I truly hope this appeal comes across to other members on this board as sincere and reasonable; for the record I am in my mid-30s; I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served honorably in times far safer and far less treacherus than my Marine brothers serve today; I have an undegraduate degree from UCLA, and a law degree from Chapman University School of Law. I am very fortunate to call myself employed, having graduated in the middle of the worst economy and job market that this country has seen in multiple generations. After nearly a year of fruitless searches for a job, indeed ANY job, I landed a career with a historic, admired financial services company as a fiduciary for client assets. I am disclosing this not for any reason aside from my need to communicate, as clearly as possible, that I am not here to fling poo, rant and rave about a minor error, or throw a temper tantrum in a public forum. I am not perfect, but I do believe I am rational and reasonable, and I hope to rationally and reasonably communicate this problem in order to facilitate some method of combating it.
This evening, I spent a number of hours attempting to fix a major billing error made by Verizon wireless. This is not the first call I have made since purchasing my Xoom, and the promises made by Verizon employees on previous phone calls and store visits were apparently nothing more than stall tactics. This billing error is directly related to my Xoom, which my girlfrend purchased for me for my birthday, the 26th of February. We are not wealthy, but she saved for some time to buy what she knew I wanted but did not expect. Even with the early adopter issues I and many of you have experienced, I still thoroughly enjoy my Xoom and know that I will continue to enjoy it as much, and likely more so, than I have enjoyed the moto Droid 1 that has capitalized my inner geek's attention for the past year.
In my capacity at my job, I have personally invested in, and compelled clients and coworkers to invest in, the companies that I believed would prosper as Android grew in popularity. My knowledge and experience with high performance desktop rigs and mobile devices allowed me to understand, in mid 2010, the potential value of companies like ARM Holdings, nVidia, and Atmel, when their stock values hovered at near all-time lows. And I was correct in predicting the changes in the consumer technology landscape - what I failed to take into consideration was just how deep into the grey areas of law and morality the major channel of android devices, Verizon Wirelss, would venture in order to give it a market advantage over its competitors.
I have been a happy customer of Verizon, and have had virtually zero complaints since becoming an Android user in early 2010. In fact I have been instrumental in converting a fairly large number of friends and coworkers into Android users on Verizon's network, something I would not have done if I thought for a second that my recommendation would lead to the kind of issues I am beginning to see with customers similarly situated to me.
Without explaining the details of my current complaints against Verizon, understand that I have very little faith that Verizon is going to address my complaints with any sort of good faith or fair dealings. After my repeated attempts to reverse the questionable actions of Verizon employees relating to my account, it appears as though Verizon is engaged in a series of de minimus infractions against a customer base lacking any bargaining power and damaged in amounts small enough to pass quietly over the heads of those tasked with protecting consumers from such activities.
If you bought a Xoom at full retail and declined any data plans, you will likely discover that you are being billed for the data plan you declined to use. If you already discovered this and think you have already fixed the "error" by contacting verizon, you will likely see that your call to verizon was completely ignored. If you contact verizon to ask why verizon has repeatedly ignored your desire to be free of any data plans, you will likely be treated like a child and misled to believe that purchasing a Xoom requires that you pay for a month-to-month data plan. Never mind that we know this to be untrue, because it is clear that verizon intends to collect as much revenue as it can during a product launch mired in confusing, contradictory and misleading terms.
Banking on the inability of an individual consumer to withstand delay tactics and phone shuffling from ineffective customer rep to ineffective customer rep, verizon is hoping that only a fraction of the erroneus and fraudulent charges will be fought hard enough to warrant reversal. For every $10 million that verizon will overcharge xoom buyers, if only 10% of defrauded customers fight the good fight and see theirncharges reversed, Verizon will see a $9 million windfall. Thisnis not a new tactic in business, just one I did not expect Verizon to take.
We do have some leverage, we just need to figure out how to utilize it. I presumr this is a good enough forum to seek out other not willing to take a $300 shaft from verizon, especially after paying $800 for a luxury like a xoom.
Any thoughts? Ideas? How can we become a squeaky enough wheel such that we're made right and others are not subject to deceitful tactics with little or no recourse?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
SInce you already took the time to write this post. I would suggest you sending the story to The Consumerist website also.
These companies don't like the bad publicity they get from organizations like Consumer Reports. I'm suggesting this as a way to alert potential consumers about the risk and not to use it as a way to get revenge.
Good Luck
Wow!!!!
You posted all of that on your Xoom? I thought it kind of weird that we would have to pay full price AND still have to activate (get a # from Verizon) myself. But on launch day I decided to go ahead anyway since it wasn't really a lock-in type of plan. However, I began to experience an uneasy feeling about the whole thing after playing around with the Xoom, remembering what it cost as I went along, remembering how things usually worked (in the past anyway) in relation to price of these types of things, you know, FULL PRICE = no having to deal with a wireless provider..etc, and decided pretty darn quickly (I had the device for a total of 3 hours) that I didn't want to continue with the current setup. I therefore took the device back to BB where I purchased it. They accepted the return and called VZW to deactivate everything, which they did, but I still recieved a bill for $38.27. I was told that that was for activating the device...etc., during my call to them to try and get a refund since I had the device for only 3 fricking hours. The rep I got was pretty nice and understanding and said that she could cancel the bill and I would owe nothing. I left it at that and a couple of days later, I recieved a bill for that same amount in my mailbox, so I called again to talk them about it. Well, by the time I got done with that phone call, I was told that I owed $3.27 and that that amount was the taxes that was on the bill to begin with. I thought, and said to the rep., HUH!!!, and she told me that their system has no way of reversing taxes. Rather than argueing over $3.27, I told her that I would just send them a money order. Does this sound plausible to anybody? Does anyone else think that their system is incapable of reversing taxes and that the money is actually going to be paid on the taxes? Just all so weird to me.
Oh yea, AND a couple of days later I went back to BB to see if the activation crap with Verizon was still going on (I thought I'd at least check things out) and sure enough it wasn't. I guess it was only a launch day thing. I ended up getting another Xoom WITHOUT having to deal with Verizon's crap.
so uhh... long story short? There was a billing error? I don't even see in your post about what.
I see all kinds of stuff about the army, your job, Android in general, and your gf, but nothing to do with the thread title...
ixobelle said:
so uhh... long story short? There was a billing error? I don't even see in your post about what.
I see all kinds of stuff about the army, your job, Android in general, and your gf, but nothing to do with the thread title...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a bet that says this asshole isn't from the United States or has any idea what a person in the military means to the average american like myself. We have the liberties and rights because they fight for them. Go Troll somewhere Gollum
VegUnited said:
Go Troll somewhere Gollum
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What You Said
They are a former Marine just so'you know
OP: I would for starters file with the BBB in your area
ixobelle said:
so uhh... long story short? There was a billing error? I don't even see in your post about what.
I see all kinds of stuff about the army, your job, Android in general, and your gf, but nothing to do with the thread title...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
androidlurker said:
I truly hope this appeal comes across to other members on this board as sincere and reasonable; for the record I am in my mid-30s; I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served honorably in times far safer and far less treacherus than my Marine brothers serve today; I have an undegraduate degree from UCLA, and a law degree from Chapman University School of Law. I am very fortunate to call myself employed, having graduated in the middle of the worst economy and job market that this country has seen in multiple generations. After nearly a year of fruitless searches for a job, indeed ANY job, I landed a career with a historic, admired financial services company as a fiduciary for client assets. I am disclosing this not for any reason aside from my need to communicate, as clearly as possible, that I am not here to fling poo, rant and rave about a minor error, or throw a temper tantrum in a public forum. I am not perfect, but I do believe I am rational and reasonable, and I hope to rationally and reasonably communicate this problem in order to facilitate some method of combating it.
This evening, I spent a number of hours attempting to fix a major billing error made by Verizon wireless. This is not the first call I have made since purchasing my Xoom, and the promises made by Verizon employees on previous phone calls and store visits were apparently nothing more than stall tactics. This billing error is directly related to my Xoom, which my girlfrend purchased for me for my birthday, the 26th of February. We are not wealthy, but she saved for some time to buy what she knew I wanted but did not expect. Even with the early adopter issues I and many of you have experienced, I still thoroughly enjoy my Xoom and know that I will continue to enjoy it as much, and likely more so, than I have enjoyed the moto Droid 1 that has capitalized my inner geek's attention for the past year.
