yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[HTC Rezound] 4ktvs:
+1 I hope all goes well.

AT&T is really good vs Verizon from what I have seen, but I have a bad phone. Refurb incoming and I just hope it can hold 4G/3G.
[HTC Rezound] PhantomApollyon:
I have to strongly agree with most people in that I sincerely doubt the fact that it was unlocked was the reason you're being charged for the device although they certainly have the right to do that.

First off, you say that you sent the phone back "fedex overnight" which really confuses me because the prepaid return labels they send aren't overnight shipments, they are smart-post, usps priority, or fed-ex std return labels. Even more so to that point if you call Verizon they won't be able to give you a specific return address because those return labels are coded in a certain way so that people cannot just randomly send phones back on their own. If you did send it out on your own I can almost guarantee you that's your issue, I see it all the time when people return stuff on their own and the correct labels never get scanned at the correct location and thus, the charge.

Secondly...there are 2 possible fees, a damaged device fee and a non-return device fee...neither of those fees ever amount to "$355" even with taxes unless that was the full retail cost of your device, which it's not...full retail on your device would be $649.99. So we need some clarification here.

So, in effort to start clearing this issue up and put an end to needless confusion:

#1- Look at your bill online, what is the actual charge AMOUNT and NAME?

(ex CLNR Non-Return fee?, Damaged Device Fee?)
[HTC Rezound] kain72:
I'm wondering about this myself as I have a rezound with a screwed up headphone jack that I have to return. But I notice it does specifically say you could be charged full retail price if the return doesn't fall in their guidelines, and as the previous poster said that's not 355$
[HTC Rezound] PhantomApollyon:
yea, I think we'll find that there's more to this story than what we're hearing :p

In your case I wouldn't worry over it unless there actually is damage to it .
[HTC Rezound] kain72:
Yeah in my case, no physical damage, it just randomly thinks I have a headset plugged in when I don't. Stayed that way for 3 days and 4 different ROMs so I finally called for warranty.
[HTC Rezound] johnwaynegacy:
the solution to this is simple, microwave the phone for a few seconds before returning it. I don't know what would happen to the LCD, but the board will die.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
The bills says "equipment fee, $355.00"

That is ALL it says and there is no explanation whatever.
[HTC Rezound] zetsumeikuro:
Hmm...I doubt that charge has to do with you unlocking your bootloader. If you are returning it due to a known issue/manufacterer issue HTC/Verizon will honor the warranty. I've returned several relocked phones due to the heating issue and haven't been charged for the device. Usually they charge $299.99 for any device that has physical/water damage. If they don't get the phone back they charge you full retail which would be $649.99. I feel like you really have no choice but to wait and see why you were charged $300 + on your bill. If it really is due to the unlocking of your BL that's pretty lame. Consideirng they can just flash everything back to 100% stock including the BL. Please do post an update, I am interested to see what happens.
[HTC Rezound] PhantomApollyon:
All I can say is that the charge is neither a damaged device fee OR a non-return fee, because neither of those charges is that amount. Care to post a SS of the bill? It's not that I don't believe you but I've looked at thousands of bills/charges and I've never seen such a thing.
[HTC Rezound] tekhna:
Have you called them for an explanation?
[HTC Rezound] 4ktvs:
Oh crap water damage on my razr

Oh crap, I am screwed: My sis Spilled water on my phone a long time ago.( It came out fine, but now they are going to say thats it.)

I had a case on it and the phone did not "die" or anything, but now $299.99 is going to pop up on my bill for a RAZR refurb. If thats the case, then I should just pay the ETF and go back to AT&T only and wait for a LTE phone I like.

Why did my sis have to do it why and I know can't get my 300 in damages back.
[HTC Rezound] zetsumeikuro:
If there was no water damage and the seals didn't change you should be fine. If you don't see a charge on your bill you're ok!
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
I never have either and I've looked at an awful lot of bills myself (we sold VZ phones when I owned a stereo shop) I will be glad to post a SS later today when I get to my PC. I am posting from an ipad2 right now and I don't really want my entire bill shown on a public site........... :-)
[HTC Rezound] Abead84:
hope you dont get charged
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
I was on the phone with *611 for almost an hour two days ago and they could not come up with any explanation for it. They told me I would have to go to the location where I bought my Rezound to straighten it out.

