Comments on: Smart Sprint’s unadvertisement http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/ by Jeff Jarvis Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:51:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Tina http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-379801 Tina Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:08:59 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-379801 Sprint absolutely sucks!!! I have been complaining about my service and finally thought that I would get something done about it. I contacted a rep at Sprint and they told me since my reception and dropped calls were so bad they would terminate my service. So I found a service that worked great in my area and then I tried to call and cancel today, well they told me the lady that I spoke with and her supervisor did no t have the authority to tell me that. So now it's like my fault and I am the victim. Their customer service sucks and they are not willing to resolve this even though it is in my notes that I may terminate with no ETF. Beware!!! Sprint absolutely sucks!!! I have been complaining about my service and finally thought that I would get something done about it. I contacted a rep at Sprint and they told me since my reception and dropped calls were so bad they would terminate my service. So I found a service that worked great in my area and then I tried to call and cancel today, well they told me the lady that I spoke with and her supervisor did no t have the authority to tell me that. So now it’s like my fault and I am the victim. Their customer service sucks and they are not willing to resolve this even though it is in my notes that I may terminate with no ETF. Beware!!!

]]> By: John Garger http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-379703 John Garger Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:17:01 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-379703 Can someone give me an idea whether or not I should go for a smart phone or just use a more stylish phone and wait for some better technology? I am on the Sprint network, and was referred to http://www.sanyowireless.com, but I'm not seeing any options that look like smart phones. I don't need an MP3 player or a camera, I'd rather have a phone that is lighter and easier to carry. Any recommendations would be welcome. Can someone give me an idea whether or not I should go for a smart phone or just use a more stylish phone and wait for some better technology? I am on the Sprint network, and was referred to http://www.sanyowireless.com, but I’m not seeing any options that look like smart phones. I don’t need an MP3 player or a camera, I’d rather have a phone that is lighter and easier to carry. Any recommendations would be welcome.

]]> By: The Nikon D80 Blogger Program and My Canon EOS 30D http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-357547 The Nikon D80 Blogger Program and My Canon EOS 30D Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:28:45 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-357547 [...] Sprint Ambassador program evoked similar thoughts….Lots of bloggers I knew had free Sprint phones and free calls. I was [...] [...] Sprint Ambassador program evoked similar thoughts….Lots of bloggers I knew had free Sprint phones and free calls. I was [...]

]]> By: Angela Kellich http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-354512 Angela Kellich Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:36:52 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-354512 I've been on the phone for the past 2 weeks with Sprint/Nextel with absolutely no resolution to my new Upstage phone they sent me. This company is absolutely pathetic - I've even went as far as to the executive office to which I now have an executive associate asking me what I would like to do - her name is Natasha Birdo. I'm the customer - shouldn't they know what to do for a customer??? Apparently, NOT! The technology department is a mass mess - no one knows what the other does. The technology department is telling me to go and order a 3rd phone from a local service store - to which I did yesterday. I purchased a bluetooth for the 2nd phone I picked up at the service store on Saturday - the bluetooth doesn't work for a mear $127. As of this moment (7/10/07, 11:09 am) I called the executive bozo again who is suppose to be handling my case to which she offers no assistance. I guess $30K per year is pretty pathetic for an employee who asks "What would you like me to do!" I'm still on hold waiting for her to get the technology department on the phone. I already been through every single person in the technology department for hours on end - I know every angle of the Upstage phone. The only thing this phone can do is make calls and take pictures. You cannot download or access anything, but I'm paying $25. per month for Power Vision. Lo and behold, Natasha Birdo cannot even provide me account credit - what can she do, what can the executive office really do. Oh, by the way, I'm still on holding listening to music while she tries to reach the technology department. She also indicated that she would stay on the when the technology department walks me through to correct the problem....what a joke Sprint is. Bottom line, if your a current customer get out while you can. If you're thinking about becoming a customer - forget it. The Customer Service department sucks along with all other aspects. Gary Forsee needs to bail out cause he sure isn't fixin' the company! By the way - I'm still on hold! I’ve been on the phone for the past 2 weeks with Sprint/Nextel with absolutely no resolution to my new Upstage phone they sent me. This company is absolutely pathetic - I’ve even went as far as to the executive office to which I now have an executive associate asking me what I would like to do - her name is Natasha Birdo. I’m the customer - shouldn’t they know what to do for a customer??? Apparently, NOT!

The technology department is a mass mess - no one knows what the other does. The technology department is telling me to go and order a 3rd phone from a local service store - to which I did yesterday. I purchased a bluetooth for the 2nd phone I picked up at the service store on Saturday - the bluetooth doesn’t work for a mear $127.

As of this moment (7/10/07, 11:09 am) I called the executive bozo again who is suppose to be handling my case to which she offers no assistance. I guess $30K per year is pretty pathetic for an employee who asks “What would you like me to do!” I’m still on hold waiting for her to get the technology department on the phone. I already been through every single person in the technology department for hours on end - I know every angle of the Upstage phone. The only thing this phone can do is make calls and take pictures. You cannot download or access anything, but I’m paying $25. per month for Power Vision. Lo and behold, Natasha Birdo cannot even provide me account credit - what can she do, what can the executive office really do.