In my capacity at my job, I have personally invested in, and compelled clients and coworkers to invest in, the companies that I believed would prosper as Android grew in popularity. My knowledge and experience with high performance desktop rigs and mobile devices allowed me to understand, in mid 2010, the potential value of companies like ARM Holdings, nVidia, and Atmel, when their stock values hovered at near all-time lows. And I was correct in predicting the changes in the consumer technology landscape - what I failed to take into consideration was just how deep into the grey areas of law and morality the major channel of android devices, Verizon Wirelss, would venture in order to give it a market advantage over its competitors.
I have been a happy customer of Verizon, and have had virtually zero complaints since becoming an Android user in early 2010. In fact I have been instrumental in converting a fairly large number of friends and coworkers into Android users on Verizon's network, something I would not have done if I thought for a second that my recommendation would lead to the kind of issues I am beginning to see with customers similarly situated to me.
Without explaining the details of my current complaints against Verizon, understand that I have very little faith that Verizon is going to address my complaints with any sort of good faith or fair dealings. After my repeated attempts to reverse the questionable actions of Verizon employees relating to my account, it appears as though Verizon is engaged in a series of de minimus infractions against a customer base lacking any bargaining power and damaged in amounts small enough to pass quietly over the heads of those tasked with protecting consumers from such activities.
If you bought a Xoom at full retail and declined any data plans, you will likely discover that you are being billed for the data plan you declined to use. If you already discovered this and think you have already fixed the "error" by contacting verizon, you will likely see that your call to verizon was completely ignored. If you contact verizon to ask why verizon has repeatedly ignored your desire to be free of any data plans, you will likely be treated like a child and misled to believe that purchasing a Xoom requires that you pay for a month-to-month data plan. Never mind that we know this to be untrue, because it is clear that verizon intends to collect as much revenue as it can during a product launch mired in confusing, contradictory and misleading terms.
Banking on the inability of an individual consumer to withstand delay tactics and phone shuffling from ineffective customer rep to ineffective customer rep, verizon is hoping that only a fraction of the erroneus and fraudulent charges will be fought hard enough to warrant reversal. For every $10 million that verizon will overcharge xoom buyers, if only 10% of defrauded customers fight the good fight and see theirncharges reversed, Verizon will see a $9 million windfall. Thisnis not a new tactic in business, just one I did not expect Verizon to take.
We do have some leverage, we just need to figure out how to utilize it. I presumr this is a good enough forum to seek out other not willing to take a $300 shaft from verizon, especially after paying $800 for a luxury like a xoom.
Any thoughts? Ideas? How can we become a squeaky enough wheel such that we're made right and others are not subject to deceitful tactics with little or no recourse?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, you gave them all your information for them to be able to bill you and now are complaining. I paid full price @ Best Buy and my information was not needed. Why would it be if i'm paying full price? If they would of asked for all my info I would of called V the next day to make sure I didn't have a paying cycle as it just depends on the rep.
But you my friend failed and are blaiming Verizon.
I think the most important point that he said was missed... his gf picked it up for him. need I say more?
/thread
also, all these threads that do not belong on the board, or are viewed as trolling should be voted on. I gave this a 1 star rating.
Verizon cancelled my data on day 1 and warned of the bill. Once it came in they told me to call and it would be cleared out. Bill went from 37 to 0.
Curious how can you be billed for a data bill you declined? You must sign the contract and submit your social security for credit checks before activation.
He is trying to help the community. Most of you suck anyways. Thanks for the post op.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
androidlurker said:
I truly hope this appeal comes across to other members on this board as sincere and reasonable; for the record I am in my mid-30s; I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served honorably in times far safer and far less treacherus than my Marine brothers serve today; I have an undegraduate degree from UCLA, and a law degree from Chapman University School of Law. I am very fortunate to call myself employed, having graduated in the middle of the worst economy and job market that this country has seen in multiple generations. After nearly a year of fruitless searches for a job, indeed ANY job, I landed a career with a historic, admired financial services company as a fiduciary for client assets. I am disclosing this not for any reason aside from my need to communicate, as clearly as possible, that I am not here to fling poo, rant and rave about a minor error, or throw a temper tantrum in a public forum. I am not perfect, but I do believe I am rational and reasonable, and I hope to rationally and reasonably communicate this problem in order to facilitate some method of combating it.
This evening, I spent a number of hours attempting to fix a major billing error made by Verizon wireless. This is not the first call I have made since purchasing my Xoom, and the promises made by Verizon employees on previous phone calls and store visits were apparently nothing more than stall tactics. This billing error is directly related to my Xoom, which my girlfrend purchased for me for my birthday, the 26th of February. We are not wealthy, but she saved for some time to buy what she knew I wanted but did not expect. Even with the early adopter issues I and many of you have experienced, I still thoroughly enjoy my Xoom and know that I will continue to enjoy it as much, and likely more so, than I have enjoyed the moto Droid 1 that has capitalized my inner geek's attention for the past year.
In my capacity at my job, I have personally invested in, and compelled clients and coworkers to invest in, the companies that I believed would prosper as Android grew in popularity. My knowledge and experience with high performance desktop rigs and mobile devices allowed me to understand, in mid 2010, the potential value of companies like ARM Holdings, nVidia, and Atmel, when their stock values hovered at near all-time lows. And I was correct in predicting the changes in the consumer technology landscape - what I failed to take into consideration was just how deep into the grey areas of law and morality the major channel of android devices, Verizon Wirelss, would venture in order to give it a market advantage over its competitors.
I have been a happy customer of Verizon, and have had virtually zero complaints since becoming an Android user in early 2010. In fact I have been instrumental in converting a fairly large number of friends and coworkers into Android users on Verizon's network, something I would not have done if I thought for a second that my recommendation would lead to the kind of issues I am beginning to see with customers similarly situated to me.
Without explaining the details of my current complaints against Verizon, understand that I have very little faith that Verizon is going to address my complaints with any sort of good faith or fair dealings. After my repeated attempts to reverse the questionable actions of Verizon employees relating to my account, it appears as though Verizon is engaged in a series of de minimus infractions against a customer base lacking any bargaining power and damaged in amounts small enough to pass quietly over the heads of those tasked with protecting consumers from such activities.
If you bought a Xoom at full retail and declined any data plans, you will likely discover that you are being billed for the data plan you declined to use. If you already discovered this and think you have already fixed the "error" by contacting verizon, you will likely see that your call to verizon was completely ignored. If you contact verizon to ask why verizon has repeatedly ignored your desire to be free of any data plans, you will likely be treated like a child and misled to believe that purchasing a Xoom requires that you pay for a month-to-month data plan. Never mind that we know this to be untrue, because it is clear that verizon intends to collect as much revenue as it can during a product launch mired in confusing, contradictory and misleading terms.
Banking on the inability of an individual consumer to withstand delay tactics and phone shuffling from ineffective customer rep to ineffective customer rep, verizon is hoping that only a fraction of the erroneus and fraudulent charges will be fought hard enough to warrant reversal. For every $10 million that verizon will overcharge xoom buyers, if only 10% of defrauded customers fight the good fight and see theirncharges reversed, Verizon will see a $9 million windfall. Thisnis not a new tactic in business, just one I did not expect Verizon to take.
We do have some leverage, we just need to figure out how to utilize it. I presumr this is a good enough forum to seek out other not willing to take a $300 shaft from verizon, especially after paying $800 for a luxury like a xoom.
Any thoughts? Ideas? How can we become a squeaky enough wheel such that we're made right and others are not subject to deceitful tactics with little or no recourse?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you have to do and I have done this before and won against T-mobile is go to the Small Claims Court and open a case against verizon. your case will be heard in 30 days
You'll probably have more luck on the Better Business Bureau website than posting on here. There's nothing any of us can really do about it, unless the Verizon CEO secretly lurks in here.
