cell phone tips

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OK, most of you know I have worked for Sprint for almost 3 years now (well, it will be three in November) Yes, I was a consumer with Sprint for 3 years before I started working for the system, so I do feel your pain. Here are some tips on getting what you want. Now, before I start, let's consider that I do work for the best store in Houston. That's not arrogance, it's fact. All of the other managers hate us. We do carry a little arrogance about us, we are a small store with big numbers. We like that. Our store works differently, we *will* give instant rebates to current customers, we *will* work with you if your phone is out of warranty. We *will* work with you if you dropped your phone in the toilet and have no insurance. Our store is special, we actually *try* to help our customers. Now, with that said, here are some pitfalls of other stores and providers .....

Now, if you have a service problem, please, for godsakes, clean your phone before you go in to the store. Nothing grosses us out more and makes us more willing *not* to help when we are handed a phone with sweat all over it from your ear.

If you actually dropped your phone in something, tell them *BEFORE* you hand it to them. Want to see a rep drop a phone? Tell them after they've had their hands on it was dropped in the toilet.

Don't lie about water damage. There it a litmus paper inside the phone and when it is exposed to water, it turns various shades of pink and purple. Lying only makes the rep think you are stupid because clearly it has been dropped in something, hopefully not a toilet.

Never, ever say or scream "you people" blah, blah, blah. Remember, we just work for the company. If the poor saps behind the counter were actually responsible for fucking up your bill or control the network do you really think we would be behind the counter? No, we would be behind the curtain with Oz controlling the cell phone universe.

On that same note, don't ever diss the provider. No matter how much someone may actually hate their job, they will defend it just to piss you off if you start dissing it.

Don't bitch and demand a new phone when your warranty is over and your six button stops working. Do you think Chevy would give me a corvette for my tahoe because my windshield wiper stopped working? No, get real. I would have to actually pay for a corvette.

Now, those are just a start, let's get to the fun stuff LOL BUY INSURANCE! It's like five bucks a month and will save you a minimum of 149 bucks when you drop it in some liquid, lose it, drop it or whatever the case may be. Insurance can sometimes only be added at the time of activation, call your carrier tomorrow and ask if you have insurance, if you don't and something happens to your phone, you're screwed.

Most companies have an upgrade program, it is a mail in rebate. If you are nice and try to work with your rep, you may get it instantly. Don't threaten to cancel your contract. It will end up costing you more than the final net price of the phone in termination fees from your current carrier, activation fees from your new carrier and oh by the way, proration fees When you threaten to cancel, do you think the person helping you cares? No, their job is not based on how many customers they keep, it is by how many they bring in.

Now, along the rebate lines, yes a contract is required, the longer the agreement, the more money you get back. The company is not going to mail you back 150 plus and let you not renew that agreement that expired in 2001. It will however give you a little bit of leverage. If you are in contract don't go in and say you are going to leave. They will laugh and print out that contract for you with your signature on it. If you have no contract, well then, welcome to the games, lets play. Be nice, tell them you want to stay, what kind of deal can we work out? The nicer you are to them, the nicer they will be to you.

Remember what these people have to deal with on a daily basis -- The first store I worked at was in a very bad part of town they actually call "gunspoint" I had the worst of the worst people come in. Larry hated me working there but it was a job and I knew I would get out. One day a very cracked out lady was arguing about her bill. After she left, we noticed she had left her crack pipe on the counter. While she was digging through her purse, she must have taken it out and left it there. Swear --

So, good luck with your providers and if you need any help, just email me, I will do the best I can :)