Oh, by the way, I’m still on holding listening to music while she tries to reach the technology department. She also indicated that she would stay on the when the technology department walks me through to correct the problem….what a joke Sprint is.

Bottom line, if your a current customer get out while you can. If you’re thinking about becoming a customer - forget it. The Customer Service department sucks along with all other aspects. Gary Forsee needs to bail out cause he sure isn’t fixin’ the company!

By the way - I’m still on hold!

]]> By: marshall http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-351025 marshall Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:19:20 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-351025 I truely have to believe there is a training school for Sprint representives on how to screw it's customers! When you call customer service and it say's there is a 20 minute wait . Well that's the first indicater that your dealing with a company that has a lot of wrong billing and unsatified people. I could write a novel on the terrible tactics Sprint uses to increase profits. This it's not the first company that I've seen this type of do what ever you can to increase profits training. "Best Buy" Electronics and Aol have similar programs I truely have to believe there is a training school for Sprint
representives on how to screw it’s customers!
When you call customer service and it say’s there is a 20 minute wait .
Well that’s the first indicater that your dealing with a company that has
a lot of wrong billing and unsatified people.
I could write a novel on the terrible tactics Sprint uses to increase profits.
This it’s not the first company that I’ve seen this type of do what ever you can to increase profits training. “Best Buy” Electronics and Aol have similar programs

]]> By: julie http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-343870 julie Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:19:05 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-343870 I treat each conversation with Sprint-Nextel as customer service training. It is the only way that I can tolerate their horrible service. Here is an example of what Sprint-Nextel has used in their conversation, "Like I said..." It reminds me to be on my toes with my clients who pay my salary. Sprint-Nextel is going to go out of business. I would be afraid to ever hire anyone who lists "Sprint-Nextel Customer Service" as a prior job title on a resume. I really feel for the sales reps that work at the malls, etc. Customer service hung up on me and the rep at the mall was kind enough to assist me. They hung up on him as well. I couldn't believe it. He was so awesome that I extended our family plan for another year. Unfortunately, customer service has continued on a downward trend. I have to admit that I am the type that will stay with a more expensive plan, whether it's car insurance, cell phones, etc. just because the customer service places value to the higher premium. Since Sprint-Nextel has both higher prices and horrible customer service, I see no point in renewing my plan. Nextel was awesome! I treat each conversation with Sprint-Nextel as customer service training. It is the only way that I can tolerate their horrible service. Here is an example of what Sprint-Nextel has used in their conversation, “Like I said…” It reminds me to be on my toes with my clients who pay my salary. Sprint-Nextel is going to go out of business. I would be afraid to ever hire anyone who lists “Sprint-Nextel Customer Service” as a prior job title on a resume. I really feel for the sales reps that work at the malls, etc. Customer service hung up on me and the rep at the mall was kind enough to assist me. They hung up on him as well. I couldn’t believe it. He was so awesome that I extended our family plan for another year. Unfortunately, customer service has continued on a downward trend. I have to admit that I am the type that will stay with a more expensive plan, whether it’s car insurance, cell phones, etc. just because the customer service places value to the higher premium. Since Sprint-Nextel has both higher prices and horrible customer service, I see no point in renewing my plan. Nextel was awesome!

]]> By: Sprint Puts Ad Account in Review: Corporate Fundamental Attribution Error? | Conversational Media Group Blog http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-314974 Sprint Puts Ad Account in Review: Corporate Fundamental Attribution Error? | Conversational Media Group Blog Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:23:25 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-314974 [...] Sprint does have a blog or two…and a developer blog makes three. They have a Sprint Ambassador’s program but as Jeff Jarvis’ post indicates, even their Ambassador’s can’t survive their customer service. Their advertising can demonstrate Sprint’s promise to treat their customer’s well….but the reality is quite different. [...] [...] Sprint does have a blog or two…and a developer blog makes three. They have a Sprint Ambassador’s program but as Jeff Jarvis’ post indicates, even their Ambassador’s can’t survive their customer service. Their advertising can demonstrate Sprint’s promise to treat their customer’s well….but the reality is quite different. [...]

