Alltel, Toledo, OH - Startac phone in for repair - given loaner phone which broke - upset with resulting options

# 2 for July 2, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on July 1, 2003:

From:

RE: Alltel, Toledo, OH - Startac phone in for repair - given loaner phone which broke - upset with resulting options

Alltel Service and Customer Service Complaint

To begin, I previously had a statac cell phone that started to cut out when using it. I took the cell phone in to get a loaner and they did give me a loaner phone. I have had the loaner phone for about 7 months and did not hear back from the Alltel Store. My loaner phone is now broken due to a hardware problem that wiped out my serial number on my phone.

I took the phone into the Toledo Altel store and they told me that my first startac was labeled "water damaged" and that it was unrepairable and that since they already gave me a loaner phone. However, they have no evidence that the phone is water damaged because they no longer have the cell phone which I am entitled to.

The phone still worked when I gave it to them.. So I gave them a working phone to begin with and now i'm

stuck with a phone that broke becuase of their crappy phone. So, after being a paying customer for about 3

years now here are the wonderful options they gave me. Keep in mind, my contract is up and I cannot

switch providers because I need to keep my cell phone number as is: Here are the "great" options they gave

me:

1. Sign a one year contract, pay 35.00 for a new phone and 35.00 dollars for an activation fee. (Why do I have to pay an activation fee when I already have service?, doesn't make sense) 2. Sign a two year contract, pay 35.00 activation fee and waive the phone fee (yeah right, like I'm going to lock myself in for another two years, get out of here) 3. Buy a new phone for about 200 dollars (yes, finally a good deal... don't think so) Let me tell you, those sound like great options.. My phone broke because of a hardware problem that was not

my wrongdoing and now they want me to pay an activation fee, phone fee, and sign a new contract.. I

don't think so.. Alltel, has the worst customer service I've seen in cell phone companies. They try to squeeze every cent

they possibly can out of their customers in my experience .. Also, there have been many occasions where they "accidently" forgot to put in a new plan and my bill ended up being over 300 dollars.

However, they did credit my account. But the fact is, is that there are high paying customers out there that probably don't even look at their bill and just pay it. Once again, leaving Alltel on the high end. Come November, when the new law concerning how consumers can keep their cell phone number when switching cell phone provides, I'm done with Alltel.. =====

Thomas