cheaper to use an unlocked phone and slap a prepaid SIM card in there when you’re travelling. I had unlimited (yes UNLIMITED) 3G data in Germany for 3 days for $60USD. Similar in Spain.
U.S. carriers have no business getting a penny of my money outside of the U.S., period.
The lesson here is actually never EVER pay your domestic company a penny while you’re outside of their area. I’ve travelled quite a bit internationally. It’s *always* cheaper to use an unlocked phone and slap a prepaid SIM card in there when you’re travelling. I had unlimited (yes UNLIMITED) 3G data in Germany for 3 days for $60USD. Similar in Spain.
U.S. carriers have no business getting a penny of my money outside of the U.S., period.
There are always exceptions to the coverage – it’s spelled out on all the carrier programs – cell phone 101. Ask more – assume less up front. Of course that might cut down on kvetchy blog content like this! How about a rant on airplane seats — haven’t seen one of those from anybody for at least a week now!
Are you that bugged by my post that you felt like commenting the way you did, or is it something bigger? Are you having a shitty day because of something else, and if so, can I help?
SmallFrontier, your point seems to be that you’re so smart that you feel that anyone ‘dumb’ enough to not already know this deserves to get screwed over by their carrier. That’s kind of a sad thing to take away from a post that is actually pretty helpful. I’ve traveled to the UK and France extensively, but haven’t been to Dubai. I’d have made the same mistake as Peter.
I don’t think he made a mistake at all. Language counts. Words have definitions. Global means global.
My question is would that SIM have worked in a VZW phone?
Probably would have. Since his phone would work in the UK, it is most likely a “World Phone” with both GSM and CDMA radios. Most of the new Samsung and Motorola phones are “world phones” but many have to be unlocked to register the non-Verizon APN.
There are always exceptions to the coverage – it’s spelled out on all the carrier programs – cell phone 101. Ask more – assume less up front. Of course that might cut down on kvetchy blog content like this! How about a rant on airplane seats — haven’t seen one of those from anybody for at least a week now!
Are you that bugged by my post that you felt like commenting the way you did, or is it something bigger? Are you having a shitty day because of something else, and if so, can I help?
SmallFrontier, your point seems to be that you’re so smart that you feel that anyone ‘dumb’ enough to not already know this deserves to get screwed over by their carrier. That’s kind of a sad thing to take away from a post that is actually pretty helpful. I’ve traveled to the UK and France extensively, but haven’t been to Dubai. I’d have made the same mistake as Peter.
I don’t think he made a mistake at all. Language counts. Words have definitions. Global means global.
My question is would that SIM have worked in a VZW phone?
Probably would have. Since his phone would work in the UK, it is most likely a “World Phone” with both GSM and CDMA radios. Most of the new Samsung and Motorola phones are “world phones” but many have to be unlocked to register the non-Verizon APN.
I don’t think he made a mistake at all. Language counts. Words have definitions. Global means global.
My question is would that SIM have worked in a VZW phone?
I don’t think he made a mistake at all. Language counts. Words have definitions. Global means global.
My question is would that SIM have worked in a VZW phone?
I travel a bit, too. I only use an unlocked phone and pick up a sim locally when I arrive. It’s not just about cost, either. It’s about having the freedom to use my device the way it was supposed to be used. And in other countries, that includes hotspotting my phone on those cheap data plans.
I think Apple got it right with the iPads. All unlocked. No BS.
I don’t use much voice at all. So on some trips I just grab a sim for my iPad.
Those roaming plans have so little data that they are pretty much crack: here’ have a tiny bit of data for when you arrive. Then you’ll be buying tons more before you leave.
I travel a bit, too. I only use an unlocked phone and pick up a sim locally when I arrive. It’s not just about cost, either. It’s about having the freedom to use my device the way it was supposed to be used. And in other countries, that includes hotspotting my phone on those cheap data plans.
I think Apple got it right with the iPads. All unlocked. No BS.
I don’t use much voice at all. So on some trips I just grab a sim for my iPad.
Those roaming plans have so little data that they are pretty much crack: here’ have a tiny bit of data for when you arrive. Then you’ll be buying tons more before you leave.
Too bad Verizon is one of the few providers that actually works consistently on the west coast. If it weren’t that I would ditch them in a heartbeat.
Too bad Verizon is one of the few providers that actually works consistently on the west coast. If it weren’t that I would ditch them in a heartbeat.
Not sure if you have it set up but if you use Google Voice on your phone you can then get free texts, though the Google Voice number where ever you are. Also getting the Google Voice number should allow you to use those minutes with your stateside number but I will double check on that before you take my word for it. As for me I use an unlocked phone on Straight Talk here stateside. No contract and unlimited talk, text, web for $45 a month. Only downside is the data is not that fast. I do run off of AT&T’s towers though.
P.S. My unlocked phone is a Galaxy Nexus, bought through the Google Play Store. $350 for the phone and I am set. 🙂
Not sure if you have it set up but if you use Google Voice on your phone you can then get free texts, though the Google Voice number where ever you are. Also getting the Google Voice number should allow you to use those minutes with your stateside number but I will double check on that before you take my word for it. As for me I use an unlocked phone on Straight Talk here stateside. No contract and unlimited talk, text, web for $45 a month. Only downside is the data is not that fast. I do run off of AT&T’s towers though.
P.S. My unlocked phone is a Galaxy Nexus, bought through the Google Play Store. $350 for the phone and I am set. 🙂
Also: Dubai is not a country.
Also: Dubai is not a country.
Also: Dubai is not a country.
Also: Dubai is not a country.
I have Sprint and an International phone. I definitely plan on getting a local SIM card when I land in Germany in a couple months to visit family versus using Sprint’s global plan. Thanks for the post though…really nailed that decision in for my upcoming trip and all trips following that.Hell I’ll probably leave my current phone there so it will be available when I travel back again.
I have Sprint and an International phone. I definitely plan on getting a local SIM card when I land in Germany in a couple months to visit family versus using Sprint’s global plan. Thanks for the post though…really nailed that decision in for my upcoming trip and all trips following that.Hell I’ll probably leave my current phone there so it will be available when I travel back again.
I have Sprint and an International phone. I definitely plan on getting a local SIM card when I land in Germany in a couple months to visit family versus using Sprint’s global plan. Thanks for the post though…really nailed that decision in for my upcoming trip and all trips following that.Hell I’ll probably leave my current phone there so it will be available when I travel back again.
AMEN!! I love your blogs, and especially the paragraph “…The lesson here though…” You are such an inspiration to me, and I applaud your mentality and attitude – I can only hope I respond to situations half as well as you! 🙂
AMEN!! I love your blogs, and especially the paragraph “…The lesson here though…” You are such an inspiration to me, and I applaud your mentality and attitude – I can only hope I respond to situations half as well as you! 🙂
Peter Shankman,you are my hero. Although I dont have Verizon, I have T-Mobile, which turns my hair gray everyday.
Peter Shankman,you are my hero. Although I dont have Verizon, I have T-Mobile, which turns my hair gray everyday.
Peter, you have known me for years. I have always made it a point to own GSM phones anywhere in the world, for the sole purpose of being able to swap out chips wherever I travel. Have been doing this since the mid 90s’ when I was Omnipoint/Voicestream/T-Mobile’s 5th customer at the 23rd st store on 5th avenue.
I moved to London and travel all over Europe and for that purpose have a collection of pre-paid chips that I swap in and out when necessary. Roaming is a four letter word. 🙂
Peter, you have known me for years. I have always made it a point to own GSM phones anywhere in the world, for the sole purpose of being able to swap out chips wherever I travel. Have been doing this since the mid 90s’ when I was Omnipoint/Voicestream/T-Mobile’s 5th customer at the 23rd st store on 5th avenue.
I moved to London and travel all over Europe and for that purpose have a collection of pre-paid chips that I swap in and out when necessary. Roaming is a four letter word. 🙂
I live in London and work in IT for a global firm and had a similar issue when I spent Christmas in New York last December, with my mobile provider O2. I chose to use my work O2 BlackBerry instead of my own Vodafone iPhone for data as the BlackBerry has far better data compression, and I was having signal issues on the iPhone.
I checked Vodafone before I left the UK and it’s so confusing – £5 for 25MB, per day. Once you’ve done 25MB, it is £3 a MB up to 5MB, then £15 for every 5MB after that. Who’s good at math?!
So I went down the O2 BlackBerry route, admittedly expecting a similar, but possibly cheaper corporate charge. I spent 5 days in NYC and generally done a bit of Twitter, an Instagram here and there, some email and not a lot more. The outcome? About 160MB….at a cost of over £1,500 (approx. $2,200). No warning, no “you’ve spent a lot of money”, nothing. Just a bill for over $2000. That’s almost £10 ($15) per megabyte!
When questioned, the usual response of “yes sir, that’s how much it costs” and that was it. In this day in age, with the amount of time people spend online via a mobile device, how can the mobile operators across the world continue to charge the extortionate fees and continue to get away with it?
Lesson learnt for next time – I’ll get an AT&T SIM card and steer well clear of Verizon!
