Asurion is terrible - EVO 4G General

I filed a claim 6 days ago and they have yet to ship my device. I am getting really frustrated with their service and will never get insurance through them again. This is the 6th time I have recieved the below email:
Dear Valued Customer
We understand how important your phone is to you and our goal is to get you reconnected as soon as possible. Unfortunately, due to supply constraints, we will not be able to ship your replacement HTC EVO today.
We are committed to working together with Sprint and other suppliers to procure these devices quickly, and will keep you updated daily on the status of your order.
Rest assured that as soon as these devices are available to Asurion, we will immediately fulfill your order. You can expect an email from us each day with information on your order until it ships; or you can always get the most up-to-date status at anytime by going to www.phoneclaim.com/sprint and tracking your claim online.
We apologize for the delay.
Regards,
Customer Satisfaction
Asurion Insurance Services

not their fault. htc evo's are sold out atm in most stores.
last time i checked, they were sold out online as well.

How can you hate a company for not having any stock? It really isn't their fault.
Now the real problem is they are charing for something they cannot provide. If anything, ask them to reimburse a month of insurance.
Sounds a little like fraud to me.

Agreed! I'm in the same boat. The crappy part is..what are we gonna do? They have what we need and complaining to Sprint won't really do much. I do know that reverting back to a windows mobile device is a pain in the @$$!

Last-Chance said:
not their fault. htc evo's are sold out atm in most stores.
last time i checked, they were sold out online as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually it is their fault. I pay for the insurance with the understanding that I would get a device the next day and they are not meeting their end of the deal. That is most certianly their fault.

tgrgrd00 said:
Actually it is their fault. I pay for the insurance with the understanding that I would get a device the next day and they are not meeting their end of the deal. That is most certianly their fault.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this, they could at least offer a loaner or some other way of compensation,not just be "your SOL till we get more EVO's"
I bet they'll still want that $100 deductible too.

Bielinsk said:
How can you hate a company for not having any stock? It really isn't their fault.
Now the real problem is they are charing for something they cannot provide. If anything, ask them to reimburse a month of insurance.
Sounds a little like fraud to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for a production company so I don't want to hear about not having something in stock. If we don't have something in stock you know what happens? We lose customers and money. In our business that is unacceptable and almost NEVER happens. On the RARE occasion that is does happen the customer gets the product for FREE including shipping.
We value our customers and guarantees that we offer. Of course we also keep adequate inventory based on history and forecasts etc. Needless to say my insurance money will not be going to asurion in the future that is for sure.

I'm getting this message:
Thank you for checking the status of your claim. We know how important your device is to you.
We are doing all we can to obtain your device so that we can ship it to you as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we still do not have your device in stock. It may take 7 to 10 business days from the time you completed your claim until the device is available. We will send you a tracking email as soon as it ships from our warehouse.
Please remember, for the most up-to-date information continue to check back here, on www.phoneclaim.com.
Note: The update displayed above is the most current data available. Our automated phone system and customer service representatives access the same information.
I miss my Evo. Good thing I have some old Sprint phones laying around and I at least have something to make calls/texts with.

rugedraw said:
I'm getting this message:
7 to 10 business days
www.phoneclaim.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey rugedraw...Yea I get the same thing when I check my claim online. What I posted above is what I get in my email everyday.
When I submitted my claim it said 5-7 days. It better not be 7 - 10 days now. Problem is there isn't anything we can do. I've called everyone and they all tell me to gfy.

agreed, not their fault. I've been quite impressed with them over the years. im sure if you want they will downgrade you and you can get a shift and i don't believe the agreement states you are guaranteed a replacement next day, even though that's how it usually goes.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

They told me 7-10 days off the bat when I called them last Thursday. I agree that they should do a better job of forecasting and keep more stock of the phones, and I also agree that there is nothing we can do but wait. I went to Orlando this weekend to take my kid to the Disney parks, and I missed my phone terribly on that road trip. It was torturous! lol

I've never had to file a claim in my life until I created a Family Plan. I recently had to file a claim for an HTC Evo Shift which was dropped in water by a person on my account during the first 30 days. I called insurance and it took them a week and a half to send a phone.
Reps try to sell you a dream in the store and say you get a phone shipped overnight no waiting whatsoever. I know it's far from the truth but I never imagined it would be that slow. The first claim on the HTC Shift replacement I had to fax an affidavit and my ID which I did promptly.
I think it's ridiculous and they already charge $2 more than AT&T does for the same service. It was a big deal because the user of that phone speaks Spanish and we constantly communicate back and forth since he needs rides sometimes. I hope I never have to go through it again. I'm keeping insurance on my lines for safe measure and hope they fix their way of doing business.