Good luck!
Silly me for thinking I'd find sympathetic ears here. My bad.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
@lurker these forums are full of haters man. Thanks for your service and good luck with the ordeal.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Well said my good man. Verizon is the devil, I have known this since my dumbphone days They are too big and I am praying for an event that sees them lose so many subscribers that they drop to #3 or #4 and have to change tactics. This won't happen, but I can dream.
monadzback said:
He is trying to help the community. Most of you suck anyways. Thanks for the post op.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only difference between your post and his is you took a lot less words to say nothing.
Thank you for being succinct OP
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
I must say after reading all that I am still not sure what the problem is.. Did they get your GF in a contract instead of month to month you can cancel? Or will they just not cancel your data plan at all??
I had no issue and took 10 minutes on the phone and was told to call back if I did see a charge on my bill and they would remove it..
mjpacheco said:
The only difference between your post and his is you took a lot less words to say nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Related
First off, anyone who works for Sprint know about this 90 day probation period before I'm allowed payment plans on my bill? Working in a Sprint store and working in the oppressing dictatorship they call Sprint Customer Service are two very different things it would seem, so if anyone who actually works for Sprint Customer Service (call centers) would please enlighten me about this policy that I've never heard of and never read about in my Agreement, it would be much appreciated.
The “Honeymoon” is over (30 day return trial period) I love the phone its better than the iPhone 4 in almost every way (horrendous build quality, horrendous audio/video recording are the only two major cons I see with the evo).The 4g is nice to have at home and in most places when I'm outside, But... now Sprint is beginning to show their true colors with their Gestapo-like tactics, I asked for a grace period or promise to pay at a certain date so I won't be "hotlined" anymore, every single rep I spoke to on the phone were spitting the same old premeditated scripts at me, supervisors were even worse and very aggressive, when I asked to be transfer to a higher up department I would wait ages(30-40mins) only to be hunged up on by a person who seems to never have good reception and can barely hear me…
During my 30 day trial the two times that I did call(for MSL, forgot it the first time) Sprint Customer Service they were very polite and willing to help me with any issue I had. So now that I’m stuck with them for 2 years they feel like they can just treat me like a piece of **** it would seem.
When I had T-Mobile they would bend over backwards to keep me happy, they were very friendly and polite, never hunged up on me, treated me with respect and not just like another number.
I love the phone but I can’t deal with these Gestapo drones, They remind me of the Vogons from The Hitchikers guide to the Galaxy, mindlessly bureaucratic and aggressive. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogon)
If I knew how 2 face these a-holes were I wouldn’t of even enter that Radioshack on that day of June 4th
They won't set up a payment plan or promise to pay with me because I haven't been a customer with them for 90 days yet! So I'm just a slimey slithering worm rolling in my own feces to them.
They are suspending my account next Monday July 19th I told them I will have funds available the following day Tuesday July 20th and will Pay my past due but they refuse to work with me! $25 reactivation fee. All they care about is squeezing as much money out of the customer as possible, that clutch $10 “premium data fee” should have been a huge RED flag. Thank god for the awesome XDA developer community for keeping me at least partially sane through these hard times! =)
If anyone of you is wondering, I’m in-between jobs, the bank gobbled up my past two paychecks so I was not able to keep up on my bills, and this was at the end of my 30 day trial ironically. Now there’s no way to cancel my service with Sprint without paying the $200 ETF, since I’m 10 days out of the 30 day trial.
This was more of a rant more than anything, but I would be very grateful if any current or previous Sprint Employees can give me some insight on how to penetrate the big red bureaucratic wall that is Sprint Customer Service Thank you!
Doesn't really sound like their fault at all. Balance your money.
should have thought twice before getting a $200 phone with $10 premium data charge when you're in between jobs.
I lost my job on July 4th lol
Sorry to hear about your run of bad luck. I'm past my 30 days also, and Sprint customer service has been good to me.
You just have bad luck.
vbyt said:
should have thought twice before getting a $200 phone with $10 premium data charge when you're in between jobs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
X2! Bought on 06/04 fired on 07/04. Pretty sure you could've cancelled on 07/05 under the circumstances.
--- First post in over 2 years of having been here. Wow.
They have been pretty good with me. I didn't know about the automated payment discount, so they took off the difference from my bill for me.
Good luck on getting a new job. I put an ad out to hire a photo editor for my company and got 367 applications. They are applicants top of their class having masters and can't get jobs right now. My advice is to take ANY job right now and quit after finding a better job. $10 an hour is better the $0 an hour.
90 day "probational" period is what I'm the most PO'd about. I've never heard of such policy. Its like saying "I don't trust you, you're a piece of sh** to me until you pay me for 90 days. So go *** yourself until then." -Sprint
rutter9 said:
They have been pretty good with me. I didn't know about the automated payment discount, so they took off the difference from my bill for me.
Good luck on getting a new job. I put an ad out to hire a photo editor for my company and got 367 applications. They are applicants top of their class having masters and can't get jobs right now. My advice is to take ANY job right now and quit after finding a better job. $10 an hour is better the $0 an hour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed I've even applied at Walmart and Mcdonalds!
lmao, yeah dude it really all comes down to "you shouldnt buy something you cant afford" rutter hit the nail with her first comment
Tundricles said:
I lost my job on July 4th lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I remember on another cellphone forums (can't link that site ;P) there was a list of numbers with a few that would get you straight past tech support and to the higher ups. I remember the had some pretty high up number too, but I'm not sure if the numbers still work. I'll see if I can find the list.
sucks to be you ! how is this sprints fault ?
Tundricles said:
Agreed I've even applied at Walmart and Mcdonalds!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of my friends has his masters and is an English teacher (was) right now he's washing dishes!
YOU lost YOUR job and can't afford the contract that YOU signed. How is this Sprint's problem? Seriously, that's just horrible luck for you, but don't blame Sprint for your own misfortune.
I have said for years "Sprint is a great phone company until you have to speak with them or need customer service"
I have learned to not let myself get so enraged at their lack of customer service. I choose to be their customer and sometimes I wish I didn't get a 27% discount because there have been SOOOO MANY times I would have told them to please shove their attitudes somewhere and bill me the ETF's. EVERY time I call it's like they assume I'm trying to scam them out of something. It's like once you are beyond 30 days and committed to the "agreement" they don't care if you leave or stay but they'll be damned if your gonna get good customer service.
I love my phone and I get great service (reception, 3g and cdma) and my monthly bill is very reasonable but the way Sprint conducts their customer lack-of-service is pretty disgusting.
They won't work with you because you haven't proven yourself to be a credible customer. The fact of the matter is, you started service with them on June 4th. FFWd to today, 40 days later, and you cannot honor your contract to pay the first month's charges.... So they suspend your account until you pay up. Sounds to me like you should've planned better and left a buffer of $ to pay your obligations. How is it their responsibility to bend the rules for an irresponsible customer? It's not. Learn from it.
I would suggest emailing them. Whenever I've emailed them I get a return phone call by one of the people higher up in the company. The first line CS people are always going to give you the scripted response, I'm just glad that I can understand them now since they now have people who's first language is English.
I've been a Sprint customer for about 9yrs, their CS is stellar now compared to what it was.
Jye75 said:
They won't work with you because you haven't proven yourself to be a credible customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not entirely true. I've been a Sprint customer for more than 7 years and I've NEVER had my service disconnected for late payment and they still treat me like an opponent not a customer.
nebenezer said:
Not entirely true. I've been a Sprint customer for more than 7 years and I've NEVER had my service disconnected for late payment and they still treat me like an opponent not a customer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably a crap rep then.
My familie's been with them a while always treated us well.
Then again 4 lines, and we always buy 4 phones at once.
We also have a business line with like 12 nextels on it.
Just when it appeared that Sprint was finally pulling their head out the sand, they finally have good (rather, great!) devices, they are rolling out the fastest network available in many cities, they fumble, pathetically. Kinda like handing it off on the 1 yard line, running back jumps over the pile and ball gets knocked loose, game over, you lose.
