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Report: #244651

Complaint Review: CRICKET - Phoenix Arizona

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  • Reported By: Phoenix Arizona
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  • CRICKET mycricket.com Phoenix, Arizona U.S.A.

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So far, I have owned three (3) cell phones, bought from Cricket, at a highly jacked up price (i.e., Motorola RAZR V3C - usually given to a person "free" with other services like Sprint, etc., but with Cricket it cost $299.99).

Each phone has had a life of 6 months to one year before it began to malfunction or not function.

This wouldn't be all that bad, given the price of the plans they offer, but THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE is horrific -- that is, "if" you can reach a person.

P.S. - The Asurion insurance company which insures the cell phones for Cricket is also a terrible company. I just today tried to get a replacement RAZR and was told they didn't have any in stock and didn't know when they would be arriving. They offered to replace my $299.99 phone with a $179.00 phone which they "claim" was similar . . .sure, that's why the cost is so different (:

Jacquie
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 04/18/2007 04:34 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/cricket/phoenix-arizona-85020/cricket-cricket-cell-phones-are-inferior-ripoff-phoenix-arizona-244651. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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#14 UPDATE EX-employee responds

That proves my point....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, December 24, 2007

Apparently, you did not READ my response. I made it CLEAR that I worked in the 800-CRICKET Call Center. I know of the 30 days/30 minutes rule. As for the $10 warranty exchange, I'm also aware of that as well. That's it's stated in Cricket's T&C that Cricket MAY charge a fee if replacing a phone under warranty...and it was the $10 fee that was being used for up to 90 days. However, that has since changed as Cricket saw a way to make money...charge $45, then say that "if the malfunction is due to manufacturer defect/warranty, then we credit $35 to the customer's account....yeah, like that EVER happened. I agree with you on this....this is totally UNFAIR and BAD BUSINESS. Cricket should NOT be selling phones that KNOWN to have major defects...and the MANUFACTURER should **recall** ALL of those phones and offer brand new phones at NO COST to the customers. Again, MANUFACTURER defect is NOT Cricket's fault. Put the blame where the blame is due. Yes, blame Cricket for selling defective phones, but HIGHLY blame the manufacturer for MAKING them and continuing to allow them to be sold instead of recalling them. Also, it's NOT Cricket's responsibility to fix a phone that they did NOT make. That's the MANUFACTURER'S responsibility.

Need I remind you of my analogy in regards to who is to blame? However, the only other example I can think of where the analogy doesn't apply is in the world of computers. I fix a lot of computers...I didn't make them, but I fix them. Why? Because most of the computers I fix are out of warranty. Still though...that does NOT make it MY fault that the computer broke down in the first place. If a hard drive goes bad, it's NOT my fault...it's my responsibility to tell the customer to either 1) get it replaced by the manufacturer, or 2) if it's out of warranty, buy another hard drive. NEITHER choice is MY fault, nor is it my fault that the hardware breaks down. To replace defective equipment under warranty is the MANUFACTURER'S responsibility...and they SHOULD do so at THEIR cost. That's ALWAYS what I told customers to do FIRST if they had a problem with their phone and it's not been damaged.

Yes, I agree. It's BAD BUSINESS that Cricket would allow the sale of defective equipment. However, this SHOULD be "covered" under the $45 replacement fee...since it's MANUFACTURER DEFECT. Therefore, "in theory", EVERY Cricket customer SHOULD be refunded $35 on their bill if they had to replace these phones. Were they given the credit?? NO!!

Let me remind you...YOU are the one who said that YOU worked in the store. Why didn't YOU warn the customers that purchased the phones? YOU were the salesman representing Cricket, not me!! Did you EVER notify you manager of the issues? If your manager didn't funnel that up to Corporate, that's the MANAGER'S fault. Of course, they were probably told by Corporate to keep selling the phones in order to make more money....

IF you warned customers about the defective phones before selling them, then good for you. I'm thankful that there was at least 1 honest Cricket employee that worked at the store. However, I have reason to believe that you were told by the Corporate HQ office to keep selling the phones regardless...in order to make more money.