I live in London and work in IT for a global firm and had a similar issue when I spent Christmas in New York last December, with my mobile provider O2. I chose to use my work O2 BlackBerry instead of my own Vodafone iPhone for data as the BlackBerry has far better data compression, and I was having signal issues on the iPhone.
I checked Vodafone before I left the UK and it’s so confusing – £5 for 25MB, per day. Once you’ve done 25MB, it is £3 a MB up to 5MB, then £15 for every 5MB after that. Who’s good at math?!
So I went down the O2 BlackBerry route, admittedly expecting a similar, but possibly cheaper corporate charge. I spent 5 days in NYC and generally done a bit of Twitter, an Instagram here and there, some email and not a lot more. The outcome? About 160MB….at a cost of over £1,500 (approx. $2,200). No warning, no “you’ve spent a lot of money”, nothing. Just a bill for over $2000. That’s almost £10 ($15) per megabyte!
When questioned, the usual response of “yes sir, that’s how much it costs” and that was it. In this day in age, with the amount of time people spend online via a mobile device, how can the mobile operators across the world continue to charge the extortionate fees and continue to get away with it?
Lesson learnt for next time – I’ll get an AT&T SIM card and steer well clear of Verizon!
I work for AT&T but have only Verizon products. Thanks for the heads up Peter. As always, you’ve been teaching me since that night, long ago in Nashville when you, Brooks and I had dinner!
I work for AT&T but have only Verizon products. Thanks for the heads up Peter. As always, you’ve been teaching me since that night, long ago in Nashville when you, Brooks and I had dinner!
In a lot of Asian countries dual sim phones are becoming quite popular for a similar reason. To be able to call friends who are with a different provider they use the second line in their phone. I’ve since bought one and it’s awesome for international travel, only need to carry and charge one phone using the second sim slot from a local seller.
In a lot of Asian countries dual sim phones are becoming quite popular for a similar reason. To be able to call friends who are with a different provider they use the second line in their phone. I’ve since bought one and it’s awesome for international travel, only need to carry and charge one phone using the second sim slot from a local seller.
I once got screwed like that from Telstra in Australia when using my phone overseas,to the tune of about $5000. Although they were good enough to cancel the charges I definately learned my lesson and get a pre paid sim and rely on Wifi nowadays. Works for me.
I once got screwed like that from Telstra in Australia when using my phone overseas,to the tune of about $5000. Although they were good enough to cancel the charges I definately learned my lesson and get a pre paid sim and rely on Wifi nowadays. Works for me.
I’ve been with verizon for over 15 years now. Never really cared until I got an iPhone 2 years ago. I now loathe them. Any suggestions? I also loathe the iPhone
I have the iPhone 5 and feel the same. Verizon lied numerous times to me about the iPhones capabilities vs the AT&T iPhone. On Verizon I can’t be on a call and on the web at the same time unless I’m on wifi. I’m don’t with the iPhone. Since Jobs passed on, I think the value of apple will go I. The toilet.
your problem isn’t verizon, it’s the iphone. Face it; Apple makes the worst computer parts and subsequently the worst computers on the face of the planet. I recommend you get a nokia or an ubuntu edge when it comes out.
Gee, and you know this how? Guess it is just a fluke they are currently the most valuable Brand in the world? Guess you are just jealous and without a clue:(www.nytimes.com/…/apple-passes-coca-cola- as-most-valuable-brand.ht…Sep 29, 2013 –
because I check specs for computers. And being worth a lot doesn’t mean you make the best computers. maybe, next time you try to prove someone wrong, you could use some, gee, I don’t know, facts?
I’ve used an iPhone for three of four years. I would never use anything else, because it just works. Bought my son a MacBook last year and he loves it. Are they overpriced? Absolutely, but I’ve tried samsung phones and if they didn’t use android would be okay. I don’t like learning new phones and getting hacked with android. My iPhone does everything I need it to and all at the same time. Having a true global provider in AT&T helps. I agree with fedups…the iPhone is the pinnacle of mobile phones. That’s why they’re expensive, because people want them. Open software is a good thing unless it’s installed on something you’d rather keep private. I’ll stick with iOS thank you very much.
I’ve been with verizon for over 15 years now. Never really cared until I got an iPhone 2 years ago. I now loathe them. Any suggestions? I also loathe the iPhone
I have the iPhone 5 and feel the same. Verizon lied numerous times to me about the iPhones capabilities vs the AT&T iPhone. On Verizon I can’t be on a call and on the web at the same time unless I’m on wifi. I’m don’t with the iPhone. Since Jobs passed on, I think the value of apple will go I. The toilet.
I have the iPhone 5 and feel the same. Verizon lied numerous times to me about the iPhones capabilities vs the AT&T iPhone. On Verizon I can’t be on a call and on the web at the same time unless I’m on wifi. I’m don’t with the iPhone. Since Jobs passed on, I think the value of apple will go I. The toilet.
I have the iPhone 5 and feel the same. Verizon lied numerous times to me about the iPhones capabilities vs the AT&T iPhone. On Verizon I can’t be on a call and on the web at the same time unless I’m on wifi. I’m don’t with the iPhone. Since Jobs passed on, I think the value of apple will go I. The toilet.
your problem isn’t verizon, it’s the iphone. Face it; Apple makes the worst computer parts and subsequently the worst computers on the face of the planet. I recommend you get a nokia or an ubuntu edge when it comes out.
Gee, and you know this how? Guess it is just a fluke they are currently the most valuable Brand in the world? Guess you are just jealous and without a clue:(www.nytimes.com/…/apple-passes-coca-cola- as-most-valuable-brand.ht…Sep 29, 2013 –
because I check specs for computers. And being worth a lot doesn’t mean you make the best computers. maybe, next time you try to prove someone wrong, you could use some, gee, I don’t know, facts?
I’ve used an iPhone for three of four years. I would never use anything else, because it just works. Bought my son a MacBook last year and he loves it. Are they overpriced? Absolutely, but I’ve tried samsung phones and if they didn’t use android would be okay. I don’t like learning new phones and getting hacked with android. My iPhone does everything I need it to and all at the same time. Having a true global provider in AT&T helps. I agree with fedups…the iPhone is the pinnacle of mobile phones. That’s why they’re expensive, because people want them. Open software is a good thing unless it’s installed on something you’d rather keep private. I’ll stick with iOS thank you very much.
I’ve used an iPhone for three of four years. I would never use anything else, because it just works. Bought my son a MacBook last year and he loves it. Are they overpriced? Absolutely, but I’ve tried samsung phones and if they didn’t use android would be okay. I don’t like learning new phones and getting hacked with android. My iPhone does everything I need it to and all at the same time. Having a true global provider in AT&T helps. I agree with fedups…the iPhone is the pinnacle of mobile phones. That’s why they’re expensive, because people want them. Open software is a good thing unless it’s installed on something you’d rather keep private. I’ll stick with iOS thank you very much.
I’ve used an iPhone for three of four years. I would never use anything else, because it just works. Bought my son a MacBook last year and he loves it. Are they overpriced? Absolutely, but I’ve tried samsung phones and if they didn’t use android would be okay. I don’t like learning new phones and getting hacked with android. My iPhone does everything I need it to and all at the same time. Having a true global provider in AT&T helps. I agree with fedups…the iPhone is the pinnacle of mobile phones. That’s why they’re expensive, because people want them. Open software is a good thing unless it’s installed on something you’d rather keep private. I’ll stick with iOS thank you very much.
your problem isn’t verizon, it’s the iphone. Face it; Apple makes the worst computer parts and subsequently the worst computers on the face of the planet. I recommend you get a nokia or an ubuntu edge when it comes out.
Gee, and you know this how? Guess it is just a fluke they are currently the most valuable Brand in the world? Guess you are just jealous and without a clue:(www.nytimes.com/…/apple-passes-coca-cola- as-most-valuable-brand.ht…Sep 29, 2013 –
your problem isn’t verizon, it’s the iphone. Face it; Apple makes the worst computer parts and subsequently the worst computers on the face of the planet. I recommend you get a nokia or an ubuntu edge when it comes out.
Gee, and you know this how? Guess it is just a fluke they are currently the most valuable Brand in the world? Guess you are just jealous and without a clue:(www.nytimes.com/…/apple-passes-coca-cola- as-most-valuable-brand.ht…Sep 29, 2013 –
I feel your pain. Wondering why you had to buy a new phone though. Couldn’t you have just popped out the SIM card from the S3’s port and popped in a prepaid SIM for that country? Or is the S3 not yet a “global” phone and that’s why you went with the Grand? The S4 is being announced March 14 in NYC. The Note 2 is also a really good option, albeit a much larger phone, it has an uber fast processor that is best of breed. Kind of a pain in the a** to pop in a new SIM card for each country you go to, but as you say, being unlocked is a good feeling. I’m with Verizon Wireless and have had no problems at all, having been through the other three carriers and choosing “no dropped calls” over “dropped calls”. When you do a lot of voice it matters. I’ll probably go unlocked in the Fall. We dumped Comcast cable and cut the cable cord two months ago using a combination of Roku 2 HD XS, Netflix and Hulu+. More than we can possibly make time to watch and only paying for the FiOS internet connection. It’s a satisfying feeling, particularly given what I discovered Comcast has been doing. Congrats on the fam. /AB
He probably didn’t buy an unlocked phone.