]]> By: annonymous sprint rep http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-216169 annonymous sprint rep Wed, 29 Nov 2006 06:29:17 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-216169 EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!!!!! I am a Sprint Retail employee and have been with "the new Sprint together with Nextel" since the merger, prior to that I was a Nextel employee. I hear every day the complaints that all of you have made here on this blog. I would like to take the time to express ideas and information that may either aggravate you or alleviate your distress.. mind you these are not ideas, policies, or practices that i necessarily want to follow, but have to and it might explain some of your frustrations and WHO to take them to. Biggest concern is customer service. The actual *2 from your phone people are outsourced. They do not work for Sprint, but a third party company whom is contracted by Sprint. They usually give customers the wrong information including "just go to the sprint store." Believe me this is just as frustrating for me as it is for you. Customer service CAN be helpful but in only a few select ways. If you have a billing issue they are the best people to call and you can request a billing specialist. We at the store level are not trained in billing information (although we can read them and tell you where you incurred overage charges or were charged for data usage) but we have very strict policies about how much we can credit a customer and for what reasons. Customer service has a lot more flexibility with this. A couple of stipulations remain: we are not responsible for correcting something more than 3 months old if you are negligent on reading your bill. We cannot back date insurance without some sort of proof that you either a) had it on your account before or b)have been paying for it and it doesn't show on your account in our systems. "I told the guy to add it," doesn't work. I'm sorry but if you don't take the time to make sure your bill is correct and all the right plans are on there (and 99% of customers don't) then we cannot help correct the sittuations. customer service CAN offer special rate plans that we cannot at the store level. This department is called Retention. That is what they specialize in- RETAINING customers. Brought your phone is 6 times to get fixed over the last 2 years? Call retention. Not happy with your plan and know you could save money elsewhere but like the service? Call retention. That's what they're there for. DO NOT COME INTO A STORE TO CANCEL SERVICE!!!! We are not allowed to cancel your account. We by corporate policy have to put you on the phone to customer service to cancel your service. So now that you know the few things to call customer service about let me inform you of a little secret. We at the store level get paid based on responses to customer service surveys that you may get called to answer. READ THAT AGAIN! WE GET PAID TO MAKE YOU HAPPY! If that wasn't incentive enough, do you really think that we enjoy having people scream in our faces, talking down to us, going as far as to use profanity and vulgar speech and threaten our lives over a cell phone? No. We put up with a lot grief from our customers and i believe a lot of it stems from 2 factors- 1) lack of proper expectations and 2) lack of common sense. the first one we can fix at the store level because it is my job to make sure you understand the fine print. Yes using the discount resigns your two year contract and its not because we are punishing you its because we have to balance the revenue lost by giving you the discounted phone by something. So we say, "here, have this phone at this price and stay with us for two more years." It's more of a barter-ship. Old school, but practical from a financial aspect and we are after all a company. And yes there is a $36 activation or upgrade fee. Every company has it, don't try to tell me they don't. If you would like the fee waived call account services after your 31st day of owning the phone and see if they can remove it.. its not guaranteed and not even i know the stipulations of it becuase we CAN NOT waive it at store level UNLESS it is a promotion that we are currently offering in the store or there are notes from customer service. As far as the lack of common sense- if your phone fell in the sewer and you bring it in to me in a plastic bag, wrapped in newspaper and hand me rubber gloves and say, "can you retrieve my pictures customer service sent me in here" then, yes, I'm going to look you in the face and laugh and think that you're joking. Sorry- that's disgusting. I'm not trained in hazmat and if you aren't willing to touch your phone with a 10 foot pole than neither am i. Also, don't buy a phone with a ton of gadgets if you either a) won't read the manual or b) can't figure it out. I don't mind showing customers some of the more difficult things on their phones (like finding the scheduler) but putting your call on speaker phone will always be one of two options.. either the "speaker" button or after the number is dialed you hit options and select speaker on. Or READ THE MANUAL! Hey I didn't learn everything on my phone by ESP... I read the manual. If you don't have one they are avaiable as a PDF on the Sprint website. If you bring your phone to a service and repair center and you don't have insurance there will be a charge regardless if the phone is in warranty if you don't have service and repair covereage. We partner with manufacturers to provide our services. We do not make the phones. Only the manufacturers will cover the manufacturers warranty. My advice: get the insurance $6 a month covers all your service and repair at no additional cost and in case your phone is ever lost, stolen, or water damaged you can contact the insurance company and pay a $50 deductible and have the phone mailed out and not extend your contract instead of either a) paying full retail price or b) signing a new 2 year contract and using your upgrade elligibility. We will provide a loaner phone provided one is available (we only have a select few) and provided that your phone is genuinely defective to where it is unusable and we have to order you one. We generally do not provide a loaner phone for lost, stolen, or water damage/damage beyond repair as this is viewed as abuse and a risk to loan you one of our phones. I went on a bit of a rant but I have to finish up with a few last things. Sprint and Nextel merged because they saw great things in the future. A merger takes time and it is frustrating when policies change on such a rapid basis and we ask that our customers see through the hardship to the silver lining that we will be great again. The hybrid phones have hit test markets and will be bringing the nextel walkie talkie with the ability to use sprint voice and data services (an awesome feat). Our network really does have the strongest coverage and fastest data speeds. We are working in certain test markets to do a joint venture with comcast and some other cable companies to provide you with more services, 1 bill, and more solutions for time management. The managers of the retail stores are working together to lodge valid customer complaints with the customer service department to help provide a better experience to our customers when we do have to hand you off to them. Lastly, we ask you to be patient with us through your frustrations and let us help you the best we can. We understand when enough is enough, but we do care and will do everything within our policies to help you, we just need you to understand that we all have specific limitiations to our powers and abilities within the company. That is all. Thank you. EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS!!!!! I am a Sprint Retail employee and have been with “the new Sprint together with Nextel” since the merger, prior to that I was a Nextel employee. I hear every day the complaints that