Bad Experience At Sprint Store

[AdamBlue]

Now, I might have missed where the following was stated, but here's the story anyway:

I arrive at the local Sprint store early with my Daughter. I was number two on the list, with the $50 deposit already in place. Since there was no line, I decided to walk around with my daughter until 5 minutes before. Well, I get there and they let people in early. Not a bad thing since that made me number three. But I guess that means the list/open time doesn't matter.

I get in telling them yes, I already have a deposit down and that I will be buying the phone out-right. I just started my service in December.

After an hour of waiting for them to get through the first two customers, I was next. As I go through the process, another Sprint rep came up to the one I was working with, explaining that anyone buying the phone out-of-contract has to have it ordered and it will be in Tuesday.

I was pissed.

But being the nice guy I am, I just said whatever. Others in the store heard this though, and got upset. The rep working with me then just starts helping the next person - wtf?!?! I then ask what my next step was. They then say I can come in Saturday to get it (wtf again) and he asked me for my name and number.

He then tells me my deposit cannot be applied to the phone so he'll have to send me a refund check that may take 1-2 weeks.

I must have missed where they explained you cannot get the phone from the store ooc, but the first rep that got me on the first list said it was fine, the second that I made the deposit with said it was fine, and the one greeting me today said it was fine. And then I go through this?

As a current customer, am I kicked to the door so Sprint can get new customers? Or did this store just make a mistake?

 

[katmandoo122]

Sounds messed up. I would call Sprint and complain. In all likelihood it was an honest mistake (since the frontline retail peeps have no say or control) but who knows. Sorry for your horrible experience. That would seriously piss me off.

 

[tmaxey1]

Is this a dealer or a corporate store?

That sounds like a terrible way to treat a customer. It sounds like a dealer since they dont make any money on you if they are not upgrading you or setting up a new line for you.

I would call sprint and see how they are going to keep your business. You shouldnt be treated like that regardless of where you are buying your phone.

 

[RoadkillStewie]

I think you should have immediatley demanded to see the manager... you paid your deposit and placed your pre-order.

 

[nobdoor]

Same story here, but without the deposit.

I was 12th in line after waiting an hour. Manager comes out and says his spiel. He said something that concerned me so I ask "do we have to have the EVO under contract when we buy it, or can I set it up later this week?"

Sorry bud, you gotta have it under a contract.

/Morning wasted >:|

 

[dhinez]

That's messed up. I was number one in line at my Sprint Store. They even opened up early. The guy in charge of selling the phone took note of who arrived first and so forth. The first five that arrived were guaranteed a phone. I bought my phone out right since I can't upgrade until October, and the Sprint Rep had me up and running in about 10 minutes. Great service at my store. I would complain to Sprint and the Manager of the store. Sprint Stores were suppose to be first come first served.

 

[sheltem]

I had a similar problem at the Sprint store in Staten Island, NY during the Palm Pre launch. I had recently merged and converted my father and I's SERO plan to the Everything Data family plan. We were both out of contract and thus had full upgrade eligibility.

The store refused to sell me a Pre because I wasn't a new customer and I was renewing my contract, which is complete and utter BS. I had to spend several hours with Sprint Corporate to FORCE them to sell me the phone.

I gave their store an awful review and the jerkoff store manager had the audacity to call and complain to me.

They probably don't want to sell you the phone for the out of contract price because they don't get a commission for it. I would talk to the retentions department and see what they say.

This is my biggest problem with Sprint. Aside from tech support, e-care and retentions, everyone else in Sprint is at best incompetent and at worst belligerent.

 

[tjwoo]

Same story here, but without the deposit.

I was 12th in line after waiting an hour. Manager comes out and says his spiel. He said something that concerned me so I ask "do we have to have the EVO under contract when we buy it, or can I set it up later this week?"

Sorry bud, you gotta have it under a contract.

/Morning wasted >:|

Is there a reason you wanted to set it up later in the week instead of today? What would be the point of having a EVO out of contract, other than it being a glorified media player/iTouch?

 

[Jordus]

I bought the Pre outright last year (didnt realize I had a rebate available) and I would have been pissed if this happened to me.

I got it on ebay.

Im getting the evo ON contract with a pre order at best buy in 1 hour, I better not have issues.

 

[AdamBlue]

So I called Sprint and they said that was wrong of the store....that they will now put in a report of some kind. When I asked if I could go to a Sprint store and get it today, she told me they only have phones for the deposits made...which I told her I made a deposit. She then said I could just order it over the phone.

That got me no where and still leaves me disappointed.

 

[nobdoor]

Quote:
Originally Posted by nobdoor
Same story here, but without the deposit.

I was 12th in line after waiting an hour. Manager comes out and says his spiel. He said something that concerned me so I ask "do we have to have the EVO under contract when we buy it, or can I set it up later this week?"

Sorry bud, you gotta have it under a contract.

/Morning wasted >:|

Is there a reason you wanted to set it up later in the week instead of today? What would be the point of having a EVO out of contract, other than it being a glorified media player/iTouch?

