Tracfone Problem...any ideas on who to call?

[BradQue]

I am trying to find a number to contact a "responsible" person at Tracfone. Over a month ago, I purchased a Tracfone as a gift for my grandaughter in SC. The phone, a blister packaged Nokia model, didn't work right out of the package.

It was promptly returned to Tracfone after receiving a return order number. After nearly a month of calls and excuses about "holiday delays", etc. they now maintain that they aren't returning the phone or otherwise making an adjustment. So, I am out about $40 for the phone, plus the cost of a useless 200 minute phone card and my grandaughter is rightly disappointed.

If anyone has had experience in dealing with these people, and has a number to contact that reaches a responsible person at the company, I sure would like to have it.


Thanks

[cryogenic]

Wow... that's some really shady stuff... Sorry I can't help as I've never used a tracfone or any other prepaid service, but you would think they'd provide a little bit better customer service than that. Have you tried planet feedback?

[BradQue]

Thanks Cryogenic. Nope, haven't heard of planet feedback.

We provided TracFone with the tracking number and the name of the individual who signed for the returned phone. Unfortunetely, to offset the "disappointment factor" from our grandaughter, we bought her a second phone when TracFone told us to "pound sand" originally. Now they say they have it and will send a replacement....but won't entertain just sending a phone card with a equivialent amount of $$ worth of minutes in lieu of an unneeded second phone.

Boy, I don't think much of TracFone -

[cryogenic]

Originally Posted by BradQue Thanks Cryogenic. Nope, haven't heard of planet feedback. We provided TracFone with the tracking number and the name of the individual who signed for the returned phone. Unfortunetely, to offset the "disappointment factor" from our grandaughter, we bought her a second phone when TracFone told us to "pound sand" originally. Now they say they have it and will send a replacement....but won't entertain just sending a phone card with a equivialent amount of $$ worth of minutes in lieu of an unneeded second phone. Boy, I don't think much of TracFone -

and therein lies my biggest problem with Tracfone... They have no retail presence of their own. They're sold in department stores, for the most part and there's no such thing as a "tracfone" store. Not to mention they use other carriers' towers and don't even have their own network. If I were going prepaid, I'd prefer to use one of the major carriers for prepaid service. Most likely I'd go with VZW's prepaid.. or perhaps an AT&T GoPhone.

[BradQue]

You are correct. Unfortunately, I didn't notice Verizon having such in that area until after buying the TracFone. Now, seems we may end up being stuck with an extra one - maybe I'll dress it up as a VooDoo Doll and stick pins into it's screen or something.

[gregmal2]

Donate it to the local Battered Women's Shelter. It should still work for
911 calls.....................

[BradQue]

Originally Posted by gregmal2 Donate it to the local Battered Women's Shelter. It should still work for 911 calls.....................

Great suggestion and thanks... I have done that (through the local police dept.) with all my other older phones so I suppose a TracFone will be equally acceptable.

Regardless, I hate to let TracFone get off too easy as I think this is reflective of shady practices that need to be documented, remembered, and publicized so others can be wary of dealing with such a company.

[EdwardP]

TracFone has an Executive Resolutions Department, they can be reached at (800) 339-9345. Tell them exactly what you went through.

If you want to post a public message about your experience, you can go to Planet Feedback. There, you can run a search for TracFone and post a public message. PF indicates TracFone is good when it comes to responding to complaints via that forum. You may have to register in order to post a message.

Amazingly, out of all of the wireless companies, TracFone has maintained the highest grade (B+) for quite some time, which also gives them the #4 slot out of all rated companies on Planet Feedback.

Ed (former TracFone user)

[BradQue]

Thanks Ed, I will try that. Since we bought another one when they maintained they knew nothing about the return, we don't need the second so a fair adjustment in my estimation would be to allow me to return the extra phone (unopened) in exchange for an equal amount of useage time.

Brad