J.D. Powers again smiles on T-Mobile USA By Matt Kapko Story posted: January 31, 2008 - 1:14 pm EDT T-Mobile USA Inc. continues to rank highest among the five largest wireless carriers in customer service performance, according to the latest study by J.D. Power and Associates. The No. 4 provider has been at the top of the field for the past seven consecutive reporting periods. The firm has been releasing studies on the wireless industry twice-annually for six years now. The study looks at how well wireless carriers meet customers’ service-related needs over the phone with a representative or automated response system, a visit to a retail store and online. J.D. Power and Associates measures how efficiently customers’ issues are resolved, among other factors. The company surveyed nearly 12,500 wireless customers who contacted their carrier’s customer-care department within the past year. T-Mobile took the top nod again, while AT&T Mobility was bumped slightly from second place in the previous study to a tie in third place with Alltel Corp. Verizon Wireless pushed up to the No. 2 spot while Sprint Nextel Corp. remained at the bottom of the scoreboard. The survey found that 47% of wireless customers have contacted their carrier’s customer-care department within the past year; more than half of those calls were due to inaccurate charges while 42% had a billing-related service inquiry. Almost three-quarters of customers who contacted their carrier do so over the phone, while most others visited a retail store. The average initial reported hold time on calls was 3.89 minutes, up from the 3.17 minutes reported in the last survey. Additionally, customers who go to a retail store typically waited nine minutes before they spoke with a representative. J.D. Powers again smiles on T-Mobile USA - RCR Wireless News
So.......... These ratings are all a big joke, especially Consumer Reports. Which is sad because CR has some awesome information and is a very credible source, except for their cell phones. I think we should have the Simon Reports of cell phone companies. All companies are equally horrible.
i will say ive had at least 1 experience with all of them multiple times. if they were taking my vote it would be T-MOB ATT ALLTEL VERIZON SPRINT Tmobiles people TRUELY sound happy to help you. it is often refreshing. ATT's people are always nice and very helpful with any problems or credits that should be addressed. Alltels i havent called much, but the one time i did to try to get an Analog phone on their system (actually it was sorta like a prank call..a joke between me and a friend) the lady helping was still as nice as a peach and never got frustrated with our shinanigans. Verizon actually has some of the RUDEST and unhelpful people ever. Trying to get a credit for anything is pulling teeth. whether or not you plan to spend more money. ive never enjoyed calling them, or their Tech support, i always feel like im being lied to about something and it usually takes me 30 mins to figure out what that something is. Sprints was just horrible all together, i usually end up hanging up.
If you were asking me I would say no they are probably not right for Everyone!! But given the numbers they go off of maybe they try and strive to give the best info out there that they are provided with.
Andy said that JD finally got something right (in reference to Sprint being last). If JD is finally gettting something right, it must mean that they were always wrong in the past. Hence, anything positive JD had ever previously said about Verizon must be incorrect. That is what bobolito was saying.
I can't believe T-Mobile got such high marks. I've never had any trouble with Verizon in the nearly three years of service that I've had with them. The one time, about a month ago, that I had taken issue with the attitude of tech support rep I was speaking to I was partially to blame. I wouldn't let the guy get a word in at all - mainly due to the amount of frustration I had over something as basic as a phone. I did have to remind him that I was the customer, but since it wasn't worth fighting over I politely ended the call and spoke to another rep a few minutes later. Problem was eventually resolved and maybe took a minute or two longer overall.
One thing to keep in mind with these reports is they typically aren't very "fresh." This report for example was taken well over 6months ago in July of '07. Six months is a long time for a carrier to go both up or down in customer care.