I went there yesterday and they where like "what did they send you here for??"
[HTC Rezound] PhantomApollyon:
If you don't get this straightened out pm me your contact info and I'll try to have someone else get in touch with you. Rest assured it's not the warehouse charging you, it has to be something else because the warehouse charges are clear as day on the bills.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Thanks, I'll give it a day or so to try again but if I don't have any luck I will PM you.

There is nothing clear at all on this bill.
[HTC Rezound] tekhna:
Have your lawyer (or lawyer friend) send a request for explanation of the charges on firm stationary. I'm guessing they'll figure it out.
[HTC Rezound] mighty_markus12:
boy there sure is alot of talk of fraud in this thread! :rolleyes:
[HTC Rezound] johnwaynegacy:
that isn't fraud. if your phone is suffering from a manufacturer defect and your warranty claim will be denied because you modified the software on the device that you purchased and own. it is a scam on the manufacturers end. microwaving your defective device protects you from being scammed by the carrier and/or manufacturer.

Fraud would be nuking you phone because you scratched the screen and want another one.
[HTC Rezound] Dalamar1320:
If your bank makes an error in processing your check and you are missing $1000 is it justified to rob the bank?

It is fraud because the manufacturer NEVER had a chance to determine if the "defect" was legitimate or not because you fried your phone.

The biggest problem has nothing to do with unlocked bootloaders, it has to do with people who don't know the dangers of unlocking the bootloader, but want to try anyways then they find some problem, don't research it, or try to fix it, then call for a replacement.

If you read the warranty information regarding unlocked bootloaders, the official word is that unlocking does NOT void your warranty, rather, it CAN void your warranty if the problems found are related to the unlocked bootloader.

I agree with many before this post that the charge has nothing to do with the bootloader.
[HTC Rezound] johnwaynegacy:
I have had a bank misplace over 1500 dollars before. They fixed it instead of giving me the run around like Verizon is doing to op. Verizon wireless won't even tell the op why they are charging him. I do think it was due to unlocking his bootloader. What difference does it make whether or not they have a chance to verify a defect if it actually is defective. If my headphone jack fails, whether or not the manufacturer has the chance to witness it doesn't make it any less true, or any less of a manufacturer defect. If they boot up my phone they can simply void me and send me a bill in the full retail amount for sending me a refurbished device in non retail packaging (also a scam), and never even tell me why. Why would you give them that opportunity?
[HTC Rezound] Dalamar1320:
Most banks will fix the issue yes, however, some will give a run around before as well. Until the OP gets clarification as to why the charge is there, this is all speculation. Again though, unlocking the bootloader alone does NOT void a warranty.

You are using the example of having a defective headphone jack.

You are also not looking at all angles of what a manufacturer defect is.

Also i'm going out on a limb and guessing you don't work for any phone manufacturer. As such you are not qualified to determine what the warranty does or doesn't cover.

I'm not disagreeing that a defective headphone jack warrants a replacement however. If you microwave the phone then no matter how you cut it, it IS FRAUD.

As a manufacturer replacing a defective headphone jack may cost a few dollars, then its refurbished and resold.

If you fry the phone then send it in, the manufacturer junks the phone, replaces yours with a refurbished one, and took a loss. THAT'S FRAUD because you FRUADULENTLY cost the manufacturer money.
[HTC Rezound] johnwaynegacy:
A defective piece of hardware including a headphone jack is a manufacturer defect. Verizon does the refurbishing, and if a phone with a defective jack is sent in, the mainboard will be replaced. I guess you have never worked a soldering iron and are not qualified to discuss how much it would cost to replace a defective headphone jack.
[HTC Rezound] Dalamar1320:
Regardless of what you may think, your actions are fraudulent. I could care less what you do, just don't get upset when people call your actions by what they are . FRAUD.