You guys are making me think I should just drop the insurance.
Between the $100 deductable, monthly fee and 10 day turn around it doesn't seem worth it and horror stories of refurbs.
I only ever keep a phone a year and HTC should cover defects for the first year.
I have never lost or dunked a phone. But I have dropped a few, but never bad enough to replace.

gqstatus0685 said:
I'm keeping insurance on my lines for safe measure and hope they fix their way of doing business.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you keep giving them your money they will have no reason to fix their way of doing business. I know I am going with someone else for my next phone purchase...that is for sure.

Gee, didn't any of you people hear about the big earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant failure in Japan. Where do you think most of the chips for the phones come from?? Sony has 4 of their main plants shutdown. No automobiles are getting made. **** ain't going to get shipped if they can't make it. Maybe you should be more careful with you phones. Evos are out of stock everywhere. Its time to stop your whining!

mswlogo said:
You guys are making me think I should just drop the insurance.
Between the $100 deductable, monthly fee and 10 day turn around it doesn't seem worth it and horror stories of refurbs.
I only ever keep a phone a year and HTC should cover defects for the first year.
I have never lost or dunked a phone. But I have dropped a few, but never bad enough to replace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, if you dropped your phone in a lake and had to get a replacement, you wouldn't mind paying the full retail price for a replacement instead of paying the deductible? This is why it is called "insurance". It covers what the manufacturer doesn't cover such as accidental breakage, lost or stolen phone, etc... I have it just for the piece of mind that if I do lose it or drop it in a river/lake, that I just pay the $100.00 and get a replacement instead of paying $500+ for a new one.

cruise350 said:
Gee, didn't any of you people hear about the big earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant failure in Japan. Where do you think most of the chips for the phones come from?? Sony has 4 of their main plants shutdown. No automobiles are getting made. **** ain't going to get shipped if they can't make it. Maybe you should be more careful with you phones. Evos are out of stock everywhere. Its time to stop your whining!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This
Sent from my Evo, ho!

cruise350 said:
Gee, didn't any of you people hear about the big earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant failure in Japan. Where do you think most of the chips for the phones come from?? Sony has 4 of their main plants shutdown. No automobiles are getting made. **** ain't going to get shipped if they can't make it. Maybe you should be more careful with you phones. Evos are out of stock everywhere. Its time to stop your whining!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel for the people over there...I really do. But it isn't my problem that Asurion doesn't have phones and I am not a happy customer. Besides we have a plant in Japan that is operational so it is not everywhere that is shut down. I might have a little patience if Asurion came out and actually said this is the problem...as of now I have had no explanation as to why they don't have my device. Just speculation from people like you.
Oh and it is easy to say to be more carefull with my phone. I babied that sucker and made one mistake and now I can't get my phone replaced by the company that I paid to replace it. Just hope you don't make that one little mistake. I will stop whining when I feel I have been made whole for what I have paid for with my hard earned money.

This is what really irritates me about customers. I understand that you bought a $500 device (in your mind, but you paid $200 for it). Yet at the same time, YOU damaged YOUR device, no matter if someone else did it or not.
When you filed the claim, you agreed to the terms. Yes, it says they will ship the new or comparable device to you overnight if supplies are available. You affixed your initials stating that you understand those terms, but decide to whine when it seemingly goes south.
Of course, I'd like to be able to fix every single customers phone and would love it if no one ever had to deal with Asurion again. It's more money in my pocket for the repair/exchange, plus it's a lot less hassle. At the same time, you get what you pay for. You pay the $7 a month for minimal inconvenience so that you won't have to pay full price for a new one.

In my case, the phone slid right out of the holster and onto the sidewalk. It wasn't even a "mistake" in the sense that I didn't drop it myself by being clumsy. Sometimes, **** happens. That's what we have insurance for. Not everyone has a back-up phone they can use like I did and a loaner is the LEAST they can do.
The whole Japan thing is just plain ridiculous. What does Japan's situation have to do with the refurbished phone they are going to send me? Are the phones for Asurion being sent to the eastern coast of Japan to be refurbished and then sent back to US for distribution? No.....they are getting broken phones from people like us, slapping a new screen/LCD on it, and sending it back to people like us. The parts to fix my phone are available on eBay from US sellers. The only people that would be affected by the Japan situation are people buying new phones; not people needing replacements.

