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Affordable Portables - Cingular Wireless ripoff They do not accept Returns even after only 4 days Costa Mesa California
My Phone broke so I go into this quality store to exchange it for a working one. I was a Long time customer....even before they became a cingular dealer well over 4 years; ever since I have had a Phone, it's been through them and i didn't mind paying a little extra because the staff was really nice and always found a bunch of rebates for me.
I bought the new Motorola phone SLVR7 to replace my broken phone. It cost me $250.00 after taxes. It's a really nice phone... except the one i got seems to be possessed. It starts randomly turning off and on, it takes pictures when no one is around, it sends random text messages. Literally, possessed.
Obviously, I take it back to Affordable Portable Cingular wireless store and talk with Dayse, who coincidentally was the same person I bought it from. She took the phone and said "no problem." Then, she spent a while examining the phone... which is understandable. She checked for water damage. It was fine. She checked for the battery contacts. It was fine.
After a little while (maybe 50 seconds of close examintation), she discovered a scratch on the top of the phone. I didn't even notice it and couldn't even see it when she first pointed it out. It was so miniscule, it even took her a while to find it. It's only in the plastic casing and is barely fingernail deep. It's not even anywhere near any electronics or hardwiring.
Nope, she calls it a dent and therefore I physically abused my phone and voided my right to return a screwed up phone. What are you supposed to do wrap your phone in bubble wrap for 30 days till you know for sure it works? I couldnt believe that I just spent $250 on something that doesn't work and I cant return it because there is a barely existent scratch on it?
Don't take my word for how small the scratch was...I'll give you Cingular Corporate's word. I go to the Corporate owned Cingular store a couple of blocks away becuase Affordable Portables tells me I can supposedly exchange a brand new working phone(which is what I originanly purchased) right now instead of the fed-exing, warranty, and getting a refurbished phone a couple days later.
After waiting in line at the Cingular Corporate store for 2 hours, they where ready to switch my phone out. No problems...no scratch...he didn't even notice it until I pointed it out to him! They got my new phone ready to go and they pull out my receipt. But, in order to exchange a defective phone at that store, you have to purchase it there. Which makes sense, but why did Affordable Portables send me down there and waste 3 hours (2 hours waiting, 1 hour talking) of my time?
I tell them my prevouis story at Affordable Portables and the guy starts laughing. He cannot comprehend why they refuse to accept the phone back. He gives me his business card from Cingular Corporate and sends me back to Afordable Portables and says I should have them call him if they still want to hassle me.
I go back to the Affordable Portables store and same thing of giving me the run around. She allegedly calls the Cingular Corporate and claims they're not answering. She then calls her regional manager (she was the Assistant Manager...manager gone for 2 weeks..blah blah you know the same old story you always hear) and describes the "damage" over the phone to him.
Now this is a direct quote: "The Dent is less then an inch deep..." The phone is the thinnest phone available it's literally as thin as a CD case....I mean DUH! The scratch is less than an inch deep because the phone is not even near an inch thick.
The Regional Manager denies me over the phone and now I have to hassle with the warranty. In the meantime, I have no phone. What did I pay $250 of my hard-earned money inside a store for if I have to wait a week for it anyway? I could have bought it off the internet and not have to sign a contract. I would have even saved money! But, I needed a phone immediately since my old one had broken, not a week later.
Needless to say, Affordable Portables is a disreputable company only after your money and doesn't care about repeat customers. Because I am definitely not going back there ever again.
Paul
Costa Mesa, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Christine
Dana Point,California,
U.S.A.
I was also a victim of affordable portables
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 04, 2006
I also filled a report against affordable Portables on this site.
I filled complaints with ca.public utilities commission, california department of consumer affairs, american express, attorney general, cingular, and bbb.
The bbb. is the only agency that could help me. I ended up getting my refund on my phone after compaing to them and the manager at affordable Portables Alex. 310 961 9264. I also found a number for the president of cingular ,Diane. She was so helpful and is doing an investigation on this company, I am sure she would love to here your story. She has called me several times to here about my problem, and assured me if I didnt get my refund she would make sure of it that she would take action herself. If you would like her direct line email me at (((email ROR redacted - see below))). Christine
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Nancy
Millbrae,California,
U.S.A.
File your complaint with Calif Public Utilities Commission
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, September 12, 2006
Paul:
You need to file your complaint with CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch at www.cpuc.ca.gov or by fax 415-703-1158. Make sure you include your contract and a description of your complaint, as well as address and daytime phone number. What you have submitted here is good enough. The newly passed General Order 168 would protect consumers against fraud. You should be allowed to cancel your contract within 30 days if the equipment is part of your package deal.
Good luck.
Michelle
Oklahoma City,Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
Motorola Will Replace Your Phone .
#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 07, 2006
Paul ,
Go to the motorola website and to customer support , let them know what happened .
I won a ROKR phone from pepsi/yahoo , turned it on thru cingular and 3 days later the keypad quit working , i emailed them (Motorola )and they requested that i call with more info .
after talking to customer service they attempted to find me an authorized repair center , only to find there were none still open nearby .
So they asked me to return the phone , which i did .
A couple days after i mailed it , UPS showed up to pick up the phone , so i wouldnt have even had to pay to ship it ,if i'd known .
Write down your IMEI number before shipping , as you will be able to track your phones progress on the motorola website .
They say the process can take 10-14 days but little over a week later a package comes , with a nice note saying my phone couldnt be diagnosed and they opted to replace my phone with a new one .
You will need your cingular contract as proof of purchase date .
Chances are the cingular store ISNT even authorized to repair it !