NOT that it matters, but I work with a major company that deals with the repairs for all electronics, phones included, and yes, we CAN replace a headphone jack.
[HTC Rezound] johnwaynegacy:
Just fyi no matter how many times you capatilize the words fraud and can, you will not convince me to grant any company the opportunity to commit FRAUD against me. Especially when it includes the possibility of being charge RETAIL PRICE for REFURBISHED items.
[HTC Rezound] zetsumeikuro:
Wow so they don't even know wtf the charge is? Did someone order equipment perhaps on your line? Did you bill anything to your account? Every company should know what every charge is they slap on your bill. I still am going by it's not a charge cause you unlocked the bootloader.
[HTC Rezound] kryptik06:
Thats what gets me aswel, paying retail price for a referb phone
[HTC Rezound] platinumrims:
Been interested in this Thread.

so, they charge you for the phone when u buy it, then charge you again, but more, when you send it in and they say u borked it? I'm new to Verizon, so idk. I almost wish they'd try to pull something like that on me. muhahahaha
[HTC Rezound] nosympathy:
Two wrongs dont make a right.
[HTC Rezound] Dalamar1320:
There is a clause in your warranty with Verizon that states that should a replacement device be issued, a Certified Like New device may be used in lieu of a new device.

If we want to get into semantics the carrier reserves all rights to send a CLN device. Which brings the next point. Technically there is a difference between CLN and Refurbished. Refurbished MAY have scratches or other noticeable defects.A CLN device will have the look and feel of being New.

Since this is laid out in the warranty the carrier is not committing fraud since they are disclosing what they might do in the case of an exchange.
[HTC Rezound] mike.s:
Why am I not surprised that someone who calls themselves "John Wayne Gacy" has no morals or ethics?
[HTC Rezound] Reaper0294:
Make sure it's elevated to the highest level they can and make sure you don't pay before they tell you what the issue was. That's completely ridiculous to expect you to pay for an unknown charge.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
No kidding, this is getting more ridiculous every day.

I spent another hour on the phone with C.S. today & the charge is still on my bill. I had my first rezound replaced for overheating & the rep said it looks like they are charging me for not sending back the first one.

He could clearly see that I DID send it back & it was signed for in December in Texas. The really crazy thing is, the charge is on my son's number & he has an old DroidX back from when they first came out.

EVERY SINGLE rep I have talked to said I didn't owe the money (& I refuse to pay it), but the charge is still there on my bill.
[HTC Rezound] tekhna:
Yeah, I'm dealing with something similar right now. Verizon shows the center in Texas received it, and everything should be clear, but it just won't disappear from my bill, and no one seems to know how to clear it.

I'm still curious why you were charged, but it sounds like a billing screwup, as opposed to being charged for an unlocked phone.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
I agree, but since NOBODY has given me a concrete answer on it it still could be because it was unlocked I suppose.........
[HTC Rezound] mike.s:
...or it could be that a monkey flew out of some accountant's butt.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
LOL, exactly........
[HTC Rezound] Comicazy:
They may not be able to remove it totally from your bill since it was for the previous cycle. What I would do is ask them to credit you that amount on your next bill. Yea you'll have to pay it up front, but your next cycle should cost you next to nothing. Hopefully you get it figured out. If all else fails, threaten to leave if they can't give you a straight answer for what they are charging you for.

Sent with a Rezounding HELL YEA!
[HTC Rezound] 4ktvs:
In the USA we don't "just threaten to leave" we threaten to SUE YOU.

Ok but for real I hope you get this fixed.

This is why I needed a new phone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDxJoGv3FLA&feature=channel
[HTC Rezound] ir0nraven:
I'd be careful about taking the "we'll credit you on your next bill" line. I did that with ATT and they never credited me, and then said it was a mistake. I'm out $300 from them after they said I could cancel for military reasons. I hate ATT.
[HTC Rezound] krelvinaz:
I would never pay for a charge they could not define.
[HTC Rezound] Comicazy:
I can speak from experience about getting credits on the bill. Done it several times with several companies. Cable company tried to charge me $55 because a tech came out and fixed some wiring behind the wall plate. I told them I wasn't going to pay for something they should have made sure was right the first time. They credited the amount to my next bill. Last time the rezound was on sale for Feb 29, I bought it the day before for $199. I called the next day and talked to someone about it. Next bill, $100+tax was credited to my bill. Like I said, tell them if they can't confirm what the charge is for, either credit it to your next bill, or you are ending your contract right now. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to give you the credit. And make sure to get the name of who you spoke to. Time and date would be useful info also. As soon as your next bill is available online check to make sure it is credited. If not, call again and raise hell. Good luck.

