Wireless Advocates At Costco Wholesale Fraud, Bait and Switch, Intentional Deception Puyallup Washington

This has to be the most hilariously idiotic post I've seen on this website. "B.O." and his wife actually think companies are in the business of handing out phones for free? The dim-witted wife obviously couldn't follow the conversation she was having with the employee at Costco. And then his wife spent half an hour signing a contract (you have to sign quite a few things) and gave all her info (social security, etc.) and STILL didn't notice that she was signing a contract? How dumb can you be? Is she even literate? And the husband blames this company instead of realizing he is married to one of the dumbest people on earth? Wow. 

I worked there for several months. They are a good company who also goes above and beyond to make the member happy. Even if a phone was out of the 2 week return date, the costco mangers often return through the store.

Silly customer....... Nothing is free 

I acted in a timely manner.  I had dealt with this for 10 month. I was in Costco and on the phone with Wireless Advocates quickly.   They told my wife to come back and put her off during the 2 weeks after buying the phone - a dishonest tactic. I did switch all my families phones to another carrier and quit costco for letting the Wireless Advocates in their store. In the long run I have saved money from quitting both and am handling the business end of everything. Salesman are more likely to lie and mislead women. This was just a warning to others - that is what this site is for.

The experience of B.O. shows that not every salesperson is perfectly trained or honest. (I know, duh, right?) It's important not to duplicate his mistake by waiting before escalating his complaint. If possible, do so before the end of the buyer's remorse period given by every carrier (varies from 14 to 30 days last time I checked). I'm not saying what happened was this guy's fault -- or his wife's -- , because the explanation he initially received was garbage. But by his own admission, he waited 10 months (!) before calling a T-Mobile representative. By then the moment had been lost and his claim of never using the account when indeed it had been became a big factor in T-Mobile's decision to accommodate him.

My two cents:
1. Don't let that happen to you. Don't be passive and don't wait.
2. Escalate if necessary, but be constructive. You're usually talking to someone who wants to help you, so laying out the facts and what you want helps. Ridiculing rarely helps.
3. If all else fails, vote with your feet. There are almost always other providers. 

One footnote: One thing I have liked about my own Costco/Wireless Advocates experiences is they generally do a good job of covering the agreement's t&c's in a so-called "customer letter." There will always be detractors, but others must like shopping there. In its article on where to get superior customer service when buying cell phones and service, Consumer Reports listed Apple and Costco. No carrier or other retailer made the list.

The situation is a result of driving sales at any cost. This time the consumer paid the price. Yes it was dishonest of Wireless Advocates and it is easy to see that the cover up (above) is an attempt to make light of the situation.
The fact is:  (1)It happened.
(2) Wireless Advocates do lie to cover up
 (3) The attorney general's office in many states have stepped in to help folks.
 (4) I will never buy a cell phone from wireless advocates or anyone associated with them
(5) lesson learned.


Thank you, Rip Off Report!  I hope that folks that avoid Wireless Advocates will find better service and be happy as a result of this information. Good Day and God Bless!

As a customer service specialist at Wireless Advocates, I'm disturbed to hear of any dissatisfaction with elements of our service.

If our customers are unable to get an appropriate resolution to ANY problem at their local Wireless Advocates kiosk or through our online ordering, I strongly urge them to immediatley contact our customer service team at (206) 428-2400 or by mail at Wireless Advocates Support Headquarters, 2101 4th Avenue, Suite 1250, Seattle, WA, 98121.

I'd like to note that at Wireless Advocates, our teammates of all levels and positions are dedicated to core values that help them to help our customers, and for our customers to view us as experts.  These values include a strong service ethic and integrity.

If we come up short in these categories, please contact us directly in customer service so we can address the situation!

For the record "Business Owner" is wrong. Since I first bought a phone at Costco in 2005 I was directed to the sign explaining that an agreement was required. It's still there as of last weekend. Look for the white strip under the phones at your Costco kiosk.

I apologize for the actions my "peer" has done. That is an individual case, and maybe the ethic of that individual kiosk, and perhaps the DM of that district if actions like that are not being held accountable. That is FAR from the integrity the company tries to impose on its employees.

Well we can see that a costco employee is remarking on this. By the way - no signs are placed around the kiosk stating that you must have a contract to get a phone or anything of the sort - seems you made that up. Wireless Advocates doesn't return anything - they delay you until the 30 days is up and you can't return it. Wireless Advocates and T-Mobile has been taken to court in class action law suits in other states for this deceptive practice. Washington unfortunately hasn't done this yet.

I talked with Brian (Phone 877-290-6323 ext 8029) from T-Mobile - 2 days ago. I informed him that I haven't had an account with T-Mobile since August of 2009. I in fact have Boost Mobile for 50/mo- no contract  and month to month unlimited everything and costs less than T-Mobile. Brian stated that he knows that I call people with T-Mobile phones so he is still billing me $100/mo even though I have no contract with the Scammer. I pretty much laughed at him and his immaturity. He was suffering from "T-Mobile can't tell the truth syndrome"

 But I am not powerless. I have good credit, I own a business, I canceled Costco and saved the membership fee and over $2, 500 in costs because office products are cheaper elsewhere. Costco lost a Biz that spent over 10k/yr there. T-Mobile is just a bunch of lying scammers that will eventually get caught - I'm just doing my part and not leaving it up to others.

You act as if you had no recourse when you obviously had. Cheated? Maybe, I wasn't there. Powerless? Definitely not!

It appears that the only recourse is to call customer service who then refers you to the Kiosk of Wireless Advocates who then refers you to the customer service who then refers you to Wireless Advocates Kiosk and on and on.

Everyone went to the same Training to lie to customers.

But "NOBODY" can find a contract. But they sure as heck say they are definitely sending me a big bill. Good job Costco :) you are only as trustworthy as your employees and in this case - your management. Hmmmmmmmmm??? No contract - No deal - except in Costco