Yes, it's WRONG for Cricket to continue selling KNOWN defective phones so they could make money off of it. Still again, I think customers need to be referred to the MANUFACTURER about "defect issues"...and if the manufacturer gives the run-around, then Cricket needs to halt dealing with that manufacturer. THAT is good business....either the manufacturer replaces the phones at NO COST to the Cricket customers, or Cricket withdraws its "contract" with that manufacturer to sell their phones.

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#13 UPDATE EX-employee responds

That proves my point....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, December 24, 2007

Apparently, you did not READ my response. I made it CLEAR that I worked in the 800-CRICKET Call Center. I know of the 30 days/30 minutes rule. As for the $10 warranty exchange, I'm also aware of that as well. That's it's stated in Cricket's T&C that Cricket MAY charge a fee if replacing a phone under warranty...and it was the $10 fee that was being used for up to 90 days. However, that has since changed as Cricket saw a way to make money...charge $45, then say that "if the malfunction is due to manufacturer defect/warranty, then we credit $35 to the customer's account....yeah, like that EVER happened. I agree with you on this....this is totally UNFAIR and BAD BUSINESS. Cricket should NOT be selling phones that KNOWN to have major defects...and the MANUFACTURER should **recall** ALL of those phones and offer brand new phones at NO COST to the customers. Again, MANUFACTURER defect is NOT Cricket's fault. Put the blame where the blame is due. Yes, blame Cricket for selling defective phones, but HIGHLY blame the manufacturer for MAKING them and continuing to allow them to be sold instead of recalling them. Also, it's NOT Cricket's responsibility to fix a phone that they did NOT make. That's the MANUFACTURER'S responsibility.

Need I remind you of my analogy in regards to who is to blame? However, the only other example I can think of where the analogy doesn't apply is in the world of computers. I fix a lot of computers...I didn't make them, but I fix them. Why? Because most of the computers I fix are out of warranty. Still though...that does NOT make it MY fault that the computer broke down in the first place. If a hard drive goes bad, it's NOT my fault...it's my responsibility to tell the customer to either 1) get it replaced by the manufacturer, or 2) if it's out of warranty, buy another hard drive. NEITHER choice is MY fault, nor is it my fault that the hardware breaks down. To replace defective equipment under warranty is the MANUFACTURER'S responsibility...and they SHOULD do so at THEIR cost. That's ALWAYS what I told customers to do FIRST if they had a problem with their phone and it's not been damaged.

Yes, I agree. It's BAD BUSINESS that Cricket would allow the sale of defective equipment. However, this SHOULD be "covered" under the $45 replacement fee...since it's MANUFACTURER DEFECT. Therefore, "in theory", EVERY Cricket customer SHOULD be refunded $35 on their bill if they had to replace these phones. Were they given the credit?? NO!!

Let me remind you...YOU are the one who said that YOU worked in the store. Why didn't YOU warn the customers that purchased the phones? YOU were the salesman representing Cricket, not me!! Did you EVER notify you manager of the issues? If your manager didn't funnel that up to Corporate, that's the MANAGER'S fault. Of course, they were probably told by Corporate to keep selling the phones in order to make more money....

IF you warned customers about the defective phones before selling them, then good for you. I'm thankful that there was at least 1 honest Cricket employee that worked at the store. However, I have reason to believe that you were told by the Corporate HQ office to keep selling the phones regardless...in order to make more money.

Yes, it's WRONG for Cricket to continue selling KNOWN defective phones so they could make money off of it. Still again, I think customers need to be referred to the MANUFACTURER about "defect issues"...and if the manufacturer gives the run-around, then Cricket needs to halt dealing with that manufacturer. THAT is good business....either the manufacturer replaces the phones at NO COST to the Cricket customers, or Cricket withdraws its "contract" with that manufacturer to sell their phones.

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#12 UPDATE EX-employee responds

90 day return policy.

