I echo the other reports here at RipOffReport as well as elsewhere on the web regarding FreedomPop.
I gave a $89 'deposit' to FreedomPop to receive a wireless hotspot device after scrutinizing their website in October 2012. I later found out that the 'deposit' became a purchase if I didn't return the device within 12 months. That was Gotcha #1.
I made a note on my calendar to return the device before 12 months went by, and then recently (September 2013) returned the device. I had barely used it over the the time I had it, so it was in excellent condition at return, and it was returned in the original packaging, exactly as FreedomPop instructed.
Nonetheless, I only was given a partial refund of my deposit. I called FreedomPop and they were very quick to refund the disputed amount they withheld, supposedly for damage and/or restocking. Obviously I was not the first to complain about the withheld amount.
What's my complaint? FreedomPop appears to be using a shady practice of withholding part of the deposit on a routine basis, then apologizing and refunding IF and ONLY IF there's a complaint. Otherwise, they keep the money. It seems pretty clear they are counting on only some percentage of customers to complain and assume most others won't be bothered for $10 or $15 withheld.
Dealing with FreedomPop has been an overall sleazy and weasly experience, and if folks who are going to business with them should know up front that this is a company that routinely operates in the gray zone rather than doing things in an open and honest way.
NOT RECOMMENDED.
MikeJoyous
SHERMAN OAKS,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, November 11, 2013
I checked out Freedom Pop's ad, being interested in free Internet. The checkout link features their machine as a product one buys. Unlike the comment in ripoff report about this, the machine is not featured as borrowed or lent.
I checked them out because I did not hear of them before. I did not see any statement of theirs concerning return of the $89.50 for their machine.
Some folks mentioned that not all websites work. They don't guarantee that all websites work. If you get a totally free Internet streaming, you won't get music or videos. To get everything you have to pay around $20/month. That is spelled out explicitly in their ad.
Nonetheless, personally, I would not purchase their machine for $89 unless I got some good reports about the websites it *did* pick up. It may be great for its intended function, but I just don't know it as yet.
Another complaint that disturbed me was that they were happy to upgrade a person's subscription but not to downgrade or to cancel it. That, most definitely, would make me think twice before buying anything from this company.