Print the value of index0
T-MOBILE IS A COMPLETE RIPOFF - THEY CHARGED ME 36.97 SALES TAX ON A 142.98 PURCHASE, THAT IS ALMOST 30% STATE SALES TAX PALMDALE California
I am not going to write this super long story, i am going to keep this simple and short, to the point, and will just state the facts:
I think i consider myself a loyal customer as i have been paying for the family plan and have 5 phones on my account for me, my wife, and my 3 teenage kids.
Here are the facts:
1. I have been a loyal customer for 5 years now!
2. I have the family plan, have 5 phone accounts
3. I have always continuously went to tmobile to buy new phones and get upgrades, i think we have gone throu 12 phones so far.
What happened today:
1. My son wants the Tony Hawk Tmobile Sidekick and nothing else
2. The forced me to subscribe to the 29.99 monthly data plan, which i do not want, and do not need
3. My son does not need internet on his phone, we have 5 computers at home.
4. They just changed their policy this month that if you buy a phone that has the data features, they require you subscribe to the monthly data plan, they explained it was for my benefit and value, which it is NOT! The only benefit for this is for Tmobiles profits, that is it!
5. I argued and I refused to get the data plan, but i lost so i had to get the data plan.
6. they made a new policy where they now charge me a STUPID 18.00 upgrade fee. This is really stupid and is just PURE profit to tmobile, and that is it. I have upgraded phones with tmobile for 5 years and never had to pay this.
THIS IS REALLY STUPID! I AM SO CICK AND TIRED OF T-MOBILE ADDING THEIR NEW CREATIVE FEES AND NEW POLICIES JUST TO RIP US OFF, EVEN TO LOYAL CUSTOMERS OF TMOBILE. AND I AM SO SICK AND TIRED OF BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY TMOBILE WHERE IF I JUST SNEEZE IN THEIR STORE, THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW MY CONTRACT TO ANOTHER 2 YEARS.
THEIR IS NO VALUE, BENEFIT, OR ADDED-SERVICE TO ALL THIS CORPORATE SCHEMES AND NEW PRICE RAISING POLICIES TO THE CUSTOMER. THIS ONLY BENEFITS T-MOBILE AND THEIR PROFITS AND THE NEW CREATIVE STUPID FEES AND NEW POLICIES ARE ACTUALLY SERVING AS THE T-MOBILE BAILOUT PACKAGE SO THEIR TOP EXECUTIVES CAN LAY OFF EMPLOYEES WHILE THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVES MAKE THEIR MILLION DOLLAR SALARIES.
So this is the very interesting thing that happened to me where I really got screwed:
1. My total purchase was 142.98
2. The charged me 36.97 sales tax, which is almost 30% sales tax
3. They explained to me that by state law, they must charge me the 9.25% state sales tax on the Tony Hawk sidekick lx phone on the retail price, and not the upgrade price fee.
4. So they basically told me they were charging 9% sales tax on the 499.99 retail price on the phone.
4. Even the store managers explanation does not make sense and the numbers do not add up.
5. The 9% of 499.99 adds up to 46.25, so my question is where are they getting the 36.97 figure from. Nothing adds up.
6. I asked them how they came up with 36.97 and they refused to explain to me and give me an answer.
7. I asked them to show me on the invoice receipt how it calculates that, and they refused to answer me.
8. And why do they say the sidekick LX retail price is 499.99? That is 500.00 bucks, you can get almost 2 new computer systems now days for a little more than 500.00 bucks. You can get a good computer at Best Buy for 300.00 total!
9. I did research on the internet and you can get the sidekick lx anywhere for under 239.99 anywhere!
Regarding the sales tax of 36.97, NOTHING ADDS UP. They will not even tell me how they calculated the sales tax, and what were the actual prices they were charging me to come up with 36.97.
And T-Mobile stating 499.99 as the RETAIL price of the sidekick, that is a huge ripoff. I AM SO PISSED.
Can any t-mobile sales rep or manager out there explain how you can come up with 36.97 sales tax off the following facts?
