Showing posts with label mobile phone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mobile phone. Show all posts

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sprint Provides AWFUL Service, Could Take A Lesson From AT&T

Via The Consumerist:
Melissa couldn't get any reception around her home on her iPhone, despite living only 20 minutes from downtown Chicago. Zero bars. It wasn't just annoying to always miss calls, it was also damaging her rental business. But thanks to a detailed, and snarky, email to the CEO of AT&T, she was able to get the wireless provider to reset its towers and fix the service around her house.
At first AT&T told her the problem was with her phone. All the problems would disappear once she upgraded from her iPhone 3G to an iPhone 4. She did, and they didn't. Then AT&T tried to tell her that it was her car that was interfering with the signal. But she would step out of her car and there would still be low reception. Since she could drive to her parent's remote lake house and have perfect reception, it really seemed like the problem was localized around her home. (If you have a low vulnerability to motion sickness, you can watch this shaky and blurry Flip cam video of Melissa having zero bars inside her house. The text on the screen, referring to the speed of the text messages, says "They go fast inside. Just can't hear you.)
It wasn't until she sent the following email to AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson that she got real action:
Dear Randall,
I know I said yesterday I would stop with the emails but today was not a good day for me and the iPhone 4. Also I would like to mention that I spoke with Katria this morning. I would like to say that the phone conversation was very pleasant, funny and very, very helpful. Seriously. I really mean that. She was very very helpful.
So here is what's going on today. Maybe this will help your tech's figure out the problem. Maybe there is actually a problem. I still believe it's New York all over again where you had to stop selling them. The Apple store even said that but no one at AT&T will admit that.
loading1.jpgTaken in Munster, IN (25 miles from downtown Chicago). These are taken today and the time is CST. This was while sitting in my car outside. Maybe my car is at fault.
loading2.jpgYep, still in Munster IN in my car. Still won't load. Again, maybe it's my cars fault.
loading3.jpgWow, look it loaded finally. And hey, congrats to my brother on getting that barfly badge on yelp. I told him to add it to his resume. It shows commitment and follow through. BTW he posted that to his Facebook yesterday so really no new news. Still in Munster IN.

loading5.jpgStill in Munster IN. Still not updated. Still really proud of my brother. BTW he's 25, I remember being 25. Good times.
notupdated.jpgWow, have to be connected to a network, that's shocking! Still in Munster IN.

justgotmy.jpgNow please let me explain that the doctor is really not asking her to sample actual shit. It was pills to make her back feel better. I would never recommend a doctor that makes you sample that. Back in my home town of Whiting IN.
Also had a great call with my lawyer today at 12:29pm again I believe maybe Munster or Highland IN. They couldn't hear me. BTW lawsuit has nothing to do with you. I was injured. I'm not suing. Just want my phone to work. Anyway, again, another important phone call while driving and THEY COULDN'T HEAR ME!
Also Randall, My cousin Amy who is not taking the what we talked about before came over last night and we put our iPhones side by side. She had sent me a text message that never came through. I was unable to take a picture of this. I'm going to suggest to Apple that their next new iPhone model can connect two of them together and some how take a picture. Randall, I suggest if they do make this product you only sell it on the moon. I believe they may have good reception there.
So here we go again. Another day, more lost calls and texts. But I just want you to know I sleep good at night that I upgraded and you got that money and I added internet to my second line and you get that money. I really really really hope you spend it on jet fuel to get around. That would mean a lot to me.
All My Love,
UNSATISFIED AT&T USER
Melissa
After she sent this out, AT&T called her to tell her the information in it had helped them diagnose the problem. They were going to reset several towers in her area. Melissa noticed a change. She had more than one bar on her phone and people were able to hear and understand what she said in phone conversations. Amazing! AT&T also credited her $79.99 for her troubles.
From ConsumerReports.org:


Interesting. I'm having a very similar problem with Sprint, and they have been unresponsive, failed to meet commitments to even call me back, and have ignored a score of e mails like this lady sent. I wonder if the people at Sprint even care about customer service. I have the private emails of most of their top execs, including CEO Dan Hesse, but NONE of them have ever written back. Sure doesn't seem like it. And yes, The Consumerist has copies of all my emails and calls. 