Related

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.

OTA Update Brick + Bad Customer Experience

This updated bricked my non-rooted, normal, perfectly running no light-leak or battery issue EVO 4G.
To add insult to injury, when I returned the phone to the Sprint store where I got it, I was told that they didn't have any in stock and wouldn't until "Thursday or Friday". In addition, due to what I would consider to be a very minor scratch on the bezel (not on the screen), which they didn't even notice until I pointed it out to them, they would need to charge me a $25 restocking fee. I argued that this was Sprint's problem not mine, I just downloaded an OTA update to fix a bunch of bugs that were in their software. They said it was policy and there was nothing that could be done about it. And if I wanted to exercise my 30-day out, it would be a $50 restocking fee.
After getting home and calling Sprint to complain, I learned that the store I bought the phone at was actually *not* an official store, rather an independent store called "Sprint Store by InMobile" that only *looked* like a real Sprint store. There is honestly no way to tell the difference. I'm new to Sprint, ditched my beloved iPhone for this thing, how am I supposed to know the difference between a real sprint store and one that's just trying to look like one?
I feel like I've been totally duped. So now I have no phone for a week while I wait to pay $25 for a new phone that actually works the way it was advertised.
posting here will do what ? make you feel better ?
hey man. totally feel for ya. i feel front line employees in a lot of corporate stores have a personal vendetta against their customers... they'll use 'rules' to try to piss off anyone that comes across them...
anyways, i would email sprint customer care... they will take care of you in 99% of cases. this is better than calling because there is a higher chance of you getting tier 2 / tier 3 support and you have written documentation of their promises. just explain exactly what happened and those sensible people will hook you up. good luck and let us know what happens.
I didn't know XDA was the new LiveJournal.
Sorry you had such a bad experience.
I'm really sorry to hear about this, randy. I agree with muncheroo. I'd be willing to bet that if you emailed customer service, you'd find someone who was willing to put a $25 credit on your account for your trouble.
Look on the bright side: at least you can hold your phone with your left hand!
(just a little humor to lighten the mood) Hang in there!
Sporkman said:
posting here will do what ? make you feel better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Posting here will document my problems, potentially alert other members of my issue (and hopefully helping them avoid an issue), and provide some small form of repercussion against Sprint and InMobile for potential new customers.
randymac88 said:
This updated bricked my non-rooted, normal, perfectly running no light-leak or battery issue EVO 4G.
To add insult to injury, when I returned the phone to the Sprint store where I got it, I was told that they didn't have any in stock and wouldn't until "Thursday or Friday". In addition, due to what I would consider to be a very minor scratch on the bezel (not on the screen), which they didn't even notice until I pointed it out to them, they would need to charge me a $25 restocking fee. I argued that this was Sprint's problem not mine, I just downloaded an OTA update to fix a bunch of bugs that were in their software. They said it was policy and there was nothing that could be done about it. And if I wanted to exercise my 30-day out, it would be a $50 restocking fee.
After getting home and calling Sprint to complain, I learned that the store I bought the phone at was actually *not* an official store, rather an independent store called "Sprint Store by InMobile" that only *looked* like a real Sprint store. There is honestly no way to tell the difference. I'm new to Sprint, ditched my beloved iPhone for this thing, how am I supposed to know the difference between a real sprint store and one that's just trying to look like one?
I feel like I've been totally duped. So now I have no phone for a week while I wait to pay $25 for a new phone that actually works the way it was advertised.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that the update bricking devices is unacceptable, but You have to wait because the evo is out of stock everywhere. Not the store's fault. Also, why in the world would you want to point out that your phone has a scratch? You're lucky they're even letting you exchange it, the phone is supposed to be in like new, mint condition if it's going to be returned.
Also there is no restocking fee for doing the 30-day return.
http://www.sprint.com/landings/returns/
Just tell the store to suck it. But if you're upset that you have to wait, you're in the same boat with a few people. I am waiting for my local RadioShack to get some so I can swap it out. Nothing can be done about it, the phone is in high demand.
Check your local laws for information on restocking fees. Most states have some type of limit or just outright make them illegal. But places continue to charge them because hey, who reads laws anyway, right? Hah.
That being said, while Sprint does not charge a restocking fee for cancellations/returns, third parties certainly can of their own free will.
Also, from Sprint's 30 day guarantee - "If for any reason you’re not happy and want to cancel service, just call us to deactivate and return to the original place of purchase to return your undamaged phone or mobile broadband card and we’ll:"
