I need someone with legal knowledge, or knowledge regarding cell phone companies and contracts. I purchased a Sprint phone in January from a local Sprint/Nextel store in Pittsburgh. I agreed to a credit check, and after being told that I had passed, was asked to pay $50 for the security deposit. I signed the contract, and kept a copy for my records.

Two weeks later, I received a letter from Sprint, informing me that due to my credit, I was being put on a balance limit. In that letter, it never told me what the balance was. However, a few days later, they turned off my phone. When I tried to dial a number, I was directed to an automated message, informing me that I was over my limit of $150. That was the first time I knew my balance was that amount. I had my friend pay $50 to get my balance under the limit.

I received an invoice, informing me that I had to pay $183 by Feb. 11. But it didn't reflect the $50 my friend had made over the phone a few days earlier, which made it difficult to know how much I needed to pay. I went online yesterday, and my invoice was $229.34, which had to be paid by March 11. I had someone send a check to Sprint on my behalf for that amount.

I woke up this morning to learn that my phone had yet again been shut off. I went online and it informed me that I was under the $150 balance, but after calling Customer Service, I discovered that I owed $232 (how it went up, I don't know...I wasn't able to use the phone at all). The agent tried explaining it to me, but all I gathered was that 1)the check that was sent wasn't going to be counted for 7-10 days, and not until next month's balance,and 2)if I wanted to have access to my phone, I was going to need to make an immediate payment of $90 at a Sprint Payment Center. The agent then gave me a toll free number to call, supposedly to ANOTHER Sprint Customer Service number, but for the second time, the number was a dud.

What I need to know is....am I completely crazy, or is Sprint doing something illegal, like breaching the initial contract? They told me that I had first passed the credit check, and then they tell me that I did not. Are they intentionally giving me false numbers? One false number is strange; two seems like there is something malicious. What actions should I take to rectify the situation quickly? Any help? Thanks.

Go to the store and talk to someone in person, Ive had problems dealing with some of their customer service people on the phone before if I can ever get ahold of one, and when I do it seems some of the people have no idea what theyre doing. All in all though theyve been pretty good for me so far, Ive had them for 8 years. You can also switch carriers now and keep the same number.

Go to the store and shoot them all. Then describe it in the People who should be Shot thread.

Either way, best of luck.

Not the guy at the sprint store I go to, he's cute, theres a funny looking guy at the southcenter sprint store who wears a ton of jewelery and has some sort of strong accent, but i dont advocate shooting anyone, well most anyone, well no not anyone.

I've had sprint for about 6 years, and usually have had no problem with them.

However, the times that I have, I always find that when you call *2 for customer service, best thing to do is just ask for the retention department. They generally have more authority to do things for you, and are more interested in helping you out.

Josh

My recent experience with a cell phone left a really bad taste in my mouth. I just ended mine because I found it way to expensive, and frankly, I didn't need it. I also unfortunately had to stop the service before my 2 year contract was up, and found out how painfully the company will screw you over, once you do that. In addition to paying the hefty $175.00 cancel fee, they load on the taxes as well. In reality, the final "cancel" fee was more like $189.00. eek! Which I found ridiculous.

[ February 16, 2006, 06:20 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]

the telecom industry is regulated by the fcc. my partner was charged excessively when he switched carriers within his allowable two week right-to-rescind period. after some frustrating deadend phone calls to the carrier (nextel, i think), he filed an fcc complaint.

carriers are required to respond to these complaints and do not care for the fcc's intervention.

he received a refund check and apology within 2 wks.

Thanks for all your responses. Josh, that was a great idea. I didn't even know that the Retention Department even existed. I called them and they were able to clarify everything for me. Now, how am I going to come up with that $90...?? I'll figure it out--I'm resourceful like that. :cool:

Sweet---glad I was able to help out (-:

Josh

Sprint users should also check out:

Sprint users

You can find a lot of good info there.

[ February 17, 2006, 11:37 AM: Message edited by: Ou Sooner 1997 ]