Sent with a Rezounding HELL YEA!
[HTC Rezound] 4ktvs:
+1 to that

If they can't define some thing on the bill, then I would take this up to the highest level and he say's no idea, then you should SUE them. I sure some one would take your case for free at that point.
[HTC Rezound] Evo4gLI:
Yea right.... Lawyers take cases on pro bono grounds for ethical reasons, not something like this. That being said, he still shouldn't pay the charge. I've had great results with Verizon customer service, so I'm sure this will get sorted out eventually.
[HTC Rezound] godsmacked4653:
Really off-topic, I know, but you've been at this for a while. You're mad that you can't tether your phone and watch YouTube with four tabs open on what's probably just spotty 4G? My Rezound loses connection like that at least once a day. Could be hardware, could be the ICS leak. One refresh and the problem's solved. Not at all a huge deal.
[HTC Rezound] 4ktvs:
I got my new phone and it work's a lot better and it runs cooler. I did not put ICS on it, 100% stock. I do all that kind of crap on my S2. It got so bad that after a fac reset at the verizon store I came home and bam droped data right away and then got 600kbs DL and web pages loaded like slow 3G with good ping. youtube would not even play well at 360P. HAD to reboot to get it to work again. Then I left it be and First thing in the moring It droped again and would not hold, so I called tech and rebooted the phone again and the data worked so I hung up just for it to fail in 60sec, so I called again and thats when they gave me a new one. There is more, but that I think does it.

P.S I used needed not NEED. They said the 4G were I live should be fine and far from "spotty".

Edit: At the time of this video one refresh may or may not have worked and there were times in that video were I did try "refreshing it" and still failed. Now I wish I videoed the more epic fails I had later.( The guy in the verizon store was sure as **** that this was software on the phone.) There may have a 3rd party app making it fail more, but it was a hardware thing.

The SOB refurb is a POS, but not as bad as the old one.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
There isn't a chance in hell I am going to pay this & then take their word that it will be credited at this point.
[HTC Rezound] platinumrims:
Have you gone to the store to demand answers?? At this point it wouldn't be worth my time personally, but I just wouldn't pay it. If they sent it to collections I'd Sue them... It's ridiculous to not get an answer for a charge on your bill. Simple as that.

I feel for you though. Complete crap is all it is.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
I have gone to the store twice.

That is exactly the point I'm at right now, I am simply refusing to pay it.
[HTC Rezound] icy1899:
You can dfind all the VZW exec email addresses on theconsumerist.com. send them all a email and I promise they will fix this by end if day. I have used this before and got a 600 credit for the same thing. They screwed up they will fix it. Imagine the billing dept head getting an email from the exec office asking why they couldn't do their job...they will **** them selves and probably give you more of a credit than you "owe"
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
I just spent 1/2 hour searching that site & couldn't find their email address anywhere??
[HTC Rezound] tekhna:
dan.mead@verizonwireless.com

Be respectful, and explain your case clearly. You'll probably get a call back from the regional execs office.
[HTC Rezound] mighty_markus12:
did verizon say they received the device? if so, try calling htc and see what they say, that's where verizon usually send devices too for repairs.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Yes, they told me it was received/signed for in Texas in the middle of December.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Thankyou, I appreciate it.

I will give it one more day & if the charge is still there I will send an email asking if they can help me out.

I am always very respectful in these kind of things, all the VZ techs I have talked to where great guys but none of them had the authority to just remove the charge from my bill.
[HTC Rezound] KnightCrusader:
I am having a similar issue because of my Rezound, but it wasn't because I got a warranty replacement - its because somehow I used the same upgrade twice. I got my girl the Galaxy Nexus on 12/15 and the moron at the corp store messed something up with my upgrade but I never received a message that anything was wrong.