Notice the word "undamaged" there. So if Sprint were to review your unit and consider it damaged, that would essentially mean the benefits of the 30-day guarantee would not apply for your phone (and thus, you may be subject to a restocking fee). I don't know how anal Sprint is about that undamaged part, but just a heads up.
In any case, Sprint CS is absolutely wonderful so i would try giving them a call or shooting them an e-mail.
Appreciate the ideas guys, thank you. I told them about the scratch after they said the phone "has to be completely free of any scratches or marks". In my opinion, this is regular wear and tear, it's not like it's got some gash on the side and a broken front panel, and I didn't agree with the rule. If Sprint broke the phone with their dumb update, then Sprint needs to replace the phone. This is their fault, not mine. The scratch caused a small part of the edge to be roughed up, it didn't brick the phone.
Apparently though, the store can charge me the restocking fee because they're not an official sprint store...so, apparently the normal rules don't apply. I still contend it was misleading and really looks like a corporate store.
Good Luck Randymac. You guys being harsh are really being asses. Email Sprint like others have suggested. The only way to get anywhere with their telephone support is to say you want to cancel your account as soon as they answer the phone.
randymac88 said:
Appreciate the ideas guys, thank you. I told them about the scratch after they said the phone "has to be completely free of any scratches or marks". In my opinion, this is regular wear and tear, it's not like it's got some gash on the side and a broken front panel, and I didn't agree with the rule. If Sprint broke the phone with their dumb update, then Sprint needs to replace the phone. This is their fault, not mine. The scratch caused a small part of the edge to be roughed up, it didn't brick the phone.
Apparently though, the store can charge me the restocking fee because they're not an official sprint store...so, apparently the normal rules don't apply. I still contend it was misleading and really looks like a corporate store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Post Pics of the Store and one of its employees Let us make that observation.
All joking aside though. By posting something like this only adds to the Tech. bloggers that reads these forums and add fuel to the already big fire they like to flame to get readers. Sprint nor the store did you wrong. They are out of phones and I am sure they wish there were not as they only make money when phones are in stock. Ask customer service what you can do in the meantime to accommodate your unfortunate situation. Perhaps a temp phone you can use. If the sprint store reseller you purchased it from could let you borrow a phone they have laying around( I am sure they do ). I have had AT&T and TMOBILE accommodate me on that one before.
Good luck and be patient.
Sporkman said:
posting here will do what ? make you feel better ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why post in the first place?
Being an ass doesn't help.
To the TC, if you had the ability, I would tell them you were leaving and get a Droid X. That's just downright assholish of them.
Well it seems it's sprint's fault. You of course should get a refund of your billing since you bricked due to them.
Here's a quote from
https://twitter.com/unrevoked
@Sprint: If you accidentally apply the #evo4g OTA twice, your phone becomes a brick. We think it's the radio fw update. Plans to fix?
mrmomoman said:
Post Pics of the Store and one of its employees Let us make that observation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just might post pics to make my point here (I won't really). The outside of the store had only a big Sprint logo and "SPRINT" above the door. The employees wear black polo shirts with a small Sprint logo and the word "SPRINT" above the left breast. Looks real enough for me...
I don't fault Sprint necessarily...I just feel like I got the shaft here. I have to pay $25 for them to fix their problem. Because the store I bought the phone at, despite looking like a Sprint store, and is listed on the Sprint website, actually isn't a real sprint store. But its not a Best Buy, and its not a Radio Shack either. Maybe I should've known, but it just seems a little misleading to me, and because of it I feel wronged.
They have no loaner phones, so I am without a working phone until maybe they get one in at some point. They credited me for the days without, but that's it.
Go to a corporate store that does repairs. Use sprint.com to check this. They may be able to restore your evo.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk
I changed mine a week ago because of the screen separation issue, but let me tell you, the phone had mayor scratches in the 4 corners(it went down the very first day) and the girl in Best Buy not even checked it, she only checked the serial number, so i guess i was lucky.
Oh btw, i bougth this time the Black tie protection plan for 6.99 just in case
I changed mine a week ago because of the screen separation issue, but let me tell you, the phone had mayor scratches in the 4 corners(it went down the very first day) and the girl in Best Buy not even checked it, she only checked the serial number, so i guess i was lucky.
Oh btw, i bougth this time the Black tie protection plan for 6.99 just in case
If your phone is broken, you should be able to get it fixed under warranty. It sounds like you are only getting hit with the restocking fee because you are trying to return/exchange it rather than have it repaired.
Go get your phone back. You really should have never taken it back I'd bet for certain people on this site would have helped you and it really wasn't bricked

