Database Users

Sprint Stiffing Pre-Order Customers! (Defective Phones, Rant)

So here's the deal, since I got my Evo the back cover hasn't fit properly - I don't mind too much so I placed a small sheet of paper which gave the back the proper curve and fixed it.
But now I've got a new issue starting to appear - The screen coming loose towards the bottom!
My friend got an Evo and his is flawless, why should I suffer from pre-ordering!?
I work in Chicago, and naturally I went to a Radioshack close to where I actually live - no Evo's, can't help me.
I call Sprint, they tell me go to where I bought it or all the can do is sent me a re-certified phone - that's bull****, the phone is brand new & not even two weeks old yet.
I go to the Radioshack where I bought it - No Evo's, all they can do is call me when one comes in. Also claim they haven't been sent any since launch.
So here it is, I'm a new Sprint customer who just switched from Verizon and they are already leaving me dry. I've got 30 days to cancel all this, yet they don't seem to care enough to get me a new phone.
My phone is brand new and defective, how the hell does Sprint think they can send me some re-certified model!?
Do they have some deal where if they don't send phones back to HTC they get a discount? I mean seriously, if this phone isn't under a manufacturer's warranty against defects it damn well should be!
This also doesn't cover the fact when I preordered, Radioshack told me there was no $10 data fee - not to mention failed to tell me about activation fees and Sprint surcharges!
I asked about it, almost insisting they could be wrong, yet they kept reassuring me there was no charge. I put $50 down on a non-refundable gift card to pre-order, bull**** they didn't know/disclose all costs when I asked! (Their disclosure of costs was "taxes")
If I don't get my NEW phone before 29 days, I will cancel the whole thing and rant anywhere and everywhere until I am heard!
EDIT: Let me put it this way, for all those who don't understand...If Sprint guaranteed me a new phone when there's availability, that would be 100% fine with me, this is not the case, they want to send me a re-certified phone right after I just bought one brand new!
EDIT #2: Here's my logic...the phone is provided by Sprint (to Radioshack), Sprint pays a spiff (to Radioshack), my service is through Sprint (which is paying off the phone), and my contract is through Sprint.
Why does the fact that I bought it at Radioshack even matter!? Sprint is at the core of all of this.
It's like saying a have a 1 year warranty on an Sharp TV that Sears sold me and trying to take care of it through Sears...after that 30 days it's not Sears' problem. The service through Sprint is ongoing and this phone is part of it, how is Sprint not responsible?

You have got to be kidding me with this post right? I guess you assume the magic phone maker ferry is going to make YOU a phone just so YOU can be happy, but everyone else has to wait until they get re stocked because they sold out of all their phones.
Please, just cancel it already, people like this ruin it for the rest of us. How can you not understand that being back ordered means NO ONE is getting new ones right now, they can't just make it appear out of nowhere. Yikes.

lol wow lets give baby what he wants....

Neotelos_com said:
So here's the deal, since I got my Evo the back cover hasn't fit properly - I don't mind too much so I placed a small sheet of paper which gave the back the proper curve and fixed it.
But now I've got a new issue starting to appear - The screen coming loose towards the bottom!
My friend got an Evo and his is flawless, why should I suffer from pre-ordering!?
I work in Chicago, and naturally I went to a Radioshack close to where I actually live - no Evo's, can't help me.
I call Sprint, they tell me go to where I bought it or all the can do is sent me a re-certified phone - that's bull****, the phone is brand new & not even two weeks old yet.
I go to the Radioshack where I bought it - No Evo's, all they can do is call me when one comes in. Also claim they haven't been sent any since launch.
So here it is, I'm a new Sprint customer who just switched from Verizon and they are already leaving me dry. I've got 30 days to cancel all this, yet they don't seem to care enough to get me a new phone.
My phone is brand new and defective, how the hell does Sprint think they can send me some re-certified model!?
Do they have some deal where if they don't send phones back to HTC they get a discount? I mean seriously, if this phone isn't under a manufacturer's warranty against defects it damn well should be!
This also doesn't cover the fact when I preordered, Radioshack told me there was no $10 data fee - not to mention failed to tell me about activation fees and Sprint surcharges!
I asked about it, almost insisting they could be wrong, yet they kept reassuring me there was no charge. I put $50 down on a non-refundable gift card to pre-order, bull**** they didn't know/disclose all costs when I asked! (Their disclosure of costs was "taxes")
If I don't get my NEW phone before 29 days, I will cancel the whole thing and rant anywhere and everywhere until I am heard!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My situation is similar. I planned on switching from AT&T to Sprint, however, now, I don't know what to do. I have two defective EVOs, bought from Best Buy, and I have called every Best Buy in a 1 hour driving radius from my home in order to locate one (5 or 6 of them), none had any AND they refused to even take down my information to call me when they came in. Basically, they just told me to screw off. I am free to call back whenever I want to check, but they refuse to hold it in store even if I find one. Apparently it's a first come first serve basis, since they already have my money, what do they care?
Best Buy told me to use my warranty, Sprint won't do me any good because I don't want a recertified phone, as mine isn't even two weeks old yet.
And it's sad, because I really like my Sprint service, but I don't have time to screw around driving all over the face of the planet, escalating issues, etc. I just want two working phones, and that's all. I don't want credits, I don't want freebies. I'll even buy two new screen protectors with my own money.
But, 30 days is fast approaching, and once that mark hits they're no longer liable to care at all about my issues, and I have a feeling that's just what will happen.
I'll try over the next two weeks to locate a replacement. Otherwise, I'll just have to cancel (and I feel bad for Sprint, as it's not really their fault).