In the meantime, the Rezound goes on sale on the last week of February. I thought it would be a nice phone to tinker with. I clicked on the ad and it said I had an upgrade. I have 5 lines and buddy upgrade all the time and I knew I had a line that was coming up for renewal soon, so I thought why not... I went ahead and bought it.

However, I get my bill and I see a $350 adjustment charge on it. So, I take the bill to the same store I got the Nexus and ask... the kid take it to the manager and after 20 minutes they come back and say that I never extended my contract, so the system reset and that's what I used to get the Rezound. I told them I had the receipt that said I did extend it and I shouldn't be on the hook for their CSR's mistake. I never tried to game the system, it let me do it because of their negligence. They tell me I either have to return the phone (which wasn't an option cause my 2 weeks was up) or pay the bill.

So, my next step is I am going to contact corp and see what happens.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Well that worked out quite well.

I decided not to wait another day and sent Dan an email asking for help.

Two hours later, I got a call from VZ Corporate cs.

While I was on the phone with them, they removed the charge.

Thanks again for posting that.
[HTC Rezound] putney1477:
So glad you got it all sorted out. Did he say what the charge actually was form?

Moot at this point, I'm just curious.
[HTC Rezound] tekhna:
Awesome, glad to hear! Sometimes you just need the big guns.
[HTC Rezound] PeartFan40:
In addition to what you said, a lot of people are exchanging phones for the dumbest reasons. Which is why carriers started charging an open box fee. There is no such thing as a perfect phone. There will always be an imperfection of some kind. Another thing Id like to add is all the stupid threads about display problems, like "black crush" (a stupid term invented by someone who noticed black boxes during video play back). These threads do nothing but cause people to inspect their devices with a microscope, and when they find those minor issues, they create more threads to document them, which leads to more exchanges. At the end of the day, the same "problems" still exist, despite several exchanges. It's ridiculous, to say the least...
[HTC Rezound] maniac2k:
Sorry but for $299 when I bought this phone, I expect it to be perfect!
[HTC Rezound] PeartFan40:
This wasn't directed towards you.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
They never said.
[HTC Rezound] mighty_markus12:
glad you got it sorted out. i actually just wrote them myself about the continued battery issues im having.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Man, I agree 100%.

I have been saying this for years.

Why would anybody send back a phone that works perfectly and accept a refurb (that was somebodies else's reject) because the buttons are not red enough??

Some of these posters are retarded....
[HTC Rezound] mighty_markus12:
im definitely not a fan of refurbished devices but that seems to be all they want to give out. it all depends on who you speak to at verizon.
[HTC Rezound] jmorton10:
Yea that's true.

When my phone started overheating when it was only two weeks old they wanted me to accept a refurb. I told them NFW, either send me a new one or I'm taking it back for a refund.

At that point, they sent me a new one but not without a fight first.
[HTC Rezound] D0CHOLIDAY:
Whenever you buy a new phone, ensure to give it thorough run through to see if all functionality is good to go. If there is any issues you should notice within the 14 day guarantee timeline. This will make it a possibility to get a brand new replacement.

Another thing, if you buy your phones at best buy and certain other authorized retailers, they may have a 30 return policy but understand that does not mean after the 14 day period you can return it and verizon will let you walk in and gt an upgrade. It would be pointless to return a device back to an auth retailer after 14 days unless you were hard up for the cash because your upgrade date wouldn't reset.

The first phone I ever bought and the Rezound were the only brand new phones I've ever bought out of all my upgrades on my account. The certified pre-owned ones always have sweet deals and they come with the same warranty. I was waiting for a long time but the rezound took to long so couldnt wait. But the CPO phones are legit. Never had a prob and you can also add that extended warranty for like 2 bucks a month>
[HTC Rezound] isdnmatt:
I've had nothing but problems with CPO devices. Casings not lining up, dead pixels, rattling speakers, the list goes on and on.

When a device dies, I usually claim insurance rather than get the POS refurbs that Verizon sends out. Asurion always sends me a brand-new retail device.
[HTC Rezound] nosympathy:
Ill admit my pink buttons drive me crazy. I wouldn't exchange my device for that though.