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  • Report:  #110082

Complaint Review: Virgin Mobile USA - Warren New Jersey

Reported By:
- Austin, Texas,
Submitted:
Updated:

Virgin Mobile USA
10 Independence Blvd Warren, 07059 New Jersey, U.S.A.
Phone:
888-322-1122
Web:
N/A
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
First and foremost, this is the WORST cell phone service I have ever used. It is the "Pay as you go" Virgin Mobile Phone. I thought it would be a great way to limit my phone use and not end up with outrageous bills. Boy was I wrong.

The phone CONSTANTLY cuts out, I don't get my messages until days later, and twice I have paid for ringtones and NEVER received them.

The final straw was the email I received today from them advising that they had CUT MY SERVICE for not "topping up" (buying more minutes) within 90 days. This is my back up emergency phone only and I do not use it daily. I KNOW I had remaining minutes even though they cut my service, and if they do not add those minutes back in once I "top up" (give in to their extortion), I will be filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, Federal Trade Commision, FCC, Planet Feedback, etc.

DO NOT PURCHASE THE VIRGIN MOBILE "PAY AS YOU GO" PHONE - TERRIBLE SERVICE, AND THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HORRIBLY!!!!!

Jen

Austin, Texas
U.S.A.


7 Updates & Rebuttals

Don

INDIANAPOLIS,
Indiana,
U.S.A.
Top up every 90 days

#2Consumer Comment

Mon, May 15, 2006

I have subscribed to Virgin Mobile for several years now. I just wanted to respond to the individuals complaint about his service being disconnected after 90 days. It is VM's policy that you MUST top up (add more money to your acct) every 90 days to avoid disconnection. This is not hidden in any way. It is made VERY clear in all their brochures, online, thru their agents,etc. VM is very upfront and their rules are very simple. Even if you don't top up within 90 days your acct remains "active" (although you can't make calls) for 2 more "months". At any time you can make your top up and phone service continues without a hitch. VM even has a new service for those that don't use their phones much and tend to forget to top up. Just add $90 to your acct and you don't have to top up for a YEAR! Tell me another phone company that allows you to make payments once every 3 months to a year? Don't let this individuals report stop you from doing business with VM. I have investigated ALL the prepaid services and have found VM to be the best. Their proces are right, they have many plans to choose from, decent phones and very good customer service.


Wanda

Raleigh,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front.

#3Consumer Suggestion

Tue, November 30, 2004

I have to agree with the post before this. I love my service with Virgin Mobil. It clearly states the terms on the web page and comes with the phone. I purchased my phone for emergencies and the few times a year I travel. The fact that you have to 'top up' at least $20 every 90 days is great even if you never really use the phone...$80 a year is great in my opioion. All minutes roll over and NEVER expire until you deactivate the phone and even then will stay in your account for another 60 days just in case you change your mind. My point is I researched alot of phones like this with no contracts etc and found them all to be sneaky with hidden charges in the very TINY print...and cost a heck of alot more minute wise and monthly charges. Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front. They by far are the best I have found. I found it odd that you would buy SPRINT phones...Virgin Mobil uses sprints 'lines' for their service. So you would get the same service area problems. Perhaps you are not in a good area for signal via Sprint. Try a different LINE carrier. Good luck and do your research BEFORE buying anything and ALL WAYS read the fine print and know the terms of the contract before buying. I bought and activated my phone and researched ther terms for Virgin right from their website-also there is a link at the bottom of the website that says LEGAL INFO. Always read this in anything you buy...it may be tiny print (not virgin) but a lot of sellers will hide their rules here...just because most dont read it does not mean you are not liable to the terms. Good luck


Wanda

Raleigh,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front.

#4Consumer Suggestion

Tue, November 30, 2004

I have to agree with the post before this. I love my service with Virgin Mobil. It clearly states the terms on the web page and comes with the phone. I purchased my phone for emergencies and the few times a year I travel. The fact that you have to 'top up' at least $20 every 90 days is great even if you never really use the phone...$80 a year is great in my opioion. All minutes roll over and NEVER expire until you deactivate the phone and even then will stay in your account for another 60 days just in case you change your mind. My point is I researched alot of phones like this with no contracts etc and found them all to be sneaky with hidden charges in the very TINY print...and cost a heck of alot more minute wise and monthly charges. Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front. They by far are the best I have found. I found it odd that you would buy SPRINT phones...Virgin Mobil uses sprints 'lines' for their service. So you would get the same service area problems. Perhaps you are not in a good area for signal via Sprint. Try a different LINE carrier. Good luck and do your research BEFORE buying anything and ALL WAYS read the fine print and know the terms of the contract before buying. I bought and activated my phone and researched ther terms for Virgin right from their website-also there is a link at the bottom of the website that says LEGAL INFO. Always read this in anything you buy...it may be tiny print (not virgin) but a lot of sellers will hide their rules here...just because most dont read it does not mean you are not liable to the terms. Good luck


Wanda

Raleigh,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front.

