More Cell Phone Questions/Trauma

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  • #586554

    katydid
    Member

    Oh, the trauma of it all. I got 2 cell phones via Sprint on 2/14. One for Mamma and one for me.

    Took Mamma’s back (Radio Shack) received with some gritching from Sprint. It had only been used for 1 minute. Don’t know if have to pay monthly fee for it, Guess I could swallow activation fee if I had too.

    Also, changed my hours to a lower number and rate.

    Yesterday received a $178 statement from Sprint

    showing both phones, hookups and of course, higher monthly fees. Talked to customer service in Mexico..Mexico?…said would make a “case” about my questioning of fees and would hear from somebody in 4-6 working days. How the h… do you get a live person to discuss this in a timely manner? Once who can do something about it right then and there. My gut tells me this is just going to be a continuing headache. I am about ready to take this phone back in ‘cuz can still cancel it within 30 day window.

    My problem is I still want a cell phone…could be basic…but due to former husband (a gambler, sigh) my credit is all messed up. Is there any way to get a cell phone other than one where you pay lots for each minute? Any advice appreciated.

    #618884

    katydid
    Member

    Make that date 2/24. Sorry :-{

    #618885

    acemotel
    Participant

    YOu can get a pay-as-you-go cellphone and buy minutes as you use them. Dealing with the companies, generally, is a nightmare. I went through it with Verizon. Basically, the consumer never wins. I am happier with ATT.

    #618886

    Anonymous
    Inactive

    SPRINT IS THE WORST! Get out of Sprint is the advice I can give you!

    I think there are phones now that you pay as you go. Therefore you’re not buying a whole 2 year plan and you are not bound by a contract.

    We use Cingular(at&t). And we are happy. I love the rollover feature.

    #618887

    CMP
    Participant

    My only advice for buying a cell phone is to buy them directly from T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, etc…

    Never buy from a licensed dealer such as Radio Shack (or those kiosks you see at the malls)b/c you probably won’t get the best customer service. I’m not sure what to do about the credit issue, but I think that T-Mobile is good about accomodating those with less than perfect credit ratings. It’s unfortunate that you have to deal with that, but maybe pre-paid is the way to go for now until it improves. Good luck and I hope you find a plan that suits your needs with good customer service!

    #618888

    Ken
    Participant

    Sprint has been the worst for customer service, at all levels for ever. Believe it or not, the last CEO actually fired several people for not mentioning customer service at all in his first staff meeting so the shoddy service you are getting now is actually an improvement.

    I used to negotiate inter-lada highspeed circuits with them and they don’t even have any hesitation about screwing over high dollar corporate accounts and voiding signed contracts.

    The techs at sprint LD are union and very competent but the CS are apparently abused by the suits so badly they are bitter and resentful every time they are forced to interact with customers.

    I have been happy with cingular/AT&T Family plan cell service here in WS for about 7 years now and they were accommodating last time I had to negotiate a number transfer. (At least they were after I demonstrated my knowledge of their corporate hierarchy and how to file complaints that would make their day a little more irritating than doing what I asked.)

    YMMV

    #618889

    katydid
    Member

    A big thanks to all who answered. Ken, what are some of the tricks/knowlege/bargaining points to use when negotiating with any cell phone carriers? BTW, as a fairly new poster to blogs, what does YMMV mean?

    #618890

    WSB
    Keymaster

    I’m not Ken but in case he’s AFK (away from keyboard) I’ll note that YMMV means Your Mileage May Vary. Also, we have been thrilled with Verizon, FWIW (For What It’s Worth).

    #618891

    TheHouse
    Member

    I am a Sprint employee and can easily answer/solve any issues you might have. Please contact me directly at jonathan.housknecht@sprint.com.

    #618892

    katydid
    Member

    Thanks again everybody. Two questions:

    1. Is there an area on the blog where I can learn the shortcut jargon – or a book on the subject?

    2. Can you believe it – House working for Sprint? WSB is soooo great. Anyway, House are you planning to come to the Handbags for Hunger event tomorrow? *If* you have calmed my fears and resolved my issues by then, I promise not to dunk you even if there is a dunk tank available. Otherwise, all bets are off and you may have to take the heat (water) for your company. :-)

    #618893

    JanS
    Participant

    katydid…click on this link and then scroll down to where it says “Dictionary”…that should get you going :)

    http://www.stevegrossman.com/

    #618894

    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Ken, do you happen to have any tips to share with how to get past the entry level person at AT&T CS? I’ve had excellent service for 5 years until the very last occasion and the guy refused to pass me to a supervisor or tell me a name, number or address even, of someone else I could contact. It was beyond frustrating. I was reading from an AT&T issued press release about a new policy in effect I wished to make use of, and all he could say was I was full of it. I usually am, but this time I really wasn’t.

    And to those who use AT&T, the best in person CS I’ve worked with, from Southcenter to Lynnwood, has been in Pacific Place downtown.

    #618895

    JoB
    Participant

    katydid..

    i hope house can help you.. and i hope we see you both tomorrow…

    JoB shamelessly pushing her event:)…

    If House can’t help you.. let me know.. i have been known to be a pitbull..

    jsut don’t change your plan with sprint unless you are very happy witht he changes.. i think that may void your 30 days…. and leave you with further options.

    House will know the answer to that one.

    #618896

    acemotel
    Participant

    JT said: And to those who use AT&T, the best in person CS I’ve worked with, from Southcenter to Lynnwood, has been in Pacific Place downtown.

    Absolutely agree 100 per cent.

    #618897

    TheHouse
    Member

    Yes, to both questions….I will absolutely be able to handle any question related to Sprint and I will be at the event tomorrow for a short time!

    #618898

    Asilasila
    Member

    Hi Katydid,

    I started an account with Sprint for myself and 2 kids last July. It took until December to get it set up right. They certainly do have the worst customer service I’ve ever encountered.

    I had to call them back on every single aspect of the account, because they set up the additional lines wrong, the features wrong, the discount I was entitled to wrong, and of course the famous REBATE took 6 monthes to receive.

    And that’s only because I kept on them. Each time they would fix one thing and break another. And I always had to pay them for their errors first, then wait for credit to my account.

    :D And they acted like they were doing me a favor.

    Anyway, I kept with them because I had trouble getting Cingular service inside many buildings and dead spots, and T-mobile is limited to service along I-5, i.e. no access in out of the way towns and areas. Like the Oregon Coast.

    I’m much happier with Sprint, after they finally got their act together. I no longer have problems accessing my service.

    Hope this is useful info….good luck!

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