I understand all that, but where in the contract does it say the 30 days is waved from such circumstances?
Where does it say after 30 days I will still be eligible to trade for a new phone?
You both seem to be missing my point, the contract says 30 days if you have issues or want to cancel, it doesn't mention circumstances such as this.
What makes you think they wont give someone bull**** about the 30 day policy?
I've been ****ed over at least once by every phone provider I've had, I don't put anything past them.

return phone and port out within 30 days, wait for EVO stock to come back in, port back in. You also got free service for the days you were with Sprint anyway so who cares.

themyst said:
return phone and port out within 30 days, wait for EVO stock to come back in, port back in. You also got free service for the days you were with Sprint anyway so who cares.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it effect credit score?

roybotnik said:
You android users are ****ing pathetic. You think everyone should have to hack their phone and superglue the screen on after paying $200 for it. I can see why the poster is pissed. HE BOUGHT SOMETHING AND ITS ALREADY FALLING APART. You have to sign up for a 2 year contract to get this thing and it falls apart in the first few weeks?
If the poor quality of the phone doesn't make everyone return it, then I'm sure the android fanboys telling everyone to 'suck it up' will. This type of stuff is the reason android will never be taken seriously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not even close to accurate in so many ways. First of all, he isn't complaining that he doesn't like the phone, he's complaining that he has a defective one and they don't have one in stock immediately to replace it.
Second, I guess you should tell that same horrible argument to the iphone, blackberry, porsche, ferrari, lambo, etc. owners that buy their high priced items only to find out there is a problem of some kind. There will ALWAYS be problems. That's why we have warranties and replacements, you just gotta be a little patient sometimes. This whole I WANT IT RIGHT NOW OR I'M GONNA RAISE HOLY HELL attitude is why companies have stopped caring if they fix things or not, there will always be nitwits and numbskulls who complain even if theirs is the only one to ever have an issue. "It's junk, take it back, don't get one, mine failed!" get real, grow up, and go back to apple land so steve jobs can control everything you do.

swatpup102 said:
This is not even close to accurate in so many ways. First of all, he isn't complaining that he doesn't like the phone, he's complaining that he has a defective one and they don't have one in stock immediately to replace it.
Second, I guess you should tell that same horrible argument to the iphone, blackberry, porsche, ferrari, lambo, etc. owners that buy their high priced items only to find out there is a problem of some kind. There will ALWAYS be problems. That's why we have warranties and replacements, you just gotta be a little patient sometimes. This whole I WANT IT RIGHT NOW OR I'M GONNA RAISE HOLY HELL attitude is why companies have stopped caring if they fix things or not, there will always be nitwits and numbskulls who complain even if theirs is the only one to ever have an issue. "It's junk, take it back, don't get one, mine failed!" get real, grow up, and go back to apple land so steve jobs can control everything you do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the post edit, maybe it will clear things up for your ignorant mind!

Neotelos_com said:
I understand all that, but where in the contract does it say the 30 days is waved from such circumstances?
Where does it say after 30 days I will still be eligible to trade for a new phone?
You both seem to be missing my point, the contract says 30 days if you have issues or want to cancel, it doesn't mention circumstances such as this.
What makes you think they wont give someone bull**** about the 30 day policy?
I've been ****ed over at least once by every phone provider I've had, I don't put anything past them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thing is, if you are paying for your insurance plan, they will cover it as long sa you have the phone and replace it 100 times if they have to or upgrade you to the next model up. It's a feature sprint is great with and will go out of their way to help you with. If your phone can't be fixed by simple methods in the store, you get a new one. Problem is, at the moment, there aren't any left in stock, so you may have to wait a little bit to get one. If you like the phone except for the hardware trouble, don't sweat it, they'll give you a new one as long as you own in and as long as you have the insurance plan for 7 a month. If you don't, then add it before 30 days and don't worry about your phone ever being defective.

roybotnik said:
U mad?
It's a ****ing phone. I can see why the poster would be pissed. His device (and SO MANY others) failed almost immediately after buying it and now he has no replacement.
It really doesn't matter what you think - in the end it's a horrible business decision by Sprint. They give people the option to cancel in thirty days, then sell people a phone that breaks in 2 weeks. I think the expectation of having it last longer is not extraordinary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That has 0 to do with sprint though, this will be HTC's problem. I'm not mad at all, I'm dumbfounded by the ignorance of people that are posting on some of these issues. Anything you buy could have trouble, if the company that sells it to you is willing to stand behind it and replace it for nothing, why sweat it? It's not like they are saying you're screwed haha you have to pay to fix with ti or live with it broke, they'll fix it for him free of charge, they just have to have one in first.
How in the world this justifies a post of how horrible sprint is and how they are stiffing their pre order customers I have no idea, how can you replace a defective item if you have nothing to replace it with?

swatpup102 said:
You have got to be kidding me with this post right? I guess you assume the magic phone maker ferry is going to make YOU a phone just so YOU can be happy, but everyone else has to wait until they get re stocked because they sold out of all their phones.
Please, just cancel it already, people like this ruin it for the rest of us. How can you not understand that being back ordered means NO ONE is getting new ones right now, they can't just make it appear out of nowhere. Yikes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
either u HELP the OP or just go else where.if u dont have anything good to say jus dont say anything at all,just leave the thread.

GHOST99K said:
either u HELP the OP or just go else where.if u dont have anything good to say jus dont say anything at all,just leave the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty uppity to say, considering the OP was worthless in making the post to begin with and flat out wrong in saying sprint won't help their customers. I am def trying to help him, by showing that sprint will fix it as soon as possible and for free, but some people just don't get it.....

The issue imo is people come in with both guns blazing acting like add holes and wonder why it rubs people the wrong way.

swatpup102 said:
That's pretty uppity to say, considering the OP was worthless in making the post to begin with and flat out wrong in saying sprint won't help their customers. I am def trying to help him, by showing that sprint will fix it as soon as possible and for free, but some people just don't get it.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You didn't say that even once and nor did Sprint.
I bought a new phone, I want a NEW replacement...that's all I don't care if I have to wait a month as long as I get what I should very well be entitled to (and the current phone doesn't die completely during that month)!
EDIT: Come to think of it you're changing your attitude drastically after seeing other feedback, it disgusts me, you want to put others down and can't take the heat in return.