Effective now, if you are getting ANY employee discount, they are discontinuing it on every line after the first two:
"Discount Policy Change Notice
Effective 8/27/10, discounts will no longer apply to the monthly recurring charge for Add-a-Phone lines beyond the first two lines on family or share plans."
And if that weren't enough, if you have any add-ons (regardless of if it is first, second, or 5th line) your discount is gone too.
Discount Policy Change Reminder
"As a reminder, effective 8/1/10, employee/member discounts no longer apply to add-on services with a monthly recurring charge of $29.99 or less. Examples include, but are not limited to, Messaging Add-Ons, Data Packs, Data Premier."
Pathetic.
Anyone who wants to tell me "well if you don't like it, you can go somewhere else" save yourself the time, I plan on it.
That's quite the misleading thread title to get us to look at old news.
derrickj said:
Just when it appeared that Sprint was finally pulling their head out the sand, they finally have good (rather, great!) devices, they are rolling out the fastest network available in many cities, they fumble, pathetically. Kinda like handing it off on the 1 yard line, running back jumps over the pile and ball gets knocked loose, game over, you lose.
Effective now, if you are getting ANY employee discount, they are discontinuing it on every line after the first two:
"Discount Policy Change Notice
Effective 8/27/10, discounts will no longer apply to the monthly recurring charge for Add-a-Phone lines beyond the first two lines on family or share plans."
And if that weren't enough, if you have any add-ons (regardless of if it is first, second, or 5th line) your discount is gone too.
Discount Policy Change Reminder
"As a reminder, effective 8/1/10, employee/member discounts no longer apply to add-on services with a monthly recurring charge of $29.99 or less. Examples include, but are not limited to, Messaging Add-Ons, Data Packs, Data Premier."
Pathetic.
Anyone who wants to tell me "well if you don't like it, you can go somewhere else" save yourself the time, I plan on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what? If not getting discounts that MOST people don't get anyway, is a deal breaker for you ("waaah, I'm no longer in the special club"), then buh-bye.
If it's a matter of not being able to afford the STANDARD rates... then I say, learn how to manage your damn $$.
Such a sense of entitlement in America these days. C'mon people, the biggest hurdle in a lot of people's lives is their own ego.
Good luck finding what Sprint offers for cheaper even without the discount.
Yeah.. old news man
Your thread title suggests they are discontinuing ALL discounts, not just on the added lines. Considering my 27% discount only saves me ~$5 on my $20 added line I'm not sweating it. Not to mention (and I could be mistaken) I believe this applies to FUTURE lines, not current.. My discount is still there for my 3rd line.. guess we'll see when my next bill drops..
Jye75 said:
So what? If not getting discounts that MOST people don't get anyway, is a deal breaker for you ("waaah, I'm no longer in the special club"), then buh-bye.
If it's a matter of not being able to afford the STANDARD rates... then I say, learn how to manage your damn $$.
Such a sense of entitlement in America these days. C'mon people, the biggest hurdle in a lot of people's lives is their own ego.
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Click to collapse
Couple of tips for you:
1) Read original post, already mentioned I was leaving, has nothing to do with being in a "special club" rather Sprint, not me, Sprint, changed their terms. I made my decision.
2) I would be willing to compare W-2's with you, I can assure you that my money is a) being managed far more effectively than yours and 2) there is more of it to manage.
3) Learn definition of entitlement. Why do you think anyone offers discounts? As an "entitlement"?!!? I think the word you are looking for is "incentive" and I have lost mine with Sprint.
nebenezer said:
Yeah.. old news man
Your thread title suggests they are discontinuing ALL discounts, not just on the added lines. Considering my 27% discount only saves me ~$5 on my $20 added line I'm not sweating it. Not to mention (and I could be mistaken) I believe this applies to FUTURE lines, not current.. My discount is still there for my 3rd line.. guess we'll see when my next bill drops..
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I edited the title. This is definitely for existing lines, I already had the discussion. It is also new news to me because I have electronic billing and you have to click a hyperlink to see it. Seriously, you have to click a hyperlink. All the other text is printed and a major change is announced and you have to click a hyperlink, I'm just saying.
derrickj said:
I would edit the title but it won't let me. This is definitely for existing lines, I already had the discussion. It is also new news to me because I have electronic billing and you have to click a hyperlink to see it. Seriously, you have to click a hyperlink. All the other text is printed and a major change is announced and you have to click a hyperlink, I'm just saying.
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Interesting about the link..
And you cant edit the title of the thread? I've never had that problem before..
When you hit edit on the OP the thread title shows as the title of the OP.. cool
derrickj said:
Couple of tips for you:
1) Read original post, already mentioned I was leaving, has nothing to do with being in a "special club" rather Sprint, not me, Sprint, changed their terms. I made my decision.
2) I would be willing to compare W-2's with you, I can assure you that my money is a) being managed far more effectively than yours and 2) there is more of it to manage.
3) Learn definition of entitlement. Why do you think anyone offers discounts? As an "entitlement"?!!? I think the word you are looking for is "incentive" and I have lost mine with Sprint.
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1) I did read, and said, "Buh-bye". So why are you still here?
2) What are you, 5? I manage my money just fine, and something tells me that if you are so up in arms about losing discounts that don't amount to much over the course of a year, then a) your money ISN'T being managed better than mine, not that it matters either way. b) WTF makes you believe you know where my 6 figure annual salary lies?
3) I know the definition of entitlement, and you are displaying a sense of it with your words. Boo-hoo, you don't get a discount anymore, so you're going to stomp away mad like a child and go elsewhere. Discounts aren't incentives, they're perks. The incentive with Sprint is that you still get better rates than any other major carrier, and an awesome phone.
Now shut up and color.
/buh-bye, don't care, hate Sprint more.
there are other .. providers that might be cheaper..
Try metroPCS or similar companies in your area. the only thing is that their service is limited to local area and you pay for roaming.
but for the big 4... it will be hard to get a cheaper plan.
....
PS.. that does suck that sprint did that. They should at least grandfather the current users and plans.
Dan330 said:
there are other .. providers that might be cheaper..
Try metroPCS or similar companies in your area. the only thing is that their service is limited to local area and you pay for roaming.
but for the big 4... it will be hard to get a cheaper plan.
....
PS.. that does suck that sprint did that. They should at least grandfather the current users and plans.
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I appreciate your civility, obviously some true losers on these forums. My point was not that I want something cheaper, rather that Sprint makes a poor business decision by removing something they offered as an incentive to encourage people to sign up for their service. Would I have signed up with Sprint without the discount? Absolutely not. Not because I can't afford it, (that's just such a lame argument and one that I guess its those who can't think of first) but you look and see what you are getting for you money and you make the decision. I was paying less, I was getting less. Now I might be able to pay marginally less but its not worth it. My post was to inform as I just learned this. Surprised to see so many people so passionate about their cellular provider.
Can't imagine what would happen if I insulted their water company.
derrickj said:
I appreciate your civility, obviously some true losers on these forums. My point was not that I want something cheaper, rather that Sprint makes a poor business decision by removing something they offered as an incentive to encourage people to sign up for their service. Would I have signed up with Sprint without the discount? Absolutely not. Not because I can't afford it, (that's just such a lame argument and one that I guess its those who can't think of first) but you look and see what you are getting for you money and you make the decision. I was paying less, I was getting less. Now I might be able to pay marginally less but its not worth it. My post was to inform as I just learned this. Surprised to see so many people so passionate about their cellular provider.
Can't imagine what would happen if I insulted their water company.
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Really? In what advertisement campaign, might I ask, did you see this as a selling point to the general public?
I don't really care if you don't like Sprint, to each his own. However, you're leaving over a matter of a few dollars a month that was never promised to you to begin with... and it's Sprint's poor business decision?
Take this for example, I spent 14 years in the Air Force, and over that time, many stores and companies offered various levels of military discounts. Many of them stopped for one reason or another, and there were some military members who complained, "Lowe's (or whatever store) doesn't do military discounts anymore, I'm not going there." But most of us knew it was originally something that the chain did to show appreciation, and it simply came to a conclusion as things do, and we would then pay full price for purchases like everyone else.