all of you have made here on this blog. I would like to take the time to express ideas and information that may either aggravate you or alleviate your distress.. mind you these are not ideas, policies, or practices that i necessarily want to follow, but have to and it might explain some of your frustrations and WHO to take them to. Biggest concern is customer service. The actual *2 from your phone people are outsourced. They do not work for Sprint, but a third party company whom is contracted by Sprint. They usually give customers the wrong information including “just go to the sprint store.” Believe me this is just as frustrating for me as it is for you. Customer service CAN be helpful but in only a few select ways. If you have a billing issue they are the best people to call and you can request a billing specialist. We at the store level are not trained in billing information (although we can read them and tell you where you incurred overage charges or were charged for data usage) but we have very strict policies about how much we can credit a customer and for what reasons. Customer service has a lot more flexibility with this. A couple of stipulations remain: we are not responsible for correcting something more than 3 months old if you are negligent on reading your bill. We cannot back date insurance without some sort of proof that you either a) had it on your account before or b)have been paying for it and it doesn’t show on your account in our systems. “I told the guy to add it,” doesn’t work. I’m sorry but if you don’t take the time to make sure your bill is correct and all the right plans are on there (and 99% of customers don’t) then we cannot help correct the sittuations. customer service CAN offer special rate plans that we cannot at the store level. This department is called Retention. That is what they specialize in- RETAINING customers. Brought your phone is 6 times to get fixed over the last 2 years? Call retention. Not happy with your plan and know you could save money elsewhere but like the service? Call retention. That’s what they’re there for. DO NOT COME INTO A STORE TO CANCEL SERVICE!!!! We are not allowed to cancel your account. We by corporate policy have to put you on the phone to customer service to cancel your service. So now that you know the few things to call customer service about let me inform you of a little secret. We at the store level get paid based on responses to customer service surveys that you may get called to answer. READ THAT AGAIN! WE GET PAID TO MAKE YOU HAPPY! If that wasn’t incentive enough, do you really think that we enjoy having people scream in our faces, talking down to us, going as far as to use profanity and vulgar speech and threaten our lives over a cell phone? No. We put up with a lot grief from our customers and i believe a lot of it stems from 2 factors- 1) lack of proper expectations and 2) lack of common sense. the first one we can fix at the store level because it is my job to make sure you understand the fine print. Yes using the discount resigns your two year contract and its not because we are punishing you its because we have to balance the revenue lost by giving you the discounted phone by something. So we say, “here, have this phone at this price and stay with us for two more years.” It’s more of a barter-ship. Old school, but practical from a financial aspect and we are after all a company. And yes there is a $36 activation or upgrade fee. Every company has it, don’t try to tell me they don’t. If you would like the fee waived call account services after your 31st day of owning the phone and see if they can remove it.. its not guaranteed and not even i know the stipulations of it becuase we CAN NOT waive it at store level UNLESS it is a promotion that we are currently offering in the store or there are notes from customer service. As far as the lack of common sense- if your phone fell in the sewer and you bring it in to me in a plastic bag, wrapped in newspaper and hand me rubber gloves and say, “can you retrieve my pictures customer service sent me in here” then, yes, I’m going to look you in the face and laugh and think that you’re joking. Sorry- that’s disgusting. I’m not trained in hazmat and if you aren’t willing to touch your phone with a 10 foot pole than neither am i. Also, don’t buy a phone with a ton of gadgets if you either a) won’t read the manual or b) can’t figure it out. I don’t mind showing customers some of the more difficult things on their phones (like finding the scheduler) but putting your call on speaker phone will always be one of two options.. either the “speaker” button or after the number is dialed you hit options and select speaker on. Or READ THE MANUAL! Hey I didn’t learn everything on my phone by ESP… I read the manual. If you don’t have one they are avaiable as a PDF on the Sprint website. If you bring your phone to a service and repair center and you don’t have insurance there will be a charge regardless if the phone is in warranty if you don’t have service and repair covereage. We partner with manufacturers to provide our services. We do not make the phones. Only the manufacturers will cover the manufacturers warranty. My advice: get the insurance $6 a month covers all your service and repair at no additional cost and in case your phone is ever lost, stolen, or water damaged you can contact the insurance company and pay a $50 deductible and have the phone mailed out and not extend your contract instead of either a) paying full retail price or b) signing a new 2 year contract and using your upgrade elligibility. We will provide a loaner phone provided one is available (we only have a select few) and provided that your phone is genuinely defective to where it is unusable and we have to order you one. We generally do not provide a loaner phone for lost, stolen, or water damage/damage beyond repair as this is viewed as abuse and a risk to loan you one of our phones. I went on a bit of a rant but I have to finish up with a few last things. Sprint and Nextel merged because they saw great things in the future. A merger takes time and it is frustrating when policies change on such a rapid basis and we ask that our customers see through the hardship to the silver lining that we will be great again. The hybrid phones have hit test markets and will be bringing the nextel walkie talkie with the ability to use sprint voice and data services (an awesome feat). Our network really does have the strongest coverage and fastest data speeds. We are working in certain test markets to do a joint venture with comcast and some other cable companies to provide you with more services, 1 bill, and more solutions for time management. The managers of the retail stores are working together to lodge valid customer complaints with the customer service department to help provide a better experience to our customers when we do have to hand you off to them. Lastly, we ask you to be patient with us through your frustrations and let us help you the best we can. We understand when enough is enough, but we do care and will do everything within our policies to help you, we just need you to understand that we all have specific limitiations to our powers and abilities within the company. That is all. Thank you.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-197709 Jennifer Tue, 14 Nov 2006 22:36:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-197709 Sprint is horrible! They have the absolute worst customer service of anyone I have EVER had to deal with. The left hand never knows what the right is doing. Their phones suck and never work right. I wouldn't advise anyone to sign up with them even if it was all free. Sprint is horrible! They have the absolute worst customer service of anyone I have EVER had to deal with. The left hand never knows what the right is doing. Their phones suck and never work right. I wouldn’t advise anyone to sign up with them even if it was all free.

