**STOP** Before you get New SprintPCS Service...READ **STOP**

Here is my story to share with anyone wanting to get a SprintPCS
phone. Here are my mistakes so you are aware of these issues and can
ask these questions.

I've been a Happy Nextel customer for over a year, only thing about
Nextel I don't like is the coverage area which is my reason for
getting a 2nd cell phone. After looking through all the coverage maps
for the other cellular companies, I chose Sprint. I am a Limousine
Chauffeur by trade and I travel a lot and I need the expanded coverage
in case I need it.

March 27, 2004

I head to a Nashville, TN Radio Shack to purchase my new Sprint PCS
SCP-5500 phone with the 1100 Minutes Free and Clear America Plan
($65/month). Radio SHack is offering 2 months Free Vision, ReadyLink
and Voice Command. Service is initiated at this time. $380 dollars
is spent including $125 Deposit.

April 1st, 2004

I'm in Branson, MO currently on assignment in my hotel room, 6:30am I
wake up roll over and pick up my phone to call my boss to make sure
everything is cool. My phone has been disconnected due to
non-payment. I call sprint, they say it was their error and they
would prescribe a $50 temporary credit to reactivate my phone. Great,
my phone is active again and I can use it.

April 12th, 2004

My phone was disconnected again, this time, nothing can be done to
reactivate it because I now owe them over $250 and in order for them
to turn the phone back on, i have to catch up to my spending limit.
Whatever. So I have my wife call and she somehow gets it turned back
on. I don't know the details of that conversation but I know my wife
got pretty raw with them. They Offered Free PCS-to-PCS calling for
the life of the account. Cool. I'll stay on with Sprint, that was a
nice offer to keep a customer.

May 2nd, 2004

My phone is disconnected again while I am working... Not good.
Considering putting the phone under the wheel of the car to let the
SprintPCS representative know what it sounds like to be on hold for 30
minutes and for hearing an infuriated customer. Can't get anything
done, Wife calls and straightens it out again.

June 1st, 2004

I've had it, woke up at 6am to find the phone is disconnected again.
Come to find out, Radio Shack never turned on the free 2 Months PCS
vision, readylink and voice command and was being charged for it. I
use the Vision pack a little bit, I don't go over board too much. But
For the way i've been treated, disconnects and having to wait on the
phone to call someone to straighten it out... I am done with
SprintPCS.

All the while my Nextel is working, has been working, and Nextel has
never once cut me off. Nextel provides me service, sends me a bill,
gives me a reasonable amount of time to pay it, DING...next month...
It's the same, time and time again.

Things I have learned through this experience:

1> Don't go to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone, they are only good at one
thing... Finding wires/cables/adaptors/and electronic trinkets for
hobbyists.

2> Get everythign they say in writing

3> Don't got to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone...

Personal Experiences tell me that Radio Shack is not well versed on
Sprint Policy.

---

› See More: **STOP** Before you get New SprintPCS Service...READ **STOP**

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Chris Faulkner) wrote:

> 3> Don't got to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone...
>
> Personal Experiences tell me that Radio Shack is not well versed on
> Sprint Policy.

Sounds like you should call up Radio Shack corporate headquarters for
them to give you a FULL REFUND for all their errors and your grief.

"Chris Faulkner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Here is my story to share with anyone wanting to get a SprintPCS
> phone. Here are my mistakes so you are aware of these issues and can
> ask these questions.
>
> I've been a Happy Nextel customer for over a year, only thing about
> Nextel I don't like is the coverage area which is my reason for
> getting a 2nd cell phone. After looking through all the coverage maps
> for the other cellular companies, I chose Sprint. I am a Limousine
> Chauffeur by trade and I travel a lot and I need the expanded coverage
> in case I need it.
>
> March 27, 2004
>
> I head to a Nashville, TN Radio Shack to purchase my new Sprint PCS
> SCP-5500 phone with the 1100 Minutes Free and Clear America Plan
> ($65/month). Radio SHack is offering 2 months Free Vision, ReadyLink
> and Voice Command. Service is initiated at this time. $380 dollars
> is spent including $125 Deposit.
>
> April 1st, 2004
>
> I'm in Branson, MO currently on assignment in my hotel room, 6:30am I
> wake up roll over and pick up my phone to call my boss to make sure
> everything is cool. My phone has been disconnected due to
> non-payment. I call sprint, they say it was their error and they
> would prescribe a $50 temporary credit to reactivate my phone. Great,
> my phone is active again and I can use it.
>
> April 12th, 2004
>
> My phone was disconnected again, this time, nothing can be done to
> reactivate it because I now owe them over $250 and in order for them
> to turn the phone back on, i have to catch up to my spending limit.
> Whatever. So I have my wife call and she somehow gets it turned back
> on. I don't know the details of that conversation but I know my wife
> got pretty raw with them. They Offered Free PCS-to-PCS calling for
> the life of the account. Cool. I'll stay on with Sprint, that was a
> nice offer to keep a customer.
>
> May 2nd, 2004
>
> My phone is disconnected again while I am working... Not good.
> Considering putting the phone under the wheel of the car to let the
> SprintPCS representative know what it sounds like to be on hold for 30
> minutes and for hearing an infuriated customer. Can't get anything
> done, Wife calls and straightens it out again.
>
> June 1st, 2004
>
> I've had it, woke up at 6am to find the phone is disconnected again.
> Come to find out, Radio Shack never turned on the free 2 Months PCS
> vision, readylink and voice command and was being charged for it. I
> use the Vision pack a little bit, I don't go over board too much. But
> For the way i've been treated, disconnects and having to wait on the
> phone to call someone to straighten it out... I am done with
> SprintPCS.
>
> All the while my Nextel is working, has been working, and Nextel has
> never once cut me off. Nextel provides me service, sends me a bill,
> gives me a reasonable amount of time to pay it, DING...next month...
> It's the same, time and time again.
>
> Things I have learned through this experience:
>
> 1> Don't go to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone, they are only good at one
> thing... Finding wires/cables/adaptors/and electronic trinkets for
> hobbyists.
>
> 2> Get everythign they say in writing
>
> 3> Don't got to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone...
>
> Personal Experiences tell me that Radio Shack is not well versed on
> Sprint Policy.