AUTHOR: Ex-wireless - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 22, 2007

For the ex employee who talked about crickets 90 return policy you have never worked in store before have you? First of all Crickets sorry return policy is 30 days or 30 mins. If you go over 30 minutes you cannot return the phone. Next within the first 30 days if your product breaks you get off with 10 to exchange for a refrib when you brought your brand new phone at full price just 30 days earlier. ( is that fair) NO!!!! Next after 30 days you get stuck with a $45 fee. How fair is this for a customer to get charged 45 dollars for a phone they just got. I have had sprint phones last for years and year dropped, kicked, ran over by cars. And your helping cricket by saying its the Manufacturers fault when it is Crickets!!!! It might be motorola's fault if the items first has a defect however THESE ARE KNOWN DEFECTS!!!!! CRICKETS FAULT STARTS WHEN THEY KEEP SALEING PHONES THEY KNOW HAVE PROBLEMS THEN CHARGE A CUSTOMER TO REPLACE THEM. WE ALL KNOW THE MOTOROLA W315 HAVE A DEFECT THAT IT ERASES THE PHONE BOOK. WHY WOULD CRICKET SELL THIS TO A CUSTOMER AND NOT TELL THEM. THIS IS WHERE CRICKET IS TO BLAME.

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#11 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Again, a problem with a cell phone is NOT Cricket's fault....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, December 15, 2007

Ex-wireless: First off it is Cricket respondsibility to fix the phone if they want to keep the service.

My response: I have said it time and time again....if you have a problem with a cell phone malfunctioning, it is NOT Cricket's fault!! Why? Think about it....

Example -- I have a problem with a TV that I purchased from Wal-Mart, so I return it and tell Wal-Mart to fix it. Do you know what Wal-Mart does? RETURN IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. Why? Because WAL-MART DOES NOT MANUFACTURE **ANY** OF THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY SELL. It's NOT their responsibility to do so.

Same with Cricket, they ONLY give service to the phone. They do NOT manufacture cell phones. Can you please explain WHY should they be responsible for a phone they only SELL and do not manufacture?
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Ex-wireless: Also the reason why people can get into the automated systems is becuase so Cricket can save money they block your account from getting through to customer service after you call a few times a month!

My response: This is actually true. If I'm not mistaken, the limit is 5 times per month. Yeah, that's a VERY STUPID rule to have. That is a HORRIBLE customer service move on Cricket's part. They should have NEVER created that policy in their phone system. I can see the point since I worked in their call center....but it's still STUPID. Their reasoning: to avoid the SAME customers calling in mad about the SAME thing ALL the time and keeping their phone lines tied up so no one else can get to a customer service rep.
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Ex-wireless: Give me any Cricket phone and if you have had a problem with it I can tell you exactly what was wrong! Even the most expensive. Keep in mind Crickets policy is to charge you $45.00 when any of these things happen to your phone.

Motorla RAZR- Freezes, Locks Text messages and you cant unlock them or erase them from the phnoe.
Kyocera Slider Remix- Screen goes out- Earpiece goes out- buttons stop working
Kyocera Xcursion- Battery wont stay charged and screen goes out
Kyocera Candid 1-2- Screen goes out, screws come out of the phone battery issues
Motorla w315- PHonebook and recent call list erase themselves
Samsung Siren and U340- Phone gets hot when Charging.
Kyocera K132- Screen goes out after being charged for more then 2 hours
UTSTARCOM 7025- Defect with inside charging pin breaking in the inside of the phone.

My response: Hmm....then when you were working, you didn't follow Cricket's policy. Don't they have a "90-day return policy due to MANUFACTURER DEFECT" that was only $10.00? Why wasn't this policy followed? This is why most of us customer service reps hated the reps at the stores....the store reps would mess up stuff, then they would call the 800 number and blast us for it when we had NOTHING to do with it. Also, ALL store reps SHOULD have been trained to tell customers to contact the MANUFACTURER after 90 days as ALL of the cell phones have a **1-YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY**. WHY weren't these customers referred to the MANUFACTURER? Because Cricket trained the store reps to "make money" instead of actually serving the customer. However, in the call center, there were also some very HORRIBLE customer service reps.