HTC charging me $75 for the hairline power button crack

Sent to the article author here at XDA this morning along with a few other key addresses.
**********************************
Just wanted to follow up with you. HTC has quoted me $75 to repair a missing camera lens cover due to my phone also having the hairline crack you discuss here. Even though they acknowledge the fact that the hairline crack doesn't affect the camera lens in any way shape or form and also acknowledging that the missing lens (it fell out) is also an obvious warranty issue they are demanding I pay their fee. Also conveniently right after they quote you expedited shipping prices (in my case 15 for overnight since I've been fighting them for 2 weeks on this already) and charge your credit card they decide to finally inform you that it'll take about two weeks to do actually do the 10 minute repair for you.
I've attached a picture the RMA folks at HTC sent me of my "negligent damage." Somehow phones with screens that fall off and USB power ports that fall out of the phone are obvious manufacturers defects but actually pushing the power button (OMG HOW DARE I DO THIS) is abuse and will not be tolerated by the nice folks at HTC.
****************************************************************
Dear Mr. Sheehan,
Please see the pictures below that you have requested from your phone. If you have any further questions feel free to contact us at 888-617-1113 between 8am and 8pm EST Monday through Friday.
Sincerely,
HTC Customer Care
3. Ben Sheehan
SN: HT05******* (Evo) – Crack case
**************************************************************
Dear Valued Customer,
Thank you for using HTC repair services! Here is a copy of your invoice
for reference.
RMA #: 121****
Accepted Repair Actions: Average Repair
Total Charged: $90.00
Date of Charge: 8/24/2010
There is a 90-day warranty on all repairs made. The 90-day warranty applies
only to repeat return cases with the same functional failure symptom and
same parts for replacement.
Please remember that all processed repair charges are non-refundable. The
charge will appear on your credit card statement as Telamon CPE.
Thank you for using HTC! We appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
HTC Customer Care Department
1-888-356-2375
M-F 8AM - 8PM EST
**************************************************************
Wow, that is ****.
Mine is cracked in precisely the same place.
It is B.S. but for some reason both Sprint and HTC refuse to acknowledge the crack as a defect. I think it is ridiculous and deserves a recall. But I don't understand the problem completely. Are they forcing you to pay $90 in order to get your phone back? Or are they just saying that it would cost $90 if you asked them to repair the hairline crack?
I never read the other thread. Does it crack in the middle? Looking at how it is attached (two tiny, flimsy tabs) when I had mine apart...I would expect the tabs to break. It's a crap piece all things considered.
Sent the phone in for a completely unrelated issue. They are saying the crack is evidence that I've abused my phone. I can either pay 75 for them to fix it or 40 for them just to send it back. The additional is shipping.
This company literally has by far the most useless and brain dead phone reps I've ever encountered.
Should have just exchanged it with Sprint.
That is absolutely awful. The cracked power button is a well-known defect of this phone. And the fact that they are nitpicking you is almost a deal-breaker. I'm mad for you.
Twice when I owned a Blackberry I sent my phone in for minor issues. The way it worked is that Sprint overnighted a new phone to me before they looked at mine. I activated the new one so that I wouldn't have to be without phone. Then I sent in the old one. RIM charges something like $75 if they find that the problem doesn't exist and you were just trying to get a shiny new phone. I was never charged the $75. And I was really pushing the policy because there was some tiny flaw in the phone which was why I was returning it.
