[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III] scarecrow:
My email to Verizon

I found this thread only after sending an email to Verizon some time yesterday to let them know of my displeasure with their service decision. Not that it will make a great difference but, then again, I wonder if losing a potential customer might not be given more weight than angering an existing customer. Verizon has provided their reasons for not allowing the customer greater flexibility but I tend to believe the cost/benefit equation sides more along the lines of what services/additional costs they can funnel the customer into rather than the expense of supporting customers who have unwittingly screwed up their devices with custom roms. I agree with others that Verizon won't do much if they don't perceive a significant response. Freedom from corporate encroachment on our liberties doesn't come for free. They will take as much as we are prepared to give them. So while this isn't disenfranchisement or slavery or other more serious grievances it is important from a simple, every day, customer service perspective. People have to be willing to leave a service provider (or not enter into a contract with them) in order for them to take notice. It should also be noted that we have to pick our battles as each service provider has their own means of extracting money from the customer/hemming in customer choice. Allowing the market of custom roms to flourish is particularly important to me.

I ended up staying with AT&T and got the SGS3 last week.

I suspect I should also let AT&T know what I sent to Verizon so that they are aware of what they did to keep me.

None of this matters much individually, but one letter at a time can add up.

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Primary Subject: Feedback

Secondary Subject: Product or Service Feedback

Message Body: To whom it may concern,

I wanted to let you know of my concern regarding Verizon service. I am not a Verizon customer but was considering moving my family from AT&T to Verizon as I reside in the Bay Area in California and Verizon LTE service has better coverage where I live.

While I had a number of pros and cons regarding the move, the decision was finally made on how Verizon chose to handle the deploy of the Samsung Galaxy S3. Rather than allow for an unlockable bootloader as AT&T did, Verizon chose to allow the unlockable bootloader only in the situation where the consumer purchased the device at a premium (without any reduction of the monthly service fee).

While Verizon may have their reasons for doing so, this action caused me to reconsider the move to Verizon as I was interested in the Samsung Galaxy S3, the flexibility to unlock the bootloader, and not having to pay a premium to do so.

I hope this acts as a data point in order for you to understand the motivations of potential customers and how the perception of anti-consumer actions can have a negative impact on attracting new customers.

Cordially,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Their BS response

Dear xxxxxxx,

Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless regarding the bootloader on the current Samsung Galaxy III.

Samsung has indicated that they plan to sell a "developer edition" S3 compatible with VZW which they indicate will have an unlocked bootloader. I apologize but no other information on this subject is available at this time.

If there is anything else we may be able provide assistance with, please don't hesitate to let us know. And thank you so much for being the best part of Verizon Wireless. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Verizon Wireless

Coordinator - Internet Response Team