After 25 years as a dedicated Verizon customer, receiving a free Shutterfly calendar—minus shipping—felt more like a disappointment than a genuine thank you. This gesture, intended to celebrate loyalty, sparked frustration rather than appreciation among many Verizon subscribers. The gift became an emblem of outdated customer appreciation approaches, highlighting how meaningless freebies can sometimes do more harm than good.
The Decline of Traditional Corporate Gifts
In the 90s and early 2000s, branded giveaways like pens, mugs, or t-shirts held real sentimental and practical value. They symbolized recognition and connection in a world without the instant availability of alternatives. A calendar was once a useful item that, at best, helped organize desks or sparked conversation. Today, however, these freebies often end up as mere clutter, forgotten in drawers and abandoned on shelves.
Verizon’s choice of gifts no longer resonates with modern subscribers who expect recognition that feels personal and valuable—not like a paperweight.
A Better Approach: Meaningful Discounts
If Verizon truly wanted to reward loyalty, small but tangible benefits like a $10 monthly discount would make all the difference. Such savings don’t disappear into a drawer; they directly impact customers' bills, improving satisfaction and encouraging long-term commitment. Even a modest $5 credit monthly would feel more sincere than a generic calendar.
The Nostalgia Trap and Why It Doesn’t Work Anymore
Verizon and other telecommunications companies continue relying on nostalgia-driven freebies that no longer connect with today’s consumers. The once-charming office pizza party has become an outdated symbol of effort without impact. Similarly, free calendars or other low-value items fail to meaningfully acknowledge customers’ devotion.
To foster true loyalty, companies must focus on rewards that hold tangible value—whether through discounts, exclusive offers, or enhanced services—not a one-size-fits-all trinket.
Verizon—and the entire telecom industry—would benefit from redesigning their loyalty programs to better meet modern expectations and strengthen customer relationships.