The S3 is global, but was probably locked to Verizon. Probably could have gotten the unlock code, however, as long as the technician he got knew what was being asked. (Most people have to try anywhere from 1-4 reps to get a code).
However, I think he mentioned earlier, that the Grand is a dual-SIM phone which is even better if you’re travelling because you can just switch out the secondary slot and not worry about losing your main SIM.
US Carriers don’t sell dual-SIM phones because they make so much money off of roaming charges and “international/global packages”.
I feel your pain. Wondering why you had to buy a new phone though. Couldn’t you have just popped out the SIM card from the S3’s port and popped in a prepaid SIM for that country? Or is the S3 not yet a “global” phone and that’s why you went with the Grand? The S4 is being announced March 14 in NYC. The Note 2 is also a really good option, albeit a much larger phone, it has an uber fast processor that is best of breed. Kind of a pain in the a** to pop in a new SIM card for each country you go to, but as you say, being unlocked is a good feeling. I’m with Verizon Wireless and have had no problems at all, having been through the other three carriers and choosing “no dropped calls” over “dropped calls”. When you do a lot of voice it matters. I’ll probably go unlocked in the Fall. We dumped Comcast cable and cut the cable cord two months ago using a combination of Roku 2 HD XS, Netflix and Hulu+. More than we can possibly make time to watch and only paying for the FiOS internet connection. It’s a satisfying feeling, particularly given what I discovered Comcast has been doing. Congrats on the fam. /AB
He probably didn’t buy an unlocked phone.
The S3 is global, but was probably locked to Verizon. Probably could have gotten the unlock code, however, as long as the technician he got knew what was being asked. (Most people have to try anywhere from 1-4 reps to get a code).
However, I think he mentioned earlier, that the Grand is a dual-SIM phone which is even better if you’re travelling because you can just switch out the secondary slot and not worry about losing your main SIM.
US Carriers don’t sell dual-SIM phones because they make so much money off of roaming charges and “international/global packages”.
Great blog! My husband and I have encountered how “well” Verizon communicates. Thought they were helping us out by suspending his contract while he was in Afghanistan. Turns out, they didn’t mention they were extending it in return. Verizon doesn’t treat their employees any better than customers. My brother worked for them for several years and the stories I’ve heard like holding pay checks are just horrible.
Great blog! My husband and I have encountered how “well” Verizon communicates. Thought they were helping us out by suspending his contract while he was in Afghanistan. Turns out, they didn’t mention they were extending it in return. Verizon doesn’t treat their employees any better than customers. My brother worked for them for several years and the stories I’ve heard like holding pay checks are just horrible.
i have a Verizon Motorola droid 4 and heading to Ireland. would anyone know where i i can get the resource to unlock my phone and where to get the sim card? thank you
i have a Verizon Motorola droid 4 and heading to Ireland. would anyone know where i i can get the resource to unlock my phone and where to get the sim card? thank you
Hey Peter, surprisingly common experience getting stung by Bill Shock there (or nearly in your case..most people aren’t that lucky!). Although most times they will at least halve it (they normally split the profit with the local Telco)- but in this case I think you would have had a pretty good argument to have it completely wiped.
I have actually just started a business ( dataGO.co ) to combat the world of global roaming rip-off. Lonely Planet here in Melbourne liked it so much they have given me some free office space while I get going!
Basically I sell prepaid local SIM cards for destinations all over the world. I have local SIM coverage for US, Canada, UK, NZ, Aust, China and Thailand so far. Your blog post is right though, its all about data costs when trying to stay connected, and I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries- but mainly because it has a handy data bundle for Europe (when buying a local SIM for each might be too hard).
The main thing for anyone travelling is make sure your phone is unlocked (a point of contention in the US political arena at the moment).
I suppose my value proposition is to stay connected with cheap local data, and take the hassel out of it by buying before you go (some places/settings/languages can be a real pain)..anyway, give me a shout for your next trip and I’ll be more than happy to sort you out- I ship worldwide for free too!
Edit..have edited now, initially I thought you actually got a $30k bill! haha…was going to get you to enter my contest for the $1m bill (am trying to get a $1m of pics of bill-shocks together)!
>> I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries-
On what planet? This one only has, at most-depending on your source-196 countries.
Hey Peter, surprisingly common experience getting stung by Bill Shock there (or nearly in your case..most people aren’t that lucky!). Although most times they will at least halve it (they normally split the profit with the local Telco)- but in this case I think you would have had a pretty good argument to have it completely wiped.
I have actually just started a business ( dataGO.co ) to combat the world of global roaming rip-off. Lonely Planet here in Melbourne liked it so much they have given me some free office space while I get going!
Basically I sell prepaid local SIM cards for destinations all over the world. I have local SIM coverage for US, Canada, UK, NZ, Aust, China and Thailand so far. Your blog post is right though, its all about data costs when trying to stay connected, and I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries- but mainly because it has a handy data bundle for Europe (when buying a local SIM for each might be too hard).
The main thing for anyone travelling is make sure your phone is unlocked (a point of contention in the US political arena at the moment).
I suppose my value proposition is to stay connected with cheap local data, and take the hassel out of it by buying before you go (some places/settings/languages can be a real pain)..anyway, give me a shout for your next trip and I’ll be more than happy to sort you out- I ship worldwide for free too!
Edit..have edited now, initially I thought you actually got a $30k bill! haha…was going to get you to enter my contest for the $1m bill (am trying to get a $1m of pics of bill-shocks together)!
>> I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries-
On what planet? This one only has, at most-depending on your source-196 countries.
>> I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries-
On what planet? This one only has, at most-depending on your source-196 countries.
>> I also have a global ‘roamingSIM’ for coverage in 230 other countries-
On what planet? This one only has, at most-depending on your source-196 countries.
I live in El Paso, Texas which borders Mexico. Verizon charge me for global roaming even though I hadn’t crossed into Mexico and I had never signed up for global roaming. After hours of disputing the charges, they reduced the invoice but warned me that if this happens again, they wouldn’t reduce it. They said that since I do live on the border that it could be that I am using the service and lying about it.
I live in El Paso, Texas which borders Mexico. Verizon charge me for global roaming even though I hadn’t crossed into Mexico and I had never signed up for global roaming. After hours of disputing the charges, they reduced the invoice but warned me that if this happens again, they wouldn’t reduce it. They said that since I do live on the border that it could be that I am using the service and lying about it.
I was in London last year, and caught both sides of the lesson.
My phone, with AT&T’s International Roaming turned on, was supposed to carry me across the island at better rates.
While I was on business, I didn’t want my wife disconnected. We brought her off-contract HTC Aria, bought a local SIM, and she had more than enough minutes to talk and such to feel secure.
Knowing what I know after that trip, it’s cheap phones and cheap overseas SIMs all the way.
I was in London last year, and caught both sides of the lesson.
My phone, with AT&T’s International Roaming turned on, was supposed to carry me across the island at better rates.
While I was on business, I didn’t want my wife disconnected. We brought her off-contract HTC Aria, bought a local SIM, and she had more than enough minutes to talk and such to feel secure.
Knowing what I know after that trip, it’s cheap phones and cheap overseas SIMs all the way.
I agree the Verizons of the world are sticking it to the unsuspecting. I love the way you worked a horrible experience into a lesson. Now, could you find a way to make me “smile” about health insurance carriers 😉
I agree the Verizons of the world are sticking it to the unsuspecting. I love the way you worked a horrible experience into a lesson. Now, could you find a way to make me “smile” about health insurance carriers 😉
You wasted $350 bucks on that unlocked phone in Dubai. Your Galaxy S3 comes unlocked from the manufacturer.
Except mine wasn’t from the manufacturer, it was from Verizon. So that doesn’t work.
Ask Verizon Customer Service to Unlock it. They used to unlock the “world phones” for customers who travel abroad but only by request. Also, it was built prior to Jan 2013, and may be able to be unlocked elsewhere.
You wasted $350 bucks on that unlocked phone in Dubai. Your Galaxy S3 comes unlocked from the manufacturer.
Except mine wasn’t from the manufacturer, it was from Verizon. So that doesn’t work.
Ask Verizon Customer Service to Unlock it. They used to unlock the “world phones” for customers who travel abroad but only by request. Also, it was built prior to Jan 2013, and may be able to be unlocked elsewhere.
Ask Verizon Customer Service to Unlock it. They used to unlock the “world phones” for customers who travel abroad but only by request. Also, it was built prior to Jan 2013, and may be able to be unlocked elsewhere.
Ask Verizon Customer Service to Unlock it. They used to unlock the “world phones” for customers who travel abroad but only by request. Also, it was built prior to Jan 2013, and may be able to be unlocked elsewhere.