Jye75 said:
Really? In what advertisement campaign, might I ask, did you see this as a selling point to the general public?
I don't really care if you don't like Sprint, to each his own. However, you're leaving over a matter of a few dollars a month that was never promised to you to begin with... and it's Sprint's poor business decision?
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It was never promised to me? How do you think I got it? Magic? Did I ever say it was offered to the General Public or in advertising campaign? I said it was offered as an incentive to get people who would otherwise not use their service to use their service. Do you think they would offer it if they didn't have to?
Sprint's poor business decision?
If I have to explain that, I will just leave you wondering.
derrickj said:
It was never promised to me? How do you think I got it? Magic? Did I ever say it was offered to the General Public or in advertising campaign? I said it was offered as an incentive to get people who would otherwise not use their service to use their service. Do you think they would offer it if they didn't have to?
Sprint's poor business decision?
If I have to explain that, I will just leave you wondering.
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Obviously, they DON'T have to, which is why they terminated those discounts.
Discounts are the exception, not the standard. It's not a poor business decision to charge people the amount that is stated in the standard rates. If I have to explain THAT to you, then well...
I'm contemplating words that start with the letter "M"... moron.
derrickj said:
I appreciate your civility, obviously some true losers on these forums. My point was not that I want something cheaper, rather that Sprint makes a poor business decision by removing something they offered as an incentive to encourage people to sign up for their service. Would I have signed up with Sprint without the discount? Absolutely not. Not because I can't afford it, (that's just such a lame argument and one that I guess its those who can't think of first) but you look and see what you are getting for you money and you make the decision. I was paying less, I was getting less. Now I might be able to pay marginally less but its not worth it. My post was to inform as I just learned this. Surprised to see so many people so passionate about their cellular provider.
Can't imagine what would happen if I insulted their water company.[/QUOTE
Being new to the board I can honeslty say there are some real ****-heads on here. Then you have the people who may come off in the wrong way. Still take stuff with a gain of salt when in a fourm online.
As for the discount I have not seen or heard of anything about it, not saying I don't care. I truely do. I have worked for Sprint when it was the PCS network. One thing that my manager said that has proven time and time again is that Sprint is the LEADER in the celluar busniess. When they make a move to do something all the other cell phone compaines follow. interesting when sprint announce the Everything Plan I was expecting chaos. I have a 23% discount. My bill is $160 right now. Without it its $190. $30 is the difference with 2 phones. Even with one phone on AT&T or any other network I would not have the same thing. Plan to Plan and Add-ons ..Etc. I would be paying close to the money I pay now.
my opinion - if its 1 user 2 phones. Drop the other phone and pay a cheaper rate. If it's 2 users 2 phones. get that other person to pay there half of the bill. You might already know this, so lets move forward.
As you can see Cell Phones are not Analog anymore!! So chances are as we move forward they are going to require more and more data or coverage.
I feel your pain. We live in the US, so by proxy we are going to get screwed when big corps. like this make these desicions. I hope I wasn't rude or being a douche but stop crying about $30 or less discount or plan changes.
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Also can you provide the hyperlink. I would like to see this.
Wallabe said:
Also can you provide the hyperlink. I would like to see this.
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The hyperlink is on a secured link. I actually have to be logged into my account but here is a screen shot. Seems like there are people who don't know that the "Employee Discount" doesn't mean you are a Sprint employee, just means you have a job, which many are clearly (and understandably) lacking.
Jye75 said:
Obviously, they DON'T have to, which is why they terminated those discounts.
Discounts are the exception, not the standard. It's not a poor business decision to charge people the amount that is stated in the standard rates. If I have to explain THAT to you, then well...
I'm contemplating words that start with the letter "M"... moron.
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If you take a business class someday, perhaps it will be clearer. I have neither the time nor the inclination to shed the light on this for you and I doubt you have the ability to comprehend.
I love these threads. Boo Hoo, they are taking away my discount. I heard that they are creating a new cell phone providor called crymeariver, you might want to check them out.
Just spent 45 mins trying to download a Google voicemail. No dice. That's how bad sprint 3G is in downtown Chicago. It is pretty much unusable. After calling Sprint and getting nowhere as usual, I am done and want out of my contract (this is not a bash sprint thread - just the facts).
I really don't feel like paying the ETF considering I can't use something I am paying for. I was thinking of just filing a small claims lawsuit (not a lawyer or anything - but had a friend who did something similar). It takes about an hour to file (I think) and costs $75. I don't believe sprint would bother fighting it - they would prob just contact me to settle (I want out of contract sans ETF and they pay court fees). It sure would get their attention if a bunch of people started doing this.
Viable? Looking for opinions - never done anything like this before and I figure if nothing else it would be a learning experience. Judge Wapner here I come!
wiltok said:
Just spent 45 mins trying to download a Google voicemail. No dice. That's how bad sprint 3G is in downtown Chicago. It is pretty much unusable. After calling Sprint and getting nowhere as usual, I am done and want out of my contract (this is not a bash sprint thread - just the facts).
I really don't feel like paying the ETF considering I can't use something I am paying for. I was thinking of just filing a small claims lawsuit (not a lawyer or anything - but had a friend who did something similar). It takes about an hour to file (I think) and costs $75. I don't believe sprint would bother fighting it - they would prob just contact me to settle (I want out of contract sans ETF and they pay court fees). It sure would get their attention if a bunch of people started doing this.
Viable? Looking for opinions - never done anything like this before and I figure if nothing else it would be a learning experience. Judge Wapner here I come!
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Here's my suggestion.
I'm assuming that you've called Sprint more than once and thus it is in the notes, right?
Call *2, dial 000000000 until it moves you along.
And explain that because you aren't getting the service you're promised you want out of your contract with no fee.
They will extend that to you. They have to because they aren't fulfilling their end of the contract. They actually extended that to me although I'm not cancelling.
Downtown Chicago as well and the worst service I've ever had...but mine is going on 2 months worth of horrible service...before my 3G was so fast I never even had to think about putting on the 4G...
I've loved Sprint but two months without proper service is making me want to jump...I may be a G2X owner shortly.
After countless calls and dealings with tech after tech about my data speeds. They are finally going to take care of me. My bill will be adjusted every month until the speeds are back to normal. And my upgrades have been reset as well my etf was waved too. I got so much because of how the "tech" handled my ticket. Basically told me to deal with it. I have been in contact with a very helpful and nice lady on the ceo's team and she made sure I was taken care of.
So send an email to the ceo's office be nice and they should take care of you
from my phone duh
They let me out when I moved here to Washington because there was no signal at all. All I had to do was email/fax them proof I was living here. They sent someone out to check it though to verify it was true. Going to miss my EVO but have to have service.
It states in your contract that they have the authority to assess an ETF upon termination of contract, tower and throughput issues are not valid nullification points.
If you take them to small claims, they'll just wave your contract in your face and be done.
In all seriousness, just escalate as far as it needs to go. Retentions will do just about anything, save for waiving ETF.
Sunsparc said:
It states in your contract that they have the authority to assess an ETF upon termination of contract, tower and throughput issues are not valid nullification points.
If you take them to small claims, they'll just wave your contract in your face and be done.
In all seriousness, just escalate as far as it needs to go. Retentions will do just about anything, save for waiving ETF.
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They are required to give you a certain level of service and if they can't provide it then they violate the contract.
They will waive it.
I knew how poorly it was going to go but I figured I was going to call anyway.
First person told me there were no problems with their towers and asked about hardware replacement. I said no, when I'm in areas that I get a good signal my phone works fine...2nd person said there were problems (i knew it) and that they are working on it. He also mentioned possibly letting me out ETF free.
I really don't want to go that route though, I just want the service I was getting to come back, I loved Sprint's service when it's working. I don't want to ditch the carrier just because of two bad months but nobody has confirmed anything on it getting any better, which I know they can't.
I called retentions awhile back, stated that tech support says the area is fine and working as it should, I said, no, it isn't and it hasn't been for months...I went to some local Sprint stores and asked the employees there, which informed me that, yes, the towers have been stuck in the middle of being upgraded for 6+ months now because Qwest hasn't installed the new T1 lines yet. All the lady in retentions would say was Okay and act dumb. I guess I could keep trying.
wiltok said:
It takes about an hour to file (I think) and costs $75.
