One of our readers called Chris has a few problems with the LG VX10000 and of course a very well known carrier called Verizon. Below is what Chris had to say, we want to know “what are your thoughts?
Chris Says:
PHONE: LG-VX10000 ($407.79) with Nationwide Premium Unlimited Anytime Minutes ($139.99)
Problem 1: Car charger not charging properly
After plugging in car charger, I noticed the battery icon blinking on and off while charging. It wasn’t the normal flashing the battery icon does when fully charged, but rather a flicker like there was a bad connection or a bad plug between the two. I brought my problem to the Verizon store where I set up and bought my new account and phone. They promptly replaced the charger with no problems. I then tried the new charger with the same flickering results. Brought the charger back into the store and said maybe it could be the phone. Customer service person told me, “That’s normal and you should charge your phone with the wall charger instead.” I asked if this happens a lot and his reply was, “I see this happen all the time and car charger usually and can mess up your phone and you should only use the car charger during emergencies only.” (Really???!!! I must have idiot written across my forehead) Well, he apologized sincerely, as probably trained and instructed by his higher ups, and sent me on my way.
Resolution: None. Problem still exists and I now have to manipulate phone and charger to work properly.
Question: If the phone and car charger sporadically work now, what will happen when I do have an emergency?
Problem 2: Service or signals limited to U.S. only
While I can understand the use for global service or technology that works in other countries is unnecessary because my phone is primarily used here in the U.S., I sometimes travel outside the U.S. where service or at least some kind of signal is a must. Take for example, while travelling abroad, South Africa to be exact, my wife and I were in a situation where our luggage had been lost somewhere between New York and Johannesburg. We were going to be in Africa for two weeks and would be in different places throughout our stay. Locating our bags was a must and to do so we used her cell phone (AT&T) instead of the hotel phones, which would have been expensive, plus limit our time being away from our room. Well needless to say her cell phone worked flawlessly while in Cape Town to locate our bags and to call for taxis and transportation during our stay. I would say the convenience of being able to use her cell phone without having to have “Global Service” is enough for me to want to rethink and switch my cell phone service to AT&T. We did not even have to buy a local SIM card for her phone to work. While this is going on I’m trying to figure out why I do not have a signal on my phone thus rendering clock useless and all appointments, alarms and reminders disabled as well. Which now leads to problem number three. Read on.
Resolution: None. I’d have to buy “Global Service” to get signals in other countries other than the U.S.
Question: Why would Verizon not explain some of the different options when purchasing a phone or service when shopping for plans that would allow phones to work outside of U.S.?
Problem 3: Clock does not work unless there is a signal or service in that area to sync phone with
If no signal or service, no clock. If no clock, no alarms. If there are no alarms, there are no reminders. If no reminders or notifications, no medication taken and I die. Death is a little exaggerated, but for some people this could be the difference between life and death.
Seems that even though phone is in “Standalone Mode” or sometimes known as “Airplane Mode” and there is no signal or service to sync with the clock does not work at all. That means any time setting or alarms set for you to remember appointments, important alarms or notifications will not work. If you are dependent on your phone for an alarm clock and you have no service, then that will not work either. After spending about $400 on a phone, one would think that this clock function would work with or without service. I cannot believe there is no option to manually set the clock in situations like this. So, in order for a simple clock to work on this phone, Verizon says, “I have to have ‘Global Service’ for this clock feature to work outside of the U.S.
Resolution: None. I’d have to buy “Global Service” to get a signal just to have a working clock for me to have alarms and reminders outside of the U.S.
Question: Does it seems ridiculous to have to buy “Global Service” in order to have a working clock other than in the U.S. even when the phone is in “stand alone” mode?
Problem 4: Blue tooth capabilities limited
Blue tooth is a great technology for wireless applications if you were able to use it to the potential it was made for. Seems like Verizon does not want to be held liable for someone tapping into your phone information via Blue Tooth, so they have limited Blue Tooth on this phone to probably about 25% of its intended use. Verizon says through third party you could activate the rest of the Blue Tooth capabilities. This would be enable you to send pictures via Blue Tooth, print pictures via Blue Tooth printer and also be able to share whatever information you choose to if Blue Tooth discovery mode was on. Again, I am surprised that I am unable to utilize 100% of my Blue Tooth capabilities on such as expensive phone. When asked Verizon why Blue Tooth functions are limited, they said to call LG and ask them because they did not know how the Blue Tooth functions on the LG phones. Well, I called LG and they said, “Verizon has put a limit on Blue Tooth capabilities because they do not want to be held responsible for information stolen from other user’s phones.”
Resolution: None. After buying a $400 phone, I am still unable to use Blue Tooth file, picture or music sharing.
Question: Why did Verizon give me the run around to have me call LG when Verizon could have told me this themselves or not tell at time of purchase?
I switched to Verizon, after 9 years with Sprint/Nextel, on March 28, 2008 with belief of better service, phone and technology. I have yet to say I am satisfied with any of the above. Verizon does its best to give the customer the run around and does its best to get you off the phone or out of the store. Their customer service has done nothing to resolve these problems and has even agreed with some of the points I have made about their phones and services. VCast Mobile TV?…When is that going to happen in Charlotte, NC? I definitely have made a mistake signing on with Verizon and have not thought very long in my decision to switch to a different carrier. After only four months of having Verizon, my decision to break my two-year contract for their $175.00 dollar penalty sounds very reasonable. I would actually be saving money because at $140 a month, for two years, I would no longer have to deal with two more years of headaches, unresolved problems and incompetent representatives. Unless a Verizon rep wants to contact me and gives me a deal I cannot refuse, I will hold true to every word written here. For those Verizon customers, who are happy, more power to you. For those deciding on which phone or company to sign with, please take in all you have read and not make the mistake I did. DO NOT SIGN VERIZON!