Peter,
If you’ve never had a listen to this or read this story (from 6 years ago already) you’ll appreciate the heck out of it!
The basic story of the call linked in the blog below:
1) Guy roams in Canada after being told by Verizon it would cost him 0.002¢/kb
2) He gets home and receives a large bill based on them charging $0.002/kb
3) He calls Verizon, speaks to numerous managers all who do not understand this basic math and is unable to explain to them the difference in those numbers.
http://verizonmath.blogspot.ca/2007/08/original-recording-of-verizon-customer.html
Peter,
If you’ve never had a listen to this or read this story (from 6 years ago already) you’ll appreciate the heck out of it!
The basic story of the call linked in the blog below:
1) Guy roams in Canada after being told by Verizon it would cost him 0.002¢/kb
2) He gets home and receives a large bill based on them charging $0.002/kb
3) He calls Verizon, speaks to numerous managers all who do not understand this basic math and is unable to explain to them the difference in those numbers.
http://verizonmath.blogspot.ca/2007/08/original-recording-of-verizon-customer.html
Peter,
If you’ve never had a listen to this or read this story (from 6 years ago already) you’ll appreciate the heck out of it!
The basic story of the call linked in the blog below:
1) Guy roams in Canada after being told by Verizon it would cost him 0.002¢/kb
2) He gets home and receives a large bill based on them charging $0.002/kb
3) He calls Verizon, speaks to numerous managers all who do not understand this basic math and is unable to explain to them the difference in those numbers.
http://verizonmath.blogspot.ca/2007/08/original-recording-of-verizon-customer.html
I’ll go for Amex!
Sad thing is not all mega-corps-bad-situations have an alternative for the consumer. There are many ersthwile monopolies and dated hangers-on of companies, providing essential services in a non-service way. Everyone reading this must have examples aplenty.
Maybe it’s in the blood, I could only imagine running a company thinking first of my customers, my fans, my partners, my enthusiasts.
I am pleased Peter, that you congratulate Amex, we should all take that extra moment to show approval of the “good ones”, so that they thrive on the positive feedback.
I’ll go for Amex!
Sad thing is not all mega-corps-bad-situations have an alternative for the consumer. There are many ersthwile monopolies and dated hangers-on of companies, providing essential services in a non-service way. Everyone reading this must have examples aplenty.
Maybe it’s in the blood, I could only imagine running a company thinking first of my customers, my fans, my partners, my enthusiasts.
I am pleased Peter, that you congratulate Amex, we should all take that extra moment to show approval of the “good ones”, so that they thrive on the positive feedback.
I’ll go for Amex!
Sad thing is not all mega-corps-bad-situations have an alternative for the consumer. There are many ersthwile monopolies and dated hangers-on of companies, providing essential services in a non-service way. Everyone reading this must have examples aplenty.
Maybe it’s in the blood, I could only imagine running a company thinking first of my customers, my fans, my partners, my enthusiasts.
I am pleased Peter, that you congratulate Amex, we should all take that extra moment to show approval of the “good ones”, so that they thrive on the positive feedback.
I’ll go for Amex!
Sad thing is not all mega-corps-bad-situations have an alternative for the consumer. There are many ersthwile monopolies and dated hangers-on of companies, providing essential services in a non-service way. Everyone reading this must have examples aplenty.
Maybe it’s in the blood, I could only imagine running a company thinking first of my customers, my fans, my partners, my enthusiasts.
I am pleased Peter, that you congratulate Amex, we should all take that extra moment to show approval of the “good ones”, so that they thrive on the positive feedback.
It’s the rentier class erecting barriers so they can charge as many fees as they can get away with charging. We live in a laissez-faire capitalist country. I’m not even slightly surprised by this story. There is no organized push-back against corporate dominance of American life, so we get what we get.
It’s the rentier class erecting barriers so they can charge as many fees as they can get away with charging. We live in a laissez-faire capitalist country. I’m not even slightly surprised by this story. There is no organized push-back against corporate dominance of American life, so we get what we get.
Traveling to Tokyo and Taipei next week, not for long enough to justify a new phone, but I contacted Verizon last week to confirm my SGS3 would work there. Voice price was tolerable, but they quoted me the same data pricing as you, which prompted me to disable international data roaming on my phone. I can just imagine sitting in an airport downloading a movie from Google Play to watch during the flight, only to later get a charge for several thousand dollars. No, I’d rather be tethered to wifi.
Traveling to Tokyo and Taipei next week, not for long enough to justify a new phone, but I contacted Verizon last week to confirm my SGS3 would work there. Voice price was tolerable, but they quoted me the same data pricing as you, which prompted me to disable international data roaming on my phone. I can just imagine sitting in an airport downloading a movie from Google Play to watch during the flight, only to later get a charge for several thousand dollars. No, I’d rather be tethered to wifi.
Traveling to Tokyo and Taipei next week, not for long enough to justify a new phone, but I contacted Verizon last week to confirm my SGS3 would work there. Voice price was tolerable, but they quoted me the same data pricing as you, which prompted me to disable international data roaming on my phone. I can just imagine sitting in an airport downloading a movie from Google Play to watch during the flight, only to later get a charge for several thousand dollars. No, I’d rather be tethered to wifi.
Traveling to Tokyo and Taipei next week, not for long enough to justify a new phone, but I contacted Verizon last week to confirm my SGS3 would work there. Voice price was tolerable, but they quoted me the same data pricing as you, which prompted me to disable international data roaming on my phone. I can just imagine sitting in an airport downloading a movie from Google Play to watch during the flight, only to later get a charge for several thousand dollars. No, I’d rather be tethered to wifi.
When I saw the headline, I assumed you’d let a 4 year old play a game with in-app purchases and were able to get the charges reversed.
Try being on a carrier with even shittier “global” coverage than Verizon (*cough* T-Mobile). Or try being on a cruise ship where they charge by the minute to share one constricted satellite pipe with all the other passengers, so you’re not only paying per minute, but it takes minutes for pages to load. And this is not per minute of data I/O, but per minute connected to the ship’s wi-fi, so even when you’re not using data, you’re getting charged.
When I saw the headline, I assumed you’d let a 4 year old play a game with in-app purchases and were able to get the charges reversed.
Try being on a carrier with even shittier “global” coverage than Verizon (*cough* T-Mobile). Or try being on a cruise ship where they charge by the minute to share one constricted satellite pipe with all the other passengers, so you’re not only paying per minute, but it takes minutes for pages to load. And this is not per minute of data I/O, but per minute connected to the ship’s wi-fi, so even when you’re not using data, you’re getting charged.
great
great
http://www.timisoara.pavaje-beton-amprentat.info
http://www.timisoara.pavaje-beton-amprentat.info
I think I read this story in the news. Good read.
I think I read this story in the news. Good read.
I am very happy to see someone with a voice speaking about this issue. I hope you don’t stop here however (although I am not really looking to you to start the revolution – so to speak.)
This is an example of how many American business institutions operate. They have a monopoly (or a duopoly/ tripoly) in their industry here in the US and they act as if the rest of the world (read: other price points and business models) doesn’t exist. Cell companies and cable companies are by far the easiest examples to point out, but I think this is a pattern you will see anytime you have a state enforced “opoly” and a service that small business can not easily break in to.
Pardon me, but this is the type of crony protectionist bullshit that really pisses me off. We tout ourselves as capitalists but as soon as our business model shows weakness to innovation (business or tech), new competitors or the thinning collective good will of the masses, our corporate betters go running to the government to secure the jobs they provide by locking down the business environment, instead of evolving. And due to the difficulty and expense of breaking in to the big content, and connection services the consumer is not allowed to vote with his wallet in a meaningful way. That is, unless he wants to do without, and we Americans do not do well without.
I am very happy to see someone with a voice speaking about this issue. I hope you don’t stop here however (although I am not really looking to you to start the revolution – so to speak.)
This is an example of how many American business institutions operate. They have a monopoly (or a duopoly/ tripoly) in their industry here in the US and they act as if the rest of the world (read: other price points and business models) doesn’t exist. Cell companies and cable companies are by far the easiest examples to point out, but I think this is a pattern you will see anytime you have a state enforced “opoly” and a service that small business can not easily break in to.
Pardon me, but this is the type of crony protectionist bullshit that really pisses me off. We tout ourselves as capitalists but as soon as our business model shows weakness to innovation (business or tech), new competitors or the thinning collective good will of the masses, our corporate betters go running to the government to secure the jobs they provide by locking down the business environment, instead of evolving. And due to the difficulty and expense of breaking in to the big content, and connection services the consumer is not allowed to vote with his wallet in a meaningful way. That is, unless he wants to do without, and we Americans do not do well without.
I am very happy to see someone with a voice speaking about this issue. I hope you don’t stop here however (although I am not really looking to you to start the revolution – so to speak.)
This is an example of how many American business institutions operate. They have a monopoly (or a duopoly/ tripoly) in their industry here in the US and they act as if the rest of the world (read: other price points and business models) doesn’t exist. Cell companies and cable companies are by far the easiest examples to point out, but I think this is a pattern you will see anytime you have a state enforced “opoly” and a service that small business can not easily break in to.