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It costs over $200 to file a suit in small claims court here in Miami-Dade county, so I'd look into that before digging any deeper into this. I doubt Sprint will send out a lawyer to contest a $200 case, but it may cost you as much as the ETF itself would just to TRY and get out of it this way.
Just continue to call and complain. Eventually, you will come across an employee who will help you.
Hrshycro said:
I called retentions awhile back, stated that tech support says the area is fine and working as it should, I said, no, it isn't and it hasn't been for months...I went to some local Sprint stores and asked the employees there, which informed me that, yes, the towers have been stuck in the middle of being upgraded for 6+ months now because Qwest hasn't installed the new T1 lines yet. All the lady in retentions would say was Okay and act dumb. I guess I could keep trying.
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I hope they are putting in like 30 T1 lines!
The Sprint CS rep told me that there was a notation associated with my area 'users may experience slower data speeds'. They are acknowledging there is a problem - and they aren't kidding! It doesn't take much bandwidth to download a voicemail. Data speeds are non existent.
wiltok said:
The Sprint CS rep told me that there was a notation associated with my area 'users may experience slower data speeds'. They are acknowledging there is a problem - and they aren't kidding! It doesn't take much bandwidth to download a voicemail. Data speeds are non existent.
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Agreed which is why they are violating the contract. Thus no ETF
OP - here. A previous poster was correct - looks like it costs $120 to file a small claims suit and i would also have to pay an appearance fee of $176. That ain't gonna work! Oh well - have to see what Sprint will do for me...
Hrshycro said:
I called retentions awhile back, stated that tech support says the area is fine and working as it should, I said, no, it isn't and it hasn't been for months...I went to some local Sprint stores and asked the employees there, which informed me that, yes, the towers have been stuck in the middle of being upgraded for 6+ months now because Qwest hasn't installed the new T1 lines yet. All the lady in retentions would say was Okay and act dumb. I guess I could keep trying.
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What's hilarious about that is that a T1 line only has capacity to serve a single customer with a really good 3G speed (1.5Mbps), or two with a so-so speed (750 Mbps). My cable modem equals TWELVE T1 lines. So if they're waiting for T1 lines to be installed to the tower, that explains a LOT.
Or the reps just don't have a clue what they're talking about. That's probably more likely.
wiltok said:
OP - here. A previous poster was correct - looks like it costs $120 to file a small claims suit and i would also have to pay an appearance fee of $176. That ain't gonna work! Oh well - have to see what Sprint will do for me...
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Yea, I knew it. Once you take someone to small claims court, you usually end up suing for court costs, too. However, you have to pay the charges up front and you could still lose and end up having to pay the ETF anyway.
Call them or email them (or chat) and tell them you want a credit on your bill (even for now) they gave me $50 off my bill just for calling them and bugging them lol I also asked for credit off my bill.
Also just use a verizon prl and they will give you the boot.
mattykinsx said:
They are required to give you a certain level of service and if they can't provide it then they violate the contract.
They will waive it.
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No, they are not. It's in the contract. Service is not guarenteed.
Just use the verizon roaming trick and use large amounts of data for a few months.
wiltok said:
I was thinking of just filing a small claims lawsuit (not a lawyer or anything - but had a friend who did something similar). It takes about an hour to file (I think) and costs $75. I don't believe sprint would bother fighting it - they would prob just contact me to settle (I want out of contract sans ETF and they pay court fees). It sure would get their attention if a bunch of people started doing this.
Viable? Looking for opinions - never done anything like this before and I figure if nothing else it would be a learning experience. Judge Wapner here I come!
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Sunsparc said:
If you take them to small claims, they'll just wave your contract in your face and be done.
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(IANAL)
Alright, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but DO NOT take them to court. There is a section in the Sprint PCS Terms and Conditions of Service (that you signed) specifically stating that you agree that all disputes will not be taken to court but arbitrated. If you take them to court they will show that you agreed not to, judge will drop the case, and you will be liable for both your court fees as well as Sprint's (You are not liable for Sprint's arbitration fees though if you go that route). Quoting all relevant parts of the T&C now. There is an exception to that for small claims court, but you would definitely lose against Sprint and still have to pay their court fees.
It is almost always the better route to fight with them AND SEND THEM WRITTEN NOTICE OF YOUR DISPUTE until they let you out of contract. Also STOP using the phone during the dispute that way you can get them to waive any monthly bills AFTER the written notice of dispute.
Sprint PCS Terms and Conditions of Service said:
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
We Agree To First Contact Each Other With Any Disputes We each agree to first contact each other with any disputes and provide a written description of the problem, all relevant documents/information and the proposed resolution. We agree to contact each other as described in the Providing Notice to Each Other Under The Agreement section of the Ts&Cs.
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Sprint PCS Terms and Conditions of Service said:
Instead Of Suing In Court, We Each Agree To Arbitrate Disputes We each agree to finally settle all disputes (as defined and subject to any specific exceptions below) only by arbitration. In arbitration, there’s no judge or jury and review is limited. However, just as a court would, the arbitrator must honor the terms and limitations in the Agreement and can award the same damages and relief, including any attorney’s fees authorized by law. The arbitrator’s decision and award is final and binding, with some exceptions under the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), and judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction. We each also agree as follows:
(1) "Disputes" are any claims or controversies against each other related in any way to our Services or the Agreement, including, but not limited to, coverage, Devices, privacy, or advertising, even if it arises after Services have terminated — this includes claims you bring against our employees, agents, affiliates or other representatives, or that we bring against you.
(2) If either of us wants to arbitrate a dispute, we agree to send written notice to the other providing a description of the dispute, previous efforts to resolve the dispute, all supporting documents/information, and the proposed resolution. Notice to you will be sent as described in the Providing Notice to Each Other Under The Agreement section of the Ts&Cs and notice to us will be sent to: General Counsel; Arbitration Office; 2001 Edmund Halley Drive VARESP0513-502; Reston, Virginia 20191. We agree to make attempts to resolve the dispute. If we cannot resolve the dispute within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the notice to arbitrate, then we may submit the dispute to formal arbitration.
(3) The FAA applies to this Agreement and arbitration provision. We each agree the FAA’s provisions, not state law, govern all questions of whether a dispute is subject to arbitration.
(4) Unless we each agree otherwise, the Arbitration will be conducted by a single neutral arbitrator and will take place in the county of the last billing address of the Device. We will agree on the arbitrator, and if we cannot agree, then the arbitrator will be appointed by the court as provided by the FAA.
(5) The arbitration will be governed by the arbitration rules selected by the Arbitrator. The federal or state law that applies to the Agreement will also apply during the arbitration.
(6) We each agree not to pursue arbitration on a classwide basis. We each agree that any arbitration will be solely between you and us (not brought on behalf of or together with another individual’s claim). If for any reason any court or arbitrator holds that this restriction is unconscionable or unenforceable, then our agreement to arbitrate doesn’t apply and the dispute must be brought in court.
(7) We each are responsible for our respective costs relating to counsel, experts, and witnesses, as well as any other costs relating to the arbitration. However, we will cover any arbitration administrative or filing fees above: (a) $25 if you are seeking less than $1,000 from us; or (b) the equivalent court filing fees for a court action in the appropriate jurisdiction if you are seeking $1,000 or more from us.
Exceptions To Our Agreement To Arbitrate Disputes Either of us may bring qualifying claims in small claims court. In addition, this arbitration provision does not prevent you from filing your dispute with any federal, state or local government agency that can, if the law allows, seek relief against us on your behalf.
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Sprint PCS Terms and Conditions of Service said:
No Class Actions
TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, WE EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO PURSUE DISPUTES ON A CLASSWIDE BASIS; THAT IS, TO EITHER JOIN A CLAIM WITH THE CLAIM OF ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, OR ASSERT A CLAIM IN A REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY ON BEHALF OF ANYONE ELSE IN ANY LAWSUIT, ARBITRATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING.
