Verizon Wireless is one of the most popular cell phone networks within the United States, but are you looking to get Verizon and want to know will Verizon waive the activation fee?
If so, continue reading below to find out what I’ve discovered about the Verizon activation fee and whether or not the company will waive the fee under various circumstances!
Verizon Waive Activation Fee In [currentyear]
Verizon is not known for waiving their activation fee since the activation fee is important money for Verizon to continuously take in to operate the Verizon network and perform required upgrades. However, there have been reports of people getting Verizon to waive the activation fee, but you’ll need a good reason as to why you need it waived.
Do you want to know the different methods for Verizon to waive the activation fee? Well, I am going to tell you all about that so continue reading to find out!
Do I Have to Pay Verizon Activation Fee?
A majority of the time, you’ll have to pay the Verizon activation fee, which Verizon charges customers to activate a device on the Verizon network, even if you bring your own device.
However, there are some instances where you may be able to get the Verizon activation fee of $35 waived, but it’s not common as these fees are needed by Verizon to continue operating.
How Can I Avoid Paying Verizon Activation Fee?
While most people will have to pay the $35 activation fee, there are some things you can do if you’d like to avoid paying the Verizon activation fee, which includes the following methods below.
Call Verizon Retention Department & Threaten to Cancel
One of the best chances you’ll have to get the activation fee waived is to call the Retention Department at Verizon and threaten to cancel, which you can reach through Customer Service.
However, you’ll need to come up with a good reason why you should have your activation fee waived, such as the cost is too much, you’ve been a loyal customer and other similar reasons.
You should mention why you can’t afford the activation fee, that you’ve always paid your bill on time, and that you’re going to cancel services because of the fee.
Furthermore, the Retention Department is trained to try to keep customers from canceling as that is their job, so they may just waive the activation fee, but it depends on the representative.
Threaten to Switch Providers
Just like threatening to cancel might help you get the Verizon activation fee waived, you also could threaten to switch providers over the fee.
For example, if you threaten to switch, Verizon may not waive the activation fee, but they might offer the amount in credits on your bill or provide you with a similar discount or promotion.
However, you’re going to need to be serious with this threat and be prepared to follow through if Verizon does not waive the activation fee or offer you another similar discount or credit.
It does help if you’ve been a longtime customer and have paid your bill on time, especially if you have a big account with Verizon where they will not want to lose that money if you switch.
Call Customer Service & Talk About Hardships
It’s possible, although still rather unlikely, that you can have Verizon waive the activation fee by calling Verizon Customer Service.
Further, you want to then talk about hardships that you or your family has faced, although it has to be a very good reason for them to waive the fee.
Verizon cannot waive fees just because someone is going through something, as then they’d have to do it for everyone, but natural disasters or global pandemics may get their attention.
For example, if you mention that you’ve experienced hardship because you’ve lost your job or home due to a hurricane or earthquake, it may work with some Verizon supervisors.
Bringing up an extraordinary situation that was beyond your control is about the only way you could get Verizon to waive the activation fee, but it doesn’t always work.
Escalate Complaint to a Verizon Supervisor
One of the final ways you may be able to get Verizon to waive your activation fee is if you escalate your complaint and ask to speak to a supervisor.
Also, you don’t want to be nasty or rude as a customer service representative can only do so much to help you, and reps cannot always override the fees.
Some fee waivers need to be handled by a supervisor, which is why if you’re not getting anywhere with a representative, you need to ask to be transferred to this higher-up employee.
Activate the Device Online
While activating the device online doesn’t waive the activation fee, it does make it cheaper, and customers online mention it’s half the regular price of activation by doing it online.
Additionally, activating the device online is a great option if you don’t think you’re a good negotiator and you don’t have a good reason to request the fee be waived.
Does Verizon Waive Activation Fee For Military Personal?
Unfortunately, it appears that Verizon does not waive the activation fee for the military unless you happen to be successful using one of the tips above to get the fee waived.
However, Verizon does offer discounts to both active military and veterans, which can help you save money on your monthly Verizon bill.
Is There an Activation Fee for BYOD Verizon?
The Bring Your Own Device Verizon promotion runs constantly, but it doesn’t always mean you will have the activation fee waived as it depends on what the current BYOD promotion is.
For example, Verizon may waive the activation fee for BYOD for a couple of months, but then change the promotion so that the offer is just a $500 prepaid Visa card.
Therefore, you can either keep checking the promotion to see if or when Verizon is offering the activation fee waiver or you can just use the gift card being offered to offset the activation fee.
If you are looking to learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Verizon offers prepaid plans, if Verizon offers a military discount, and what is Verizon.
Conclusion
Verizon does not typically waive the activation fee for customers, but there have been times where the fee has been waived, such as part of a BYOD promotion.
Furthermore, some customers have been successful in getting the activation fee waived by having a good reason it should be waived, and by threatening to switch or cancel services.
