We here at PhoneCan talk a lot about phones and wireless devices.  We talk a lot about policies.  We cover several angles about the wireless business that other sites don’t bother - or can’t - cover.  Our efforts are designed to empower and educate the customer with good sense and an understanding of why things are the way they are.

One thing we’ve neglected to spend much time on, however, are the people who work for cell phone companies within the stores and call centers where real people work with real customers.

Follow with us as we help bring some insight into the life of a wireless industry employee.

This is a follow up to our article titled “The Basics: Understanding Verizon’s Upgrade Policy.”

We get a lot of searches and questions from people trying to understand Verizon Wireless’ upgrade policies and discounts.  Our Upgrade Policy article accounts for a lot of our traffic, but upon further review, we felt it might be prudent to follow up with an article explaining why discounting has changed over the years, and what it looks like today.

If you haven’t read the original upgrade article, please read it first.

And now… the fascinating world of Verizon Wireless subsidy.

I’ll admit, I frequent phone-related online sites and forums.  I do it for two reasons: to help people with their problems, and to advertise this very site.  One thing I do not use online sites for is to pick a fight.

I see fighters all the time - people who are upset about something, people who are looking to vent their frustrations, and people who simply want to be a jerk.  Usually, I try to avoid them.  But sometimes, their statements are so outlandish that I find myself wrestling with the need to respond.

The truth is, online discussion is flawed.  Hell, even this site is flawed, despite our best efforts.  But at the end of the day I fall asleep comfortably knowing that I’m trying to do right by those I talk to.  I’m not a fight picker.  But I have no problem being a cause taker.

We’ve talked at length about contracts, discounts, upgrades, and phone pricing until we got blue in the face.  But there’s one phrase in this business that we have yet to spend much time on:  the “free” upgrade.