Boost Mobile Be careful before you buy Internet

I bought two Boost mobile phones. I bought them directly from a Boost mobile store. I drove 50 miles each way to buy directly from a Boost mobile store, and not just buy from a dealer (7-11, Best Buy, Walmart, etc.). I provided the Boost mobile store employees all the information they needed to set up my account. This included my street address and zip code. They sold me the two phones and I paid $50 to activate one phone. The second phone I planned to activate around X-mas. I drove the 50+ miles from the Boost Mobile store to my home. I started the usual routine of setting up my new phone. I was shocked to discover that I had no coverage. I thought I might be doing something wrong. I went online to boostmobile.com. I followed all the troubleshooting procedures. I couldn't figure out the problem.......I took a look at the coverage map. I lived 20 miles from the nearest Boost mobile coverage area. I paid $350 for two phones and $50 to activate one phone, and they were both worthless......I called Boost Mobile.....I don't want to be mean, but boy was this person slow (kind way of saying stupid). We had a 30+ minute telephone conversation, and it was a huge waste of time. The customer service rep couldn't tell me anything........

The next day I drove to a nearby Radioshack and a Best Buy. I couldn't return the phones because I bought them at a Boost Mobile Store. I had to drive the 100+ mile round-trip to the actual Boost Mobile store. It was a hassle to return the phones. I wasn't able to keep the same cell phone number I've had for four years because it was "too soon". Even though I had only had Boost Mobile for about 16 hours, I was not entitled to a refund for the $50 activation fee. I was upset because had the Boost Mobile store employees in Tukwila, WA actually done their job, they could have determined that I was not eligible for Boost Mobile service.....I admit I should have probably ensured that Boost was available where I lived. However, when an actual Boost Store employee sets up my account using my address & zip code, I assumed they would tell me that I lived outside the coverage area. I am out $50. I got to use the actual phone for about 20 minutes. That's about $2.50 per minute. That's a true rip-off.