Verizon FIOS - The Real Cost

What follows is a real transcript between me and Verizon:

We are routing you to a chat representative. Thank you for contacting Verizon. Your average wait time is 1 seconds.

You are now chatting with 'Upton'

Upton: Hello. Thank you for visiting our Verizon chat service. How can I help you set up your new service and save with a Verizon bundle?

you: I could not tell if the HD set top boxes are a monthly fee of 9.99 or a one time fee

Upton: I will be happy to help you with that.

Upton: Set top boxes has a monthly charge.

you: without the boxes I cannot get TV? or can I buy my own box?

Upton: Yes, you will require a set top box for each TV you wish to connect.

Upton: Could you please tell me, how many TV's do you wish to connect? And how many of them are HD TV?

you: I have 3 TVs all HD

you: but I can settle for just one with HD and 2 regular, but there is no way I am paying 30/month more just to get TV

Upton: Are you looking for recording capabilities?

you: no

you: I clicked the see details link and it said no monthly fee

you: but when I went to check out it said it would be 154 / month

Upton: In that case, you will require 3 HD set top boxes. May I ask which services have you selected?

you: FIOS Triple Freedom package

you: With 25 down and 15 up

you: but I thought TV would only be 57.99 / month

Upton: If you order online now, you will get an option to select $30/mo off for 6 months on "Review Order" page. You will also get $5/mo off for 12 months which will be reflected on your monthly bill.

Upton: Because you are considering our 100% fiber optic FiOS TV service, I can offer you a High Definition Set Top box free for 3 months! Depending on your state, your savings will be at least $17.97 for the three months (based on a monthly price of $5.99). Once you get to the FiOS TV Customization page, we can confirm your savings! This offer is available if you place your order online right now with me during this chat session.

you: it does not make sense to have to pay for a box that is not even mine, and you are telling me there is no way I can buy my own box?

you: Brighthouse does not charge a fee for their boxes or modems

Upton: I can certainly understand that; however as it is all digital with FiOS services, you are required to have a set top box for each TV you wish to connect with FiOS TV Service. There is no one time charge with FiOS services.

you: the original advertising stated TV for 57.99 / month. But you are saying its not possible to actually get TV at all for that price?

you: since it is not possible to view any channels without a box that I cannot buy

Upton: I can certainly understand that, however Set top box charges are not included in package price as it varies from customer to customer.

you: but the price does not even include a single set top box

you: so in reality it is not possible to get TV at all for 57.99

Upton: I can certainly understand that; however you will get bundle savings for bundling your services.

you: but I won't get TV for 57.99

you: I'm on the page right now it says FIOS TV Extreme HD is $57.99 / month, but in reality that is simply not possible

you: If I were to pay $57.99 today for that package I would have a signal at the back of my TV that I could not do anything at all with

you: There is no disclaimer stating a box is required or additional fees apply

Upton: I can understand that, however it is required to have a set top box with FiOS TV Service for each TV you wish to connect.

you: but where does it state that in the promotional material?

you: where would I possibly know that until it comes time to checkout?

Upton: Once you proceed with your order, you will be able to see all the details of your order on "Review Order" page, before you decide to finalize your order.

you: what I am asking is how do I get FIOS TV Extreme HD for $57.99 / month?

Upton: Its is not possible to get FiOS TV Programming with a Set top box as it is all digital with FiOS TV service and a set top box is required to convert the signal.

you: so its not possible to actually get FIOS TV Extreme HD for the advertised price of $57.99 ?

Upton: You will require a set top box or digital adapter to get FiOS TV service.

you: which is an additional monthly charge

Upton: Yes, that's right.

Upton: You will be able to see all the associated charges of your order on "Review Order" page, before you decide to finalize your order.

you: but my point is Verizon is advertising FIOS TV Extreme HD for $57.99 and and phone/internet/tv bundles for $119.00 when in fact it is not possible to actually enjoy all of the features of the bundle for only $119.00

Upton: If you select Verizon FiOS Triple bundle online now, you will get an option to select $30/mo off for 6 months ( $180 )+ $5/mo off for 12 months ( $60 ) + 1 HD Set top box Free for 3 months ( $29.97) = $ 269.97 on top of bundle savings, which much more than a cost of 1 set top box for 1 year.

you: I understand that, but I had already calculated that savings in when deciding whether to switch from Brighthouse, then half way through the ordering process I find out I cannot get TV for $57.99 at all

you: You are telling me there is nothing you or your supervisor can approve that will get me even one HD box free for a year?

you: since that appears to be the only way the promotional material will actually align with the provided services

Upton: No, its not possible. I have already offer you a HD set top box Free for 3 months.

you: ok no problem, it will be very interesting to see what my local news station has to say about this

Upton: Do you have any other questions I can help you with?

you: no you have been quite helpful thank you