SO here's the question: Should I post all the e mails and legally recorded phone calls I've had with Sprint? The call where the dude I'm talking with freaks out when I inform him the call is being recorded and read him the Missouri and FCC laws about recording calls is worth the price of admission alone. Classic corporate meltdown. 

What do YOU think?
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

This Is What Happens When You Write A Negative Review Of The Samsung Nexus S 4G Phone

If you've been following me over the last couple of weeks, you know that I've had a very bad experience with my smartphones.  I left Blackberry and Verizon for the new Samsung Nexus S 4G on Sprint. To say the least, I've been disappointed and unhappy with the decision.  The phone is amazing, but it has serious flaws in its ability to get a decent signal and hold a charge.  

Samsung-nexus-s-600x470
I've been working with some very well meaning people at Sprint on this issue since day one, and am now on my second device, which started out working well but seems to have had a steep decline in quality of signal as it got past its third day of use.  I've posted findings and observations on Sprint's community forums, but Sprint is still not officially saying there are issues with the device.  As of now, there are 310 posts (and counting) about issues with this phone on Sprint's forums alone.

The phone is technically a "Google Experience" device, so Google has had a lot of traffic on their help forums as well, but again has not come out to say that there is a recognized issue with the device.  Over 80 posts as of now on that site.

Then there's Samsung, the maker of the device.  They too have forums and places to review their products, but it's been interesting that unlike the carrier (Sprint) and software developer (Google) the hardware maker (Samsung) has had mainly glowing reviews for their baby.  Odd that on every other website, carrier, software maker, tech journalism, independent reviews, the signal issue and low battery life issues have been a big topic, but NOT on Samsung's site. 

I wrote a fair and honest ONE STAR review of their phone, complimenting the hardware but brining the signal problems and fact that nobody has openly acknowledged them or said there would be a fix on Saturday, May 21. Today, Wednesday, May 25, I received this note from Samsung:

Thanks for leaving a review. Unfortunately, your review did not meet our posting guidelines. This may be because it contained references to other products;or to pricing, ordering, delivery or other customer service issues. Your feedback is important because it helps others make informed choices about Samsung products. We invite you to read our http://email.samsungusa.com/s/r?l=279511&MKM_RID=0121870498&MKM_MID=1..." style="color: #666666;">posting guidelines, then http://email.samsungusa.com/s/r?l=279498&MKM_RID=0121870498&MKM_MID=1..." style="color: #666666;">log in to your account on Samsung.comto post a new review.

http://email.samsungusa.com/s/r?l=279510&MKM_RID=0121870498&MKM_MID=1...">Read our posting guidelines >

In other words, you were too rough and honest with us, and we don't want you posting bad things about our products, so we won't let your post go up on our forums.

Now I understand that it's Samsung's website and they can control what they put on it.  But this strikes of good old CENSORSHIP, not letting the negative reviews of their product on their site.  Not exposing the faults with their device, and continuing to cover up the fact that there is a SERIOUS defect with the unit. 

Read the Sprint and Google forums for yourself.  You'll see that I'm not some crazy lone wolf in Kansas complaining about a problem that doesn't exist.  But you won't find those kinds of posts on Samsung's forums.  If Samsung isn't being honest and transparent with its customers about the problems with the Nexus S 4G, how can they be trusted to be forthwright about any of their products? 

I know Sprint is trying to figure this mess out.  I haven't had personal contact with Google, but I assume they don't want a device with their name on it to be junk.  But I've written a review that was censored and spoken with Samsung's alleged Executive Offices, and they are lying to the public about the fact that there even is an issue and being disingenuous at best when it comes to dealing with their customers. 

Buyer beware.

Posted via email from Mark Edwards 3.0