Contract woes

In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
coverage at home or close to it.

Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)

Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
She was adamant, so we're SOL.

Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?

Thanks,

Jason

---

› See More: Contract woes

File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.



"Jason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> coverage at home or close to it.
>
> Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
>
> Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> She was adamant, so we're SOL.
>
> Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason

File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.



"Jason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> coverage at home or close to it.
>
> Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
>
> Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> She was adamant, so we're SOL.
>
> Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason

Well in two months your first contract will be up, so $200 will drop
from the disconnect charge. The agent you dealt with screwed you
royally. I used to sell Nextels and coverage was the first thing I went
over with people. I wouldn't sell a phone if coverage isn't already
there. Agents have no idea where new towers are going!!! I would have
recommended you to the competition till Nextel met your needs. I'm
sorry you are soured on the service. I would report the agent to the
better business bureau. Nextel Customer service should have taken care
of the disconnect to have you as a future customer when they can meet
your needs.

"JL" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.
>
>
>
> "Jason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> > Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> > until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> > west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> > picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> > Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> > enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> > time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> > the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> > coverage at home or close to it.
> >
> > Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> > we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> > needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> > miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> > where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> > professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> > Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
> >
> > Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> > minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> > for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> > of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> > wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> > agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> > anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> > months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> > the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> > service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> > problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> > that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> > contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> > She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> > ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> > knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> > She was adamant, so we're SOL.
> >
> > Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> > pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> > keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> > the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jason
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]

Well in two months your first contract will be up, so $200 will drop
from the disconnect charge. The agent you dealt with screwed you
royally. I used to sell Nextels and coverage was the first thing I went
over with people. I wouldn't sell a phone if coverage isn't already
there. Agents have no idea where new towers are going!!! I would have
recommended you to the competition till Nextel met your needs. I'm
sorry you are soured on the service. I would report the agent to the
better business bureau. Nextel Customer service should have taken care
of the disconnect to have you as a future customer when they can meet
your needs.

"JL" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.
>
>
>
> "Jason" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> > Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> > until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> > west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> > picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> > Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> > enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> > time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> > the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> > coverage at home or close to it.
> >
> > Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> > we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> > needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> > miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> > where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> > professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> > Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
> >
> > Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> > minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> > for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> > of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> > wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> > agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> > anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> > months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> > the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> > service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> > problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> > that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> > contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> > She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> > ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> > knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> > She was adamant, so we're SOL.
> >
> > Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> > pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> > keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> > the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Jason
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 01:00:07 GMT, "JL" <[email protected]> wrote:

>File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.

Under what violation? Coverage from day one was a no go. You have 14
days to return your phone.
To e-mail me, remove theobvious from my e-mail address.

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 01:00:07 GMT, "JL" <[email protected]> wrote:

>File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.

Under what violation? Coverage from day one was a no go. You have 14
days to return your phone.
To e-mail me, remove theobvious from my e-mail address.

Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their end
of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?

"Evan Platt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 01:00:07 GMT, "JL" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.
>
> Under what violation? Coverage from day one was a no go. You have 14
> days to return your phone.
> To e-mail me, remove theobvious from my e-mail address.

Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their end
of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?

"Evan Platt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 01:00:07 GMT, "JL" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >File a complaint with the FCC. They regulate the cellphone industry.
>
> Under what violation? Coverage from day one was a no go. You have 14
> days to return your phone.
> To e-mail me, remove theobvious from my e-mail address.

"JL" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their
end
> of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?

The problem is that by signing the Subscriber Agreement and failing to
cancel service within the 14-day window, you agreed that the service was
adequate for your needs. That said, I'd bet money that nearly every
consumer who sues their carrier to get the cancellation fee waived would
probably win in Small Claims court.

"JL" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their
end
> of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?

The problem is that by signing the Subscriber Agreement and failing to
cancel service within the 14-day window, you agreed that the service was
adequate for your needs. That said, I'd bet money that nearly every
consumer who sues their carrier to get the cancellation fee waived would
probably win in Small Claims court.