Pardon me, but this is the type of crony protectionist bullshit that really pisses me off. We tout ourselves as capitalists but as soon as our business model shows weakness to innovation (business or tech), new competitors or the thinning collective good will of the masses, our corporate betters go running to the government to secure the jobs they provide by locking down the business environment, instead of evolving. And due to the difficulty and expense of breaking in to the big content, and connection services the consumer is not allowed to vote with his wallet in a meaningful way. That is, unless he wants to do without, and we Americans do not do well without.
I am very happy to see someone with a voice speaking about this issue. I hope you don’t stop here however (although I am not really looking to you to start the revolution – so to speak.)
This is an example of how many American business institutions operate. They have a monopoly (or a duopoly/ tripoly) in their industry here in the US and they act as if the rest of the world (read: other price points and business models) doesn’t exist. Cell companies and cable companies are by far the easiest examples to point out, but I think this is a pattern you will see anytime you have a state enforced “opoly” and a service that small business can not easily break in to.
Pardon me, but this is the type of crony protectionist bullshit that really pisses me off. We tout ourselves as capitalists but as soon as our business model shows weakness to innovation (business or tech), new competitors or the thinning collective good will of the masses, our corporate betters go running to the government to secure the jobs they provide by locking down the business environment, instead of evolving. And due to the difficulty and expense of breaking in to the big content, and connection services the consumer is not allowed to vote with his wallet in a meaningful way. That is, unless he wants to do without, and we Americans do not do well without.
This is something that bugs the crap out of me. When organizations claim to be “Global” when what they mean is they have offices overseas. Not the same thing at all! Love that you posted a solution that not only works but saves the rest of us money too.
This is something that bugs the crap out of me. When organizations claim to be “Global” when what they mean is they have offices overseas. Not the same thing at all! Love that you posted a solution that not only works but saves the rest of us money too.
Wow. Hopefully ticketing agencies are thinking about where their model evolves, but as long as they have a stronghold on the large venues, it will take awhile for the disruption to become mainstream. But I’d love to see it!!!!
Wow. Hopefully ticketing agencies are thinking about where their model evolves, but as long as they have a stronghold on the large venues, it will take awhile for the disruption to become mainstream. But I’d love to see it!!!!
I came across this article because I’m about to vacation out of the country and wondered about my iphone/ipad. I am leaving both at home. I am so fed up with these phone companies and cable. I wish you all would join me in cutting off the phoes and cable for about 6 months and lets see what they do then. Those of us over 40 know we CAN survive without cell phones and cable. If we do nothing, nothing will change.
I came across this article because I’m about to vacation out of the country and wondered about my iphone/ipad. I am leaving both at home. I am so fed up with these phone companies and cable. I wish you all would join me in cutting off the phoes and cable for about 6 months and lets see what they do then. Those of us over 40 know we CAN survive without cell phones and cable. If we do nothing, nothing will change.
I came across this article because I’m about to vacation out of the country and wondered about my iphone/ipad. I am leaving both at home. I am so fed up with these phone companies and cable. I wish you all would join me in cutting off the phoes and cable for about 6 months and lets see what they do then. Those of us over 40 know we CAN survive without cell phones and cable. If we do nothing, nothing will change.
I came across this article because I’m about to vacation out of the country and wondered about my iphone/ipad. I am leaving both at home. I am so fed up with these phone companies and cable. I wish you all would join me in cutting off the phoes and cable for about 6 months and lets see what they do then. Those of us over 40 know we CAN survive without cell phones and cable. If we do nothing, nothing will change.
going to the uk myself soon, wondering which company you got your SIM from there-? I’m with Verizon too and not about to use their global plan, but I use my phone about eleven hours a day and am nervous about just hunting around for a SIM when I get there. is there anything else I need to know about doing that-? just pop in a new SIM and I’m good to go, or do I need to have Verizon “unlock” my phone first or-? thanks for a really helpful post!!
Have you ever heard about Pondmobile? Now it gives universal roaming in something about two hundred countries all over the world. And another good thing – you can leave your US number. And get another one for UK. And all this – with only one SIM.
going to the uk myself soon, wondering which company you got your SIM from there-? I’m with Verizon too and not about to use their global plan, but I use my phone about eleven hours a day and am nervous about just hunting around for a SIM when I get there. is there anything else I need to know about doing that-? just pop in a new SIM and I’m good to go, or do I need to have Verizon “unlock” my phone first or-? thanks for a really helpful post!!
going to the uk myself soon, wondering which company you got your SIM from there-? I’m with Verizon too and not about to use their global plan, but I use my phone about eleven hours a day and am nervous about just hunting around for a SIM when I get there. is there anything else I need to know about doing that-? just pop in a new SIM and I’m good to go, or do I need to have Verizon “unlock” my phone first or-? thanks for a really helpful post!!
I was a 12 year customer of Verizon dropped them in July, immediately noticed my new provider seemed to offer a better service but also noted my usage rate in terms of gigabytes did not go so fast even though I used it the same times, durations, etc., they inspect gasoline pumps to make sure one is accurately metered gasoline one has to wonder is anyone inspecting Verizon’s metering systems of its consumers usage of data?
I was a 12 year customer of Verizon dropped them in July, immediately noticed my new provider seemed to offer a better service but also noted my usage rate in terms of gigabytes did not go so fast even though I used it the same times, durations, etc., they inspect gasoline pumps to make sure one is accurately metered gasoline one has to wonder is anyone inspecting Verizon’s metering systems of its consumers usage of data?
As someone who agrees with you about stupid companies being stupid, I wanted to add something to the discussion. Currently, all LTE global-capable phones that Verizon sells are actually shipped SIM unlocked. You could have actually saved more money overseas by just putting an international SIM into your S3… Figured you would like to know for the future!
That’s actually not accurate – Countless phones are shipped locked with additional VZ “bloatware” built in.
Unfortunately, a boot loader/ROM lock is different than a SIM lock. You can pop any SIM into a VZW LTE global phone and it works.
As someone who agrees with you about stupid companies being stupid, I wanted to add something to the discussion. Currently, all LTE global-capable phones that Verizon sells are actually shipped SIM unlocked. You could have actually saved more money overseas by just putting an international SIM into your S3… Figured you would like to know for the future!
That’s actually not accurate – Countless phones are shipped locked with additional VZ “bloatware” built in.
Unfortunately, a boot loader/ROM lock is different than a SIM lock. You can pop any SIM into a VZW LTE global phone and it works.
That’s actually not accurate – Countless phones are shipped locked with additional VZ “bloatware” built in.
Unfortunately, a boot loader/ROM lock is different than a SIM lock. You can pop any SIM into a VZW LTE global phone and it works.
That’s actually not accurate – Countless phones are shipped locked with additional VZ “bloatware” built in.
Unfortunately, a boot loader/ROM lock is different than a SIM lock. You can pop any SIM into a VZW LTE global phone and it works.
I loved your article! Because it’s so true, most of these companies are ripoffs! I too had a horrible experience with AT&T’s international roaming package, it seems that they mess up but you get stuck with the bill! And they don’t give a damn whether it was there mistake or not because you are still wrong, they are right and you are just stuck with the bill!
Hi all, this is the first time I am posting here. I too am a Verizon customer, and signed up for their global data plan, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Luckily I chose the $25 / 100 MB plan. Then I found out that just using my hotel’s local wifi (in Munich, Germany) was impossible without turning on “data usage”. So I turned that on, but then I was ALSO charged by Verizon for data usage. In other words: Verizon charges for Verizon data usage in order to use a local wifi. Currently my data bill is $100, and I am stopping data usage and wifi altogether. I WILL look for a global phone without outrageous data fees. No more Verizon “global” for me.
I loved your article! Because it’s so true, most of these companies are ripoffs! I too had a horrible experience with AT&T’s international roaming package, it seems that they mess up but you get stuck with the bill! And they don’t give a damn whether it was there mistake or not because you are still wrong, they are right and you are just stuck with the bill!
Hi all, this is the first time I am posting here. I too am a Verizon customer, and signed up for their global data plan, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Luckily I chose the $25 / 100 MB plan. Then I found out that just using my hotel’s local wifi (in Munich, Germany) was impossible without turning on “data usage”. So I turned that on, but then I was ALSO charged by Verizon for data usage. In other words: Verizon charges for Verizon data usage in order to use a local wifi. Currently my data bill is $100, and I am stopping data usage and wifi altogether. I WILL look for a global phone without outrageous data fees. No more Verizon “global” for me.
Hi all, this is the first time I am posting here. I too am a Verizon customer, and signed up for their global data plan, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Luckily I chose the $25 / 100 MB plan. Then I found out that just using my hotel’s local wifi (in Munich, Germany) was impossible without turning on “data usage”. So I turned that on, but then I was ALSO charged by Verizon for data usage. In other words: Verizon charges for Verizon data usage in order to use a local wifi. Currently my data bill is $100, and I am stopping data usage and wifi altogether. I WILL look for a global phone without outrageous data fees. No more Verizon “global” for me.
