Tracfone Wireless Ripoff, Sent a Net10 phone in a Tracfone package. I'm stuck with Net10. Miami Florida
I've had a Tracfone for 3 years. I dropped it and the display broke. I phoned Tracfone and asked if I could transfer my 300 minutes to a new phone. I went to their website and bought a Motorola c155.
I received the package two days after I'd requested express overnight delivery. The senders address was Plainfield Indiana, so I assume that would be Brightpoint Company. The telephone arrived in a sealed Tracfone package.
When I tried to activate the phone I was told by the rep that I had a Net10 phone and must call them to activate it. Apparently someone at the manufacturer put a Net10 SIM into a Tracfone and it was sent to me.
Tracfone accepted payment via my Master Card, but won't help me because they say I have a Net10 account. None of the reps could tell me the connection between Tracfone and Net10. After a search on the Internet I found that they apparently are sister companies.
Needless to say, I was told that I could not transfer the minutes from the old phone to the new phone. All I need is for Tracfone to send me a SIM so I can use their service. Tracfone said I must go to Net10 if I want to return the phone for a credit, but they can't do that because I paid Tracfone.
It is very difficult understanding the service reps from either company due to the poor phone connection and the language differences. At each place, the reps read from similar scripts when I had a question. They both have an automated answer system for e-mailed questions. The answers come back and don' address the issue.
I need to speak to a human; one who can read my e-mail and understand my middle American english. I've given both companies all the numbers from the phone along with my persoan information. Yet, no one can help me because I don't have the order number.
I guess I won't buy any more minutes and my Net10 account will expire on March 8. Then maybe I can find someone who can send me a Tracfone SIM. If that doesn't work, I miht just as well throw the phone through the front window at Tracfone when I visit Miami.
It looks like many others have had such difficulty trying to write a wrong. I'll need to get that book on revenge.
Bruce
Greenwood, Indiana
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Bruce
Greenwood,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Tracfone comes through! Received phone.
#3Consumer Comment
Fri, February 17, 2006
I did finally receive my new Tracfone after a few days. I hope they sent me the correct SIM card this time. I'll try to activate it this weekend when I have an hour of spare time to phone them. At least they came through and sent the phone.
I only needed the SIM card but got a new phone. I'll return the other one in their prepaid envelope once the new one is set up. I'll bet they looked at the Rip-off report site and then took action. Thanks again.
Bruce
Bruce
Greenwood,Indiana,
U.S.A.
Tracfone comes through!
#3Author of original report
Thu, February 09, 2006
I telephoned the number listed in one of your customer letters regarding Tracfone. It looks like that number leads to the Executive Resolutions Department; 305-715-6673. I left a message Wednesday evening and received a call Thursday morning. A gentleman name Reyes Lewis listened to my explaination of the problem, and within 5 minutes promised he'd send a new telephone TODAY. I'll then be able to activate it using my existing account and transfer the minutes from my broken phone. This guy was SO HELPFUL, it was a pleasant surprise after talking to the other service reps in India or somewhere. He gave me this phone number to reach the Executive Resolution Department: 888-442-5096. Thank you. Needless to say I will stick with Tracfone. Those Net10 people are much more expensive and were of NO assistance. I'm only out the $30 for the Net10 minutes. I'll update this in a few days when I have my new phone activated.
This is a GREAT website. Thank YOU. Keep up the good work.
Bruce