Anyways, my point still stands....when you have a MANUFACTURER DEFECT, you take it up with the MANUFACTURER, and NOT the seller. Seller does NOT = manufacturer!! See the list that you made? The MANUFACTURERS are Kyocera (they're notorious for having malfunctioning phones), Motorola, Samsung, and UT Starcom. Does it say "Cricket" anywhere in that list? NO!!

Funny thing is....these SAME cell phone manufacturers make the SAME phones for the other wireless carriers.

And just a tip...MOST cell phones get warm when charging. They get even hotter when you are charging the phone and using it at the same time.
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Jacquie: Since Cricket buys AND distributes the cell phones from their Cricket stores, my problem 'is' with Cricket -- Cricket is the 'DISTRIBUTOR' of the phones (even though they do not make them). If I bought an inferior product from Sharper Image (who also does not actually make their products), I would take the product back to Sharper Image since they are responsible, as Cricket should be, for the products they distribute to the public.

My response: Again, see my example above. Cricket is NOT responsible for the DEFECTS in the phones. It's the MANUFACTURER'S fault that the defects exist...NOT Cricket's.

Again, I refer you to Cricket's Terms and Conditions:

18. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.

(a) Cricket does not manufacture wireless devices, related equipment or Applications or provide warranties with respect to those items. Your rights with respect to your wireless device and other equipment or Applications you purchase, including your warranty rights and your rights to return defective products, are governed by any warranty that may be offered by the manufacturer or Application provider. CRICKET MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ABOUT THE SERVICE(S), APPLICATIONS, YOUR WIRELESS DEVICE OR ANY RELATED EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Our disclaimer does not deprive you of any rights you may have against the manufacturer.

(b) Cricket will not be liable to you in connection with (1) the manufacturer's warranty, (2) any actions or omissions of the manufacturer, or (3) any malfunction or failure of the wireless phone or related equipment.
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See the wording above? They make it CLEAR that they only SELL phones, they do NOT manufacturer. HOW can you hold Cricket responsible for something they do not make? That's like ME holding YOU responsible for what a STRANGER you don't even know does to ME. Does that make sense?

However, Cricket has a program for warranty replacements:

Warranty Exchange Program

It is a program designed to help Cricket provide a working phone to a customer with a phone that is no longer working. This program charges the customer $45.00 (includes $10 handling fee) to exchange the non-working phone for a like phone replacement. The phone is returned to the manufacturer (OEM repair vendor) for inspection. If the phone is determined to be "IN WARRANTY" by the manufacturer, $35 is credited to the customer's account. If the phone is determined to be "OUT OF WARRANTY" by the manufacturer, the $45.00 charge stands and the customer will be allowed to continue to use the replacement phone.


Personally, I think that this program is meant to do nothing but make money off of the customer. This is HORRIBLE. NO other wireless carrier has this sort of policy. Cricket can ALWAYS claim that the phone is "out of warranty" and keep the extra $35. In the past (over 3 years ago), Cricket had a $10 warranty replacement policy within 90 days. Outside of that, they referred customers to the manufacturer, or to use their phone replacement insurance plan. Well, maybe Cricket changed this because customers didn't like to be referred to the MANUFACTURER, so they made a change to try and help the customer because the MANUFACTURER would give them the "run around". That would be the ONLY reason why I could see the old policy changing. If they wanted to make it better, the program should allow only 1 or 2 exchanges, then the customer should be referred to the MANUFACTURER if the SAME defect resurfaces.

Also check out the terms and conditions for another 2 other well-known wireless carriers:
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Eligible Defective Handset Exchanges
If your phone malfunctions as a result of a manufacturing defect after the return and exchange period but within the first year that you own the phone, Verizon Wireless will either exchange your phone for a like unit or one of comparable quality at no cost to you, or assist you in sending the phone to the manufacturer's authorized repair facility.

