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Sprint PCS Complaint - Battery Scam/Buy a new phone - Wireless Phone Battery Replacement
Wireless Phone Battery Replacement - Complaint
A little over a year ago, I received via my SPRINT wireless phone a solicitous call urging me to upgrade my SPRINT phones for me and my wife. The phones, AUDIOVOX flip phone style would be shipped to me free, replace my existing phones and be an "upgrade" to the existing outdated ones we possessed - provided we extended our agreement with SPRINT for an additional 2 years.
Realizing our existing phones were a bit beat up and the batteries had some wear on them, I agreed and signed up for the phones and extension. Now, a little over a year into the contract, the "ion-lithium" batteries are growing weak and don't retain a charge. We both are on the phones a lot throughout the day, business related, problem solving and discussing the theory of relativity, etc.
Hence my decision to go to a SPRINT store today to purchase a NEW battery for both phones. I was immediately informed that my 1 and 1/2 year old AUDIOVOX flip-phone was "out of date" and that they don't stock batteries for them anymore. The salesman urged me to consider buying a NEW phone at the end of my contract which would save me money by not buying 120.00 worth of batteries for these OUTDATED phones - which by the way work great when the batteries are charged.
Being the savvy consumer and respected member of well over 100 TRUST votes here on M3C, I declined on their "generous" offer and briefly browsed the internet and found that I could easily get TWO batteries, shipping free for around 50 bucks!
Don't listen to the salespeople at Cell Phone stores. If your phone still works, there are many companies who will sell you replacement batteries on "outdated" phone models - enabling you to consider whether you need to "renew" your contract with whichever company you have ! -pwp
Realizing our existing phones were a bit beat up and the batteries had some wear on them, I agreed and signed up for the phones and extension. Now, a little over a year into the contract, the "ion-lithium" batteries are growing weak and don't retain a charge. We both are on the phones a lot throughout the day, business related, problem solving and discussing the theory of relativity, etc.
Hence my decision to go to a SPRINT store today to purchase a NEW battery for both phones. I was immediately informed that my 1 and 1/2 year old AUDIOVOX flip-phone was "out of date" and that they don't stock batteries for them anymore. The salesman urged me to consider buying a NEW phone at the end of my contract which would save me money by not buying 120.00 worth of batteries for these OUTDATED phones - which by the way work great when the batteries are charged.
Being the savvy consumer and respected member of well over 100 TRUST votes here on M3C, I declined on their "generous" offer and briefly browsed the internet and found that I could easily get TWO batteries, shipping free for around 50 bucks!
Don't listen to the salespeople at Cell Phone stores. If your phone still works, there are many companies who will sell you replacement batteries on "outdated" phone models - enabling you to consider whether you need to "renew" your contract with whichever company you have ! -pwp
Comments:
Posted by PassingBy on 2007-06-26:
Wireless providers only stock phones for maybe a year then drop an entire line. Naturally when you bring them your old phone they have no battery or accessories. What a perfect way to sell new phones and extend your contract. You are absolutely correct about buying the battery from a third party.
The solicitation you got on your phone may not have come from Sprint. I get calls at least 3 times a month from someone saying they are from either Sprint or Nextel with a great offer to provide new phones and a lower monthly cost. Sprint/Nextel have told me they do not call cell phones to solicit business.
The solicitation you got on your phone may not have come from Sprint. I get calls at least 3 times a month from someone saying they are from either Sprint or Nextel with a great offer to provide new phones and a lower monthly cost. Sprint/Nextel have told me they do not call cell phones to solicit business.
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2007-06-26:
I'm sure you're right about the solicitor. As I said, I wouldn't have gone with the deal had my older phones not been so beaten up. It's all a scam to keep you in the fold with new contracts.
Posted by CrazyRedHead on 2007-06-26:
I agree with you Pirate, it is a scam. I used to work for a cellular provider and after about a year the phone and batteries are usually not available. I never did agree with the mentality that they had to buy another phone. I usually just suggested either the man, ebay, etc. I can understand using an aftermarket battery when the phone is over a year old and out of warranty but if you use one on the phone and it is still within warranty you can actually void the warranty with the man. But then, you shouldn't have any problem finding one where you bought the phone.
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2007-06-26:
Ordinarily, I don't carry the "insurance" on the phones we get, as whenever I renew a contract I insist on a free phone.
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2007-06-26:
Excellent review Mr. Pirate. Very Helpful.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2007-06-26:
Didn't Basher warn you about Sprint when you signed up? Didn't you say you were happy with them and had no problem with them? Didn't I tell you, your feelings will change about Sprint...Didn't I tell you to stay away from sprint because NCO collected for them and I knew how they ripped their customer's off...so, let me say it again.... I TOLD YOU SO! Next time listen to ME!
You should NEVER agree to a two year contract with any cellphone company. That tells you right there they want to lock you into something you're not gonna get out of. Geez Pirate, I think Addy should take away your star just for not being wise enough to listen to a four star member!
You should NEVER agree to a two year contract with any cellphone company. That tells you right there they want to lock you into something you're not gonna get out of. Geez Pirate, I think Addy should take away your star just for not being wise enough to listen to a four star member!
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2007-06-26:
Yeah well, as much as I hate to say it, you were right. But we've been Sprint Customers for better than ten years, and it's just easier to stay with what you have.
Posted by HorseGoddess726 on 2007-07-10:
This is why I go prepaid. I've learned that when they try to get you to take their free phone, it's usually a bad phone from the start and they have too many to get rid of. It's basically a discontinued phone. My dad and I got suckered in to this deal by seperate wireless companies and I think we learned our lesson.
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