I switched phone companies from Straight Talk to TMobile because every call I made with Straight Talk was dropped. TMobile's coverage is excellent for my area, so that is not my complaint.
I called to sign-up for the bring your own phone deal with TMobile on 10-29-12. I had checked the website to make sure my phone was eligible and it was. TMobile said they would send me their sim card and all I had to do was install it, turn the phone on and I would have service. I only signed up for unlimited talk and text, nothing more.
I paid a deposit on 10-31-12 and waited for the new sim card. It took 4 days to arrive at my home. I installed the sim card and nothing. I called TMobile and explained what was happening. The representative told me I had to call Straight Talk and get their code to unlock my phone. I called Straight Talk and was told that no such code existed. I called TMobile back and told them what happened. They gave me a web address where I could get the code to unlock my phone. The website informed me that Straight Talk and Net Ten are one in the same and Net Ten will not unlock their phones. The site also told me that Net Ten currently has numerous legal suits pending against them.
So, I am now forced into purchasing another phone, which I did from Best Buy. Mean while the days are going by and I have no phone service. I received my new phone on 11-6-12, installed the TMobile sim card and surprise I had service. I thought boy TMobile is great! NOT!
On 11-16-12 I received a bill from TMobile and I was being billed from 10-30-12. That's bad enough but the bill's due date is 11-22-12. I have had TMobile service for 14 days 11-6 up to today. I called to ask how can my bill be due the 22nd? I was told that was just the way their billing cycle is.
I am retired and only receive my retirement check once a month at the end of the month. I explained this to the representative and asked him if I could pay the bill in full 7 days later. I was referred to another representative, who informed me that since this was my first bill no extentsion was allowed. I questioned the billing period and pointed out that I hadn't even had service for a month and that they had a deposit. I again said that I just needed 1 week-7days and I would pay the bill in full. I got nowhere!
I was just told that he couldn't insure that I would have service after 11-22. I asked him if that meant that my phone would be disconnected, all he would say is he couldn't insure service. So I then asked if my service was disconnected how much extra was I going to be charged to reconnect. He said $20.00. I asked him if that would increase the amount I'd have to pay (bill + reconnect) and he said no, that the $20.00 would be bill on my next month's bill. I could see I was getting nowhere fast, so I just said OK and hung-up.
I am beginning to think I've made a terrible choice with TMobile. Every person I have spoke with at TMobile barely speaks English. I had to ask them to repeat each sentence they said because I couldn't understand. It's hard enough to try and get my problem straightened out, but its nearly impossible when I can't communicate it.
I've given up the phone calls and I have written a letter to TMobile. It's a shame that I have paid money for a talking service to a talking company that doesn't speak my language. I am hoping to READ something positive in TMobile's response to my letter. I hope there is not a problem with their written communication or I really am sunk!
I wish I'd of found this community discussion page before I made the switch. I really thought I'd done my homework and due diligence regarding my change, but I don't think that's accurate. Had I found this discussion area and read all the problems, I might of taken my money elsewhere! Up to this point my service with TMobile I'm ashamed to say, has been an expensive mistake. All I can say now is, BUYER BEWARE!