If you choose to exchange your phone, the phone you receive may be refurbished equipment. Once you have exchanged your phone, we will not be able to undo the exchange and return your original phone to you. If you have difficulty with the refurbished phone, Verizon Wireless will replace it with another refurbished phone. Refurbished phones will carry the remaining warranty period from the original phone, or 90 days, whichever is greater. Unless you have enrolled in the Extended Warranty or Total Equipment Coverage programs, Verizon Wireless will access a fee for equipment that is replaced due to electrical malfunction or manufacturer defect after the one-year warranty period.

Phones subjected to neglect, misuse, water damage, unreasonable wear and tear, and the like, are not eligible for any return or exchange program. This program does not cover lost or stolen phones. These policies do not limit or supersede any existing manufacturer's warranties.

This program may be considered to be a "warranty" or "service contract" in certain states. In these states, please refer to the Verizon Wireless warranty brochure or service contract for full details.
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AND ANOTHER WIRELESS CARRIER:

Warranty Exchanges

Wireless devices carry a one-year warranty from date of purchase. To make a warranty claim after the first 30 days from purchase, call 1-800-801-1101. Apple branded equipment is covered by Apple's one-year Limited Warranty; refer to apple.com for details.
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AND YET ANOTHER:

Warranty Options

If your phone is not working properly and is still under the manufacturer's one year warranty please contact us at 1-800-255-8351 to discuss your replacement options.

If certain criteria are met you may be eligible to participate in (wireless carrier's name) Exchange by Mail (XBM) program.


So see, ALL companies do just about the SAME thing in regards to warranty replacements.
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Jacquie: As far as Cricket not giving the phone for 'free' because it is a month-to-month service and customers might just get the phone and then cancel, if their service was excellent they could, in fact, give their phones to customers for free and not have to worry about them cancelling any month-to-month contracts. Customers would stay with a company who provided (i) good equipment; (ii) good calling plans; (iii) great customer service; and (iv) great insurance.

My repsonse: I agree with you, customers stay for certain reasons. However, 2 of the reasons you mentioned are somewhat out of the control of the wireless carriers...mainly (i) good equipment, and (iv) great insurance.

1) Good equipment is the responsibility of the MANUFACTURER, and NOT the wireless carrier. However, if the COMPANY is trying to make money off the customer by abusing the warranty replacement policy and charging customer exorbitant rates, then THAT is the fault of the COMPANY.

2) I've checked ALL of the major wireless carriers. ALL of them use the nearly the SAME company to process phone insurance claims, which is ASURION. They are a 3rd-party wireless claims administrator. Cricket recently changed to another carrier for the phone insurance called "Signal Holdings" after 9/1/2007.
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Jacquie: In addition the problems I have had with Asurion are indeed traced back to Cricket and are also Cricket's problem. Cricket 'promotes' the use of Asurion (and no other) insurance company for the Cricket phones. Asurion is then, in legal terms, a 'subcontractor' and the Contractor (Cricket) is ALWAYS responsible for the service given by their subcontractor (Asurion) to their customers.

My response: Again, you CANNOT hold Cricket completely responsible for what another company does. See above....many MAJOR cellular/wireless carriers like Cricket use "ASURION". Therefore, based on your statement about Cricket, then it MUST be those other wireless carriers' problems as well!! Because of the problems and gripes that Cricket has heard with Asurion, that may be why they changed to using "Signal" as they claims administrator on 9/1/2007.

I actually don't use Cricket's service (because I live outside the service area), but I have never had problems with filing claims with Asurion. Sure, there have been times we've filed claims and they've told us that our phone would have to be replaced with another phone as the one we had purchased wasn't in stock. However, they gave me a comparison listing to show that the phone I was getting was comparable to the one that I filed a claim for.....and I UNDERSTOOD this before going through with the claim. Again, even Asurion still CANNOT be held completely responsible for MANUFACTURER DEFECTS.
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Jacquie: You do not seem to have all of your facts straight and your loyalty to Cricket seems to be misplaced.

