Verizon Wireless Free international texting lie Nationwide

We bought 3 iPhone 5's on the share everything plan and we're told we got free international texting. Normally we would never use it but our son was planning to spend the summer studying abroad so it was a big bonus. We discussed it in great detail with the representative in the store. We told him exactly what was happening and where our son was going. He said yes we would have free international texting. After the first month abroad with no data use or voice use, only texting, we got the bill for $1500. When we called we were told that our texts to him were 5 cents and his back to us were 50 cents. This is free international texting? So far Verizon is refusing to adjust our bill but I'm not through with this fight and am prepared to just walk away. and I've been their customer for 20 years.