Hi all, this is the first time I am posting here. I too am a Verizon customer, and signed up for their global data plan, not knowing what I was getting myself into. Luckily I chose the $25 / 100 MB plan. Then I found out that just using my hotel’s local wifi (in Munich, Germany) was impossible without turning on “data usage”. So I turned that on, but then I was ALSO charged by Verizon for data usage. In other words: Verizon charges for Verizon data usage in order to use a local wifi. Currently my data bill is $100, and I am stopping data usage and wifi altogether. I WILL look for a global phone without outrageous data fees. No more Verizon “global” for me.
Where do I even start? I like many consumers have had Verizon for 10+ years and I have never had any issues with my cell phone acct. Interestingly, 2 years ago I purchased an IPAD and signed a 2 year contract for a MIFI device or Jet Pack as the customer service rep called it. I have found that I hardly use it because there is WIFI pretty much everywhere that I am. To be honest, it’s sat in my office while I was waiting for the contract to end, to avoid the $175 fee for cancelling early, (if I would have been smart, that $175 fee would have been cheaper in the long run than the monthly fees for that time limit) Anyway, I have had problems with this separate account for over a year now, customer service department is horrible & I could go on and on about each thing. This is the icing on the cake… My husband and I went on a Hawaiian Island 14 day cruise to celebrate our 30th Anniversary and I contacted Verizon to make sure that I wouldn’t be surprised by roaming charges, etc. I did everything that they told me and all was well. However, I could never receive a signal that would allow my MIFI device to work on my IPAD, so we had to use the Internet Café for all of our contact back home at $112 for the 14 days. I start receiving these email alerts about my “roaming charges stacking up at hundreds of dollars” on my MIFI device, not my phone. WHAT?? I am thoroughly confused… I decided to wait until we arrived home to deal with Verizon 1 more time. (Believe me, I had to really psych myself up for yet another phone call…I guess I should have emailed them at that time) Long story short, they couldn’t and wouldn’t help nor explain to me why I had “roaming charges” on a device that is as small as a credit card with only a power button to operate. I can’t turn settings on or off, there isn’t that capability. The charges were close to $700! My phone bill didn’t change a dime while we were gone and I was able to use that on the Islands. I have emailed 5 Corporate Execs and only 1 of his reps, not the actual Executive, responded. I got off of the phone with her a few hours ago and wanted to reach through the phone and……………She offered me a 25% discount (how generous, my bill is now only $546. I kept telling her that this wasn’t making any sense when I never got a signal AND it was basically turned OFF the entire time as there wasn’t a possibility to even use it at sea. The majority of the cruise was at sea with only 3 days at the actual Islands. She said that cell phones and MIFI devices have “different technology” from each other and they use data differently so even when I turned it on, it was racking up roaming and evidently having it off was racking up roaming. Please, I am begging anybody to try and explain this to me. I’ve been on the net now for 2 hours trying to research and understand how all of this works. They will not budge and I am so sick of this mentality of big businesses “raping” the consumer. I would LOVE to know what kind of business is generated by “cruise line customers” alone with the cell carriers because of our lack of knowledge. This is highway robbery. Would love some feedback on this!
Where do I even start? I like many consumers have had Verizon for 10+ years and I have never had any issues with my cell phone acct. Interestingly, 2 years ago I purchased an IPAD and signed a 2 year contract for a MIFI device or Jet Pack as the customer service rep called it. I have found that I hardly use it because there is WIFI pretty much everywhere that I am. To be honest, it’s sat in my office while I was waiting for the contract to end, to avoid the $175 fee for cancelling early, (if I would have been smart, that $175 fee would have been cheaper in the long run than the monthly fees for that time limit) Anyway, I have had problems with this separate account for over a year now, customer service department is horrible & I could go on and on about each thing. This is the icing on the cake… My husband and I went on a Hawaiian Island 14 day cruise to celebrate our 30th Anniversary and I contacted Verizon to make sure that I wouldn’t be surprised by roaming charges, etc. I did everything that they told me and all was well. However, I could never receive a signal that would allow my MIFI device to work on my IPAD, so we had to use the Internet Café for all of our contact back home at $112 for the 14 days. I start receiving these email alerts about my “roaming charges stacking up at hundreds of dollars” on my MIFI device, not my phone. WHAT?? I am thoroughly confused… I decided to wait until we arrived home to deal with Verizon 1 more time. (Believe me, I had to really psych myself up for yet another phone call…I guess I should have emailed them at that time) Long story short, they couldn’t and wouldn’t help nor explain to me why I had “roaming charges” on a device that is as small as a credit card with only a power button to operate. I can’t turn settings on or off, there isn’t that capability. The charges were close to $700! My phone bill didn’t change a dime while we were gone and I was able to use that on the Islands. I have emailed 5 Corporate Execs and only 1 of his reps, not the actual Executive, responded. I got off of the phone with her a few hours ago and wanted to reach through the phone and……………She offered me a 25% discount (how generous, my bill is now only $546. I kept telling her that this wasn’t making any sense when I never got a signal AND it was basically turned OFF the entire time as there wasn’t a possibility to even use it at sea. The majority of the cruise was at sea with only 3 days at the actual Islands. She said that cell phones and MIFI devices have “different technology” from each other and they use data differently so even when I turned it on, it was racking up roaming and evidently having it off was racking up roaming. Please, I am begging anybody to try and explain this to me. I’ve been on the net now for 2 hours trying to research and understand how all of this works. They will not budge and I am so sick of this mentality of big businesses “raping” the consumer. I would LOVE to know what kind of business is generated by “cruise line customers” alone with the cell carriers because of our lack of knowledge. This is highway robbery. Would love some feedback on this!
Where do I even start? I like many consumers have had Verizon for 10+ years and I have never had any issues with my cell phone acct. Interestingly, 2 years ago I purchased an IPAD and signed a 2 year contract for a MIFI device or Jet Pack as the customer service rep called it. I have found that I hardly use it because there is WIFI pretty much everywhere that I am. To be honest, it’s sat in my office while I was waiting for the contract to end, to avoid the $175 fee for cancelling early, (if I would have been smart, that $175 fee would have been cheaper in the long run than the monthly fees for that time limit) Anyway, I have had problems with this separate account for over a year now, customer service department is horrible & I could go on and on about each thing. This is the icing on the cake… My husband and I went on a Hawaiian Island 14 day cruise to celebrate our 30th Anniversary and I contacted Verizon to make sure that I wouldn’t be surprised by roaming charges, etc. I did everything that they told me and all was well. However, I could never receive a signal that would allow my MIFI device to work on my IPAD, so we had to use the Internet Café for all of our contact back home at $112 for the 14 days. I start receiving these email alerts about my “roaming charges stacking up at hundreds of dollars” on my MIFI device, not my phone. WHAT?? I am thoroughly confused… I decided to wait until we arrived home to deal with Verizon 1 more time. (Believe me, I had to really psych myself up for yet another phone call…I guess I should have emailed them at that time) Long story short, they couldn’t and wouldn’t help nor explain to me why I had “roaming charges” on a device that is as small as a credit card with only a power button to operate. I can’t turn settings on or off, there isn’t that capability. The charges were close to $700! My phone bill didn’t change a dime while we were gone and I was able to use that on the Islands. I have emailed 5 Corporate Execs and only 1 of his reps, not the actual Executive, responded. I got off of the phone with her a few hours ago and wanted to reach through the phone and……………She offered me a 25% discount (how generous, my bill is now only $546. I kept telling her that this wasn’t making any sense when I never got a signal AND it was basically turned OFF the entire time as there wasn’t a possibility to even use it at sea. The majority of the cruise was at sea with only 3 days at the actual Islands. She said that cell phones and MIFI devices have “different technology” from each other and they use data differently so even when I turned it on, it was racking up roaming and evidently having it off was racking up roaming. Please, I am begging anybody to try and explain this to me. I’ve been on the net now for 2 hours trying to research and understand how all of this works. They will not budge and I am so sick of this mentality of big businesses “raping” the consumer. I would LOVE to know what kind of business is generated by “cruise line customers” alone with the cell carriers because of our lack of knowledge. This is highway robbery. Would love some feedback on this!
I have had similar problems with Verizon so it’s OK to find a back road and cheat a little! No problems until Verizon finds out.
I have had similar problems with Verizon so it’s OK to find a back road and cheat a little! No problems until Verizon finds out.
I have had similar problems with Verizon so it’s OK to find a back road and cheat a little! No problems until Verizon finds out.
Awesome. I have Verizon and basically did the same thing in Europe this summer. I bought an Orange France “Domino”. Gave me AND my wife several GB of data for maybe €60 including the cost of the domino device. Saved me hundreds of $ in Verizon data costs.
Awesome. I have Verizon and basically did the same thing in Europe this summer. I bought an Orange France “Domino”. Gave me AND my wife several GB of data for maybe €60 including the cost of the domino device. Saved me hundreds of $ in Verizon data costs.
