Straight Talk TracFone Wireless, Inc. Fraudulent enticement to replace problem phone with "far superior phone and generous minutes" = 30+ hours invested for spit Medley, Florida

I purchased a $98 Straight Talk phone and $30 per month pay as you go service. Calls were constantly dropped, reception was painfully poor. My next door neighbors were also less than thrilled with their service. After hours on the phone the technician promised "far superior" phone replacements and that we would be pleased with service compensation once resolved.  Based on this enticement I did not return the phone to seller for a simple refund or replacement, which I could have done at that time. 

More discourse as they wanted my initial phone returned before they would issue the replacement. We were told there would be a 3-5 day turn around. I refused - was not about to transfer an extensive contact book by hand multiple times nor be without any phone service nor be forced to purchase another phone. After repeated calls spanning weeks I received a replacement phone. It was the same phone. I refused to accept and activate it as it was not the "superior phone" promised. Later that same day my original phone was deactivated. It took until afternoon the following day to activate the replacement phone. If anything, the reception was worse than the original.

Repeated calls to Karen Calderon, who is supposed to handle BBB complaints, were not returned. Several more calls and another replacement phone, without a sims card, that utilizes Verizon towers instead of ATT arrived. It's roughly equivalent of the original phone, dosen't have some of the features and certainly is not superior, but the call quality is acceptable. Then I called to ask for the promised "generous" compensation in phone service. I was told they would only award 15 days service. I had spent more than 20 hours on the phone, being lied to, mislead and misinformed by this organization. Now I'm insulted. Two months of this and my time and aggravation are deemed worth less than a dollar an hour? Not even considering the time and loss of dropped calls and reception so poor that communication was impossible. 

My neighbors purchased interrem phones with intent to return them within the 2 week period allowed  for a refund  and sent their phones in when originally requested. It took more than 3 months for the REFURBISHED phones to finially be delivered. Those phones aren't working worth spit either.  They were offered NO minutes and of course the interrem phones could no longer be returned.  I have no idea how many call and hours my neighbors put into even getting that much, but it was considerable.

After more than 30 hours invested in this matter I told them I wanted 6 months of $30 level service.  That's not even minimum wage for my time, never mind the aggrevation and frustration.  With BBB involvment (Complaint ID#: 90121838) the most they "could" offer me was 2 months service. The phone replacement retails for $10 more than the origional, dosen't have games and will not allow individual calling number blocking.  I have refused their offer.  Complaints have also been filed with the FCC (http://www.fcc.gov/complaints) and here.  Additional complaints will be filed with the Division of Consumer services at 1-850-922-2966 or their website at www.800helpfla.com and the Attorney General at 1-850-414-3990 or their website www.myfloridalegal.com.  Further, my vehicle is having lettering to warn other consumers to research complaints and local media attention will be sought.  Since I work for WalMart, having that in thier parking lot will put the word out to a whole lot of consumers.

PatJ, Waynesville, Missouri