My response: I think you're wrong here as it seems your logic is flawed and erroneous in reference to who is actually responsible for MANUFACTURER DEFECT. Also, I don't have ANY loyalty to Cricket. Cricket is doing bad all by themselves through the business decisions they are making. Their Corporate HQ is out-of-touch with the customers. They USED to be so much better than this.....and their reps certainly didn't help. Most of the nastiness I've heard about Cricket has come more from customers dealing with their store reps than their 800 number reps.......

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#10 Author of original report

MY PROBLEM "IS" WITH CRICKET ! !

AUTHOR: Jacquie - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Since Cricket buys AND distributes the cell phones from their Cricket stores, my problem "is" with Cricket -- Cricket is the "DISTRIBUTOR" of the phones (even though they do not make them). If I bought an inferior product from Sharper Image (who also does not actually make their products), I would take the product back to Sharper Image since they are responsible, as Cricket should be, for the products they distribute to the public.

As far as Cricket not giving the phone for "free" because it is a month-to-month service and customers might just get the phone and then cancel, if their service was excellent they could, in fact, give their phones to customers for free and not have to worry about them cancelling any month-to-month contracts. Customers would stay with a company who provided (i) good equipment; (ii) good calling plans; (iii) great customer service; and (iv) great insurance.

In addition the problems I have had with Asurion are indeed traced back to Cricket and are also Cricket's problem. Cricket "promotes" the use of Asurion (and no other) insurance company for the Cricket phones. Asurion is then, in legal terms, a "subcontractor" and the Contractor (Cricket) is ALWAYS responsible for the service given by their subcontractor (Asurion) to their customers.

You do not seem to have all of your facts straight and your loyalty to Cricket seems to be misplaced.

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#9 UPDATE EX-employee responds

It is Crickets fault

AUTHOR: Ex-wireless - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, December 11, 2007

First off it is Cricket respondsibility to fix the phone if they want to keep the service. Second I worked in the Corporate store in which Cricket knew about known defects of certain phones and still sold them for example the phonebook erase defect on the motorola w315's.

Every other day the entire phone book would erase itself yet we were never told to pull them and despite all reason we had to keep selling the defective phone. Also the RAZR freezing, and the defect that would lock text messages and wouldnt let you erase them. I called motorola myself and when asking for a patch the lady on the phone tried to show my on the website where they sold pouches!

Also the reason why people can get into the automated systems is becuase so Cricket can save money they block your account from getting through to customer service after you call a few times a month! Give me any Cricket phone and if you have had a problem with it I can tell you exactly what was wrong! Even the most expensive. Keep in mind Crickets policy is to charge you $45.00 when any of these things happen to your phone. These are mostly off the top of my head.

Motorla RAZR- Freezes, Locks Text messages and you cant unlock them or erase them from the phnoe.
Kyocera Slider Remix- Screen goes out- Earpiece goes out- buttons stop working
Kyocera Xcursion- Battery wont stay charged and screen goes out
Kyocera Candid 1-2- Screen goes out, screws come out of the phone battery issues
Motorla w315- PHonebook and recent call list erase themselves
Samsung Siren and U340- Phone gets hot when Charging.
Kyocera K132- Screen goes out after being charged for more then 2 hours
UTSTARCOM 7025- Defect with inside charging pin breaking in the inside of the phone.

Hope this helps!

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#8 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Well, there's a simple solution.....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 23, 2007

If you know that Cricket's service is MONTH-TO-MONTH, and you know that you can only afford so much money, WHY would you buy a $300 cell phone and then turnaround next month and cannot even pay your cell phone bill? It would make more financial sense to get a $125 phone. that way if you know you're going to be running tight, you can pay for the next few months and gather up some more money.

Cory, you're right. don't try to afford the house if you can't handle the payments. If you can't pay $34/month for cell phone service, WHY (or should I say "HOW") would you buy a $300 cell phone? The same reasoning goes with credit cards. It took me 5 years to learn HOW to use them. Now, my wife and I don't charge up a credit card UNLESS we know we can pay for it in less than a month, OUTSIDE of our "normal" budget. Also, we take advantage of special offers like "12 months no interest" as well WHENEVER that deal comes about.

