For some reason (probably something having to do with an undiagnosed learning disability), I've been a Sprint cellphone customer for seven years. I've never really been impressed with their service, but out of sheer laziness or stupidity or something, I stay with them. They've really been trying to push me over the edge recently, though. Back in October, I upgraded my phone. I had delayed getting a new phone because a new phone means extending the contract for two more years, and I was seriously debating going with someone else. But I saw a phone I liked, and it was a good deal, so I went ahead and upgraded. So, the phone costs $50 after the upgrade discounts and whatnot. I figure that's a pretty good deal, and I'm happy. When I received the phone and called to activate it, the customer service lady tells me that because I'm such a good customer, I have qualified for an additional bonus: I can choose among a variety of options, one of which was an additional $50 service credit. So I opted for the $50 service credit, and she tells me it will be taken off my next bill. So, the next bill rolls around, and the credit isn't there. So, I call. I'm now told that the term "next bill" actually means the next full bill, so I would receive the service credit on the December bill. So, I wait again. December rolls around, and the credit isn't there. I call again and am told that it often takes an additional billing cycle for these credits to show up, but she'll manually put it through that day. So the January bill rolls around and the credit still isn't there. I call again, I'm told that it will definitely be posted within two hours. Guaranteed. So I get the February bill today, and the credit still isn't on there. So, I call. The first guy tells me that he will immediately put the credit on the account, but he also has to charge me $25 because I've been getting "Nights & Weekends starting at 7pm" for free for the last five months. I tell him that not only did I not authorize that change, I hardly think the two are related or even relevant to each other. Not to mention that a quick look at the bill shows that I've been paying $5 a month for that service for nearly three years, including the last five months. Seething, I hang up and call back, getting a different customer service rep. He tells me I already got the credit way back in December. I tell him I didn't. He says I did and points me to my December bill (the bill that included the charges for the new phone I bought in October). For some reason, Sprint put the price of my new phone at $280, gave me $150 for an upgrade instant rebate and then two more credits of $50 and $30 to bring the price down to the $50 I paid for the phone. I noted to him that was a different thing, but he didn't believe me. And before we could get it settled, my Sprint cellphone lost the signal and the call was cut off. So, I call again, and for some reason, the 3rd guy almost immediately tells me that I do have a credit coming and he'll do it right now. Should be visible on my account in 4 hours. He'll even send me an email confirmation. So, theoretically, it's done.... but I've also been down that road before. The stupid thing is that I bought the phone (thereby extending my contract by two years) without knowing about the additional $50 credit. That was an unexpected bonus they threw in. But by then not actually paying it and giving me the run-around for months on end, they've made me even more frustrated with their service. So much so that I'm considering paying the $150 cancellation fee just so I can go somewhere else. And don't even get me started on the other issue I've been trying to get solved since last August (or the interminable drama surrounding changing a phone number with them). Are all cellphone companies like this now? Or is Sprint just exceptionally bad (or am I just managing to get bad service by luck of the draw)? ETA: Now that I think about it, I wish I had been filming all of this. It could be a heck of a documentary.
mrpaige, Sprint is exceptionally bad. Literally every person I've met that's had any experience with them think they are awful. Your own example is not unusual at all, in my opinion. Several years ago we used Sprint for long distance, because of a supposed "good deal" through USAA insurance, a company we trusted. After getting the kind of customer service typical of Sprint, with several screwed up bills, always in their favor and requiring hours to clear up, we dropped them. It was a relief.
One of the reasons I left Sprint PCS 5 years ago was customer service. Total useless incompetent idiots! That's harsh but it was true. At the time, their coverage of the Houston metro area was much superior to T-Mobile's, but I left anyway. Ever since, I've had no problems with customer service at T-Mobile at all. It's like night and day. As long as they don't do anything too stupid, my company and I will stay with T-Mobile indefinitely. The customer service at mobile phone companies varies quite a bit.
Yes Yes Yes, I know what you are going through. I had trouble with my last three bills charging me for text messages when I added text messaging to my account 5 bills prior. I spoke to two different sprint customer service rep and they confirmed that I did have it. Lets just say I've been on the phone with them my last three bills and they opened a case with me. They did credit me the last three bills for text messaging and they keep telling me I have text messaging added to it, but I keep getting charged for it. My last bill was ok finally, so I think everything is taken care of. IDIOTS opened a case on me and I've been with them for 6+ years. They need to open a case against their r****ded workers!!! \ RANT.