1. My total purchase was 142.98
2. My sales tax was 36.97
3. The California state sales tax is now 9.25%
4. They told me the state law says they must tax me on the retail price
5. T-mobile is telling me the retail price is 499.99 on the phone.
But the numbers do not add up!
And are they ripping me off by claiming the retail on this phone is 499.99!
CAN SOMEONE PROVIDE ME A STRAIGHTUP AND TRUTHFUL ANSWER?
5-year loyal victim of t-mobile corporate fraud :)
Palmdale, California
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on T-Mobil
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Ashley...
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, June 18, 2009
I didn't know you worked for T-Mobile. After all you are posting here so you must be an employee right? I guess I never saw you because we work different shifts since both of us have to travel to about a dozen or so companies every day.
The poster has a choice. They can continue to complain and think of themselves as a "victim", or take action and fix the problem. Hopefully the poster will do as suggested and file complaints with the State if they really feel that they were wronged. If the ever do I would hope that they post the results.
Ashley
Springfield,Missouri,
U.S.A.
No
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, June 18, 2009
They are just pointing out to you how the sales tax adds up.
If you are really this concerned about tax fraud, why haven't you contacted the government of your state yet? Attoney General? Department of revenue?
Oh. That's right, they would tell you that you are wrong.
Victim Of Fraud
Long Beach,California,
U.S.A.
Both of you are the real ripoff cons on this site
#11Author of original report
Thu, June 18, 2009
Robert from buffalo, NY and Robert from Irvine, CA
You say you are not employed by these big corporations like the banks
You say you both have full time jobs
You say you are trying to help people
YOU ARE BOTH FULL OF SH**
Anyone on here can do a search for Wells Fargo or Bank of America, and who knows what other companies, and they can read all the responses from all the legitimate complaints of how poor people are getting ripped off and raped by the banks while they sleep, and you will notice hundreds of responses from Robert from buffalo, NY and Robert from Irvine, CA trying to make it look like the people who complained are the ones who screwed up and both of you defending these banks and big corporations.
If i did a search from Bernie Madoff and his $60 Billion scam, you would probably be making responses there telling people to shut up and how it was everyones fault except Bernie Madoff.
Now you are making these responses to my complaint telling me how you are trying to help me. very funny.
Both of you probably have thousands of responses defending the banks. How is it that you have time to devote to this site? You are probably using a false identity and really are employed by these banks and corporations just to respond to peoples legitimate complaints.
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
U.S.A.
Ditto YEP!
#11Consumer Suggestion
Mon, June 15, 2009
I guess that means I'm an employee as well-gee, where's all the money these banks and others are supposed to be paying me.
I'd like you to inform me of ONE, just ONE posting, I've made that supported ANY BANK.
Take your time meatball, we'll wait.
I'm self employed with 2 business; computer services and property management.
I also help folks with credit issues on a volunteer basis; develop budgets, draft letters to creditor, letters to debt collectors, and assist folks who have problems with OD/NSF fees-been doing this since 1980-don't collect a dime for it either.
I have intervened on several consumer's situations and had several local banks REMOVE the fees AND establish NEW checking accounts to give the consumers a fresh start with the correct knowledge to avoid OD/NSF fees.
I have also testified in district court (twice) and small claims court (numerous) on the behalf of the debtor against a creditor/debt collector-in each case where I testified, the creditor/debt collector LOST.
If you're this bloody hostile to someone who's on your side (and tried to give you some suggestions to obtain the REAL answer) I can only imagine how you behave when you're talking to these company reps-it's no wonder no one t-mobile seems to make the effort to research matter and give you the CORRECT ANSWER.
Good luck with it.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Yep...
#11Consumer Comment
Sun, June 14, 2009
Yep you caught me. I work for every company I have ever posted on. In fact I can make quite a good living at it. In fact I just bought by 3rd 25 Million Dollar House, I have 30 cars(not one worth less than $100,000), donate about 50 Million Dollars a month to various charities, and even have enough money saved up that I am thinking of buying either GM or Chrysler. And all of this was made possible by the generous compensation that the companies provide me.