No Trial By Jury
TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, WE EACH WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LAWSUIT, ARBITRATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING.
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I asked this in my other thread 3 times, but did not get an answer:
Which department has more authority at tmobile; Retentions or Customer Loyalty? or are they the same?
Thanks
My guess is no one knows. Maybe you would have better luck on the Tmob forums?
Keep asking.
We won't answer till you get to a certain threshold of times asked.
After speaking to customer loyalty/retentions 2 times in the past 3 days, I think they are really going down in customer service and they will be ATT in no time.
ive had 2 lines with them for over 5 years and never a day late in payments. currently im not under a contract with either line. Until recently, whether under contract or not, they have been able to change your rate plan up or down. now that they have gotten rid of their non contract plans, they said they can not change your plan/minutes without signing a new 2 year agreement. They have a plan with a few less minutes then mine at a cheaper price, but wont change me to it without signing a new 2 yr agreement.
second, Im on my 3rd vibrant, (all under warrenty), and with even another defective phone they wont even consider giving me a different phone; they are sending me a another vibrant.
third, even doing a warrenty exchange, for a defective phone, they want me to pay a $20 warrenty exchange fee, for a defective phone replacement that is under warrenty. At least I got this fee waived as a one time courtesy. but the point is that they are now "nickel and dimeing" customers just like the other companies.
fourth, if I do sign a new 2 year contract, they wont grandfather my myfaves like they used to.
fifth, they had web new specials on free Sensations for new customers. but they said that is not available over the phone.
Bascially my rant is about what made tmobile different from the other 3 companies: There customer service where they would go the extra mile to work with their long time customers. whether that was a rate plan change, different phone after multiple defective units..ect. And the other thing that set them apart was prices and that they did not "nickel and dime" the customers. It seems like this has changed too.
Basically I think tmobile is all about locking customers into contracts before the ATT merger and now they are more like ATT. I feel like their competive advantages, that we all love that made tmobile different (customer service, and prices) are over. Yes you may be on a great plan now, but going forward, they have changed. It makes me sad bc I think the tmobile we all loved is over; with or without the merger.
My rant is over. Thanks for reading. And no, im not trolling. I have a vibrant and love it and used to love tmobile. just frustrated and wanted to vent here in the general section
How did you manage to smash your phones up so regularly? You busting up the screens, or bricking them due to root shenanigans?
retentions definately lol because they try to keep you with the company by giving you incentives and any deal they can throw at you
kaintfm said:
How did you manage to smash your phones up so regularly? You busting up the screens, or bricking them due to root shenanigans?
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no. first one had for about 8 months and the volume down button randomly stopped working.
This second one has now started to randomly reboot; even when on stock.
both of my Vibrants i have kept in perfect condition without a scratch or drop on them. they have actually both looked 100% new when sending them back...
Im just sad that tmobile is not the same company they were a year ago. After speaking with them several times in the past few days, and all the ads and new plans with data caps, I see VERY LITTLE diff between tmobile now vs the other big companies. maybe a little cheaper plans. but the customer service and customer loyalty that I think we all loved is pretty much gone and the closer the merger is to going through and then once through, it will only get worse.
Im just ranting here because most of us that have vibrants have tmobile and this is the forum i am on most of the time.
kboater said:
After speaking to customer loyalty/retentions 2 times in the past 3 days, I think they are really going down in customer service and they will be ATT in no time.
ive had 2 lines with them for over 5 years and never a day late in payments. currently im not under a contract with either line. Until recently, whether under contract or not, they have been able to change your rate plan up or down. now that they have gotten rid of their non contract plans, they said they can not change your plan/minutes without signing a new 2 year agreement. They have a plan with a few less minutes then mine at a cheaper price, but wont change me to it without signing a new 2 yr agreement.
second, Im on my 3rd vibrant, (all under warrenty), and with even another defective phone they wont even consider giving me a different phone; they are sending me a another vibrant.
third, even doing a warrenty exchange, for a defective phone, they want me to pay a $20 warrenty exchange fee, for a defective phone replacement that is under warrenty. At least I got this fee waived as a one time courtesy. but the point is that they are now "nickel and dimeing" customers just like the other companies.
fourth, if I do sign a new 2 year contract, they wont grandfather my myfaves like they used to.
fifth, they had web new specials on free Sensations for new customers. but they said that is not available over the phone.
Bascially my rant is about what made tmobile different from the other 3 companies: There customer service where they would go the extra mile to work with their long time customers. whether that was a rate plan change, different phone after multiple defective units..ect. And the other thing that set them apart was prices and that they did not "nickel and dime" the customers. It seems like this has changed too.
Basically I think tmobile is all about locking customers into contracts before the ATT merger and now they are more like ATT. I feel like their competive advantages, that we all love that made tmobile different (customer service, and prices) are over. Yes you may be on a great plan now, but going forward, they have changed. It makes me sad bc I think the tmobile we all loved is over; with or without the merger.
My rant is over. Thanks for reading. And no, im not trolling. I have a vibrant and love it and used to love tmobile. just frustrated and wanted to vent here in the general section
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I was a former T-Mo employee so I don't really "speak" for the company but just wanted to address a few things.
1. This is probably the only surprising thing. They've always allowed you to make changes to your plan without resigning. I was able to do this just last month so unless this is a brand new policy, I do find this surprising. I'm more inclined to believe this was a specific case, rather than a broad policy change affecting everyone. I'll see in the next few days when I need to make a change again to my plan.
2. This has always been policy mainly because people get "buyer's remorse" about the phones they buy, not that they're defective or broken. It happens ALOT and if T-Mobile processed every one of these requests, they'd have been out of business years ago. No one does this.
3. Again, this is always been policy and the "warranty exchange fee" is to cover shipping and handling. Same thing as a "restocking fee" that most retail companies have.
4. Once again, this has been policy for AGES and hasn't changed at all. They will not grandfather options with a change in contract/plan. Makes sense, too, from a business standpoint. No company in their right mind would allow people to grandfather $2 internet plans from the late 90's along with a contract plan that'll give them a heavily subsidized, loss leader, android phone that would normally cost $400+. Hell, that's not even fair to other customers.
5. I'm not sure what the complaint is here. Because "web special" pricing isn't available over the phone? The reason why phones are discounted over the web is because it's cheaper to process the order that way, simple as that. Would it be better if they overcharged web orders to make it more uniform with phone or store pricing?
Eh....I know you're ranting but these are things that aren't new at all and has nothing to do with AT&T. If you were able to do any of those things you're complaining about, that has more to do with T-Mobile breaking policy to make you happy than any policy change because of AT&T.
pepperbreath said:
I was a former T-Mo employee so I don't really "speak" for the company but just wanted to address a few things.
1. This is probably the only surprising thing. They've always allowed you to make changes to your plan without resigning. I was able to do this just last month so unless this is a brand new policy, I do find this surprising. I'm more inclined to believe this was a specific case, rather than a broad policy change affecting everyone. I'll see in the next few days when I need to make a change again to my plan.
2. This has always been policy mainly because people get "buyer's remorse" about the phones they buy, not that they're defective or broken. It happens ALOT and if T-Mobile processed every one of these requests, they'd have been out of business years ago. No one does this.
3. Again, this is always been policy and the "warranty exchange fee" is to cover shipping and handling. Same thing as a "restocking fee" that most retail companies have.
4. Once again, this has been policy for AGES and hasn't changed at all. They will not grandfather options with a change in contract/plan. Makes sense, too, from a business standpoint. No company in their right mind would allow people to grandfather $2 internet plans from the late 90's along with a contract plan that'll give them a heavily subsidized, loss leader, android phone that would normally cost $400+. Hell, that's not even fair to other customers.
5. I'm not sure what the complaint is here. Because "web special" pricing isn't available over the phone? The reason why phones are discounted over the web is because it's cheaper to process the order that way, simple as that. Would it be better if they overcharged web orders to make it more uniform with phone or store pricing?
Eh....I know you're ranting but these are things that aren't new at all and has nothing to do with AT&T. If you were able to do any of those things you're complaining about, that has more to do with T-Mobile breaking policy to make you happy than any policy change because of AT&T.