You shouldn't have to wait this long for a replacement. And you shouldn't have to bicker with them like it's a flea market. We only have these phones for like a year before we move on, and they are wasting your time.
TheBiles said:
Should have just exchanged it with Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint had no phones and it was a wait for a refurb. Figured this would be a simple in and out repair. My bad thinking HTC has any idea what customer service is.
Ugh. I just noticed my one month old never dropped babied Evo has that be crack right where everyone else's is located. I thought you were all being rough on your phones but I stand corrected. HTC will be getting a call from me.
thebryanexperience said:
Ugh. I just noticed my one month old never dropped babied Evo has that be crack right where everyone else's is located. I thought you were all being rough on your phones but I stand corrected. HTC will be getting a call from me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC will not care if they get a call from you. That's the problem.
Just had the same issue, plus I lost my WIMAX flashing, so I went through Sprint and told them the button craked, 1 week later i have brand new EVO. NOT refurb. I did flirt with the gal at Sprint though..
xavier1022 said:
Just had the same issue, plus I lost my WIMAX flashing, so I went through Sprint and told them the button craked, 1 week later i have brand new EVO. NOT refurb. I did flirt with the gal at Sprint though..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She must have been trying to get you out of the store as quickly as possible. Not a bad strategy.
get your phone back tell them to F themselves at go ***** at sprint, and wait, I'm pretty sure its not going to kill anyones phone to have a crack in it while you wait for a refurb to come in, HTC is going to send you a refurb anyway most likely.
either way with a refurb your stuck without root, the Evo's roll in for Service and repair replacements every few days.
the longer the better, more time to hope froyo gets rooted lol
Wait, is the button itself cracked, or the trim right around it (on the screen side of the top)?
Its just the trim around it. I really don't see it as anything but a cosmetic issue. There is no "flex" to the plastic and feels as solid as a friends that doesn't have the crack.
I can only feel it with my fingernail.
File a case with the BBB.
Bielinsk said:
Its just the trim around it. I really don't see it as anything but a cosmetic issue. There is no "flex" to the plastic and feels as solid as a friends that doesn't have the crack.
I can only feel it with my fingernail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have that too. Mine has been apart a few times, so I can't really *****. I only noticed it because I was scrutinizing the button.
Still my favorite phone ever, and will probably be for the next six months.
Yet when there is a thread about another manufacturer everyone is ready to beat HTC off with both hands while they piss on the other builders. They are no better and their build quality is certainly suspect at best. Don't even get me started on the programming mess.
I've filed formal complaints with the BBB (like anyone cares) and the Florida Division of Consumer Services (might care) along with posting on every forum and facebook page I can find related to HTC as well as carpet bombing their fax numbers.
HTC I know you are reading this.
I'm just getting started.
I promise you I will cost you many many times more than the 75 bucks you've gotten from me.
Making it a point to call twice a day to check on my phone.
They told me it would be 5 to 7 days before it ships.
I'll call twice a day every day and waste as much of their time as I possibly can.
Also got another "we don't care about your problems with HTC" chain letter from Sprint today. In case anyone wondered the "[email protected]" address just takes you to more customer "service" reps though you do get a dedicated employee to ignore you. I like when they say they are "calling from the office of Dan Hesse." It makes me giggle. Chances are good they wouldn't know Dan Hesse if he walked up and punched them in the face.