By the way since you think I am getting paid by T-Mobile, doesn't that make me an employee, and somebody you wanted to hear from? How's that for some logic.
Based on all of the calculations you were charged Sales Tax based on $399. It does not matter what other stores sell the phone for, it matters what T-Mobile sells it for. The only mistake that may have been made is that the employee was mistaken on the price of the phone and didn't verify it to see if it made sense. Now, you paid SALES TAX, T-Mobile is not keeping that money it is going to the State of CA. So this is not increasing(or decreasing) the profit margin of T-Mobile in the least. Now if they were keeping the money, and were ever audited then as you like to say T-Mobile would be F****D.
If they charged you too much tax as Robert(NY) said, file a complaint. It would actually be with the CA Board of Equalization, as they are the department that handles Sales Tax Issues. If T-Mobile is doing something illegal this will start the ball rolling. If they are within the law then the worst thing that will happen is that you won't get any money back and realize they were correct and you were wrong. At the very least you could hopefully get something back in writing from them.
Good Luck..
Victim Of Fraud
Long Beach,California,
U.S.A.
Robert and Robert from Irvine, CA and Buffalo, NY = Shut the hell up!
#11Author of original report
Sun, June 14, 2009
This message is also to Robert from Buffalo, New York
And this message is to Robert from Irvine, CA
IT IS QUITE APPARENT THAT BOTH OF YOU ARE PAID EMPLOYEES BY BIG CORPORATIONS AND BANKS, ESPECIALLY BY BANK OF AMERICA AND WELLS FARGO, AND NOW THE CELL PHONE COMPANIES
BOTH OF YOU ARE NOW THE BIGGEST RIPOFFS AND WORSE THAN THE BANKS AND CELL PHONE COMPANIES THAT RIPOFF CONSUMERS EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THIS IS ALL EVIDENT BECAUSE ALL YOU BOTH DO ON A DAILY BASIS IS POST HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF RESPONSES TO LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS BY HONEST CONSUMERS WHO GET MONEY STOLEN FROM THEM, AND ALL YOUR RESPONSES DO IS DEFEND THESE BIG CORPORATIONS, THE BANKS, AND THE CELL PHONE COMPANIES AND TRY TO PUT THE BLAME ON THE CONSUMERS AND MAKE OUR LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS LOOK BD LIKE WE ARE THE BAD ONES HERE.
I AM SURPRISED THAT THE RIPOFFREPORT STAFF HAS NOT SHUT YOU DOWN AND DELETED ALL YOUR POSTS.
HOW MUCH ARE THESE BIG CORPORATIONS PAYING YOU SO YOUR FULL TIME JOBS ARE TO RESPOND TO THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS AGAINTS THESE BANKS AND DEFEND THEM, AND MAKE THE BANK CUSTOMERS AND CONSUMERS LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUYS, LIKE WE ARE THE ONES SCREWING THE BANKS. LIKE THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND BANKS ARE THE REAL VICTIMS, AND HOW IT IS OK FOR THEM TO KEEP CHANGING THEIR POLICIES AND RAISING THEIR FEES YEAR AFTER YEAR SO THEY CAN STEAL OUR MONEY.
SO SHUT THE F**** UP, I AM SICK AND TIRED OF READING YOUR POST AFTER POST DEFENDING THESE BIG CORPORATIONS AND TELLING US HOW THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG AND HOW STUPID WE ARE FOR MAKING MISTAKES.
AND DONT RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINTS HERE, I ONLY WANT TO HEAR FROM T-MOBILE EMPLOYEES OR MANAGERS TO GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION HERE!
SO SHUT THE F**** UP!
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
U.S.A.
State Attorney General.
#11Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 13, 2009
I would suggest you write a formal complaint to the California Office of the Attorney General or perhaps some state level consumer protection agency and request a WRITTEN reply as to why you are being charged sales tax based on a price that was significantly higher than what you actually paid. I would explain the situation and include a copy of your receipt. To make it easier on those government employees, I would include a self addressed, stamped envelop for them to mail you the answer.