I have on-call duties for work, and have not set up my sprint account yet because it requires changes to our alarm systems.

 

[misterzeno]

Thats jacked up man. I just walked out of Best Buy because the guy kept clicking the next button to activate my new line with sprint and kept getting an ERROR that the service is unavailable contact the carrier. So I asked him why doesnt he just call Sprint to finish the activation he said Sprint told them not to call.....wtf...so I just told dude I will be back to get the phone at lunch I have to be back to work. Meanwhile he is trying to upsell me crap instead of getting the dam line activated.

 

[asaberan]

I still don't understand what deposit they are talking about? How could you make a deposit at a Sprint store when they weren't supposed to be pre-ordering? Unless this is not a corporate store...

 

[hodgsonevo]

I bought the Pre outright last year (didnt realize I had a rebate available) and I would have been pissed if this happened to me.

I got it on ebay.

Im getting the evo ON contract with a pre order at best buy in 1 hour, I better not have issues.

lol, how is that related..

 

[ekt8750]

I still don't understand what deposit they are talking about? How could you make a deposit at a Sprint store when they weren't supposed to be pre-ordering? Unless this is not a corporate store...

It's probably not a corporate store. You have to stay away from those authorized dealers that pose as corporate stores. Some real shady things happen in them.

 

[AdamBlue]

The store locator lists it as 'The Customer Center'. Not sure if that means it's corporate or not.

 

[tmaxey1]

You should call them and see if they say they are a corporate store. Find a corporate store. They told me they are not taking preorders. It was first come first serve. They did say they have to activate it on my account. But i dont need to be eligible for an upgrade to buy it for 450. You should also call back and speak to retentions about this. Not only did you get terrible service from a store but the customer service rep gave you the run around also.

Ask to speak to a manager about it. They will credit you something for your troubles. tell them your daughter was crying in the store because of this.

 

[clambert1273]

+1 get up and go to a corporate store.. they *should* have stock to last through the morning... get up.. get going

 

[AdamBlue]

How do I find a corporate store? I don't see anything online indicating it.

 

[rushmore]

Now, I might have missed where the following was stated, but here's the story anyway:

I arrive at the local Sprint store early with my Daughter. I was number two on the list, with the $50 deposit already in place. Since there was no line, I decided to walk around with my daughter until 5 minutes before. Well, I get there and they let people in early. Not a bad thing since that made me number three. But I guess that means the list/open time doesn't matter.

I get in telling them yes, I already have a deposit down and that I will be buying the phone out-right. I just started my service in December.

After an hour of waiting for them to get through the first two customers, I was next. As I go through the process, another Sprint rep came up to the one I was working with, explaining that anyone buying the phone out-of-contract has to have it ordered and it will be in Tuesday.

I was pissed.

But being the nice guy I am, I just said whatever. Others in the store heard this though, and got upset. The rep working with me then just starts helping the next person - wtf?!?! I then ask what my next step was. They then say I can come in Saturday to get it (wtf again) and he asked me for my name and number.

He then tells me my deposit cannot be applied to the phone so he'll have to send me a refund check that may take 1-2 weeks.

I must have missed where they explained you cannot get the phone from the store ooc, but the first rep that got me on the first list said it was fine, the second that I made the deposit with said it was fine, and the one greeting me today said it was fine. And then I go through this?

As a current customer, am I kicked to the door so Sprint can get new customers? Or did this store just make a mistake?

Considering the EVO is not exactly supply constrained, that person sounds like an idiot. Did you check with the manager? Based on the amount of stores closing for Sprint, just this year alone, you would expect increased customer service.

 

[AdamBlue]

Considering the EVO is not exactly supply constrained, that person sounds liek an idiot. Did you check with the manager? Based on the amount of stores closing for Sprint, just this year alone, you would expect increased customer service.

He was the manager. I too am surprised at this. I mean, I already put money toward it. I've been talking to the Twitter Sprintcare, and they aren't any help either.

 

[BetterMost]

Can't you just order it online?

 

[NeoteriX]

Just as a heads up -- not every "Sprint" store, that is a store with the "Sprint" logos and everything is in fact a corporate store. Some are run by third parties (like franchises) and corporate policy can get a little sloppy over there. Especially when there are incentives for the franchises (I'm under the impression they get a larger kickback) for new activations.

It's not necessarily Sprint Corporate's fault.

 

[enarez]

Just had the same problem at a Sprint Corporate store (one with the repair people behind plexiglas). Got to the store 30 minutes early and had to wait an hour before getting called up. Told the guy I wanted to buy it outright and he said he couldn't do it. He said they wouldn't have it available for people wanting to buy it out of contract until Monday or Tuesday. Super duper annoying.

Just ordered it online so I don't get pushed further back in the queue or orders.

 

[Dutch54]

We were delayed at the Torrance BB for a little while with the system down, but the staff there was awesome....they had some 'extra' phone numbers to call and they took care of business faster than what I've seen a lot of postings on the board here...sounds overall like Sprint got caught offguard and the Evos are flying out the door.