Virgin Mobile Poor quality product - they don't back it up Nationwide Worldwide
I have been a huge fan of Virgin Mobile. I like the prices, the phones, the service. I have bought two of their phones for me, one for my boyfriend, one for my father. When, I got my second phone, I gave the first one to my mother. My sister has bought one, and a coworker. So, you can see, I have had no real reason to be bitter. Until now.
I bought the Audiovox (Vox 8500)from a Target in New Jersey. It's cute, functional, and it was advanced at the time. One year later, it occasionally doesn't disconnect when you close it. So the other day, I was charged for 5 1/2 minutes that I wasn't talking.
A few times, when I flip it up to use it, the display is backwards. The whole screen is reversed! This is not normal. I was advised to remove the battery if this happens again. After I told her that was the only way to get the phone to disconnect.
I am a genuinely upset customer! And do you know what I was told my only option was? TO BUY ANOTHER PHONE!!!! My warranty is up on this one. They've heard of these problems before, but there is nothing they can do.
I responded that I've already put out $350 in phones, I really didn't want to have to shell out another $100 one year later. She responded that "there's a phone for only $59.99!" Not what I was hoping to hear.
They do have good service, normally. Very casual and helpful. But the Audiovox is an inferior phone. The lower model Kyocera I had was far better. Better reception, cool functions...Sigh.
If this phone dies soon, I will not buy another.
Holly
Pgh., Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Mercy
Tyler,Texas,
U.S.A.
Virgin Mobile is NOT what they seem...
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, June 20, 2005
I'm sorry but I have to agree with Holly. I also have bought and supported Virgin Mobile for some time, mostly with good results. I bought two K7 Rave phones (one for myself and for my mother who is 67 years old).
They worked well, but for no reason whatsoever, my mother's phone started locking up and displaying error messages. Now I don't know if this is right, but I have NEVER seen an error message on a phone before. I called up Virgin Mobile's "Central Intelligence" and they told me not to worry.
I took it to Best Buy, they replaced it, and I thought of nothing again. Later that year, I bought a Vox 8500 to upgrade my wireless plan. I was shocked at what a piece of CRAP this phone is. From displaying an ugly clown animation and sunflowers to its annoying tones, I wish I could get rid of this phone.
Money started disappearing out of my account so I called up VM. They refused to credit my account call after call. I know someone else who has a Vox that the screen went bad.
All it shows is the backlight (no writing). She never dropped the phone, but VM refused to replace it. I am now getting rid of Virgin Mobile for the T-Mobile service.
Sandra
Indianapolis,Indiana,
U.S.A.
I've never had problems
#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 03, 2005
I also have the Vox-8500. I have had this phone for about 1 1/2 years now. I love this phone! I can tell you that it's been dropped a few times, my 3 year old has played with it, and it looks dinged up a little, but it still works as well as the day I purchased it.
As for their service, I've never had a problem with "Central Intelligence". Anyone I've ever spoken to there is very friendly and helpful. And I did find this out. If you send a ringtone to your phone accidently, but neglect to download it, it will credit back to your account.
I switched to Virgin Mobile from Tracfone, mainly because I wanted a flip phone, which Tracfone didn't offer at the time, and I haven't regretted my move one single bit. VM is the BEST!!! :)
Susan
Spokane,Washington,
U.S.A.
Customers like you expect everything to last for nothing
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, February 21, 2005
I am an ex-employee from VMU that has parted on my own terms. First of all I want to say alot of customers will call in trying to get phones for free after their warranty is up. Audiovox is the one who makes the phone and is the ones who guarantee their problems if it
is in the manufacturing of their product.
We will replace the phone if it is under warranty happily but after a year since our phones are so economical we request you buy another phone. Maybe you would be happier with tracfone and talk to machines all the time or maybe you would like the ball and chains of a contract carrier.
I cannot believe you say I bought two phones and deserve to be treated better than this. We have trucking companies who stock their fleets with us and expect nothing from us exceot good service.
So mam for this inconvience you expect us maybe to up our warrantie to 100 years I have a few words for you Uh sorry no way keep dreaming and thank you for calling virgin mobile.