Cheated by Verizon Again?

Oh Verizon FIOS, you make it hard to love you. Remember last week when I shared my disappointment over Verizon wanting to charge me to upgrade my router? This morning I heard a beeping coming from my basement. Upon investigating I came to the conclusion that the battery backup for my FIOS system had expired. A “replace battery” light was illuminated on the control box.  A quick 40 minute phone call to Verizon support confirmed this. I was told that if I wanted to replace the battery it would cost me $28 plus shipping. I asked the representative who owned the equipment in my basement and he answered Verizon. When I inquired as to why I had to replace a battery in equipment I didn’t own I did not get much a response other than $28 plus shipping or I was free to find a similar battery elsewhere and replace it myself.

I can’t help but feel cheated.  For all the money I pay Verizon for all four of it’s services (home phone, TV, internet, wireless) should I really have to fork over $28 for a battery in equipment that isn’t mine yet I pay to run?

I love Verizon FIOS for it’s speed but boy does the company not make it easy.

Larry

Larry has always had a passion for gear and gadgets. It all started for him with the release of the very first Palm Pilot. He has always had an interest in handheld electronics. From handheld PDAs, to cell phones, Mp3 players, watches and other products, Larry is the first person his friends, family and colleagues call when they need advice on tech.

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  • http://seankilbane.com/ Sean

    I see your point on this, why should you pay for a battery when its the companies equipment. I know if you have Comcast and their box isn’t work where its losing your service or if there is another issue with the box, they fix it for free.

  • Mark

    I rent, at least that’s what my cable bill states, my cable box. It came with a remote. I wonder if I should call and request “AA” batteries when the batteries in the remote die?

    • lgreenberg

      I do not pay any sort of rental for the box Fios installed in my basement. I pay for the DVR etc.

  • http://twitter.com/techbloggersean/status/194506141043130368 Sean Lin

    Cheated by Verizon Again? http://t.co/Mb3xpAHA #tekfalke

  • http://twitter.com/mtpflyers/status/194508766304157696 Michael Panetta

    RT OUCH.. Come on Verizon… I expect this from Comcast “@runaroundtech: New post: Cheated by Verizon Again? http://t.co/Y5tvJskz”

  • KeyurP

    WOW! This is still crazy! I have Windstream as my ISP, and they send out internet modems out left and right no questions asked. You’d figure with Verizon being as big as they are, they would be more lenient towards long term customers. From a business perspective it’s seems as though long-term customers are more valuable than anyone else. So sad.