Grrrr (BB related)

mbcdefg

A follow-up to my two previous posts about the Blackberry:

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_blackberry-bogo

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_blackberry-people-phone

They did NOT give me the free phone. Apparently the phone is only "free" if another number in the plan is due for an upgrade. I'm on my family's plan and there are five of us on it ... my brother was the only one eligible for an upgrade now. I'm eligible for an upgrade in April 2011, and the next available upgrade is my dad (the main line on the plan) in August 2010.

So I asked if I could just use my dad's upgrade and if they could activate it before July 9 (when we leave for London). They gave me a bunch of bullshiit that that's a "courtesy one-year upgrade" instead of the "standard 20-month upgrade" (they had always said it was two years) and they cannot do it before August. Which does me good because I'll be back before then. I told them that the whole reason we went there was because we need to communicate with each other in Europe.

My brother went ahead and bought the Bold anyway (I didn't want to tell him not to get it, since he was looking forward to it), so I feel like they're going to tell me I'm out of luck if I call to complain. The saleswoman started telling me to call customer service, but the manager interrupted her and said there was nothing they could do. Such bullshiit.

Think I'll have luck if I call to complain tonight? Danes, anything I can do? (Do you want a commission? )

gibribuz

Did you ask them if you could do an early upgrade?  FI got to upgrade early for a fee.  If that doesn't work you should just have your dad upgrade his phone and then switch phones.  My dad and I did that one year.  There might be a fee but if you do the switch online they might waive the fee. 

mbcdefg

I asked and they said they couldn't do that. I said, "Come on, you can't just upgrade my dad's phone a few weeks in advance?" and the guy wouldn't budge.

The guy said I could add a sixth line to the plan, cancel the one that'd have the lowest cancellation fee, then get a BB that way. Yeah, fucck off, assh0le.

rlb81

That's such BS... H got the Droid when it was first released in November and he wasn't due for an upgrade until April... they gave him the upgrade 5 months early for free. He also HAD to have the Droid the day it was released and since it was $300 they probably saw that as them making a deal as opposed to them giving you an early upgrade to get a free phone.

uppereastgirl

Sadly, I'm not at all surprised to hear that.  Their "free phone" promotions always have a ridiculous number of strings attached.

Have you thought about buying a BBerry on ebay or the like and hooking it up to your account?  

hcer0708

I just upgraded to a blackberry and i wasnt due for an upgrade for another 4 months. Do you have Verizon? I called first and then they said they would give me the upgrade and to order the phone online because you get the automatic rebates instead of having to send it in.

njpabzy

i would call and complain - "accidently" hit the number that corresponds to cancellations when you call and explain how unhappy you are and the account has 5 loyal customers. - if you get to the right person they pretty much have the power to do anything to save an account - at least that is the way it was when my brother worked there years ago and it has been my experience in the past. Good Luck!

cherylanddan0706

I didn't read the responses but I can talk from experience (not sure if this was said) That is BS, go to another store or call, I have taken 4 of MH's upgrades, and about to take another. They are stupid and chances are (from my experience) the entire store will be, find a new one. As long as you are on the same family plan as the one person who is okay for an upgrade you can get it. Do not let them tell you any other way. If the new store tells you "no" (or even the original store again tell them you called and can do it online or on the phone and "so sorry you lose the sale and a ref to this store" the moment i threatened they "talked to a manager" My one store was charging me business rate for my bb service, for a year I was clueless, I flipped when I found out, I reported the person and store and have told everyone I know not to go there and to go 3 miles down the road. I work in sales and do not deal with that well lol. I hope this helps, but trust me on one thing, they are not speaking the correct info

mbcdefg

Thanks guys ... I'll call and biitch tomorrow. I've been in SUCH a crummy mood about this all day. I hate how phone companies have us all by the balls like this. They really treat people like shiit.

cherylanddan0706

MB, I'm convinced that some stores are filled with idiots, I'm actually stealing MH's upgrade in a few weeks bc my bb is giving me issues. The people on the phone are way more accommodating

Danes983

So sorry, I was MIA doing wedding stuff. I dont work in a store. I work in the Corporate HQ. So I dont deal with Sales. However, if you call them and explain you have been a loyal customer for X years and this trip just came up and you would appreciate that they would help you in your circumstance then maybe you will have some luck.  I am not really sure how it all works with them in CS.  Let me know what happens.  If they dont budge PM me and I will see if i can find someone to contact internally to get your upgrade early.

mbcdefg

Word, Cheryl. The manager was no help at all, but I could tell that the saleswoman was genuinely trying to figure out something to help me. She was even trying to murmur to me what I should do as the manager was basically shooing us out the door, but the manager cut her off and wouldn't let her tell me anything. I should find out if she's working there solo and then head back.

Thanks for the advice, Danes, I appreciate it very much I'll call them after work and see if anything can be done.