#5Consumer Suggestion

Tue, November 30, 2004

I have to agree with the post before this. I love my service with Virgin Mobil. It clearly states the terms on the web page and comes with the phone. I purchased my phone for emergencies and the few times a year I travel. The fact that you have to 'top up' at least $20 every 90 days is great even if you never really use the phone...$80 a year is great in my opioion. All minutes roll over and NEVER expire until you deactivate the phone and even then will stay in your account for another 60 days just in case you change your mind. My point is I researched alot of phones like this with no contracts etc and found them all to be sneaky with hidden charges in the very TINY print...and cost a heck of alot more minute wise and monthly charges. Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front. They by far are the best I have found. I found it odd that you would buy SPRINT phones...Virgin Mobil uses sprints 'lines' for their service. So you would get the same service area problems. Perhaps you are not in a good area for signal via Sprint. Try a different LINE carrier. Good luck and do your research BEFORE buying anything and ALL WAYS read the fine print and know the terms of the contract before buying. I bought and activated my phone and researched ther terms for Virgin right from their website-also there is a link at the bottom of the website that says LEGAL INFO. Always read this in anything you buy...it may be tiny print (not virgin) but a lot of sellers will hide their rules here...just because most dont read it does not mean you are not liable to the terms. Good luck


Wanda

Raleigh,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front.

#6Consumer Suggestion

Tue, November 30, 2004

I have to agree with the post before this. I love my service with Virgin Mobil. It clearly states the terms on the web page and comes with the phone. I purchased my phone for emergencies and the few times a year I travel. The fact that you have to 'top up' at least $20 every 90 days is great even if you never really use the phone...$80 a year is great in my opioion. All minutes roll over and NEVER expire until you deactivate the phone and even then will stay in your account for another 60 days just in case you change your mind. My point is I researched alot of phones like this with no contracts etc and found them all to be sneaky with hidden charges in the very TINY print...and cost a heck of alot more minute wise and monthly charges. Virgin hides nothing and tell you up front. They by far are the best I have found. I found it odd that you would buy SPRINT phones...Virgin Mobil uses sprints 'lines' for their service. So you would get the same service area problems. Perhaps you are not in a good area for signal via Sprint. Try a different LINE carrier. Good luck and do your research BEFORE buying anything and ALL WAYS read the fine print and know the terms of the contract before buying. I bought and activated my phone and researched ther terms for Virgin right from their website-also there is a link at the bottom of the website that says LEGAL INFO. Always read this in anything you buy...it may be tiny print (not virgin) but a lot of sellers will hide their rules here...just because most dont read it does not mean you are not liable to the terms. Good luck


Adrian

Kingman,
Arizona,
U.S.A.
Re: 90 day disconnect of phones

#7Consumer Suggestion

Wed, November 10, 2004

Being a retailer of virgin mobile phones, and haveing been so for at least a couple of years. I have encountered only one bad experience involving virgin mobiles customer service, and that was resolved with a quick talk to the persons supervisor. The TOS agreement does specifically state that you have 90 days to "top up" or add time to your phone. If you do not your phone is disconnected. It is stated in information you receive when you buy your phone, and when it is activated either through their website, or their customer service. I would suggest that before you ever purchase a product of this sort, to ask alot of questions. Any questions you may have, and read the TOS its their for a reason. The TOS pretty much from any company shields them from lawsuits in regards to these matters. Hope this could shed some light on this situation.


Nicole

Spokane,
Washington,
U.S.A.
Sorry you didn't read your TOS

#8UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, October 06, 2004

Sir, I am sorry you didn't pay attention when you called to activate your phone. Not only does the assistant tell you we disconnect service after 90 days our automated system sends you texts ever 25 days to remind you. I am also sorry you didn't read your terms of service that came with the phone. And yes, we also told you that if you forget, as long as you top up within 60 days of the day we disconnected service, you will get back your minutes and you will keep the same number. People! When will you learn! Listen to your customer service agent (in Virgin's case it's your AT YOUR SERVICE agent)and read your terms of service! I get so irritated when people don't. And, with regards to your ringtones, call *86 on your phone (it will work for that number) and request a refund of that money. However you have to be connected to do so.

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