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  1. #1
    Richard Steinfeld
    Guest
    I'd like to know peoples' experiences with Metro PCS. In particular,
    service quality and "cruel and unusual" charges, if any.

    I phoned their call center and they could not provide me with a true
    monthly rate. I asked specifically about taxes and fees (because I've
    already been through one landline reseller collecting taxes from me to
    the wrong jurisdiction). I was quoted two charges that didn't add up to
    a full amount, which turned out to be "estimated taxes and charges."

    What I realized was the only way that I was going to find out what the
    true cost was going to be was _after_ I'd signed up and paid the high
    price for their handset. But it may work out OK. I'm concerned that my
    outgoing sound be very good.

    So, please post here if you can clue me in.

    Thanks.

    Richard



    See More: Metro PCS experience query




  2. #2
    GeekBoy
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query


    "Richard Steinfeld" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > I'd like to know peoples' experiences with Metro PCS. In particular,
    > service quality and "cruel and unusual" charges, if any.
    >
    > I phoned their call center and they could not provide me with a true
    > monthly rate. I asked specifically about taxes and fees (because I've
    > already been through one landline reseller collecting taxes from me to the
    > wrong jurisdiction). I was quoted two charges that didn't add up to a full
    > amount, which turned out to be "estimated taxes and charges."
    >


    Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service is at
    a set flat fee.

    I pay $45 a month plus $5 in 'taxes'
    I have been happy with the service, but some locations can be a bit bad,
    which does not make sense since it is in the middle of a metropolitan area.





    > What I realized was the only way that I was going to find out what the
    > true cost was going to be was _after_ I'd signed up and paid the high
    > price for their handset. But it may work out OK. I'm concerned that my
    > outgoing sound be very good.
    >
    > So, please post here if you can clue me in.
    >
    > Thanks.
    >
    > Richard






  3. #3
    Steve Sobol
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    GeekBoy wrote:

    > Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service is at
    > a set flat fee.


    It's an estimate because the call center undoubtedly does not have tax info
    for each city they service. Some of the taxes are consistent (especially the
    federal taxes), some of the taxes vary from area to area (like sales taxes,
    the percentage of which can vary by county or city).


    --
    Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307



  4. #4
    Mij Adyaw
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    What is Metro PCS? Is it any good? Do they resell Sprint PCS?


    "Steve Sobol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > GeekBoy wrote:
    >
    >> Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service is
    >> at a set flat fee.

    >
    > It's an estimate because the call center undoubtedly does not have tax
    > info for each city they service. Some of the taxes are consistent
    > (especially the federal taxes), some of the taxes vary from area to area
    > (like sales taxes, the percentage of which can vary by county or city).
    >
    >
    > --
    > Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    > Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    > Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    > E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307






  5. #5
    GeekBoy
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query


    "Mij Adyaw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:IiWKe.1671$Ji4.1096@fed1read03...
    > What is Metro PCS? Is it any good? Do they resell Sprint PCS?



    www.metropcs.com


    >
    >
    > "Steve Sobol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >> GeekBoy wrote:
    >>
    >>> Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service
    >>> is at a set flat fee.

    >>
    >> It's an estimate because the call center undoubtedly does not have tax
    >> info for each city they service. Some of the taxes are consistent
    >> (especially the federal taxes), some of the taxes vary from area to area
    >> (like sales taxes, the percentage of which can vary by county or city).
    >>
    >>
    >> --
    >> Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    >> Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    >> Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    >> E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

    >
    >






  6. #6
    Steve Sobol
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    Mij Adyaw wrote:
    > What is Metro PCS? Is it any good? Do they resell Sprint PCS?


    Flat-rate local-only prepay cell company. I've used Northcoast PCS in the
    northeast, $35 for unlimited local calls, Metro has a similar deal. Cricket
    is another of the big guys, and Alltel has similar packages in certain
    markets, although Alltel primarily does postpay.

    Metro doesn't resell anyone.

    --
    Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307



  7. #7
    GeekBoy
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query


    "Steve Sobol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > Mij Adyaw wrote:
    >> What is Metro PCS? Is it any good? Do they resell Sprint PCS?

    >
    > Flat-rate local-only prepay cell company. I've used Northcoast PCS in the
    > northeast, $35 for unlimited local calls, Metro has a similar deal.
    > Cricket is another of the big guys, and Alltel has similar packages in
    > certain markets, although Alltel primarily does postpay.
    >

    Their northern California market is not so local, more like regional.


    > Metro doesn't resell anyone.
    >
    > --
    > Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    > Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    > Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    > E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307






  8. #8
    Richard Steinfeld
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    GeekBoy wrote:
    > "Richard Steinfeld" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    >
    >>I'd like to know peoples' experiences with Metro PCS. In particular,
    >>service quality and "cruel and unusual" charges, if any.
    >>
    >>I phoned their call center and they could not provide me with a true
    >>monthly rate. I asked specifically about taxes and fees (because I've
    >>already been through one landline reseller collecting taxes from me to the
    >>wrong jurisdiction). I was quoted two charges that didn't add up to a full
    >>amount, which turned out to be "estimated taxes and charges."
    >>

    >
    >
    > Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service is at
    > a set flat fee.
    >


    I'm going to reply here and there to the answers, which I do appreciate!
    I've worked on a few telco, rf, and cellular projects. So, I know
    something about how it works, should work, etc. But _not_ from the
    viewpoint of a customer, since I've never actually been a cell customer
    myself.

