There is a common adage out there amongst those who ponder such things that we, as humans, take as much as we can get, go as far as we're allowed and push the limits.

I have proof this concept may have some validity.

Im just about to wrap up my second year with Verizon Wireless. I have a basic no camera phone that suits my needs perfectly. I'll be renewing my contract with Verizon later this month, taking advantage of their "New Every Two" program to get a better phone. Through this whole process, I doubt seriously I'll feel the need to use PFB to loudly proclaim that they're ripping me off, misleading me, not living up to their promises or any of that stuff we see on a regular basis on this site when people deal with wireless companies. That will likely have something to do with the fact I'll educate myself as to the terms of the agreement I'll sign and not have unreasonable expectations about how Verizon should value me as a "long term" customer.

At any rate, there has been one small glitch along the way. I started out with insurance on my phone and, at the current time, I dont have insurance. "Oh Mr. Helpful, you poor man, what did those greedy corporate rat bastards at Verizon do to you?"

They didnt do anything to me. I did it to me. I somehow managed to lose two phones in 14 months. Both times, I used the insurance to get a new phone (yeah it cost me a fifty dollar deductible each time...I guess if I were a "good" consumer, I woulda bitched about that but I already knew that was part of the terms of having insurance so I didnt feel the need).

After the second one, I got a nice letter from the insurance company that basically said "been nice doing business with you but you kinda reached our limit of how many times you can replace a phone in two years so thanks for the memories and good luck". I probably shoulda gone ballistic on that too (DONT THOSE BASTARDS VALUE ME AS A LONG TERM CUSTOMER??!!) but I already knew they could term my insurance if I made two claims on the phones.

Now, here's the funny thing...I lost two insured phones in the course of 14 months. In the ten months since, I havent lost one yet. Hmmmm....I wonder if Ive been more careful since I know I'll have to pay full price if I lose this one?

Of course that shouldnt stop me. As a red blooded consumer, I shouldnt care if I lose the phone because if I do, I'll just scream at the insurance company for not allowing me to keep my coverage. And after Im done with them, I'll scream at the top of my lungs at Verizon for daring to charge me full price for a replacement phone--DONT THOSE BASTARDS VALUE ME AS A LONG TIME CUSTOMER?? And in the process, boy, I'd sure take a stand for my rights as a consumer, BY GOD!

Right?

Right?