Neotelos_com said:
You didn't say that even once and nor did Sprint.
I bought a new phone, I want a NEW replacement...that's all I don't care if I have to wait a month as long as I get what I should very well be entitled to (and the current phone doesn't die completely during that month)!
EDIT: Come to think of it you're changing your attitude drastically after seeing other feedback, it disgusts me, you want to put others down and can't take the heat in return.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Say what?? Tell me, can you do a google search? Can you see sprints insurance policy? Better yet, can you make it to a sprint store and talk to a rep? They will tell you, if the phone is defective and you have insurance on it, they will replace it for you. If it's something you caused, such as losing it or absolutely destroying it, you pay a deductible and then get the phone replace. Obviously you've never been with sprint before, because not only do they stand behind this policy, they do it with 99% of the time no trouble. A quick trip to sprints site and google will verify this.
The attitude towards this issue hasn't changed at all, I simply don't get why someone would state in a thread that sprint is stiffing pre order customers. How can you possibly replace the first run defective issues if you DON'T HAVE ONE TO REPLACE IT WITH. When they come in, you'll get one, it's really not that complicated.

Look guys just my opinion. Don't like it tough.
People that have been doing this awhile know two things:
BuY from a private sprint store and you can run into trouble
Buy from retailer x and if it breaks you can't expect retailer y to fix it
So we act like cheap ****s and buy from retailers that don't have the rebate and we end up being stuck with said retailer should something happen. You can always send your device in to htc for repairs.
if it were me I'd return it, and buy from a sprint corporate store and let it be lesson learned. When you buy **** from third parties and it doesn't work out there can be issues. Sprint can't tell if that device came from ebay, bb or shack. I don't se how they are responsible for fixing what you retailer should fix.
If you want sprint to fix it, buy it from them.
Sprint doesn't make the device so before you start comparing apples and oranges think about it.

swatpup102 said:
How can you possibly replace the first run defective issues if you DON'T HAVE ONE TO REPLACE IT WITH. When they come in, you'll get one, it's really not that complicated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shouldn't have to have an insurance plan to replace a defective phone that's entitled to be replaced in the first place.
I may end up adding it, but it's ridiculous I should even need it for this particular instance!

Aridon said:
Look guys just my I opinion. Don't like it tough.
People that have been doing this awhile know two things:
BuY from a private sprint store and you can run into trouble
Buy from retailer x and if it breaks you can't expect retailer y to fix it
So we act like cheap ****s and buy from retailers that don't have the rebate and we end up being stuck with said retailer should something happen. You can always send your device in to htc for repairs.
I itf were me I'd return it, and but from a sprint corporate store and let it be lesson learned. When you buy **** from third parties and it doesn't work out there can be issues. Sprint can't tell if that device came from ebay, bb or shack. I don't se how they are responsible for fixing what you retailer should fix.
If you want sprint to fix it, buy it from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint retails to them, what the hell do you mean they can't tell where it came from!?
They register the device right in the store on contract, Sprint pays them a spiff...

Neotelos_com said:
I shouldn't have to have an insurance plan to replace a defective phone that's entitled to be replaced in the first place.
I may end up adding it, but it's ridiculous I should even need it for this particular instance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's such a horrible mindset though. you're telling me you should be able to buy a defective computer, or car, or whatever, and with no insurance plan be able to just have it replaced whenever you want?
If you don't want the $7 sprint insurance, yet another quick search would show you that HTC has a 1 year warranty on the phone. you can send it back to HTC, and they'll send you a new one when it comes in stock. Or, you cna do what most people have figured out, and for $7 for the life time of the phone, take it to the local sprint store and get a new one for free. You think you can buy a laptop with no extended plan from the place you bought it and have them replace it for free if it's defective? You have to send it to the manufacturer to do so, same as this HTC phone. Or, add the insurance, and never worry about it no matter what.
I just don't see why this is so complicated! Go ahead and send it back to HTC if you don't want to spend the extra 7 a month, you can do that if you want, just be prepared to be without one for a few weeks, just like any other product that has this happen....
To me, you sound like the type that would go to a car dealer and buy a car, and if it has an issue after the first month or so you DEMAND a new car RIGHT AWAY instead of letting the dealer at least have a chance to look at it and see if it's something that can be fixed without much trouble. I can't stand those kind of people.

Don't stress about warranty...

Thought I would share my experiences with you guys to hopefully settle some stomachs.
I got my first incredible the day they were released. About a month after i got it, it started randomly rebooting and shutting off. It would run great for days, then have a fit of reboots. I used it like that for quite a while until root was released. I rooted it, then shortly after installed some of the leaked roms. I hoped that updating everything would help with the reboots.. nope.
Anyway, long story short. I called VZW and they sent me a replacement device. I sent back the first phone with S-off, rooted, radio updated, and running a cryogen mod.
As soon as I got the replacement phone, I re-flashed it with all the goodies. Last week I ended up bricking it because my kid ran by and pulled it off the USB cable during a flash of sky raider. It would boot into Hboot, but i nothing i did made it work right again. Anyway, I called that day and said "my phone doesnt turn on anymore" they sent me another replacement. I sent that phone back with s-off and radio 2.15 and not booting past the silver HTC screen.
I was wondering wtf, i thought for sure i would get a call or a letter or SOMETHING. i have a buddy that works at the VZW warehouse so I asked him. He said all they do is open the box, verify that the numbers on the phone match the numbers on the return order and move on. They get 1,000s of phones a day from warranty exchange. Nobody "checks them". Hes just a lowly worker but I think hes right.
I have had VZW for just over 10 years now, and have utilized their "exchange 3 times per year" service on almost every phone I have had. I have sent in phones that I broke the screens on, by saying "my phone doesn't work anymore". I have sent in phones i dropped in the water by saying "my phone doesn't work anymore".
The people in the warehouse who check the phones numbers have NO IDEA why you sent it in, or what the tech told you, or why they told you to take it back.
bottom line.. don't stress about it. and take advantage of VZW's service of letting you exchange your phone 3 times per year.
EDIT
Just wanted to add... They give you 10 days to send the phone back, that first incredible i sent back, i kept for over a month. They even posted an equipment charge to my account for not sending it back, but that took them a month. I just called 611 and said "oh gee wow.. i forgot to send that back" lady told me no problem and sent me out a new box and i mailed it back. 3 days later they credited my account the $500+ equipment charge. That was the phone with s-off, radio update, and running cryogen. Hardly stock lol. and honestly.. it was a intermittent reboot problem. what would they do anyway? turn it on and use it for a week to see when it shutdown? lol

