Christmas came early for some v-e-r-y lucky Verizon Wireless customers who due to a network glitch were able to order smartphones at subsidized prices and keep their unlimited data plans. The glitch has been fixed. Verizon maintains its policy that if someone wants to keep the unlimited data plan s/he will have to pay full price for the device. However, the sales that were posted this weekend are valid and buyers will be receiving their new smartphones, soon.
We received a statements from Verizon Wireless that they were aware of the problem, earlier today. Then they confirmed that they will accept all online sales over the weekend that went through.
"Over the past weekend, there was a software issue involving some orders for customers seeking to upgrade their devices. A number of customers who were upgrading devices were able to maintain an unlimited monthly data feature while paying a subsidized price.
Verizon Wireless will honor those orders that were approved this past weekend, allowing those customers to retain their unlimited plans for the duration of their contract and receive their new device.
Verizon Wireless corrected this software issue today (9/30). The company no longer offers unlimited data plans and customers who want to retain existing unlimited data plans, must pay full retail price for a replacement phone."
Over the weekend, there were reports of grandfathered unlimited buyers getting an additional discount of 30% while buying devices with the coupon code VERIZON30.
In the past, Verizon spokes people confirmed that grandfathered plans would only stay in effect if you paid full price or bring your own Verizon device. Many plotted ways to keep their grandfathered plans included keeping their grandfather's phone after he passed away.
That is lucky. Any idea how many of those order made it through?
You've been watching this longer than I have, is it commone for the carriers to honor mistakes like this? It seems like a lot of companies reserver the right to cancel orders.