]]> By: dailywireless.org » Sprint’s Unadvertising Program http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-190990 dailywireless.org » Sprint’s Unadvertising Program Fri, 10 Nov 2006 01:49:13 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-190990 [...] Apparently Jeff Jarvis got a similar email today and writes about it in his blog: [...] [...] Apparently Jeff Jarvis got a similar email today and writes about it in his blog: [...]

]]> By: herb http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-179762 herb Tue, 31 Oct 2006 03:23:22 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-179762 Sprint is lowest form of a cum bag company on this planet and you are just playing into thier hands. They offer you some small perk to stop dissing them and you accept. Sprint has the worst service the worst customer service. The stores are no better I have had the police called on me for nothing more tham asking a few questions. They said I was harrasing them and would have to leave. Sprint is lowest form of a cum bag company on this planet and you are just playing into thier hands. They offer you some small perk to stop dissing them and you accept. Sprint has the worst service the worst customer service. The stores are no better I have had the police called on me for nothing more tham asking a few questions. They said I was harrasing them and would have to leave.

]]> By: broadband phone service » … largest, announced it will begin offering Internet-based http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-174842 broadband phone service » … largest, announced it will begin offering Internet-based Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:20:01 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-174842 [...] BuzzMachine ” Blog Archive ” Smart Sprint’s unadvertisement … in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not … cheap long distance ” Cell Phone Service Bills, Long-Term Contracts, and Complaints Says: … [...] [...] BuzzMachine ” Blog Archive ” Smart Sprint’s unadvertisement … in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not … cheap long distance ” Cell Phone Service Bills, Long-Term Contracts, and Complaints Says: … [...]

]]> By: cheap long distance » Cell Phone Service Bills, Long-Term Contracts, and Complaints http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-173022 cheap long distance » Cell Phone Service Bills, Long-Term Contracts, and Complaints Wed, 25 Oct 2006 07:53:00 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-173022 [...] … that would be worth more than and phone and six months of phone service. … am in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not afford paying … read on… [...] [...] … that would be worth more than and phone and six months of phone service. … am in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not afford paying … read on… [...]

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Corrupting blogs http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-166336 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Corrupting blogs Fri, 20 Oct 2006 02:57:13 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-166336 [...] Now understand well that I end up doing business with marketers, directly and indirectly via ads and employers. Edelman paid me to come speak at a corporate meeting and that has been on my disclosures page. I got six months’ use of a Sprint phone; they didn’t ask me to write about it but I told you about the campaign and then gave the phone away. I’ve just advised an advertiser and its agency on buying ads on blogs and I made it clear to them that I will disclose that when they come out with it. I ended up accidentally giving another advertiser free advice — and passed up revenue again — when I told them they should not try to market by spamming Wikipedia; since I didn’t end up doing business with them, I’ll spare them embarrassment of saying who they were. None of these people will buy my opinions. See Rule No. 1. And I will be transparent about my dealings with them. See Rule No. 4. [...] [...] Now understand well that I end up doing business with marketers, directly and indirectly via ads and employers. Edelman paid me to come speak at a corporate meeting and that has been on my disclosures page. I got six months’ use of a Sprint phone; they didn’t ask me to write about it but I told you about the campaign and then gave the phone away. I’ve just advised an advertiser and its agency on buying ads on blogs and I made it clear to them that I will disclose that when they come out with it. I ended up accidentally giving another advertiser free advice — and passed up revenue again — when I told them they should not try to market by spamming Wikipedia; since I didn’t end up doing business with them, I’ll spare them embarrassment of saying who they were. None of these people will buy my opinions. See Rule No. 1. And I will be transparent about my dealings with them. See Rule No. 4. [...]