That 3x a year deal, is that with one of their insurance plans? I elected to for-go that when I bought my Incredible so I don't know what the deal will be if any one of my phones boink... just glad I don't have a kid to fudge things up anyway... although I do have a girlfriend that likes to seemingly randomly unplug my electronics because "our power bill is sooo high!". Yes, I know honey, it's called summer + A/C usage x.x

DeeBG said:
That 3x a year deal, is that with one of their insurance plans? I elected to for-go that when I bought my Incredible so I don't know what the deal will be if any one of my phones boink... just glad I don't have a kid to fudge things up anyway... although I do have a girlfriend that likes to seemingly randomly unplug my electronics because "our power bill is sooo high!". Yes, I know honey, it's called summer + A/C usage x.x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, that is just the manufacture warranty. they will exchange it 3 times during the 1 year manufacturer warranty. on the 4th time, they will either send you a brand new phone in the box, or upgrade you to another phone. your choice

msticlaru said:
no, that is just the manufacture warranty. they will exchange it 3 times during the 1 year manufacturer warranty. on the 4th time, they will either send you a brand new phone in the box, or upgrade you to another phone. your choice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's how I got my Incredible. Upgraded for free from D Eris. I got a big scratch on my screen somehow. Need a refurb soon. Haha.

I'm not sure if the masses should know any of this.

This is exactly how I got the Incredible from the Moto Droid. 3 times returned (the 3rd time not even for an unfixable problem *oopsie* ) and then they said they would send me an Incredible. I love VZW tech support

Hmmm, that Droid incredible hd sounds pretty cool lol when's it coming out again? Jk jk lol
Edit: this is good to know if something really does go bad with my phone. But I would never take advantage of it.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

MODS- please delete this thread to prevent little kids from being stupid and causing VZW to crack down on this. Thanks!

anothen said:
MODS- please delete this thread to prevent little kids from being stupid and causing VZW to crack down on this. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree...
/10char

Yeah, I'm sure this all-important xda thread would be the first inkling VZW has ever had that some people game their replacement policy (sshhh!)
better shut it down RIGHT AWAY before the sky falls on us.

I guess there always has to be someone to make a wise guy remark. You are correct about 'not being the first'. However, XDA may be the first that hundreds of thousands of people look at.

If it's so easy to return a phone 3x a year why bother with insurance? I'm paying $8 a month to Asurion.

Why would this thread need to be deleted. If Verizon does crack down good. People with legit problems with then hopefully be helped even better.

marcmarshall said:
If it's so easy to return a phone 3x a year why bother with insurance? I'm paying $8 a month to Asurion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 in 4 people with 2 year contracts could make a full replacement purchase price claim and they'd still have a nice profit, assuming they had to pay full price MSRP for replacements. Wonder how much they'd make by using refurbs as replacements, rejecting claims, etc.
I may be in the wrong business.
Also, delete the thread. That is the best way to restrict information flow.

marcmarshall said:
If it's so easy to return a phone 3x a year why bother with insurance? I'm paying $8 a month to Asurion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because warranty doesn't cover getting it wet, replacement of lost/stolen, cracked screen, break due to drop or abuse, etc.

Hey, my comment from yesterday got deleted! No fair, it doesn't count for my replies posted either...

Zerotwistknife7 said:
agree...
/10char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed Its not about VZW finding out its about people abusing it.

actually its not 3x a year its 3x in a period of thirty or sixty days.
that's how i got my dare from a Venus. The Venus always had something wrong and the tech himself told me well if they replace 3 in a month then you can get another phone.

anothen said:
I guess there always has to be someone to make a wise guy remark. You are correct about 'not being the first'. However, XDA may be the first that hundreds of thousands of people look at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just like there always has to be a Chicken Little or three, I guess. Would you rather I put a broomstick up my ass and found some piously earnest way to express my sincere contempt for those who run around asking for this thread deleted, that information suppressed, mods help us! etc, just to save us from ourselves? OK, then:
Attempting to mold community behavior by restricting the flow of information is a really dumb idea, especially on a hacker forum. And preserving a loophole that lets a knowledgeable few commit warranty fraud by concealing the means & opportunity from the other "hundreds of thousands of people" who read XDA is elitist, self-serving, and morally reprehensible all at once.
Fortunately for the scruple-challenged, my sense is that VZW is well aware of the potential, but just doesn't care--or at least is unwilling to invest in the kind of training and verification overhead that would allow them to examine each claim for legitimacy. So by all means: keep returning those bricked phones for an upgrade, but do stop hiding the Machiavellian ingenuity of your methods under a bushel--let it shine forth unto the ends of the earth! Free replacement phones for all!
marcmarshall said:
If it's so easy to return a phone 3x a year why bother with insurance? I'm paying $8 a month to Asurion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I suppose it's terribly old-fashioned to suggest that your conscience might trouble you if you went that route... But ethics aside, if you lost the phone outright, or smashed it to tiny bits, you could still need that insurance. The VZW workers might be inattentive and uncaring, but I'm guessing even they might notice an empty box, or a phone that arrives in a sandwich bag with no one fragment larger than 30 mesh!