Awesome. I have Verizon and basically did the same thing in Europe this summer. I bought an Orange France “Domino”. Gave me AND my wife several GB of data for maybe €60 including the cost of the domino device. Saved me hundreds of $ in Verizon data costs.
Please tell me….if I use Verizon for my phone….however my Xoom I do not have on my phone line…just down load from WiFi etc. On the Xoom I downloaded Verizon messaging free. I have unlimiting messaging on my phone therefore I can retrieve all messages on my Xoom as well. I am going to Bahamas. I know if I do any actions on my PHONE I will pay international charges…but if I use my Xoom and pickup free WiFi….will those text answered ON MY Xoom be charged international charges back on my phone bill even though my Xoom is NOT on a phone line. Remember the app was free and I downloaded it but it is called Verizon messaging and it retrieves messages from my Verizon phone.
Please respond to. [email protected]. thank you for any help on this.
Some one will get you on some kinda trumped up charge and they can just say well that’s what you have to pay to use OUR SERVICE……Data signal is out in space and absolutely free to use all and if we can create our own chip to pic up the signals then we also could collect the data to have our own cell phone service and t.v. signal….think about that for a long moment
Please tell me….if I use Verizon for my phone….however my Xoom I do not have on my phone line…just down load from WiFi etc. On the Xoom I downloaded Verizon messaging free. I have unlimiting messaging on my phone therefore I can retrieve all messages on my Xoom as well. I am going to Bahamas. I know if I do any actions on my PHONE I will pay international charges…but if I use my Xoom and pickup free WiFi….will those text answered ON MY Xoom be charged international charges back on my phone bill even though my Xoom is NOT on a phone line. Remember the app was free and I downloaded it but it is called Verizon messaging and it retrieves messages from my Verizon phone.
Please respond to. [email protected]. thank you for any help on this.
Some one will get you on some kinda trumped up charge and they can just say well that’s what you have to pay to use OUR SERVICE……Data signal is out in space and absolutely free to use all and if we can create our own chip to pic up the signals then we also could collect the data to have our own cell phone service and t.v. signal….think about that for a long moment
Please tell me….if I use Verizon for my phone….however my Xoom I do not have on my phone line…just down load from WiFi etc. On the Xoom I downloaded Verizon messaging free. I have unlimiting messaging on my phone therefore I can retrieve all messages on my Xoom as well. I am going to Bahamas. I know if I do any actions on my PHONE I will pay international charges…but if I use my Xoom and pickup free WiFi….will those text answered ON MY Xoom be charged international charges back on my phone bill even though my Xoom is NOT on a phone line. Remember the app was free and I downloaded it but it is called Verizon messaging and it retrieves messages from my Verizon phone.
Please respond to. [email protected]. thank you for any help on this.
Please tell me….if I use Verizon for my phone….however my Xoom I do not have on my phone line…just down load from WiFi etc. On the Xoom I downloaded Verizon messaging free. I have unlimiting messaging on my phone therefore I can retrieve all messages on my Xoom as well. I am going to Bahamas. I know if I do any actions on my PHONE I will pay international charges…but if I use my Xoom and pickup free WiFi….will those text answered ON MY Xoom be charged international charges back on my phone bill even though my Xoom is NOT on a phone line. Remember the app was free and I downloaded it but it is called Verizon messaging and it retrieves messages from my Verizon phone.
Please respond to. [email protected]. thank you for any help on this.
Interesting how everyone is complaining about American cell phone companies… Canada has THE WORST cell phone companies. Perhaps you would like to deal with those instead? People in the US don’t have to deal with half the crap the three companies in Canada pull out of their asses.
This is stupid. Just because you get fucked up the ass & slapped in the face doesn’t mean americans should be grateful for only being fucked up the ass.
Amen To That My Canadian Brother….Rogers Communication has almost every Canadian By The Balls on cell phones,land line phones, television and internet service etc. ….oh and if you want to see any Toronto Pro Sports like The Blue Jays then Rog will sell you a ticket to the event in HIS STADIUM….YEP
Interesting how everyone is complaining about American cell phone companies… Canada has THE WORST cell phone companies. Perhaps you would like to deal with those instead? People in the US don’t have to deal with half the crap the three companies in Canada pull out of their asses.
This is stupid. Just because you get fucked up the ass & slapped in the face doesn’t mean americans should be grateful for only being fucked up the ass.
Amen To That My Canadian Brother….Rogers Communication has almost every Canadian By The Balls on cell phones,land line phones, television and internet service etc. ….oh and if you want to see any Toronto Pro Sports like The Blue Jays then Rog will sell you a ticket to the event in HIS STADIUM….YEP
Interesting how everyone is complaining about American cell phone companies… Canada has THE WORST cell phone companies. Perhaps you would like to deal with those instead? People in the US don’t have to deal with half the crap the three companies in Canada pull out of their asses.
This is stupid. Just because you get fucked up the ass & slapped in the face doesn’t mean americans should be grateful for only being fucked up the ass.
Interesting how everyone is complaining about American cell phone companies… Canada has THE WORST cell phone companies. Perhaps you would like to deal with those instead? People in the US don’t have to deal with half the crap the three companies in Canada pull out of their asses.
This is stupid. Just because you get fucked up the ass & slapped in the face doesn’t mean americans should be grateful for only being fucked up the ass.
you could have paid to unlock your phone from verizon for 10$
Yeah, you kinda didn’t read the article. Verizon doesn’t do that.
OK so my question – are you continuing using VZW in the US or did you leave them and if so, which carrier do you use?
you could have paid to unlock your phone from verizon for 10$
Yeah, you kinda didn’t read the article. Verizon doesn’t do that.
OK so my question – are you continuing using VZW in the US or did you leave them and if so, which carrier do you use?
you could have paid to unlock your phone from verizon for 10$
you could have paid to unlock your phone from verizon for 10$
Heh, i woulve just used the data and laughed when i changed carriers, never having paid verizon a dime… still wouldve avoided the bill and it woulda taught verizon a hard learned lesson in capitalism
Heh, i woulve just used the data and laughed when i changed carriers, never having paid verizon a dime… still wouldve avoided the bill and it woulda taught verizon a hard learned lesson in capitalism
LOVED this story… Right on!
Re:
PS: I picked up my London SIM card today: Unlimited data, 3,000 texts, 120 minutes of voice. Cost? $36.00.
Which sim card was this? I am going to Paris and London for 3 weeks and need unlimited data for iPhone 5 and full sized iPad 4… Just wondering!
LOVED this story… Right on!
Re:
PS: I picked up my London SIM card today: Unlimited data, 3,000 texts, 120 minutes of voice. Cost? $36.00.
Which sim card was this? I am going to Paris and London for 3 weeks and need unlimited data for iPhone 5 and full sized iPad 4… Just wondering!
LOVED this story… Right on!
Re:
PS: I picked up my London SIM card today: Unlimited data, 3,000 texts, 120 minutes of voice. Cost? $36.00.
Which sim card was this? I am going to Paris and London for 3 weeks and need unlimited data for iPhone 5 and full sized iPad 4… Just wondering!
LOVED this story… Right on!
Re:
PS: I picked up my London SIM card today: Unlimited data, 3,000 texts, 120 minutes of voice. Cost? $36.00.
Which sim card was this? I am going to Paris and London for 3 weeks and need unlimited data for iPhone 5 and full sized iPad 4… Just wondering!
I had the same problem with Verizon I would be very careful using them. I only want unlock phones, it’s the best think back at home (USA) and when I travel. I was in Portugal purchase the sim card and 15gigs of data for €28.00 euros. T-Mobile unlimited data plan in the USA is great for me and when I’m out of the country it’s just a change of the sim card.
I had the same problem with Verizon I would be very careful using them. I only want unlock phones, it’s the best think back at home (USA) and when I travel. I was in Portugal purchase the sim card and 15gigs of data for €28.00 euros. T-Mobile unlimited data plan in the USA is great for me and when I’m out of the country it’s just a change of the sim card.
I had the same problem with Verizon I would be very careful using them. I only want unlock phones, it’s the best think back at home (USA) and when I travel. I was in Portugal purchase the sim card and 15gigs of data for €28.00 euros. T-Mobile unlimited data plan in the USA is great for me and when I’m out of the country it’s just a change of the sim card.
I had the same problem with Verizon I would be very careful using them. I only want unlock phones, it’s the best think back at home (USA) and when I travel. I was in Portugal purchase the sim card and 15gigs of data for €28.00 euros. T-Mobile unlimited data plan in the USA is great for me and when I’m out of the country it’s just a change of the sim card.
Verizon wireless has Canada plans and its Q10 and iPhone 5s are factory unlocked out of the box.
Verizon wireless has Canada plans and its Q10 and iPhone 5s are factory unlocked out of the box.
for data usage I recommend using a Canada prepaid sim card from Rogers.
Verizon iPhone 5 and 5s are unlocked now. How do I know? I bought one on contract when the iPhone 5S came out as you couldn’t buy one off contract. I travel extensively and routinely swap out for a local SIM card (best way to go). And it works perfectly.
