Sprint PCS is teh suxx0r

[Thoreau]

So I left ATT for Sprint when ATT wouldn't give me any decent deals on a new phone (I had been with them for over three years, and still on my original phone, some Panasonic junker...) I've now been with Sprint for about 3 months. Just last month I called them to apply an employee discount that I was eligible for, which went through with no problems. Since the change, I had been checking my balance online nearly every other day, each time it reported no money owed. Just three days ago I get my statement in the mail, which shows I actually have a balance of -$52. I figured it was something to do with my employee discount, and that I would not owe anything until my next cycle. The statement even said in big bold letters "DO NOT SEND PAYMENT." So, I quite willingly accepted that as the law.

Today, I'm out playing pool when my phone gets a text message stating that my service has been turned off for non-payment. To say the least... I'm rather p***** since they can't seem to get their billing ducks in a row.

Anyone have any advice on how to handle this? At this point, I'm of the mindset that if my phone isn't turned back on, and they don't honor their own billing statements, I will be telling them what to do with their disconnection notice, and going with another carrier. Let them come after me for the termination fee since they're the ones who screwed up and terminated the service, not me. Luckily, my credit rating is already pure crap, so one more item from Sprint won't hurt me one bit.

 

[rh71]

Sprint is notorious for messing up bills. If something doesn't make sense or add up, you should call them (employee discounted people should have a special # so no 30 min waits). Once you get a CSR on the phone, ask the amount you will owe on your upcoming bill and get their ID as proof they said it to you - even make them put a note on your account about it.

Or you can just go to Verizon like I eventually did. I only get 21% with VZW vs. the 25% I got with Sprint, but I'd rather pay THEM that 4% for less headaches. VZW CSRs are much more competent from what I've experienced.

 

[Thoreau]

Well I'm definitely going into my local Sprint store in the morning to exchange a few choice words with them. I'm counting on the face-to-face confrontation helping to sway things a bit in my direction. At least that way I'll be able to hand them a copy of the bill so they can see their screw-up for themselves. It's a shame that they ahve such great service and coverage, then they have to go and pooch up the entire experience by not knowing how to use their own billing system. Maybe someone should sell them a copy of Quick Books Pro, it might be more on their comprehension level.

 

[DaWhim]

you got pissed off by sprint pcs and still called them sprint pcs? it is Sprint POS

 

[Thoreau]

Haha, I guess I'll have to update my vocabluary now. =)

 

[ggavinmoss]

I've never had problems with Sprint billing, even when I've changed my plans several times. Whenever I do talk to a CSR, I remember to stay calm. Screaming on someone who didn't directly cause your problem won't necessarily make them solve it. Good luck.

-geoff

 

[Thoreau]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss
I've never had problems with Sprint billing, even when I've changed my plans several times. Whenever I do talk to a CSR, I remember to stay calm. Screaming on someone who didn't directly cause your problem won't necessarily make them solve it. Good luck.

-geoff

I can certainly relate to that, as I work on a phone support-type job myself. With all the time I've spent on phones, I have learned how to handle (and how not to handle) situtions when calling up companies that I deal with.

Aside from that, I have looked over the account a bit more online and discovered a few things.

Firstly, the addition of the corporate discount did change my billing cycle (thus there was some pro-ration going on) which was fully expected. The current account balance is basically two month's worth of service in one shot, which, again, was expected. The kicker is that the total amount came out to being exactly $2.37 over the accounts preset spending limit (set by Sprint, not me.) Even though the payment is not due until well into next month, they felt it would be cute to kill the service at this time.

They actually did the same stupid thing to me once before when they failed to credit me for some downloads I had made, which were included (up to $10/month free with my plan) and also went over by about $3.

It would really be nice if they (or their system) would py some attention when account changes are made so that legitimate charges which are consistently paid on time do not cause service to be interrupted like this.

 

[Kanalua]

Just cancelled Sprint (COntract just finished) and went with a Family Plan on T-Mobile. When i tried to cancel my account, it took an hour and 45 minutes to talk to the right dept, and then they said my balance was overdue and they wouldn't help me til that was paid. I paid, then called back to cancel thinking it would take another couple hours. Nope, in about 5 minutes the CSR cancelled my account, no hassles...

MY new T-Mobile phones are great, unlimited internet access on the phones, unlimited mobile to mobile (me and the wife are on the family plan)...so nice...and the reception here is better on the T-mobile...