My evo is gone for 30days :(

I found out the hard way.
I switch from sprint insurance to best buy.
Clerk at the store sold me on it when he said any problems, bring it back and we will give you a new phone no questions asked.
Big lie.
My camera lens and usb port broke.
Best Buy said that had to mail it in to repair it. They said it takes 30 days.
So, then i got a loaner phone for $150 deposit. El Cheapo samsung something...
So, I would stay with sprint for anyone wondering.

yes best buy black tie is one lie after another unfortunately
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Yeah I'm stick with that sit too until I upgrade
****ing salesman
Sent from my EVO running cm6

I does suck to be with out your phone but the one thing that BB is good for is water. My wife droped her EVO in soup sprint would not replace her phone if we were with them.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I hate best buy's insurance.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

mikeb4g said:
I does suck to be with out your phone but the one thing that BB is good for is water. My wife droped her EVO in soup sprint would not replace her phone if we were with them.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course Sprint is not able to replace liquid damaged phones, we deal strictly with service repairs and that is beyond typical damage or malfunctioning hardware/software.
But...we do have the asurion insurance for those times when you have those soup accidents, and asurions turn around time is usally less than 48 hours, and I do beleive now if you request it there is an overnight option.

I hate Best Buy in general. I mean seriously, they are still charging upwards of $25 for cables that you can get anywhere else for less than $10. I used to really like them, now I get disappointed every time I go in there.
Sent from here

ramiss said:
I hate Best Buy in general. I mean seriously, they are still charging upwards of $25 for cables that you can get anywhere else for less than $10. I used to really like them, now I get disappointed every time I go in there.
Sent from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been that way for 10+ years...

yeah, they tried to pull that on me with the replacement plan for my little brother's xbox that magically turned into a service plan where they had to send it to Microsoft. Why would i pay them for a two year warranty when Microsoft covers them for 3 years and provides free shipping. Kept arguing with them to no avail, asked for a refund of the warranty, they prorate it so it would have been like $5. No deal, I sent an angry letter to a bunch of corporate emails at best buy i found, including the ceo, sent it to the consumerist and threatened to go to my state ag about the whole bait and switch they tried to pull. Next day got an email back that they were looking into it and a day later had it replaced with a new one.

kthejoker20 said:
I found out the hard way.
I switch from sprint insurance to best buy.
Clerk at the store sold me on it when he said any problems, bring it back and we will give you a new phone no questions asked.
Big lie.
My camera lens and usb port broke.
Best Buy said that had to mail it in to repair it. They said it takes 30 days.
So, then i got a loaner phone for $150 deposit. El Cheapo samsung something...
So, I would stay with sprint for anyone wondering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because the employees don't all understand what the store's policy covers, they don't train them all on the policy. I ran into this with my flatscreen. I asked the kid a question about something I read in the return policy and he said, "um, I didn't know that, they don't really train us on it, but let me find out...". Not his fault, its management's.
evo on tapatalk

ramiss said:
I hate Best Buy in general. I mean seriously, they are still charging upwards of $25 for cables that you can get anywhere else for less than $10. I used to really like them, now I get disappointed every time I go in there.
Sent from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I can't stand stupid uninformed and unintelligent customers who come into my store, telling me that their cheapo HDMI cable from cablestogo or wherever, is better than AudioQuest cables... Please, maybe that **** is ok for you, but I actually enjoy getting the best audio and video from my multi-thousand dollar home theater setup... Pfffft.
Don't hate.
I have Best Buy black tie on both of my Evo's. I like what Sprint has done though, so I may change.

in this base.
Both of my Evos speakers blew out. had black tie/tye whatever insurance, they said bring it in we'll replace it, yaddayadda.
Brought it in "oh this is a manufacturer defect, we'd have to send it in, it'd take a few weeks."
"Oh **** that." Went to Sprint and paid $35 for them to repair it. Got it back and my camera glass was no longer cracked, adn the exterior had a crack in bottom left that is now gone. So i assume i got a refurbished one. It had 119 lifetime calls and 92 minutes...which sounds about right for me etc, but p.sure it wasn't my phone I gave them.

ramiss said:
I hate Best Buy in general. I mean seriously, they are still charging upwards of $25 for cables that you can get anywhere else for less than $10. I used to really like them, now I get disappointed every time I go in there.
Sent from here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude. Have you ever used barcode scanner in best buy ? Most of their stuff is WAY over priced.
I was looking at a stereo receiver they had for 700......scanned the barcode and new egg had it for 350. LITERALLY HALF. Best buy is good for one thing and one thing only.......WINDOW SHOPPING.
The car stereo i just bought.......800 at best buy.....400 from a reputable car stereo site.
They have caught on to the scanning now. Their posted barcodes, next to the price, now will take you DIRECTLY to the best buy site.
You have to scan from the product packaging only !
They exhist to take advantage of the technogically challenged.
Try the barcode scanner app in there and you'll see what im getting at.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Oh....we will hate. Best buy is a joke man. Read my prior post. They exhist to rip off the tech challenged, like people over 55. Thats a generalization i know but mostly true.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I think just like any store best buy Is good for something bad for others
Me I can't wait 3o days I asked questions when the clerk tried to sell me on it and it was not for me always Google anything remember they are sales men so its there job u as a customer should have jus researched it
I would rather pay the fee instead of wait but I can understand how it can suit some people jus didn't for me
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

jasonziter said:
Oh....we will hate. Best buy is a joke man. Read my prior post. They exhist to rip off the tech challenged, like people over 55. Thats a generalization i know but mostly true.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh really? What do you base this off of? The fact that you found a USB cable / CAT5/6 cable online for cheaper? Have you checked out prices on speakers, TV's, laptops, desktops, appliances, PC/console games, digital cameras, or SMART PHONES etc...?
If you weren't so close minded, maybe you would understand.