]]> By: John http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-163682 John Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:26:07 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-163682 Sprint now has a lovely telemarketing/promotional/ survey"SERVICE" that allows them to call your cell phone 3 times daily for 30 days AFTER you tell them to take your # off thier list! I'm paying for thier internal advertising. Sprint sux & my next service will be told on day 1 to not call/email me with any promotions Sprint also has "World Class" customer service just ask them after several minutes on hold Sprint now has a lovely telemarketing/promotional/ survey”SERVICE” that allows them to call your cell phone 3 times daily for 30 days AFTER you tell them to take your # off thier list!
I’m paying for thier internal advertising.
Sprint sux & my next service will be told on day 1 to not call/email me with any promotions
Sprint also has “World Class” customer service just ask them after several minutes on hold

]]> By: Jaime Wonish http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-158128 Jaime Wonish Tue, 10 Oct 2006 06:32:39 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-158128 Sprint is TERRIBLE they have screwed me over many times... lied about fixing my phone sent me out without even opening the phone to fix it so i had to come back 3 times before they replaced it and then sent me home with an unactivated phone.. then when my sister got her phone stolen, gave my mother's social security number and account password, AND address to the theif.. because the theif pretended to be a sprint employee on the phone when really he wasnt.. he harrassed people in the phone book and sprint reactivated it UNDER OUR ACCOUNT FOUR TIMES and still wont take the charges off my mother's bill. They don't care about people, and the are rude. I've never met such rude unhelpful customer service in my life.. I can't wait until my contract is up Sprint is TERRIBLE
they have screwed me over many times… lied about fixing my phone sent me out without even opening the phone to fix it so i had to come back 3 times before they replaced it and then sent me home with an unactivated phone.. then when my sister got her phone stolen, gave my mother’s social security number and account password, AND address to the theif.. because the theif pretended to be a sprint employee on the phone when really he wasnt.. he harrassed people in the phone book and sprint reactivated it UNDER OUR ACCOUNT FOUR TIMES and still wont take the charges off my mother’s bill. They don’t care about people, and the are rude. I’ve never met such rude unhelpful customer service in my life.. I can’t wait until my contract is up

]]> By: SporTech Matter » I’m a Sprint Ambassador!! http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-149124 SporTech Matter » I’m a Sprint Ambassador!! Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:30:45 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-149124 [...] The Buzz Machine PaulStamatiou Justin’s Flash Blog Tom Markiewicz The Pondering Primate [...] [...] The Buzz Machine PaulStamatiou Justin’s Flash Blog Tom Markiewicz The Pondering Primate [...]

]]> By: Goofy http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-133765 Goofy Sat, 16 Sep 2006 00:00:32 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-133765 I wondered how you got the sprint phone free, no one kicked you out, but you nevered offered the use of the free phone either, you mocked my crying and yu left, talking I wondered how you got the sprint phone free, no one kicked you out, but you nevered offered the use of the free phone either, you mocked my crying and yu left, talking

]]> By: Trish http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-126564 Trish Thu, 07 Sep 2006 18:32:10 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-126564 Well as a single parent with teenage sons it is very important for me to get the perfect plan. In working with sprint customer service, I thought I had what would be the "perfect" plan. Yet month after month my bill is wrong, due to their error... they are only allowed to credit the bill $200... yet their errors always exceed that. I ask month after month to let me out of their contract. I am a prisoner, and am in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not afford paying for their errors any longer! Hell I would be happy just to have someone call me back who knows how the heck to fix things! How do I get out of these contracts, which happen to be staggered for each phone I have! By the way thanks for the FCC number I am lodging a complaint! Well as a single parent with teenage sons it is very important for me to get the perfect plan. In working with sprint customer service, I thought I had what would be the “perfect” plan. Yet month after month my bill is wrong, due to their error… they are only allowed to credit the bill $200… yet their errors always exceed that. I ask month after month to let me out of their contract. I am a prisoner, and am in risk of losing my phone service because I honestly can not afford paying for their errors any longer! Hell I would be happy just to have someone call me back who knows how the heck to fix things! How do I get out of these contracts, which happen to be staggered for each phone I have! By the way thanks for the FCC number I am lodging a complaint!