Seems like it was Radio Shack who totally screwed the pooch on this one. In
saying that, I'm surprised that you didn't confirm all the details for your
plan, with your first call to SPCS ...

Bob

Bob Smith <[email protected]> wrote:

> Seems like it was Radio Shack who totally screwed the pooch on this one.

Yep, that's what he said too.

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, Apple Valley, CA PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / [email protected]
Domain Names, $9.95/yr, 24x7 service: http://DomainNames.JustThe.net/
"someone once called me a sofa, but i didn't feel compelled to rush out and buy
slip covers." -adam brower * Hiroshima '45, Chernobyl '86, Windows 98/2000/2003

(R=F8bert=A0M.) wrote:
> Sounds like you should call up Radio Shack
> corporate headquarters for them to give you a
> FULL REFUND for all their errors and your
> grief.

And all your wife's grief... as it sounds like she did half of the work.


Eric

Chris Faulkner wrote:
>
> Here is my story to share with anyone wanting to get a SprintPCS
> phone. Here are my mistakes so you are aware of these issues and can
> ask these questions.
>
> <snip>

1) Maybe the subject line should've read, "**STOP** Before you get New
SprintPCS Service from Radio Shack," or something similar.

2) It sounds like Sprint did a pretty good job in correcting the problems.

Larry

>
> Seems like it was Radio Shack who totally screwed the pooch on this one. In
> saying that, I'm surprised that you didn't confirm all the details for your
> plan, with your first call to SPCS ...
>
> Bob

Aye, probably. I'm preparing to take the phone back to Radio Shack.
Demand my money back. Actually, I did confirm everything with SPCS on
my first call. Which leads me to believe that SPCS and Radio Shack
are just passing the blame around so that I can be placed on hold some
more. As soon as the representative calls back, this phone is going
back from whence it came.

(Chris=A0Faulkner) wrote:
> Actually, I did confirm everything with SPCS
> on my first call. Which leads me to believe
> that SPCS and Radio Shack are just passing
> the blame around so that I can be placed on
> hold some more. As soon as the
> representative calls back, this phone is going
> back from whence it came.

I was under the impression that Radio Shack actually does all the
activating and plan activations and that when you alk to the Sprint rep,
he/she just goes over the plan you chose... and then it was up to RS to
enter it in correctly. I could be wrong.

Did you already cancel service with Sprint? Don't let them bully you
into an ETF if you have had this much trouble with them and Radio Shack.
RS is overpriced, and their reps generally aren't too intelligent.

I'm glad you have good service with Nextel. Around here, their
walkie-talkie service works fine, but their "cellular" service stinks.

Eric

[email protected] (Chris Faulkner) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...

> 1> Don't go to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone

I would go further and say DO NOT go to any dealer for
cell phone service of any company. When, not if, the phone
company shafts you, you want to avoid the finger pointing
that will invariably come about when a dealer is in the picture.

> 2> Get everythign they say in writing

Waste of time. They will say and do AND write anything to earn
a commission. You're usually dealing with college kids out to
make a quick buck.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:

> [email protected] (Chris Faulkner) wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
>
> > 1> Don't go to Radio Shack for a Cell Phone
>
> I would go further and say DO NOT go to any dealer for
> cell phone service of any company. When, not if, the phone
> company shafts you, you want to avoid the finger pointing
> that will invariably come about when a dealer is in the picture.
>
> > 2> Get everythign they say in writing
>
> Waste of time. They will say and do AND write anything to earn
> a commission. You're usually dealing with college kids out to
> make a quick buck.