I think most people have a problem with best buy's delivery. They say they will replace your phone instantly for x,y,z° reason when the truth is its going out for service for 30 days and 150 deposit for some startek moto type loaner. Its best buy's fault for selling you a dream and the consumers fault for not reading the pamphlet they give you at the time of sale. Learn from it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

david279 said:
the consumers fault for not reading the pamphlet they give you at the time of sale. Learn from it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone keeps talking about a pamphlet.
I never got a pamphlet or any literature. Just a receipt with purchase price.

Well they really got you! They gave me a pamphlet when I bought my Evo. And even though the sales guy said they would replace my phone for ANY reason the pamphlet clearly says other wise. There's even a black tie webpage thru bestbuy.com and it tells you the process of replacement.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

my salesperson at BB is a buddy of mine, he said if anything happens make sure its UNREPAIRABLE i.e. ran over by car/ broken in half.
so, you drop your phone in soup? go throw it against a brick wall until its in small pieces and say it fell out of your car window going down the highway. they will look at it and say this is too bad and give you a new one.
thats just what my friend told me. ymmv

Why do people hate refurbished phones?

I've been lucky enough to have never needed my phone replaced and I've had over 30 or 40 phones thanks to connections at best buy.
My question is why do people hate them? Obviously your "brand new" (and i use parentheses because people think a 8 month old phone doesn't deserve a refurbished one as a replacement) has the exact same chance of not working properly. I can understand one month old but anything past that is not new anymore.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

I think part of the issue with phones is that people don't want something that someone has had pressed against their cheek or stuffed in their pocket for the past few months.
This is apart from the obvious fact that a refurb it may still be broken.
I have personally had very good luck with refurbed cameras.

DirtyShroomz said:
I've been lucky enough to have never needed my phone replaced and I've had over 30 or 40 phones thanks to connections at best buy.
My question is why do people hate them? Obviously your "brand new" (and i use parentheses because people think a 8 month old phone doesn't deserve a refurbished one as a replacement) has the exact same chance of not working properly. I can understand one month old but anything past that is not new anymore.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, because I've never received a refurbished phone that didn't fail on me within a month.
I don't care if it's "refurbished" or "new" I just want it to work 100% and not fail on me.

I'm inclined to agree that after a certain point you aren't really 'deserving' of a brand new device. I think it's simply the fact that the device isn't 'brand new and out of box' and has been 'handled.' I guess I can sort of understand why people might have a problem with it, but if it works and isn't entirely flawed in some manner, then what is the problem? I had 2 refurbished PS3's die on me in a year. Obviously I got 'lucky.' In that regard I understand why someone would be hesitant to get one. But more often than not refurbs actually work as intended. Shocking. But the practice is a tried and relatively true one.

I think you should get a freebee.. one free new phone. Anything after that.. refurbished
sent from a 3d fone

I just activated my refurbished phone. It took Sprint a month to get one for me. This one doesn't charge at all. The store said it would take at least a week to get me another one. When I asked what I should do about my phone in the meantime, the employee told me I could bring my phone into the store everyday to have them charge it. He was serious.
The icing on the cake is that they won't call when the new phone comes in. I'm supposed to call them everyday and ask if it's there. But the store doesn't ever answer their phone! After going through the phone tree twice, it just says "Sorry, all reps are busy, please make an appointment online." Somehow this is the only store in all of San Francisco that can even do replacements. I ****ing hate Sprint. [/RANT]

notown775 said:
I think you should get a freebee.. one free new phone. Anything after that.. refurbished
sent from a 3d fone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should have to get a refurbished phone, then if that fails you should be allowed a new one.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

DirtyShroomz said:
I've been lucky enough to have never needed my phone replaced and I've had over 30 or 40 phones thanks to connections at best buy.
My question is why do people hate them? Obviously your "brand new" (and i use parentheses because people think a 8 month old phone doesn't deserve a refurbished one as a replacement) has the exact same chance of not working properly. I can understand one month old but anything past that is not new anymore.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I have expierenced, refurbished phones are rarely problem free. Thus causing people to question refurb phones and the quality control that goes into refurbishment.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

ioos said:
I just activated my refurbished phone. It took Sprint a month to get one for me. This one doesn't charge at all. The store said it would take at least a week to get me another one. When I asked what I should do about my phone in the meantime, the employee told me I could bring my phone into the store everyday to have them charge it. He was serious.
The icing on the cake is that they won't call when the new phone comes in. I'm supposed to call them everyday and ask if it's there. But the store doesn't ever answer their phone! After going through the phone tree twice, it just says "Sorry, all reps are busy, please make an appointment online." Somehow this is the only store in all of San Francisco that can even do replacements. I ****ing hate Sprint. [/RANT]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call tech support and tell them your situation and they can send you one over the phone. I have the same problem in the southbay. The store always has at least a 45 min wait before you can even get help and they never answer their phone.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Rem3Dy said:
Call tech support and tell them your situation and they can send you one over the phone. I have the same problem in the southbay. The store always has at least a 45 min wait before you can even get help and they never answer their phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean sorta like download a new one?? Gotta love Sprint's technology

Will they send you a phone if they can't verify the issue? Is there a specific support number you call?

I've never received a replacement "over the phone", it has always taken overnight.
Refurb'd phones are put back together poorly IMO, my wife got a replacement that started to seperate from the case, we complained, they sent a "New" EVO the next day.
I have two refurb'd that are just fine though, we have 8 EVO's.