]]> By: Bob http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-121369 Bob Sat, 02 Sep 2006 14:03:12 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-121369 THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY SPRINT CUSTOMER!!!!!! I am a technical support specialist for Sprint and have been for over two years. The state of Sprint efficiency and quality in customer support and care has taken a nosedive with their latest ploy. On Friday, September 1st, 2006 I sat during my entire shift as a technical support specialist in the customer support phone queue. I am NOT customer support trained, and on this particular day a customer support problem arose nationwide (caused by Sprint's own negligence). This problem could ONLY be fixed and/or repaired by a CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGER because Sprint won't give the credentials in the computer system for tech support specialists OR customer support agents to be able to fix the problem. Being inappropriately stuck in the customer support phone queue these calls started rolling in by the dozens on my floor alone. And even though I have a manager that is customer support trained and HAD the credentials to fix the issue, this person was NO WHERE to be found all day!! This manager was either in a training class, or was gone on a 2 to 3 hour LUNCH!!!! Being in the customer support queue with no manager around to fix the issue we were forced to try to dial out to the customer support number to try to find a manager that could fix the issue. Now understand that MANY tech support specialists were in the customer support queue, so when we would try to dial out to customer support, 9 times out of 10 we would NOT get a customer support agent......we would instead be connected to another TECH support specialist stuck in the same helpless boat!! Sprint speaks of trying to be #1 in customer care, and then turns around and routes incoming customer care calls to the wrong departments intentionally, causing nothing but grief and intolerance with the customers that pay big money for their services. And if they put technical support in the customer care queue and we refuse to take the calls, or make a mistake on one of them because we have no idea what we're doing, because we were never trained in customer care, they take disciplinary action against us involving write-ups and possible termination!!! As a phone center employee who has worked in call centers for over 8 years, I find this conduct by Sprint absolutely inexcusable and intolerable. Every Sprint customer across the nation should be made aware that Sprint has no intention whatsoever of providing reliable quality customer or technical support to their customers, and there can be no better proof of that than the actions they took on 9/1/06 as I have described above. I ask all Sprint customers to be patient when speaking to anyone in customer support or technical support and know that we are just as unhappy about this despicable behavior by Sprint as the customers are! I would also ask all who read this to lobby Sprint to never even THINK of ever doing something so stupid ever again IF they are TRULY CONCERNED about QUALITY customer care. The employees involved in this unpleasantness truly DO care about the customers. And when Sprint plays infantile games with their faithful customers, and with their faithful employees, not only do the customers suffer, but the employees all leave our workplace with our heads hung low in shame and disappointment that we weren't able to help the people we are hired to help. It just doesn't make for a real happy day for anyone.......thanks to SPRINT!!!!! THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY SPRINT CUSTOMER!!!!!! I am a technical support specialist for Sprint and have been for over two years.

The state of Sprint efficiency and quality in customer support and care has taken a nosedive with their latest ploy. On Friday, September 1st, 2006 I sat during my entire shift as a technical support specialist in the customer support phone queue. I am NOT customer support trained, and on this particular day a customer support problem arose nationwide (caused by Sprint’s own negligence). This problem could ONLY be fixed and/or repaired by a CUSTOMER SUPPORT MANAGER because Sprint won’t give the credentials in the computer system for tech support specialists OR customer support agents to be able to fix the problem.

Being inappropriately stuck in the customer support phone queue these calls started rolling in by the dozens on my floor alone. And even though I have a manager that is customer support trained and HAD the credentials to fix the issue, this person was NO WHERE to be found all day!! This manager was either in a training class, or was gone on a 2 to 3 hour LUNCH!!!!

Being in the customer support queue with no manager around to fix the issue we were forced to try to dial out to the customer support number to try to find a manager that could fix the issue. Now understand that MANY tech support specialists were in the customer support queue, so when we would try to dial out to customer support, 9 times out of 10 we would NOT get a customer support agent……we would instead be connected to another TECH support specialist stuck in the same helpless boat!!

Sprint speaks of trying to be #1 in customer care, and then turns around and routes incoming customer care calls to the wrong departments intentionally, causing nothing but grief and intolerance with the customers that pay big money for their services.

And if they put technical support in the customer care queue and we refuse to take the calls, or make a mistake on one of them because we have no idea what we’re doing, because we were never trained in customer care, they take disciplinary action against us involving write-ups and possible termination!!!

As a phone center employee who has worked in call centers for over 8 years, I find this conduct by Sprint absolutely inexcusable and intolerable. Every Sprint customer across the nation should be made aware that Sprint has no intention whatsoever of providing reliable quality customer or technical support to their customers, and there can be no better proof of that than the actions they took on 9/1/06 as I have described above.

I ask all Sprint customers to be patient when speaking to anyone in customer support or technical support and know that we are just as unhappy about this despicable behavior by Sprint as the customers are! I would also ask all who read this to lobby Sprint to never even THINK of ever doing something so stupid ever again IF they are TRULY CONCERNED about QUALITY customer care.

The employees involved in this unpleasantness truly DO care about the customers. And when Sprint plays infantile games with their faithful customers, and with their faithful employees, not only do the customers suffer, but the employees all leave our workplace with our heads hung low in shame and disappointment that we weren’t able to help the people we are hired to help.

It just doesn’t make for a real happy day for anyone…….thanks to SPRINT!!!!!

]]> By: Erik http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-81213 Erik Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:29:33 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-81213 The wonderful world of sprint customer service. Intersting they contact you. They've actually contacted my sprintrants.com site several times offering their "helping hand" to the people who leave rants on my site. The customer service run-around is pretty rediculous and can end up costing you all of your minutes if you're like me and stuck in the Hawaii time zone and need to call on peak hours. Feel free to stop by and leave a rant at sprintrants.com The wonderful world of sprint customer service. Intersting they contact you. They’ve actually contacted my sprintrants.com site several times offering their “helping hand” to the people who leave rants on my site.