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!

Sprint Repair store (Very Troubling)

I just want to get a bead on what is going on here.
I was window Shopping in the Sprint store this morning & a guy had an OG EVO with a faulty charge port.
Before I go on, note the following:
1.I'm not sure of what insurance plan he had (it could be either TEP+Asu, or just Asurion) so this is where I need your help in clarification. But he definitely has insurance.
2. This particular Sprint Store has the Repair Center.
3. I didn't see a repair tech chime in on the conversation. (Odd as usually the repair techs themselves tell you what can or can't be done. Duties & Policies change so you never know here.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He explained this issue to the floor reps & the floor rep told him that they would have to refer him to Asurion ($100+) & get the phone repaired or possibly replaced that way as he claimed it was physical damage.
This customer was no newb (assuming, sounded like he had a clue & a goal anyway) to how this works & explained that he knew this was a common issue as at least two people he knew of, had that same issue with the charge port failing. He did not mention their experience on getting this issue resolved. He called it a defect & it wasn't from him abusing or dropping the phone, which he happily showed in great condition. (I agreed, silently).
They talked back & forth- in small circles getting to this:
The Floor Rep (who sounded very sure of this) said there was nothing this Sprint store could do, they couldn't fix or get him a new/refurb phone because it was technically still considered physical damage.
This went back & forth for about 10 more minutes & the customer was pissed. (Didn't curse or get childish) but he was disgusted that we would have to pay $100 for a manufacturer defect & that the Sprint "repair" center couldn't help him.
He rode on this wave of anger & promptly asked to cancel his service with Sprint. The floor rep easily complied to start the process. (Me thinking: WTF Idiot rep, get the manager!) I face-palmed after that & I left while they were going over the termination.
Now my question/s:
Was the rep right about what they couldn't do for that time of damage/defect? Was this the result because the customer lacking the TEP portion of his insurance?
Are some repair centers more capable than others for this type of damage?
Has some portions of coverage been removed recently aside from the "rarely charged for" $35 screen repairs?
Question for Sprint employees/ former employees: What options can you use to deter a customer from leaving in a situation like that? I feel the rep could've at least put up an inch of a fight to assist in a situation like that or request aid from a manager.
Excuse any spelling or editing errors.
I'm gonna go on a limb here and say that the sprint rep just wanted to show him who the boss was. I've never had any problems with the tech stores here repairing anything from broken screens to broken power buttons. Unless you bring your phone in two pieces or has been physically damaged they should warranty it out.
IMHO
The rep, IMHO, was incorrect for arguing with the customer over what was physical or man. defect. Being a Sprint TC, we are usually asked to go out and inspect the device, open it up and see whether the soldering points are intact or not. you can spot the difference rather quickly when it comes to defect or physical. The rep should have either gotten a TC involved or better yet a manager involved immediately. Most customers, and i mean that with all due respect to both parties, would much rather hear the reasoning from someone who is supposed to know what they are talking about. for some reason customers that i talk to seem to leave in a happier mood after speaking with me over the issue. I have had to step in during a heated discussion between a rep and a customer over issues like this, and I'm not even a lead, just a simple TC. Personally, I think it tends to sound a little more official from the person hired to actually WORK on the devices rather than hear from someone who simply sells it. We spend more time on our job opening them open and inspecting them, just like the reps spend their time selling customers on the device. just my opinion, I'm not looking to start a feud by any means
your response sounds more like a regular store experience for me..
Hypeo said:
I'm gonna go on a limb here and say that the sprint rep just wanted to show him who the boss was. I've never had any problems with the tech stores here repairing anything from broken screens to broken power buttons. Unless you bring your phone in two pieces or has been physically damaged they should warranty it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah same here, I never had an experience like that. But it's been since the HTC Hero (2 years ago) that I've flexed my TEP. At this very store.
And then the sight of this floor rep allowing a current subscriber to leave without any counter-action. (IMHO: is worse than some random would be customer leaving). You don't have to be in retentions to save a subscriber.
I always have the golden rule of try trice (with different reps/stores) before deeming a crap policy as fact. But this guy was understandably baffled at how useless his experience was that led up to him cancelling.
dgomez720 said:
The rep should have either gotten a TC involved or better yet a manager involved immediately. Most customers, and i mean that with all due respect to both parties, would much rather hear the reasoning from someone who is supposed to know what they are talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. When he 1st came in explaining his visit, I thought he would log & direct him a TC.
dgomez720 said:
The rep, IMHO, was incorrect for arguing with the customer over what was physical or man. defect. Being a Sprint TC, we are usually asked to go out and inspect the device, open it up and see whether the soldering points are intact or not. you can spot the difference rather quickly when it comes to defect or physical. The rep should have either gotten a TC involved or better yet a manager involved immediately. Most customers, and i mean that with all due respect to both parties, would much rather hear the reasoning from someone who is supposed to know what they are talking about. for some reason customers that i talk to seem to leave in a happier mood after speaking with me over the issue. I have had to step in during a heated discussion between a rep and a customer over issues like this, and I'm not even a lead, just a simple TC. Personally, I think it tends to sound a little more official from the person hired to actually WORK on the devices rather than hear from someone who simply sells it. We spend more time on our job opening them open and inspecting them, just like the reps spend their time selling customers on the device. just my opinion, I'm not looking to start a feud by any means