{ParanoiA} said:
You mean sorta like download a new one?? Gotta love Sprint's technology
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I knew the level of intelligence on XDA was going downhill.......
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Jim M said:
I've never received a replacement "over the phone", it has always taken overnight.
Refurb'd phones are put back together poorly IMO, my wife got a replacement that started to seperate from the case, we complained, they sent a "New" EVO the next day.
I have two refurb'd that are just fine though, we have 8 EVO's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The term over the phone refers to the fact he can get a replacement by speaking to someone over the phone instead of having to deal with the situation he has at his local sprint store.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

ioos said:
Will they send you a phone if they can't verify the issue? Is there a specific support number you call?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea they will. You should be honest about the problem because if you lie and sprint determines there is no issue with they phone they can charge you an additional amount.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Sprint has questionable refurbishment techniques. I've been told that the whole process is outsourced. I've read a lot about people getting refurbished phones that have known problems, like screen separation and bright spots on the screen. In many cases, it seems likely that those are the reasons why the phone was returned in the first place, and their refurbishing does not take care of the issue for which the phone was returned.
That said, I used to be on a Centro, and I went through three new ones before I ended up with a refurb. The refurb lasted a hell of a lot longer than the new ones. The only problem with it is that it was kind of gross when I got it. It had smudges and one of the buttons was a little cracked. But the phone itself worked great for the year and a half that I used it.
And yea, there's the gross factor too. Who knows who had their face pressed up against my refurb phone. Ick.

I don't like the idea that it could have been thumped around, and only the most obvious failing component was replaced, leaving you with a "ready to break" phone. That being said, I've never actually had a problem with a refurbished unit, (phone or other). All in the head I guess.
Sent from my Leedroid DHD!

usmaak said:
Sprint has questionable refurbishment techniques. I've been told that the whole process is outsourced. I've read a lot about people getting refurbished phones that have known problems, like screen separation and bright spots on the screen. In many cases, it seems likely that those are the reasons why the phone was returned in the first place, and their refurbishing does not take care of the issue for which the phone was returned.
That said, I used to be on a Centro, and I went through three new ones before I ended up with a refurb. The refurb lasted a hell of a lot longer than the new ones. The only problem with it is that it was kind of gross when I got it. It had smudges and one of the buttons was a little cracked. But the phone itself worked great for the year and a half that I used it.
And yea, there's the gross factor too. Who knows who had their face pressed up against my refurb phone. Ick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've seen as many new Evo's that had the screen separation issues, charger issues etc etc. I can see there being a bit more of a chance that a refurbished device isn't going to be up to par. I like the idea of maybe a new device and every device following is a refurb. As for the dirty screens ... maybe that's how I caught that face tattoo known as cheek herpes. :debbiedownerface:
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

Riding the white pony?
Rem3Dy said:
The term over the phone refers to the fact he can get a replacement by speaking to someone over the phone instead of having to deal with the situation he has at his local sprint store.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well... DUH, some people have no sense of humor, must be due to lack of root... I dunno.

So far only on my first refurb from August last year. So far so good (knocks wood). My launch day (002)Evo's 4G got up, and gone (radio was shot). The refurb is a launch day 003. As with anything you put in contact with your body for the first time you should wipe it down first even if new(some of the toxic chemicals used in production are rather nasty).

Don't use best buy's geeksquad black tie protection if you need a battery replaced

Alright well I was happy to see that my insurance plan (I got it from my dad) included the free battery replacement and since mine gets terrible drain from my phone I figured alright cool no problem, I will just goto bestbuy today and go get my replacement, WRONG! Turns out, you wait 45 minutes in line just to be told "You need to call this number *writes it down* and then your battery should be at your house between 4-7 days. Are you kidding me? Why the hell can't you guys carry battery replacements and give me a battery when I need it? Also just a side note of bad luck: I called and their systems are down so they can't place my order today. All in all: best buy is overpriced garbage with an incompetant support team with a plan that makes less sense than baby talk.

Indirect said:
Alright well I was happy to see that my insurance plan (I got it from my dad) included the free battery replacement and since mine gets terrible drain from my phone I figured alright cool no problem, I will just goto bestbuy today and go get my replacement, WRONG! Turns out, you wait 45 minutes in line just to be told "You need to call this number *writes it down* and then your battery should be at your house between 4-7 days. Are you kidding me? Why the hell can't you guys carry battery replacements and give me a battery when I need it? Also just a side note of bad luck: I called and their systems are down so they can't place my order today. All in all: best buy is overpriced garbage with an incompetant support team with a plan that makes less sense than baby talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So they don't carry it in the store and want you to call the number to get a free battery replacement..... Are you like 13 just call the number and get your battery, just be glad that the service is even offered.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

As far as I know, Best Buy nor any other insurance offerings guarantee that they will just trade you a new battery immediately in-store.
Giving you a number and mailing you a new battery after calling them sounds like SOP.

MultiDev said:
As far as I know, Best Buy nor any other insurance offerings guarantee that they will just trade you a new battery immediately in-store.
Giving you a number and mailing you a new battery after calling them sounds like SOP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint will replace
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Khilbron said:
So they don't carry it in the store and want you to call the number to get a free battery replacement..... Are you like 13 just call the number and get your battery, just be glad that the service is even offered.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't make any sense.
The best busy insurance is useless.
You're better off using the warranty because either way you're going to be without a phone for multiple weeks.