The customer service run-around is pretty rediculous and can end up costing you all of your minutes if you’re like me and stuck in the Hawaii time zone and need to call on peak hours.

Feel free to stop by and leave a rant at sprintrants.com

]]> By: Rich http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-68976 Rich Tue, 13 Jun 2006 19:53:45 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-68976 <b> SPRINT CS worse then T-Mobile? </b> I have had my fill of T-Mobile, their customer dis-service has to be the absolute worse (being put on hold for over an hour only to be dropped). I am convinced they sit back and laugh at the callers. I was thinking of going with Sprint, but based on the above comments, I am now doubtful. Is there a cellular company in this country who has a professional customer service department? SPRINT CS worse then T-Mobile?
I have had my fill of T-Mobile, their customer dis-service has to be the absolute worse (being put on hold for over an hour only to be dropped). I am convinced they sit back and laugh at the callers.
I was thinking of going with Sprint, but based on the above comments, I am now doubtful. Is there a cellular company in this country who has a professional customer service department?

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Phonevy http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-48956 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Phonevy Wed, 17 May 2006 16:47:11 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-48956 [...] What sold me on EVDO high-speed is the free use of another phone from Sprint. I didn’t use it hardly at all (my son is taking it over) but I used it enough to see the benefits, which for me are two: [...] [...] What sold me on EVDO high-speed is the free use of another phone from Sprint. I didn’t use it hardly at all (my son is taking it over) but I used it enough to see the benefits, which for me are two: [...]

]]> By: ThirdWay Advertising Blog » Blog Archive » Sprint Ambassador Program - Influence on the Cheap http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-34827 ThirdWay Advertising Blog » Blog Archive » Sprint Ambassador Program - Influence on the Cheap Wed, 29 Mar 2006 23:10:23 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-34827 [...] Sprint Ambassador Program - Influence on the Cheap Brand: Sprint Execution: Viral + Sampling Link: Target: Selected Bloggers Rating: **** Reviewer: David Description: For the past several months, Sprint has been seeding next-generation phones with ‘A-list’ bloggers including Jeff Jarvis at Buzz Machine, Steve Hall of AdRants and Joseph Jaffe. Sprint sends each blogger an e-mail noting that the Ambassador team has visited their blog and would like to offer them membership in the program and a free phone. After signing up, bloggers get a Sprint Power Vision-enable phone (a Samsung SPH-A920) which can download music from the Sprint Music Store, stream live TV, take pictures and video and play games. The phone is free to the blogger, including downloads of tunes, video and games, for six months at the end of which it is deactivated. The blogger can keep the phone but needs to pay Sprint at normal rates to continue using it. What Works: This is a very nice combination of a influencer-sampling program and a PR effort for Sprint. Sending the editor of Vogue something you want her to take a look at is old hat, but in the blogsphere, freebies are somewhat of a novelty. This would be less ingenious if Sprint had just targeted tech reviewers like Engadget, but they cast their nets much wider into the self-appraising world of marketing and media bloggers. In doing this, they clearly understood that they were dropping a double-edged sword (and a few words on the second edge of that blade below) which could cut them. But for a company trailing behind Cingular and Verizon in the race for wireless dominance, this was a smart play. [...] [...] Sprint Ambassador Program - Influence on the Cheap Brand: Sprint Execution: Viral + Sampling Link: Target: Selected Bloggers Rating: **** Reviewer: David Description: For the past several months, Sprint has been seeding next-generation phones with ‘A-list’ bloggers including Jeff Jarvis at Buzz Machine, Steve Hall of AdRants and Joseph Jaffe. Sprint sends each blogger an e-mail noting that the Ambassador team has visited their blog and would like to offer them membership in the program and a free phone. After signing up, bloggers get a Sprint Power Vision-enable phone (a Samsung SPH-A920) which can download music from the Sprint Music Store, stream live TV, take pictures and video and play games. The phone is free to the blogger, including downloads of tunes, video and games, for six months at the end of which it is deactivated. The blogger can keep the phone but needs to pay Sprint at normal rates to continue using it. What Works: This is a very nice combination of a influencer-sampling program and a PR effort for Sprint. Sending the editor of Vogue something you want her to take a look at is old hat, but in the blogsphere, freebies are somewhat of a novelty. This would be less ingenious if Sprint had just targeted tech reviewers like Engadget, but they cast their nets much wider into the self-appraising world of marketing and media bloggers. In doing this, they clearly understood that they were dropping a double-edged sword (and a few words on the second edge of that blade below) which could cut them. But for a company trailing behind Cingular and Verizon in the race for wireless dominance, this was a smart play. [...]

]]> By: fredc http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-31632 fredc Tue, 07 Mar 2006 23:06:23 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/index.php/2006/01/06/smart-sprints-unadvertisement/#comment-31632 sprint is a great company ! cellular service great !lol although customer service sucks. i have been a sprint customer for 4 yrs. ps where is my free phone! sprint is a great company ! cellular service great !lol although customer service sucks. i have been a sprint customer for 4 yrs. ps where is my free phone!

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