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you, as a customer it does sound more official to hear the response from the person who is paid to actually work on the devices. A lot of people view salespeople as just that, salespeople. Someone to sell you something that you probably don't want or need, not someone to fix something that you have already bought and need repaired.
However, from a customer's point of view, he also may be arguing over the fact that it is for things like this in which he bought the insurance to begin with. If I'm spending $8 per month for God knows how long, the last thing I want to hear is "No, we won't repair your phone." In that case, Sprint could really do a better job of educating its customers as to what the insurance really covers. Most people view it as the equivalent of the add-on service plan that you can get at Best Buy or everywhere else, which basically will get your device fixed or replaced (or some money back) if your device fails after the manufacturer's warranty runs out. Apparently that isn't the case with TEP, however that's not how the salespeople sell it. I was in a Sprint store last month with my Dad upgrading his phone, and the sales rep offered it to us by saying "If anything goes wrong with your phone, bring it in and we'll repair it."
He had to backpedal when I started asking him questions about fixing water damage and extreme gross physical neglect...
BigJohn
Same exact thing happened to me. I called Sprint and still no luck. I eventually had a screen problem and the store replaced the phone for me.
Sent from my PC36100 using xda premium
I think that is a prime example of ignorance and lack of care for customers. I have been to many crappy sprint stores who have done similar things. Fortunately I have found a sprint store in my neighborhood who treats their customers with respect and are mostly knowledgeable. Tbh that customer should have escalated it to talk to the manager or just go to another sprint store.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
The repair stores are filled with 1 good person to fix phones and 5 idiots. They all depend on 1 tech to actually fix things, and when they can't, the only solution to their problem is.. uh.. Ill have to have u call Asurion. Idiotttts.
This is exactly why the reps in my store immediately hand off any problem phones to a tech. They ask qualifying questions but never argue with the customer. It's up to the tech to determine what's wrong with the phone, and if necessary, "argue" with the customer.
I always explain TEP with a car analogy. You pay an insurance premium on your car in order to carry coverage. If you wreck your car, you pay a deductible and have it fixed.
Evo charging port is a very sensitive issue. I've had some that are obvious physical damage yet the customer still argues and calls me a liar.
So what does TEP actually cover?
cmsjr123 said:
So what does TEP actually cover?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ability to get upgrades every 1 year instead of every 2 years. That's about it.
Sent from my EVO
I find that going to an authorized retailer with a repair center works better, I went to a sprint store and they wanted me too buy this or that, battery, etc... Went to a reseller and they replaced my uninsured phone for $35, under faulty USB charger. Also try to go on days they aren't slammed with customers so they can give you the proper attention..
mbaseball3 said:
Ability to get upgrades every 1 year instead of every 2 years. That's about it.
Sent from my EVO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
DirtyShroomz said:
Seriously?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, yeah! I envy everyone else here with their success stories. Sprint stores do chit here for their customers! I'm on a 6 line business plan and they say sorry can't help you any time I walk in to a repair center. We been with sprint since a little before Nextel merger; how ever many years ago that was. I have yet to get a phone properly taken care of even with our insurance. I feel that when they see that there is an issue in device and that they should fix, they just point me to asurion. They never help. Feed us excuse after excuse. Anyone in the orange county area of California have good repair center experiences? Won't be surprised if all responses are No!
Sent from my EVO
mbaseball3 said:
Ability to get upgrades every 1 year instead of every 2 years. That's about it.
Sent from my EVO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Umm, absolutely not.
Hmmm
I've had my share of issues with the Sprint store where I live. Almost from the time I got the phone I was having issues with it and all they were willing to was a factory reset. They actually let me sit in the store for over an hour (with my two year old son) the last time I went. After we were both tired of sitting I got up and asked the tech about it. He told me "Oh yeah, well the screen is locked and I couldn't get into it" I was floored and pissed off. Someone could have asked me considering I told them I would wait. After that I decided it was time for me to figure it all out on my own.
mskeys2xx3 said:
I've had my share of issues with the Sprint store where I live. Almost from the time I got the phone I was having issues with it and all they were willing to was a factory reset. They actually let me sit in the store for over an hour (with my two year old son) the last time I went. After we were both tired of sitting I got up and asked the tech about it. He told me "Oh yeah, well the screen is locked and I couldn't get into it" I was floored and pissed off. Someone could have asked me considering I told them I would wait. After that I decided it was time for me to figure it all out on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
mskeys2xx3 said:
I've had my share of issues with the Sprint store where I live. Almost from the time I got the phone I was having issues with it and all they were willing to was a factory reset. They actually let me sit in the store for over an hour (with my two year old son) the last time I went. After we were both tired of sitting I got up and asked the tech about it. He told me "Oh yeah, well the screen is locked and I couldn't get into it" I was floored and pissed off. Someone could have asked me considering I told them I would wait. After that I decided it was time for me to figure it all out on my own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We have data preservation sheets for that, which all customers are required to sign. It includes a place to draw your pattern lock or write down any other codes.
Well it would have been nice if someone had asked/told me that when they took my phone. I like just stop talking and give me my phone back before I am unable to control this urge to punch you in the face.

Categories

Resources