Meh BBY rarely carries batteries for devices in store... they might have the extended capacity ones but I have never seen them carry OEM batteries so yeah... this sounds pretty standard

It's the fact that I was annoyed at the situation that I have to call the number myself and all that instead of just going to sprint to replace my battery. It's annoying and I was already having a bad day. I had to vent. :3

Indirect said:
It's the fact that I was annoyed at the situation that I have to call the number myself and all that instead of just going to sprint to replace my battery. It's annoying and I was already having a bad day. I had to vent. :3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I probably would have gotten on my phone and called my local best but store and asked how the replacement battery program worked before driving out there and waiting 45 minutes in line. If I am going somewhere to purchase anything that could be out of stock (expecially electronics), I will always call and see if they have it in stock. Going to a store and expecting for them to have something that you want/need without checking first is not their fault.

tgruendler said:
I probably would have gotten on my phone and called my local best but store and asked how the replacement battery program worked before driving out there and waiting 45 minutes in line. If I am going somewhere to purchase anything that could be out of stock (expecially electronics), I will always call and see if they have it in stock. Going to a store and expecting for them to have something that you want/need without checking first is not their fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Furthermore, if you actually took the time to read and/or inquire about the battery replacements when you signed up, you would know that this is standard procedure.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

bjb_nyj101 said:
you would know that this is standard procedure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you don't think that supports the OP's advice of not using Best Buy's black tie protection?
You're better off just using the HTC warranty.

mattykinsx said:
And you don't think that supports the OP's advice of not using Best Buy's black tie protection?
You're better off just using the HTC warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try and send Htc a cracked screen and see what they say
Sent from my HTC Shooter via Tapatalk

HSadler93 said:
Try and send Htc a cracked screen and see what they say
Sent from my HTC Shooter via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was referring to warranty concerns, not physical damage concerns.
That's what TEP is for.
Battery replaced on site, phone replaced within a day if service cannot be performed, deductible only if you damage the phone.
A lot better than paying $10 a month and having to wait a week [or up to three] to have a phone. [Which is just what the HTC warranty is like]

LexLuger82 said:
Sprint will replace
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the warehouse, which usually takes a day or two.

Sunsparc said:
From the warehouse, which usually takes a day or two.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint replaces batteries on site
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

mattykinsx said:
And you don't think that supports the OP's advice of not using Best Buy's black tie protection?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never said that the OP wasn't right for advocating against black tie. I'm replying to this:
Indirect said:
I figured alright cool no problem, I will just goto bestbuy today and go get my replacement, WRONG! Turns out, you wait 45 minutes in line just to be told "You need to call this number *writes it down* and then your battery should be at your house between 4-7 days. Are you kidding me? Why the hell can't you guys carry battery replacements and give me a battery when I need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not just this black tie insurance, but everything you sign up for in general; You should know what services you are signing up & paying for. Period. There should never be any surprises. *Even if* you "assume" that you'll be able to get something fixed/replaced/etc, it seems like common sense to call in before hand to make sure, rather than wast an hour of your time.

Honestly you could have stopped at "Don't use Best Buys Geek Squad"
The in house people are just plain dumb. Not naive, not just under-trained, not just lacking in the skill set to do the job but actual dumb.
I say this with every ounce of honesty I can in hopes that you guys for once believe something on the internet posted by someone you don't know.......
I actually got into an extended conversation with a person about a new computer and as soon as I saw he was just reading the description card I asked about the flux capacitor issues. He proceeded to ask his superior about it because he "wanted to be honest and find my answer instead of making up stuff". His superior proceeded to LOOK IT UP!!! until a listening customer popped in with "you only have issues if you have a hard drive that spins faster than 88mph". We laughed, they picked up on it, I left.
The GS employees are dumb. I don't use the above story as my only basis, that's an extreme example. The phone people are just reading a prompt, the inhouse people are just trained to go to the computer and "look it up". They have no real working knowledge of anything they are selling.

Indirect said:
Alright well I was happy to see that my insurance plan (I got it from my dad) included the free battery replacement and since mine gets terrible drain from my phone I figured alright cool no problem, I will just goto bestbuy today and go get my replacement, WRONG! Turns out, you wait 45 minutes in line just to be told "You need to call this number *writes it down* and then your battery should be at your house between 4-7 days. Are you kidding me? Why the hell can't you guys carry battery replacements and give me a battery when I need it? Also just a side note of bad luck: I called and their systems are down so they can't place my order today. All in all: best buy is overpriced garbage with an incompetant support team with a plan that makes less sense than baby talk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use "Best Buy" at all.

blizzard1017 said:
Honestly you could have stopped at "Don't use Best Buys Geek Squad"
The in house people are just plain dumb. Not naive, not just under-trained, not just lacking in the skill set to do the job but actual dumb.
I say this with every ounce of honesty I can in hopes that you guys for once believe something on the internet posted by someone you don't know.......
I actually got into an extended conversation with a person about a new computer and as soon as I saw he was just reading the description card I asked about the flux capacitor issues. He proceeded to ask his superior about it because he "wanted to be honest and find my answer instead of making up stuff". His superior proceeded to LOOK IT UP!!! until a listening customer popped in with "you only have issues if you have a hard drive that spins faster than 88mph". We laughed, they picked up on it, I left.
The GS employees are dumb. I don't use the above story as my only basis, that's an extreme example. The phone people are just reading a prompt, the inhouse people are just trained to go to the computer and "look it up". They have no real working knowledge of anything they are selling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The sad thing is, I wanted to work with geeksquad last year but then I found out the severe lack of knowledge in that group in general and I was appaled I have an extensive knowledge of windows and linux as well as the ability to remove just about every peice of malware by hand and I hate people that just scan with different tools that will eventually pick up something. Guess what best buy does to remove malware? Throw scans at it. I would much rather do all of it by hand so I figured I can do freelance virus removal for the time being and it has worked out wonderfully. I'm gonna try to convince my dad to just get me the sprint TEP plan and go from there. Atleast then I can find someone intelligent to fix my issues that I can't fix myself.

fenixjn said:
Meh BBY rarely carries batteries for devices in store... they might have the extended capacity ones but I have never seen them carry OEM batteries so yeah... this sounds pretty standard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, don't think I ever see batteries at Best Buy....you gotta read the small print when buying all that extra stuff from stores....especially when it involves them replacing something for free....