My first cell was a Sprint PCS phone in the 90s. See my last post for the story there, but I thought I’d try them again after 8+ years, especially since they have cool data plans.
Friday, got the card. Saturday, EV-DO stopped working, the card would only connect 1xRTT, 1 day after activating unit and 1 day before I leave for trip, which is why I chose now to start service.
11:33pm, car is packed, so I think maybe I’ll call Sprint and see if I can straighten this out.
Called 1-800-SPRINT1, entered my phone number. System told me that I owe $508.59 which is more than my $400 spending limit, so they have interrupted my service. Not sure how this is possible – I paid online with a credit card for my initial card purchase, and I have an unlimited data plan. Transferred me to “finance.”
Talked to finance. They asked a bunch of identifying information, then told me no information matches the account, asked me for my password (I never set one up) and then transfered to “customer care.” 15 minute hold.
Talked to “Alex” in Eastern Europe somewhere in customer service. He told me no information matches the account, asked for password (I never set one up) went into robot mode of “I’m sorry, protocol states that if I can’t positively identify you, etc.” Even after explaining what was going on, would not transfer to a supervisor (can’t do that without positive ID either). As I begged him to help, he suddenly blind transferred me to a random customer service number that was closed.
Called 1-800-SPRINT1 again, entered my phone number. System told me that I owe $508.59 which is more than my $400 spending limit, so they have interrupted my service. Transferred me to “finance.”
Talked to Robin. Told her that I felt like a non-entity or that I was losing my mind. She checked my account, it was all someone else. Gave her the ESN from the device, same account. Then I asked if I could give her my info and could she look it up that way. She found some kind of account, but wasn’t sure what to do about it. After telling her the story about how I called into Sprint to unlock my card on Friday, she said it matched her notes, so she fixed my account after consulting with a supervisor.
Then she told me that I owe Sprint $508. Turns out they charged full price for my phone instead of applying the discount that sprint.com was offering. She told me I would have to argue that with Customer Service. After trying to transfer me 3 times, and the system doing really weird things, she game me a phone number to call, 877-661-3933.
Called 877-661-3933. After providing my phone number, she told me that I had to call another number for customer service on my account from now on, 877-541-5705. She told me she had no transfer codes available for that department and I would need to dial direct.
Called 877-541-5705. Got a message that the department was closed until Monday morning.
Called 1-800-SPRINT1 again, entered my phone number. System told me that I owe $508.59 which is more than my $400 spending limit, so they have interrupted my service. Transferred me to “finance.” A woman in finance transferred me to customer care, which told me they were closed.
12:30am. Still no service. Leaving on my trip in the morning.
Sprint just STRAIGHT UP SUCKS. I think about going to sleep, but wow.
12:43am, After stewing for 15 minutes, I called 1-800-SPRINT1 again, entered my phone number. System told me that I owe $508.59 which is more than my $400 spending limit, so they have interrupted my service. Transferred me to “finance.”
Talked to finance. The person this time is looking into the charges.
I’M BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE CALLED SPRINT 35 TIMES IN ONE MONTH.
Transferred to Account Escalations. “Desiree” looks at the account. $175.00 discount on the data card never went on. Plus, even though I entered credit card information on the website, it was never used and so nothing was paid for. Hence the $508.59 balance. Thankfully, she is sane, so she restores my service and notes the account that discount wasn’t applied. She tells me I have to call in tomorrow to get the order credit. So that’s ANOTHER call to Sprint. Maybe I’ll get dismissed by Sprint for excessive customer service calls.