What are even more "financially stupid" are two things: 1) "Rent-to-own" stores, and 2) Payday Loan businesses. Both of these have CRAZY interest rates, and they are WAY overpriced, however, people keep using them for some strange reason. Another company that makes millions on this idea is called "Blue Hippo". They sell you a "brand new" (not really) computer and they ask for $22/week for a $500 computer. What's more is that they don't even SEND you the computer until after 12 WEEKS of paying. so basically you pay for the computer FIRST, THEN they ship it to you. AND you CONTINUE to pay for it! Does that make ANY sense to you? You're better off getting a basic computer at WalMart for $448!

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#7 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Well, there's a simple solution.....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 23, 2007

If you know that Cricket's service is MONTH-TO-MONTH, and you know that you can only afford so much money, WHY would you buy a $300 cell phone and then turnaround next month and cannot even pay your cell phone bill? It would make more financial sense to get a $125 phone. that way if you know you're going to be running tight, you can pay for the next few months and gather up some more money.

Cory, you're right. don't try to afford the house if you can't handle the payments. If you can't pay $34/month for cell phone service, WHY (or should I say "HOW") would you buy a $300 cell phone? The same reasoning goes with credit cards. It took me 5 years to learn HOW to use them. Now, my wife and I don't charge up a credit card UNLESS we know we can pay for it in less than a month, OUTSIDE of our "normal" budget. Also, we take advantage of special offers like "12 months no interest" as well WHENEVER that deal comes about.

What are even more "financially stupid" are two things: 1) "Rent-to-own" stores, and 2) Payday Loan businesses. Both of these have CRAZY interest rates, and they are WAY overpriced, however, people keep using them for some strange reason. Another company that makes millions on this idea is called "Blue Hippo". They sell you a "brand new" (not really) computer and they ask for $22/week for a $500 computer. What's more is that they don't even SEND you the computer until after 12 WEEKS of paying. so basically you pay for the computer FIRST, THEN they ship it to you. AND you CONTINUE to pay for it! Does that make ANY sense to you? You're better off getting a basic computer at WalMart for $448!

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#6 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Well, there's a simple solution.....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, April 23, 2007

If you know that Cricket's service is MONTH-TO-MONTH, and you know that you can only afford so much money, WHY would you buy a $300 cell phone and then turnaround next month and cannot even pay your cell phone bill? It would make more financial sense to get a $125 phone. that way if you know you're going to be running tight, you can pay for the next few months and gather up some more money.

Cory, you're right. don't try to afford the house if you can't handle the payments. If you can't pay $34/month for cell phone service, WHY (or should I say "HOW") would you buy a $300 cell phone? The same reasoning goes with credit cards. It took me 5 years to learn HOW to use them. Now, my wife and I don't charge up a credit card UNLESS we know we can pay for it in less than a month, OUTSIDE of our "normal" budget. Also, we take advantage of special offers like "12 months no interest" as well WHENEVER that deal comes about.

What are even more "financially stupid" are two things: 1) "Rent-to-own" stores, and 2) Payday Loan businesses. Both of these have CRAZY interest rates, and they are WAY overpriced, however, people keep using them for some strange reason. Another company that makes millions on this idea is called "Blue Hippo". They sell you a "brand new" (not really) computer and they ask for $22/week for a $500 computer. What's more is that they don't even SEND you the computer until after 12 WEEKS of paying. so basically you pay for the computer FIRST, THEN they ship it to you. AND you CONTINUE to pay for it! Does that make ANY sense to you? You're better off getting a basic computer at WalMart for $448!

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#5 Consumer Comment

Same Thing

AUTHOR: Cory - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Sunday, April 22, 2007

Grandaughter "got" the money to buy a cell phone and signed up for cricket. ONE MONTH LATER she can no longer make the $34 payment and they cut her off. Of course she paid $299 for the paperweight to start. This is kind of like all those folks who really couldn't afford to get into houses, yet they let them in on 100% finance and now they're in default.