You might also try sending a letter to Tmobile and ask them to send you a written explanation.
It would appear that they are overcharging the sales tax and if so, it should be actionable.
I know it's a pain to send a written letter, but at least this way you should receive a WRITTEN response. Too many times folks will opt for the "quick and easy" (not necessarily correct) answer rather than actually look into the matter. Folks tend to be more cautious (and accurate) when they are making a written statement that is signed.
Another thought. When I was stationed in Sacramento, there was a state "franchise tax board" that delt with state income tax. I don't know if they also handle sales tax, but a phone call to them might steer you in the direction of obtaining the correct answer on this sales tax question.
Good luck.
Victim Of Fraud
Long Beach,California,
U.S.A.
MESSAGE TO: Robert, from Irvine, California = SHUT THE F**** UP!
#11Author of original report
Sat, June 13, 2009
Robert,
I have seen you online here at the ripoffreport.com every day and i see that all you do is post responses to peoples legitimate complaints.
I do believe you are actually PAID by these big corporations like the banks so you can have a full time job to defend these banks and big corporations with all your stupid responses.
I dont want you responding to my complain at all, so get lost.
REGARDING YOUR RESPONSE:
I already know about the details of your response, as I stated in my complaint I already know all this. What you did was just repeat what I already said and what I already know. And you never did answer my questions. My question was I have a right to know on the invoice papers what prices they were using to calculate my 36.97 in taxes, and they said it was based on 499.99 retail price which it is not. And for T-mobile to state that 499.99 is the retail price for a phone is a big ripoff as well.
No other company online sells this phone for 499.99 retail, the highest online is 239.00.
And the tmobile.com website says the phone retail price is 449.99. So why is the store saying 499.99?
So shut the hell up and get lost.
I know you are paid by these big corporations to be here on the ripoffreport.com to respond to consumer complaints and just make us look bad and put the blame on us, and defend the scams and fraud committed by the banks, cell phone companies, and so on.
SO GET LOST. I DONT WANT TO HEAR YOUR CRAP!
Robert
Buffalo,New York,
U.S.A.
MSRP is only a suggested price.
#11Consumer Suggestion
Sat, June 13, 2009
It appears to me that they are claiming that they sell it for $399.99.
The math works if the normal price that they SELL it for is $399.99
It shouldn't be so hard for someone at T-mobile to explain this.
The math is simple: if .0925 time X = 36.97 then X = 39.97 divided by .0925 which equals 399.99.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Thank your State Government officials...
#11Consumer Comment
Sat, June 13, 2009
I don't work for T-Mobile or any cell phone company but can provide you with what is probably going on.
Cell Phone companies used to give away "free" or discounted phones and the Sales Tax regulations charged tax on the final cost. Then California got "smart" and realized they were loosing out on a lot of money. So several years ago they put in the requirement that the retailers must charge sales tax on the "non-discounted" price of a phone. That is the price before the discount for signing up for a contract. So if the phone listed for $499, but they will sell it for $399 without a contract, or $149 with a contract. The State requires them to charge tax on the $399.
Based on the Sales Tax you were charged this price is about $399.70, and while it may have been $499 at one time, the $399 is probably the current price because because it is an older phone(technology wise). I would find it probable that the employee just spouted off an older price and didn't even check to see if it made sense.
Since this is STATE law any other Cell Phone company would have done the exact same thing because they are REQUIRED to. If you don't like this tax then take it up with our friendly State Government officials.
As for getting the Data Plan. Be glad you actually did get it. Because if the phone has Internet Capability your Son will use it. It does not matter if you had 30 computers at home, it will be used. So instead of a $29 data plan you think is pure profit, just be glad it is not a several hundred dollar charge for Internet without a plan. Hopfully you did get a texting plan if not expect additional sticker shock in about a month.
The upgrade fee is pretty standard in the Cell Phone industry with other companies. So if you were never charged before perhaps they are just catching up. The good news is that $18 is the lower end of the cost. I have seen anywhere from $18-$36 in Activation or Upgrade Fees.