True, SprintPCS can come back and say "They weren't authorized to offer
you that".

"Chris Faulkner" told a tale of woe.

Chris, it ain't over yet. You are gonna get your credit dinged, get
threatening letters and the hassle will continue. You don't have your money
back yet do you?

Cheer up you could have gone with AT&T! They are even worse!

Good luck!
John

Chris Faulkner wrote:

> Aye, probably. I'm preparing to take the phone back to Radio Shack.
> Demand my money back. Actually, I did confirm everything with SPCS on
> my first call. Which leads me to believe that SPCS and Radio Shack
> are just passing the blame around so that I can be placed on hold some
> more. As soon as the representative calls back, this phone is going
> back from whence it came.

Putting you on hold helps no one. Never assume malice when incompetence
can be blamed. It sounds like Radio Shack is the bad guy in your
situation. It's tricky to handle a $125 spending limit, especially when
a customer wants a decent sized plan and options. The activation fees
and proration will put you over your spending limit for your first
month. 1100 minutes will work in most cases, provided no options are
added. If someone wants vision, they should stick to the $50 700 min
plan. I've had angry customers because they were shut off despite me
doing the homework to keep them under - usually a handful of 411 calls
or some unsubscribed feature use. Seems like there's always some new way
people find of adding mid-month charges to their account. I kinda wish
Sprint could change their first month billing practices so that
customers can start out with a normal bill.
-mike

"bassrecord" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Chris Faulkner" told a tale of woe.
>
> Chris, it ain't over yet. You are gonna get your credit dinged, get
> threatening letters and the hassle will continue. You don't have your money
> back yet do you?
>
> Cheer up you could have gone with AT&T! They are even worse!
>
> Good luck!
> John


Not Yet John... but working on it... i've kept my phone off
completely.. don't want no more crap. I'm disconnecting service, i'm
breaking contract and they are gonna owe me back, will follow up to
this shortly. For now, my nextel works fine..

In article <[email protected]>,
Mike <[email protected]> wrote:

> Chris Faulkner wrote:
>
> > Aye, probably. I'm preparing to take the phone back to Radio Shack.
> > Demand my money back. Actually, I did confirm everything with SPCS on
> > my first call. Which leads me to believe that SPCS and Radio Shack
> > are just passing the blame around so that I can be placed on hold some
> > more. As soon as the representative calls back, this phone is going
> > back from whence it came.
>
> Putting you on hold helps no one. Never assume malice when incompetence
> can be blamed. It sounds like Radio Shack is the bad guy in your
> situation. It's tricky to handle a $125 spending limit, especially when
> a customer wants a decent sized plan and options. The activation fees
> and proration will put you over your spending limit for your first
> month. 1100 minutes will work in most cases, provided no options are
> added. If someone wants vision, they should stick to the $50 700 min
> plan. I've had angry customers because they were shut off despite me
> doing the homework to keep them under - usually a handful of 411 calls
> or some unsubscribed feature use. Seems like there's always some new way
> people find of adding mid-month charges to their account. I kinda wish
> Sprint could change their first month billing practices so that
> customers can start out with a normal bill.

But carriers want to have a short prorated first bill, so they can ding
you for an additional full month when you return your phone at 14 days.

"Røbert M." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> True, SprintPCS can come back and say "They weren't authorized to offer
> you that".

My experience was with AT+T but the same applies to ALL dealers.

I pointed out to AT+T customer service rep that I have before me a
business card that says authorized dealer. The service rep says
politely something to the effect of, that they're a dime a dozen
and they don't mean a thing.

Also there is the matter of cahoots. For example I signed up with
http://www.mobilesolutions.com/ for $40 USD/month 7PM free nights.
Double checked with AT+T customer service. Yuppers, you got it.
7PM free nights. 2 days before my 30 day grace period I double
checked. Whoops, you're not supposed to have that said the rep.
7PM nights is only available on the $60 USD plan. That was a mistake.
Turned it off for me. Told me it would have been turned off anyway
as soon as the next audit comes along. I was told, off the record,
that game is called punt. Dealer says anything, writes anything,
just to get past the 30 day grace period. I went back to mobilesolutions
in the mall to give the phones back and pull out of the plan.
Another college student says, before you do that, let me fix it.
Fixed it for %100 sure. Even gave me an AT+T reference number.
But told me it takes 2 days to activate. In 2 days I was going to
go past 30 days. Didn't trust the situation. So I called AT+T and
found out the mobile solutions rep gave me a bogus AT+T reference
number that does not exist.

The dealer's job is to lie, cheat, and steal. Do anything it takes
to get the customer past the grace period. DO NOT deal with dealers.
Go to the company website and buy direct. Then you at least know
which hardened criminal you are being shafted by. He he, sorry for
the cynicism, but I didn't buy into Arnold S's bit about all this
being just good old honest free enterprise.