Verizon iPhone 5 and 5s are unlocked now. How do I know? I bought one on contract when the iPhone 5S came out as you couldn’t buy one off contract. I travel extensively and routinely swap out for a local SIM card (best way to go). And it works perfectly.
I don’t trust using any plans from any carriers in US to be used as globally. What I did was – call verizon to suspend my plan for the amount of date I’ll be gone then take out the sim from my phone and buy a sim from the country I travel. Saves me lots of time and troubleness.
Verizon isn’t the most helpful… When asking Verizon about getting my phone unlocked, they said they could do it since I was going to be out of the country for greater than 3 weeks. It took multiple calls and them getting my sister on the line also since I’m on a family plan and not the “account manager” for them to tell me I didn’t need to UNLOCK my iPhone 5 for my trip to Europe because their global plan will work just fine. I told them I did not want to use their global plan and I really did want my phone unlocked. Finally they admitted that the iPhone 5 and later come out of the package UNLOCKED. Seems as thought they really did not want to divulge that information.
Need advice please. I have the exact same problem with Verizon related to Dubai roaming charges. Racked up $300 in charges even though I purchased the Global Data plan and told the Verizon representative I was headed to Dubai. The rep didn’t mention anything about some countries not being covered. As I see it, this is a verbal contract and no “fine print” was mentioned in our phone conversation.
Verizon maintains that the warning texts I received should have been enough “notice.” But, I don’t think it matters that they notified me. Based on our verbal contract, I relied on the ability to use the phone my phone at the agreed upon rate in the middle of the night in a foreign country. What can I say to the representatives to make them care?
I’m not following the math. $20 per 100 MB is stated, but then you say it is $20.48 per 1 MB. per 100 would be a $300 bill, not a $30,000 bill. Did I miss something?
$20 per 100 megabytes on the Global Roaming plan which they put me on, but that they neglected to tell me doesn’t work in Dubai. In Dubai, it’s $20.48 per megabyte. Make sense?
I’m not following the math. $20 per 100 MB is stated, but then you say it is $20.48 per 1 MB. per 100 would be a $300 bill, not a $30,000 bill. Did I miss something?
$20 per 100 megabytes on the Global Roaming plan which they put me on, but that they neglected to tell me doesn’t work in Dubai. In Dubai, it’s $20.48 per megabyte. Make sense?
I’m not following the math. $20 per 100 MB is stated, but then you say it is $20.48 per 1 MB. per 100 would be a $300 bill, not a $30,000 bill. Did I miss something?
$20 per 100 megabytes on the Global Roaming plan which they put me on, but that they neglected to tell me doesn’t work in Dubai. In Dubai, it’s $20.48 per megabyte. Make sense?
I’m not following the math. $20 per 100 MB is stated, but then you say it is $20.48 per 1 MB. per 100 would be a $300 bill, not a $30,000 bill. Did I miss something?
$20 per 100 megabytes on the Global Roaming plan which they put me on, but that they neglected to tell me doesn’t work in Dubai. In Dubai, it’s $20.48 per megabyte. Make sense?
I feel very fortunate, although, today, I am very unhappy with Verizon. I can not log into Verizon from my computer here in MX…Verizon does not recognize my phone number..To contact .Customer service, a default chat tab pops up, after so many failed attempts. Plus, heretofore I could dial from MX the Verizon 800 cust serv number for automated information…no more. I only have access to Global Net Work Technical Service number and talk to a person. And to day I can not make calls to the US or locally in MX. I have a grandfathered plan that gives me 900 + 1000 night and weekends and no roaming charges. I do not have to dial a prefix to use in MX. But if someone in MX calls me they would have to dial long distance. Therefore they call my MX phone. Messaging on US phone is $.50 to send and $.05 to receive. I use MX phone to message locally and never send txt on US phone. When in the states I sign up for the monthly txt plan..$10 and cancel when I return to MX. I am waiting to see what happens. I wonder if the “technical issues” stated by the Verizon cust serv rep are tariff issues / negotiations with the MX carrier (Telcel)
I am DELIGHTED someone finally spoke up about Verizon and their spinning approach whe it comes to adding data etc. I called to add my iPad to my plan, set up fee $35.00. Hmmm. The minute II was off the phone I received a text telling me I had already used $50.00 worth of data, HA I hadnt even used it yet. I called and to,d them forget it, take my iPad off the plan and to back those charges OFF! Including the set up fee. Remember this is the same day. I was told they would’ve back off the set up fee, so I made it pretty clear what I was hoping to do if they didn’t and it wouldn’t bode well for Verizon. Not that my conversation really made a difference, but at the end of the call, the representative decided to see it my way and backed the set up fee off. I’m an intelligent person and take pretty good notes whe. I agree to services. I had the verbiage from the representative who gave me the information and it was clearly inaccurate. Take notes people, get names and let your voice be heard.
I traveled to the UK in October, 2014. I purchased a global service plan prior to my departure. Upon arrival, I realized it wasn’t working. The catch-22 of course was that I could not call Verizon global services to complain. Halfway through the trip, I used a friend’s iPhone. I still do not understand precisely what the problem was however I handed over $20 more in order to have service. I returned home to learn that I had been charged roughly $800 for data use. The global plan apparently only applied to phone calls and texts and not data. As an example of how outrageous the bill was, I was able to ascertain that from October 26th to October 28th, I was charged $558. Ten hours of those two days were spent on an airplane with my phone turned off. The Verizon rep with whom I spoke yesterday was almost useless. He reduced the $558 by 25% and suggested I use a pre-paid phone card in the future. What a bunch of crooks!. I plan to put the word out as much as possible.
I was just in Canada, dare not even turn the phone on, out of touch for six days. On getting back the new Amex card was waiting for me. Quite impressive on the Amex side. I think I can use Verizon for calls and text in Canada, but the information is so hidden and obfuscated that we just switch off the phones as we approach the border. Got to get another answer for the next time we travel.
I was just in Canada, dare not even turn the phone on, out of touch for six days. On getting back the new Amex card was waiting for me. Quite impressive on the Amex side. I think I can use Verizon for calls and text in Canada, but the information is so hidden and obfuscated that we just switch off the phones as we approach the border. Got to get another answer for the next time we travel.
I was just in Canada, dare not even turn the phone on, out of touch for six days. On getting back the new Amex card was waiting for me. Quite impressive on the Amex side. I think I can use Verizon for calls and text in Canada, but the information is so hidden and obfuscated that we just switch off the phones as we approach the border. Got to get another answer for the next time we travel.
I was just in Canada, dare not even turn the phone on, out of touch for six days. On getting back the new Amex card was waiting for me. Quite impressive on the Amex side. I think I can use Verizon for calls and text in Canada, but the information is so hidden and obfuscated that we just switch off the phones as we approach the border. Got to get another answer for the next time we travel.
I liked the post – very informative . I have a question and I’m hoping somebody can answer – I have a verizon iphone 4s and got it from when i lived in USA -now i live in Manila Philippines – my phone is unlocked and i’m wondering if im still under contract for my last year ? Ive been skypeing verizon everyday for 3weeks now and i get no freaking response . Does anybody have any ideas or advice ? Thanks in advance -jet3562@ outlook.com
One big difference is verizon doesn’t own towers on other countries and is doing this for a service if someone travels and want data they have an option.
so how did you get them from charging you
Curiously enough, I don’t travel internationally. I may cruise once every two years maybe. I have my roaming date turned off and a default yet I still have roaming charges. I use Verizon and I have not yet called to find out what the heck but I suspect I may get the run around as others have.
I’ve been with Verizon for six years now and am currently overseas due to the military. As I stepped off the plane, that same annoying message appeared on my phone (Your roaming charges have currently exceeded $100–mind you my phone is on airplane mode the whole time I’m on the plane). Being that I didn’t want to pay that I suspended my service and got an LG SIM card ($60 for unlimited data/talk/text–and has excellent service I might add). When I initially suspended my service the person who I spoke with said everything should be taken care of without any added charges since my billing cycle hadn’t even started and I suspended my service so soon after. Meanwhile, I’m thinking everything is ok until I get a notification about a bill I owed. Called VZW back and the lady I spoke with said I wouldn’t have to worry about it (it was a system error and should be corrected). Now it is the end of the month (which is when my bill is typically due) and they are saying that I owe over $300 for a service I suspended at the beginning of the cycle. When I call to ask why am I being charged so much (even though I shouldn’t be charged anything) they proceeded to explain that it was a result of the data roaming charges. So I asked why was I told something totally different TWICE. They couldn’t validate why but told me there was nothing they could do. So now I’m stuck paying a bill that I was told prior I didn’t have to for a service that is suspended.
To get this discussion back on track, I was just in Scotland and England for 11 days: Verizon now charges $10 per day to take your cellular plan with you to the UK. $2 per day for Canada. Not fantastic, but not terrible either. But you have to tell them when you will be there before you go and you’ll need to set the phone to global mode and tell it to roam for data. Worked perfectly, at least where there is phone cover on the NC500 round the remotest mainland coast of Scotland.