Nextel/Sprint Nextel/Sprint Bate & Switch, Internet

Beware of Nextel/Sprint Bait & Switch tactics

I have had a Nextel plan for several years.  Recently I have been experiencing loss of service in areas that I have always gotten service.  When I checked with Nextel, I was told that is because they are merging Nextel and Sprint and taking down the Nextel towers.  I was told that I would have to get a mew phone and change to my plan to sprint.  I do not go on the internet, nor do I text, so I do not need those services.  I was told there was only one phone that would go on the plan that I have.  He said it would be no problem, they do it all the time.  Since my wife and I are on a share plan, we had to get two phones.  The Customer Care Rep assured me that I would only have to pay $.99 ea. for the phones, and since this change was required, not by fault on my part, the $35.00 activation fee would be waived, but I would have to agree to a two year contract.  I received the phones, yesterday, and called to activate them, today.  I was told that the plan I have no longer exists and I would have to take another plan that will increase my bill by $15 - $20 per month.  I told them that I expected them to honor what their employee quoted, and I was told they would not.  I even spoke to a Customer Care Manager, who just kept regurgetating the same thing.  I was told that I could return the phones within 14 days, and get out of the contract.  When I showed interest in that, the Manager made sure that I realized the 14 days started when the order was placed, so I now have only 6 days to cancel, with a week-end and a holiday taking up 3 of those days.  Not much time for shopping. 

At this point I can only hope that they honor the price for the phones and waived the activation fee, but it is clear that they do not stand by what their reps. tell the customer, and they do not care what the customer thinks.  Customer Care is a joke with this company, but they can rest assured that I will let everyone I can about their Bate & Switch Policies.  A wise retailer once told me:  A satisfied customer will tell a few people, a dis-satisfied customer will tell everyone they can.