Why do I need a vacation? Because I’m drowning in stress from working seven days a week, running a small business, and—just to really spice things up—I made the catastrophic error of visiting the Verizon Wireless store in Big Bear Lake today. Big Bear Lake is known for our majestic alpine forests, hiking trails and crystal clear blue waters. But if you want to truly experience shitty customer service at its finest, just stop on by, Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake, just for shits and giggles or to experience a real live shit show.
⭐ 1 Star. Only because I can’t give zero and still post this.
Dear Big Bear Verizon,
Do your employees need a GPS to find their own common sense? Because wow. This Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake store is run like a raccoon convention in a dumpster fire — chaotic, disorganized, and oddly proud of it.
Let’s rewind to the beginning of this small town drama emotional rollercoaster, shall we?
Hotspot Hopes and Pixel Nightmares: A Love Letter to Verizon Wireless, Big Bear Lake
I strolled in like a responsible adult on a mission to upgrade to a shiny new Pixel phone. This meant sacrificing what I really wanted to do with my Thursday—wandering the pine forests with my dog—because I know setting up a new phone is never a quick “in-and-out” affair.
So I came prepared: full water bottle, empty bladder, a good book, and my fully charged tablet. I was mentally ready for the waiting game.
And then… Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake happened.
Multiple employees assured me they had the new Pixel in stock. So, like a fool with faith in humanity, I made an appointment to come back later that day to have it set up.
Fast forward to 1:00 PM. I walk in, sit down at the very same table with the Business Manager Bro who had scheduled my appointment just three hours earlier. I wait—patiently, mind you—twenty minutes while he finishes with another customer. No problem. I had my book. I had my tablet. I was ready for the phone setup process to begin.
And then…
“Oh yeah, we don’t have your phone in stock.”
I’m sorry—WHAT? I’ve been sitting right in front of you for twenty minutes, and now you mention this? What exactly was the plan here? Did you think I just randomly wandered into the Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake store on a Thursday afternoon for the ambiance and a little light reading?
You let me drive back, wait in your store like a bored extra in a commercial, knowing you didn’t have the phone?! No call. No text. No hint of a clue. How is this okay? And the bored-looking Verizon employee just looked at me, like, what, you didn’t want to waste forty minutes of your day driving around Big Bear Lake while you could be out hiking with your dog?
So fine. I ordered the phone. I took a deep breath. I made another appointment for the following Tuesday because this same employee, Business Manager Bro, told me I’ll save money by switching to a business account. Sounds good, right? I gather my tablet and my book and head back out to the Jeep. I’ll be patient and come back in three days for my new phone.
When I show up on Tuesday, surprise! The Business Account Bro is off that day. Apparently, he is the only one on Earth allowed to set up business accounts at the Verizon store in Big Bear Lake. So, of course, I have to come back again. At this point, the Verizon staff must think I’m auditioning for a docuseries called “How Many Times Can One Woman Visit the Same Store Without Losing fucking Her Mind?”
Anyway, I finally get my new phone, and… drumroll please…
The internet doesn’t work.
No joke — by day three, it was giving strong 2001 AOL dial-up energy. I’m talking:
Can’t load my Tripadvisor account for my small business.
Emails just circling the drain.
BBC News? HAHAHA.
And all my favorite conservative podcasts? Forget it. I miss you, Ben Shapiro!
Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake: Where Internet Goes to Die
And yes, I did what any sane person would do. I WENT BACK. Five times. Five. Every time, I got the same blank stares and confused shrugs like I was asking them to split the atom, not fix the mobile data on a smartphone in 2025.
Finally, someone says, “Hey, let’s move you to a business data plan — that’ll solve it.”
Plot twist: It didn’t. My cat videos are still buffering like it’s 1999.
Today — weeks later — I get on the phone with an actual intelligent Verizon rep (not located in Big Bear, obviously) and she very politely explains that when I was moved to the business account, I lost unlimited data. WHICH IS WHY MY INTERNET DOESN’T WORK WHEN I’M NOT ON WI-FI.
Let me repeat that louder for the Verizon staff in the back:
WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS ACCOUNT DOESN’T INCLUDE UNLIMITED DATA??
You mean to tell me the same employee who asked what I use my phone for, heard me say “I’m a small business owner, I travel constantly, I hotspot all the time,” and still thought, “You know what she doesn’t need? Unlimited data.”
Bravo, Verizon Wireless Big Bear Lake. You’ve taken “customer service” and turned it into an endurance sport.
The Woods Family Motto: We Came, We Saw, We Complained to the Manager
I’m a nice person—really, I am. I even work in customer service, so I try to be patient. But here’s the thing: inept employees who waste my precious personal time? They make my blood boil.
Verizon Fears the Woods family More Than Dropped Calls
In our family, there’s a running joke that every Verizon store in Southern California has a warning photo of my father posted in the lobby. From the 909 to the 714, there’s a good chance every Verizon employee has been yelled at by a Woody—either my dad or my grandfather.
I hate to admit it, but the temper is hereditary. I’ve inherited the full Woods family gift for righteous outrage, and nothing brings it out faster than a customer service rep who’s clearly not up to the job.
My Love Language? Assertive Feedback
So here you go, how I wasted a summertime afternoon, no not trekking through the woods like an alpine adventuer but penning a snarky Yelp review. If you love wasting your time, getting zero answers, and reliving the trauma of 2003 internet speeds, this Verizon Wireless store is for you. Otherwise, save your sanity and go literally anywhere else.