You guys must be getting bad reps or something. Sprint has been nothing but great to me.. I'm on a Family Plan. Here's the perks I've gotten so far: -Upgraded 2 phones to Samsung A900M's -Free Unlimited Texts for one line, 500 free for the other -$5 Power Vision -PCS To PCS -Nights & Weekends at 7PM -Free Roaming -600 Minutes -10% special (slickdeals) $66 w/ tax
i knew people that worked with them and had nothing but bad things to say... Verizon Wireless ftw yet I have Tmobile service
In every sprint bashing thread, you always have the guy who has to post his "spectacular" plan to defend his reasoning to stay with sprint. There is a damn good reason why sprint hast he worst customer service rankings in the industry ... they can't PAY for good representatives due to all the cheap customers. The same reason why Verizon is the most expensive carrier but has the best service and customer service rankings on a nationwide average.
Who said I was defending Sprint? All I was saying is that I'm surprised so many people aren't content with them and I was just stating my plan. I'm sorry that I have a good plan with the carrier you hate?
^I'm on Sprint because of their rock bottom prices. Though I did spend 3 days of Customer Service hell to switch a phone, I netted a 100 bucks from it, so I can't complain. I got a PDA for free, didn't pay for the first 2 months, spend 30 bucks on my phone plan that includes 500 anytime, unlim. text, unlim. data, unl. mobile, unl. photo mail, 7pm N&W, and free roaming. Yeah, it's milk and honey until I have a problem... but EVDO is great for tethering. Heck, now the Mogul is GPS enabled.... I heavily recommend using their email customer care option. You don't waste your time, and you get a next day reply. If you get an asshat, then you submit the same problem. As for how horrendous their customer service is... it's true. source:consumerist.com Despite all that, if you want to know about my cheap 30 dollar cell and data plan. Go here SERO and type in savings@sprintemi.com for email address.
When I moved to NYC, I kept my Sprint phone and my 832 number. During Rita, my phone stopped working. I called Sprint with my office phone to complain and they explained that all 832 and 713 and 281 numbers were overloading their system or something and I'd get service back when the storm was over. Nothing like being in the NE and losing your phone bc of a hurricane in the Gulf. I fired Sprint and got Verizon. I can get calls in the subway with them.
Exceptionally bad. I dropped my service but somehow managed to get around the cancellation fee. Probably because I was really prepared to pay it. I also had several Sprint cards that I would check out of my IT shop. I got so ticked at Sprint for not resolving issues that I canceled them all in one phone conversation. Instead of working with me, they were crappy and lost about $400 a month in sub costs.
Rock bottom prices? Really? Did a little comparison shopping last night and my Sprint plan wasn't any better than what I could get from other carriers (just judging from the websites anyway). And looking at current Sprint plans (I haven't changed my plan in some time) were actually more expensive than my current plan. My wife shares a Verizon plan with her mother. They pay slightly less but get more than I do on my family plan (I'm on a plan with my son). I mean, obviously there's a way to do better than I am on Sprint (judging by the plan outlined above), but I don't know how to get one of those great plans.
Just to update, even though I never received the confirmation email the guy said he'd send, I checked my account a few minutes ago and the $50 credit has finally been applied. So, that's a good, at least.
Sir, I just saw your post. Thank you of informing us of the error. We will be glad to charge you for the cancellation fee. It was there in our system the whole time. However, for some reason beyond our control, it was not included on your billing statement upon termination.
Know what's ironic about that statement? It was bull****e along those lines that caused me to cancel.
Sprint is horrendous. Go with T-Mobile and you will never look back (been with them for 6 years now, never had a problem that wasn't solved on the spot). Plus, I need a phone with SIM card so I can use it overseas...Sprint phones don't typically have that, nor does Verizon (if I am not mistaken).
I used to have Sprint, but we switched about 2 years ago to T-Mobile and have been very pleased The worst part of Sprint is the hardware. Sure they give you a $200 dollar discount or whatever it is for signing a contract, but their phones are WAY overpriced. Their free phones or $50 dollar phones are such crap. They sure as hell don't last 2 years. So then you get screwed over again when you try to buy a new phone after a year or so, and then get stuck in another one year. I love the one year contracts from T-Mobile. That being said, if you don't care much about your handset, and are willing to put up with a few network issues, Sprint's SERO plans are a steal. 30 bucks gets you 500 minutes, unlimited nights and weekends at 7, unlimited mobile to mobile, and unlimited data with their Vision thing which also included unlimited text.
actually they don't have 1 year contracts anymore, its been 2 years for awhile, but they were the last company to jump from a 1 year to 2.
The standard is 2 years, but you can request a one year contract. You won't get as much off on the phone, however for some people it's worth the $50 bucks or so not to be tied up for 2 years.