I have read all the responses. My suggestion would be to call again
explaining the situation. If you are able to use the phones at work
then if the plans are discounted you would be able to afford it. This
of course would be on your defense of low minute usage due to
non-coverage. Discounts are given for this reason from account
services. Make sure you state that you need to cancel the account to
enable you to speak to acct serv.

[email protected] (Jason) wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> coverage at home or close to it.
>
> Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
>
> Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> She was adamant, so we're SOL.
>
> Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason

[posted via phonescoop.com]

I have read all the responses. My suggestion would be to call again
explaining the situation. If you are able to use the phones at work
then if the plans are discounted you would be able to afford it. This
of course would be on your defense of low minute usage due to
non-coverage. Discounts are given for this reason from account
services. Make sure you state that you need to cancel the account to
enable you to speak to acct serv.

[email protected] (Jason) wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> In early Sepetember, I started Nextel service for me and my wife.
> Service was non-existent where I live, and I didn't pick up a signal
> until I went ~5 miles north of my house, ~50 miles south, ~40 miles
> west, and ~70 miles east. I work 60 miles north of home, and it
> picks up fine there, which is where I use it (my whole company is on
> Nextel). We were told by the reseller that Southern LINC was to
> enter into a "roaming" agreement with Nextel within 2 months from the
> time that we bought it. Other consumers that we spoke to were told
> the same thing. It never happened, and we just lived with no
> coverage at home or close to it.
>
> Lately, we've had some emergencies that required a cell phone, and
> we've been left out in the cold. Also, I'm a volunteer EMT, and I've
> needed phone service more often than not, and Nextel has failed me
> miserably. We decided to go with a carrier that offered coverage
> where we live, work, and travel the most (Sprint, although I'm not
> professing allegiance to any company, it's just what was best for us.
> Believe me, I researched it for about a month.)
>
> Currently, we've got 2 different plans - one offers 500 anytime
> minutes, 2500 DC minutes, no LD anywhere, and free nights and weekends
> for $39.99/month. The other is the same, only it offers 1000 minutes
> of cellular, and is either $49.99 or $59.99/month. I originally
> wanted to drop down to a DC only plan, but that cost $39.99/month (the
> agent told us that our plan was a very good one and not offered
> anymore.) So I just decided to have them turned off. I've got 2
> months left on one contract, and until next March on the other (bought
> the wife a new phone this past March). I was told by customer
> service that since I had no service where I lived, it should be no
> problem. Well, the disconnect agent (who was very rude) informed me
> that under no circumstances would I be able to get out from under the
> contract without paying $200 per phone, even though I had no service.
> She said that the only other thing I could do would be to transfer
> ownership of the account to someone else. I told her that everyone I
> knew either already had Nextel, or wouldn't touch it if I paid <them>.
> She was adamant, so we're SOL.
>
> Is there anything I can do about this? I a) don't have the cash to
> pay the $400 extra to disconnect and b) don't have the extra cash to
> keep 4 cell phones active (2 Sprint and 2 Nextels), especially since
> the Nextel plans are so much. Any advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason

[posted via phonescoop.com]

One thing that doesn't get mentioned in that 14 days, you can't put more
than 30 minutes of use on the phone, or they won't take them back
either.
"cheesegator" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> "JL" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their
> end
> > of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?
>
> The problem is that by signing the Subscriber Agreement and failing to
> cancel service within the 14-day window, you agreed that the service was
> adequate for your needs. That said, I'd bet money that nearly every
> consumer who sues their carrier to get the cancellation fee waived would
> probably win in Small Claims court.
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]

One thing that doesn't get mentioned in that 14 days, you can't put more
than 30 minutes of use on the phone, or they won't take them back
either.
"cheesegator" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> "JL" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Breech of contract. If there is no service they failed to provide their
> end
> > of the bargain. How can a reasonable person expect you to pay for nothing?
>
> The problem is that by signing the Subscriber Agreement and failing to
> cancel service within the 14-day window, you agreed that the service was
> adequate for your needs. That said, I'd bet money that nearly every
> consumer who sues their carrier to get the cancellation fee waived would
> probably win in Small Claims court.
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]