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#4 UPDATE EX-employee responds

I agree with Shawangunk.....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, April 21, 2007

Sorry, but I agree with Shawangunk on this one. You need to complain to the MANUFACTURER (which is MOTOROLA) if your phone keeps not working correctly as Cricket (or any other cell phone company) can only do so much to troubleshoot your phone.

As for Customer Service, it's actually not that hard to get through the automated system. The biggest problem is that people do NOT listen to the options and they just begin dialing numbers. Here's a general breakdown:

Option 1 = New activations and reactivations
Option 2 = Billing
Option 3 = Technical Support

If you are in Option 1, you will be asked LOTS of questions before you get to a person. If you are in Option 2, you must LISTEN as the LAST option is for a representative. If you are in Option 3, then keep pressing 1 until you get to a person. The key is to LISTEN!!

As for the customer service at stores....I've heard that complaint before, so I can empathize with what you're saying. I've seen some weird errors made at the stores.

It's very hard to reach a person at the stores because they are usually EXTREMELY busy, so they cannot answer the phones. Also, it's better to call customer service rather than the store as they need to have their attention focused on customers who are actually IN the store rather than trying to answer phones all day. THAT is why you call customer service....when you need to speak with a person and you DO NOT want to go into a store. At the store, you must WAIT to be served. That's just how it works....

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#3 Consumer Comment

Your report makes no sense!

AUTHOR: Shawangunk - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, April 20, 2007

Your report makes no sense! Cricket is a cellular service provider not a manufacturer of phones. If you are having problems with your cell phone, you need to take it up with the MANUFACTURER (in your case, Motorola). Most phones come with a one year manufacturer's warranty, so if you are having problems with your phone every 6 months as you claim, all you need to do is send it to the MANUFACTURER for repair or replacement.

If you purchased a Sony TV which broke down, would you point your finger at the cable company and claim that they are inferior? Of course not! Well that's exactly what you're doing anyway, dearie. If you're going to blame someone for something, make sure you're blaming the CORRECT person!

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#2 Author of original report

CRICKET CUSTOMER SERVICE

AUTHOR: Jacquie - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, April 20, 2007

I believe that Cricket needs to evaluate and improve their customer service. It is difficult, if not impossible, to reach an actual person when you call their 800 #. It is also impossible (I've found) to actually phone a store near you to ask a simple question.

And, if you have to actually physically go into a store, you are treated like cattle going to slaughter.

Jacquie
Phoenix, Arizona

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#1 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Your problem is not with Cricket.....

AUTHOR: M - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Friday, April 20, 2007

First of all, the problems you're had with the cell phones you purchased are NOT Cricket's fault, as they only give wireless service to the phones. They DO NOT manufacture cell phones. Any cell phone problem questions when they don't operate correctly need to be addressed with the manufacturer, which is Motorola for the RAZR.

To explain why the phone is "FREE" when you get it from other companies like Sprint, Verizon, or Cingular: Cricket Communications give you service on a MONTH-TO-MONTH basis, and WITHOUT contracts. Sprint, Verizon, and Cingular do NOT, which is why they can offer the phone for "FREE", but with a 2 year service commitment. That means that even if you don't like their service and you think "their phones are crappy", you MUST stick with it until your contract ends.

OR you can break your contract, which will COST you up to $175.00 PER LINE!! So they make their money back on the phones one way or another. With Cricket, you may end up cutting off your phone next month. and what company would just give you a FREE phone to use for only 1 month? NOT ONE.

The problems you had with Asurion are NOT Cricket's fault either. Actually, Asurion insures cell phones for Sprint, Verizon, Cingular, and Alltel as well. They offer to replace your phone with a refurbished phone as close to the phone you owned as possible (they will NOT replace with a new phone as your phone is NOT new when you make a claim to replace it). Sometimes, they simply won't have a certain phone in stock, which is why they will offer another phone to you. You can either wait for the other phone to come in, or you can take the one they give you.

Hope this helps explain things for you.

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