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I'm gonna have to agree with you on some things but he's got some valid points.
After 3 replacement phones, you are allowed to change your phone to a different phone. I know this for a solid fact because I am on my 3rd vibrant replacement (first one screen just died on the first day, second one blew a speaker) and I asked several employees over the phone I spoke to, and they were very clear that if my phone broke one more time I could get a different phone since obviously there was really nothing I could have done to cause those defects. If it was more expensive i'd obviously have to pay some kind of difference though, which is understandable but annoying seeing as that you've already gone through so many phones. (The BEST customer service would do this for free since the customer was inconvenienced so many times, which is supposedly what T-Mo is according to J.D. I believe a few years in a row?)
Also, i've noticed their customer service drop recently as well. They aren't as willing to make changes... I accidently ordered some bullshi* that was included on the vibrant when I first got it, and of course it tacked on 15 bucks a month to my bill. Had it running for 2 months before I caught it, and when I called it I asked if they could wave anything, even a month... nope nothing... Thats some ****... and i've got 4 phones with them and paying $230 a month... and been with them since 2002. So 9 years? And wouldn't wave 30 bucks.... So go figure that one for yourself.
The problem is corporate will be corporate and thats why businesses today are such flop shi* piles. Businesses now hire by how much your resume gleams, not by how good you actually are in the field... and i've noticed so many morons working in such high paying jobs all because they fiddled in school (which didn't make them any smarter I might add you) and got some job being a high paid idiot making mistakes their entire life.... the exact opposite of their resume usually.
What i'm trying to say is that T-Mobile is like any corporate company. They used to be different, but they are just following the same footpath and making the same mistakes every other company makes...
It would be great to see a company like Google swallow up T-Mobile. They have the funds necessary to create a cell network literally out of this world, and the technology to introduce exclusive phones into the lineup sort of like an IPhone deal that ATT used to have. Or they could just put phones on their service a few months before anyone else got them for a head banger.
Really it kind of googles my mind why google never considered purchasing a company like T-Mobile in the first place. They do literally everything, they have Android which went from bull**** to the biggest player and hugest threat to apple since World War 2 and Hitler invading Poland overnight.
Googles huge establishment in literally everything makes them able to offer low plan rates as well. Google could afford to initially take a loss. Hell the last report I could find on a quick "GOOGLE" search of the company value was in 2009 they were valued at $220 Billion dollars.
Just to give you an idea, I pulled up Verizon and they are at $96 Billion... And they have the "Largest" network according to that stupid nerdy guy in the commercials, and his gooney followers who have no lives except to "Hear Him Now".
Ok i'm done ranting, and Verizon sucks the Ball Cheese droppings off my testicles!
pepperbreath said:
I was a former T-Mo employee so I don't really "speak" for the company but just wanted to address a few things.
1. This is probably the only surprising thing. They've always allowed you to make changes to your plan without resigning. I was able to do this just last month so unless this is a brand new policy, I do find this surprising. I'm more inclined to believe this was a specific case, rather than a broad policy change affecting everyone. I'll see in the next few days when I need to make a change again to my plan.
2. This has always been policy mainly because people get "buyer's remorse" about the phones they buy, not that they're defective or broken. It happens ALOT and if T-Mobile processed every one of these requests, they'd have been out of business years ago. No one does this.
3. Again, this is always been policy and the "warranty exchange fee" is to cover shipping and handling. Same thing as a "restocking fee" that most retail companies have.
4. Once again, this has been policy for AGES and hasn't changed at all. They will not grandfather options with a change in contract/plan. Makes sense, too, from a business standpoint. No company in their right mind would allow people to grandfather $2 internet plans from the late 90's along with a contract plan that'll give them a heavily subsidized, loss leader, android phone that would normally cost $400+. Hell, that's not even fair to other customers.
5. I'm not sure what the complaint is here. Because "web special" pricing isn't available over the phone? The reason why phones are discounted over the web is because it's cheaper to process the order that way, simple as that. Would it be better if they overcharged web orders to make it more uniform with phone or store pricing?
Eh....I know you're ranting but these are things that aren't new at all and has nothing to do with AT&T. If you were able to do any of those things you're complaining about, that has more to do with T-Mobile breaking policy to make you happy than any policy change because of AT&T.
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1. they did tell me it was a new policy. as i was able to do it in the past. now twice they said they have had policy changes. so yes, its a new change and they said part of it is because they do not have any more "no contract" plans. The only options they gave me over and over again was to sign a new contract
2. well its not buyers remorse when you have had a phone for 1 year. i understand what you are saying though. but what i am saying is that tmobile used to look and see how loyal of a customer you have been and make exceptions
3. they told me this $20 warrenty exchange fee is new
4. i know you said this has been policy for AGES, but they have done it for me twice in the past, so either they went around the policy for me, and never told me....or
5. again, case-by-case basis. its basic business. I know a little about business too. (undergrad in business, masters in business, worked in customer service management, now back in school again) not that any of those degrees matter, but im saying knowing about customer service and business; you look at your really good customers and you do what you can to retain them as customers.
maybe these "changes" have nothing to do with att, but my point is that tmobile (as we knew it) has changed. Hell, even the retentions rep yesterday told me they have gone many big changes and policy changes in the past few months.
All im saying is that tmobile used to look at their loyal customers and do what was necessary to keep them. Im saying that they are not doing (at least nearly as much) anymore and this makes them much more like any other cell phone company.
Boy did they pick the wrong guy to select to ask about Verizon and it's customer service evaluation. I don't have screen shots from my phone(thought about it after completing it)
But here is my response I had when I was asked why I wouldn't recommend Big Red and what they can do to change my response....
"Place more emphasis on the third party developers and customer's wishes. And pay more attention to online petitions. I can honestly say that with my recent upgrade I was More than seriously considering moving to a competitor! The Samsung Galaxy S3 locked bootloader debacle to name an example. Security and warranty issues seem false when it is said an unlocked version of the same phone will be added to vzw system but at a unsubsidized cost. I have every product Verizon offers. But not out of loyalty or even respect. In fact the opposite is true. This is mainly due to your policies and practices. Verizon products today are like Microsoft products of the late 90s and early 00s. I use them not because I would WANT to but because in my area your coverage is SLIGHTLY better than your competitors. And if you don't change the draconian nature of my experiences, YOU as a cooperation will lose out the moment your competitors catch up with your coverage. I.e. AT&T and Sprint. They booth have the same products (sgs3) but without a locked down bootloader. Soon you will too. But it is too late for me and thousands of others. Please keep me and thousands of your customers happy and placate our requests and petitions. You still have a chance. But it is fastly slipping by in this competitive market."
At the end I was told a Verizon manager will call me and personally discuss my responses. This was a few hours ago but nothing yet. I am hoping I get a call. I like to think I kept it cordial enough to merit it.
I want to see if any one else in the xda dev community got this survey as well.
Plus I think this is my first option thread. I'll return to lurking now.
sent from a locked bootloader
I'm so burnt out on Verizon. I had Alltel back when it was Alltel and I loved them. The coverage was great and the EVDO speeds were good and customer service and prices were excellent. Verizon bought them out and I could just feel them put the vice grips on my wallet. Then they made unlimited data only if you had the plan but the minute you took it off it was gone. The prices were the same for less (if you were off of contract you could get an unlimited data and SMS package for $19.99 on top of minutes on Alltel and that was OK). The only reason they had for better service was that they have battery and generator backups at each tower that they could come up with. They had the fastest network in my old town but the minute I moved I got T-Mobile. Yeesh much better.
Sent from my XT883 using xda app-developers app
When I was Stationed in San Antonio, Tx back in the early 00's, Verizon wasnt as popular in that part of the country as Nextel or Sprint; but where i grew up in Central Jersey, everyone i knew was on Verizon. to mitigate the cost of calling everyone I had to drive like 45 min. out of town just to find the nearest Verizon store. Like i said in my OP, I dont use Verizon out of loyalty, despite my near decade as their customer, I use them just because they are there and the more reasonable choice. I think that might be part of the problem customer servicewise.
PS No Verizon manager ever called me back.... Too bad