Alltel cellular insurance - www.alltelcpi.com - $ 4.00 monthy fee and $ 35.00 deductible for a reconditioned phone, not a new phone

# 5 for May 22, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on May 21, 2002:

From: Donna Heintz [Email User]

RE: Alltel cellular insurance - www.alltelcpi.com - $ 4.00 monthy fee and $ 35.00 deductible for a reconditioned phone, not a new phone I have been a customer of Alltel wireless service for over 2 years. During all that time I have paid $4 a monthly for insurance should my cell phone stop working. I recently had cause to use the insurance for the first time. When I called them, they said I had to pay a $35 deductable before they would replace the phone. I gave them a credit card number for that, so they would send the new phone quickly, since I was soon leaving for the summer and needed the phone.

I was changing my service to Total Freedom effective 5/2/02 since I planned to travel to various states, and they assured me the new phone would be flashed and ready to use on that service plan which also included voice mail.

I received the phone, but when I checked my minutes to reset iton May 2, I saw that they had sent me a used phone. When I called about it, the rep I spoke to informed me that I was told when I ordered it that I'd be getting a reconditioned phone, which I certainly was not told!! I'd never have paid a $35 deductable for a used phone when I could have bought a Motorola Trac Phone from Alltel for $49.95 brand new. I immediately called Alltel and cancelled the insurance.

All in all, it cost me$131.00 for a used phone, but I was never told any of that when I took out the insurance.

I advise everyone not to pay for insurance on your cell phones. It's a rip-off. You can buy a new phone from your cellular company cheaper than what the insurance will cost you. There is always a phone on special sale through the cellular companies.

Comment On This

you my friend area complete moron...how would you plan to get a new phone if you are in a 2 year contract. I assume you would be willing to pay for your other phone plus a trac-fone? You are a complete douche