    It is my belief that a telco should damn well have their act together
    about charges. Since their local offices are protected against calls
    from customers, the place where the buck stops is at their protected by
    menu hell call center. Old-line telcos collect tax based upon the
    subscriber's precise geographical location, which is as it should be.
    The answers that I got from Metro indicated that they're doing this the
    cheap and sloppy way: by zipcode. A reseller had collected tax from me
    at two locations, to two different cities where I don't live and don't
    owe tax. This went on for around 5 years before I caught it. The amount
    could be very substantial, since I live on unincorporated land (no tax);
    the city over my back fence imparts a whopping 10% utility tax.


    > I pay $45 a month plus $5 in 'taxes'


    Taxes should be shown on the bill, precisely itemized, with a total that
    adds up. All charges should be *****ed out. Or are we dealing with jokers?

    I intend to use my cell phone for business, so in order to get the two
    or three add-ons that I want, I'll have to spring for their $45 bundle.
    I've estimated that the actual cost will be $55 -- the "estimated taxes
    and fees" will be close to $10 for the zipcode that I gave them.

    > I have been happy with the service, but some locations can be a bit bad,
    > which does not make sense since it is in the middle of a metropolitan area.
    >


    Metro has partnership contracts with other firms for various things. In
    general, Metro operates their own antennas. Since they're relatively new
    at this, and are a true Facilities-Based-Carrier, it is logical that
    there might be a few inner locations where they have not yet put up a
    site. Let's call it "infill."

    The two issues that I have so far is:

    - the inability to get a straight answser about costs. Imagine if you
    went to buy a car, and the dealer wouldn't break out the charges (ok, ok).

    - What seems like extremely high prices for their required bundled
    telephones.

    Richard



  9. #9
    Richard Steinfeld
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    Steve Sobol wrote:
    > GeekBoy wrote:
    >
    >> Little hard to beleive that it is an estimate since the their service
    >> is at a set flat fee.

    >
    >
    > It's an estimate because the call center undoubtedly does not have tax
    > info for each city they service. Some of the taxes are consistent
    > (especially the federal taxes), some of the taxes vary from area to area
    > (like sales taxes, the percentage of which can vary by county or city).
    >


    I think that you're correct. They gave me two taxes: cellular number
    portability and one Federal tax. However, regarding the other charges,
    for god's sake: don't these jokers have computers? This data should be
    at their fingertips for every region that they serve. They'll certainly
    add it all in when it comes time for me to pay them, but it may be
    expressed as "estimated" because they're as unprofessional as the way
    that they answered my questions. I wonder if this degree of sloppiness
    is standard in this industry.

    Richard



  10. #10
    Richard Steinfeld
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    GeekBoy wrote:
    >
    > Their northern California market is not so local, more like regional.
    >


    Maps are available in their stores, and I think also on their Web site.
    Rather than "regional," their coverage is limited to specific corridors.
    In my area, they appear to have the San Francisco region covered in
    terms of freeways -- 101 and Nimitz between SF/Oakland - San Jose, south
    to Gilroy, with fairly good coverage maybe 20 miles to the north of SF
    on both sides of the water. There's a Central Valley area centered on
    Sacramento. There's a bubble of service in the Monterey area. That's
    what I recall.
    >
    >
    >>Metro doesn't resell anyone.


    In my research, I didn't uncover anything that differs. However, they
    use other carriers for roaming (your extra prepaid deposited funds are
    debited for this) and I'd think that their long distance services are
    provided via another contracted outfit.

    Rihard





  11. #11
    Steve Sobol
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    Richard Steinfeld wrote:

    > The two issues that I have so far is:
    >
    > - the inability to get a straight answser about costs. Imagine if you
    > went to buy a car, and the dealer wouldn't break out the charges (ok, ok).
    >
    > - What seems like extremely high prices for their required bundled
    > telephones.


    How much do the phones cost? I remember Northcoast -- or what used to be
    Northcoast, I forget who owns them now - selling phones for around $100-$130...

    As far as not breaking out the charges, while I stand by my earlier
    statement, I do believe they should stop being lazy and correctly compute taxes.


    --
    Steve Sobol, Professional Geek 888-480-4638 PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
    Company website: http://JustThe.net/
    Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
    E: [email protected] Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307



  12. #12
    Richard Steinfeld
    Guest

    Re: Metro PCS experience query

    Steve Sobol wrote:
    > Richard Steinfeld wrote:
    >
    >> The two issues that I have so far is:
    >>
    >> - the inability to get a straight answser about costs. Imagine if you
    >> went to buy a car, and the dealer wouldn't break out the charges (ok,
    >> ok).
    >>
    >> - What seems like extremely high prices for their required bundled
    >> telephones.

    >
    >
    > How much do the phones cost? I remember Northcoast -- or what used to be
    > Northcoast, I forget who owns them now - selling phones for around
    > $100-$130...
    >


    $99 for a Nokia 2116i through $249 for a Nokia 6255i. They have other
    phones at other prices, but these figures are the lowest and highest.
    So, it costs a hundred big ones to get into the game. You get your first
    month of service gratis when you buy a phone. And then you're locked in,
    of course, as with the other carriers. Consumers Union is behind a plan
    for phone portability, the same as we now have number portability.

    Here's the web site.
    http://www.metropcs.com

    Their phones are priced by area, so it's possible that in one region,
    the pricing is completely different, maybe even for the same handsets.
    You enter your zipcode; then you see the phones and prices. You can also
    see maps showing their service areas on this site. They provide service
    in, I believe, four different markets. The name "Metro" seems very
    appropriate -- for their service covers major metropolitan areas
    exclusively. Concentrating service this way probably is what allows them
    to offer the rates and simple service plans that they do.

    Richard



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