My Money Blog details his experience with jumping in on the SERO (Sprint Employee Referral Offer) plan, which can you a good deal on a new cellphone and plan. Overall, it sounds positive and he got hooked up with free data transfer.
sprint
6 Documents Sprint Reps Have That You Don't That Could Help You Buy Your Next Cellphone
By 4.27.07
If you’re shopping for a Sprint phone and or plan, you might find this six documents useful handed to us by one of their recently fired customer service reps.
80 Sprint Department Phone Numbers
By 4.27.07
Inside, a list of 80 different Sprint company phone numbers by department.
How To Negotiate What You Want From Sprint Retentions
By 4.27.07
A former call center worker told us how to get to, and deal with, Sprint retentions department so they will fix billing errors, or waive fees.
Reach Sprint Without Going Through Automated Menus, And 88 Other Useful Numbers
By 4.20.07
1-877-891-1384. Inside, we’ve got Sprint phone numbers for just about everything your heart might desire, from activations, to the CEO, to Malice Phone Call Traces, and more.
The $10,000,000 Sprint Cellphone Bill
By 4.19.07
The “Power Vision Access Pack” gives customers the ability to get on the internet, buy ringtones, watch TV, listen to music, and more.
Increased Call Volume Following Virginia Tech Tragedy Caused Wireless Outage
By 4.18.07
The inability of students and others at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., to make cell phone calls during the April 16 shooting tragedy added to the chaos surrounding the events of the day, students and others have reported in media interviews.
According to the article, Verizon is the only wireless carrier admitting to call blocking during the emergency. Cingular claims to have experienced higher volumes but no service interruptions.
Success Stories: Executive Customer Service Really Works
By 4.18.07
Noah took to heart our relentless pounding about how useful and easy it is to get executive customer service. Putting our advice to good use, he got some serious traction on his longstanding Sprint service problems by booting his issue to the top of the totem pole. Here’s his success story:
Sprint: $2.50 For The Ringtone, $11.85 In Data Transfer Charges
By 4.13.07
I downloaded a single ring tone for my new phone, and paid $2.50 for it.
Sprint Accidentally Sends You A Bill For $500, But At Least You Got Your $0.47 Check
By 4.4.07
Reader Todd (who left Sprint because of their constant billing errors 8 months ago) just received a $0.47 check…and someone else’s $500 cell phone bill:I got a check in the mail last night for 47 cents for the credit that is on my old cell phone account.
Cingular, Sprint, And Qwest Block Access To Free Conference Call Services
By 3.26.07
Cingular blocked access to free conference call providers; Sprint and Qwest found Cingular’s chutzpah inspiring, and followed suit. At issue is a charge Iowa-based companies pass along to national carriers.
The 712 area code used by these services allow the local carriers to charge a number of subsidies to those carrying the incoming calls due to the location of the tiny, rural exchange. These fees are split between the local exchange and the “free” conference call company, which allows them to make a pretty penny. The fees for these calls made into 712 are higher than those charged by other exchanges, and AT&T/Cingular has in fact filed a lawsuit against these Iowa-based telcos for what Cingular claims are violation of a number of laws and FCC decisions.
Reader Mike asked Cingular to explain their action. Their response, inside…
10 Things We've Learned From 'Confessions of A Wireless Sales Rep'
By 3.12.07
Over the past week, it’s been quite a learning experience here at The Consumerist. Former and current reps from all of the major wireless companies have written in, sharing their tips and tricks and confessing their sins. It’s been a fascinating look inside the daily life of a sales rep, but what have we learned?
Sprint Changes Plan Without Consent, Overcharges, Promises Investigation, And Does Nothing
By 3.11.07
Sprint gave Seth a terrible plan when he tried to activate an old phone onto his account. Seth had enjoyed a $105 per month retention plan that provided unlimited text messaging and 2,000 minutes. In November, Seth noticed several charges for text messages. He called Sprint and spoke with Kiyana, who made several changes and gave Seth her direct number in case there were any additional problems.
In December, my bill came in at $450. I called Kiyana’s direct line, which was actually a number for a sheet metal company or something similar.
January’s bill was $500. Seth paid the minimum and was told Sprint would fix the problem. By February, the bill was $600.
I called Sprint and spoke to Jason, he offered a 28 day credit to keep my service from being cancelled. I wanted an investigation – something wasn’t right. I scanned the bill while on hold and noticed something: nights and weekends weren’t mentioned at all. Jason, there’s no way Sprint would charge me for nights and weekends, right? No, sir. Sprint doesn’t offer a plan that charges for nights and weekends, but it looks like that’s what’s been happening. That’s why I was 1500 minutes over each month — because they were charging me for free minutes. When Kiyana changed my plan around back in November, she left off nights and weekends completely — and nobody had noticed until now.
The investigation, and Seth’s email, after the jump…
Sprint Holds Money Hostage: "It's Only 32 Dollars"
By 3.10.07
Sprint has held $31.49 of Bronwen’s money hostage since January, after taking two weeks to ship a phone that never received service. Though we haven’t run a telecom, perhaps Sprint should provide a working phone before messing up the bill. Pillage before you burn, right? Bronwen signed up for service on January 5th and received a bill, but no phone, on January 13th. The bill included a service charge through February.
I called, spoke to “Neil”, and complained that I hadn’t received the phone yet, so requested that the monthly service charge be suspended until I actually receive and activate the phone; and requested that the activation fee be removed because it should have been waived because I signed up online. Neil assured me that the phone would be sent out immediately, overnight, and the bill would be adjusted.
Four nights later, the phone arrived, and the fun began.
Sprint Launches Feedback Site
By 3.8.07
BuzzAboutWireless is Sprint’s new customer feedback site. The venture features a moderated blog and an open message board forum, along with howtos and reviews.
6 Confessions Of A Former Sprint Sales Rep
By 3.7.07
Sprint has joined the ranks of cell phone providers whose former (and current) sales reps are beating down the Consumerist’s door, eager to tell all. Let us move without delay to the confessions of a former Sprint sales rep:
Sprint CEO Developed Ethics In Shop Class
By 3.6.07
Oddly framed vase of roses aside, we’re basically with it, ethics, it’s not how you win or lose, etc, until the very end.
Sprint's New Unlimited Voice, Messaging, Data, Internet Plan: $150
By 2.28.07
Sprint is trying out two new unlimited bundle plans that one industry analyst is calling, “a grenade,” with the power to disrupt both wireless and landline carriers.
