Comments on: Help! Jailbreak me from the Brig of the Stinky Alltel Pirates

By: Mysticveldt

Mysticveldt — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:01:46 +0000

OMG I thought I was the only one experiencing severe problems…at least that was the way Alltel made it sound. Disconnect after disconnect…The remote computer is not responding…The remote computer is out of order..I have spent more time talking to tech support and advanced tech support than I have spent on the internet these last few weeks and that is only half a joke. Just like has been mentioned, I am told one excuse after another…”It must be a program conflict with your pc.” So I ask, “Which program?” Answer, “I don’t know, I just know the Alltel system…towers, wires, data etc.” Oh really? Thanks for the help!

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:43:24 +0000

You know what? There’s a “This American Life” (radio) story that is VERY similar to what you have related, only hers is about some regular kind of phone service from MCI, not data service from Alltel. One of the funny parts in that story is that the customer service place claims they don’t have a fax line, also the line about “we can’t call you back”.

Go here:
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=253
and listen to “On Hold, No One Can Hear You Scream.” Maybe you could enlist NPR in your quest, like she did!

By: Alan Levine aka CogDog

Alan Levine aka CogDog — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:59:42 +0000

You understand perfectly- I am an idiot. Wow, at least someone knows.

No, I am not. I am not talking about their phone service. I have actually been with Alltell (actually the company that took over) since 1996. I even wrote nicely about their flexibile plans, when I had to change to an international plan for a month where I was in Canada.

I am not writing about their voice service, but their internet data service. To be honest, you will find horror stories with them all. But there is no reason for them to hold you to contract terms where they do not provide the service the contract is written for.

Yes, I am an idiot.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:59:00 +0000

Let me see if I understand the issue completely.

You are an idiot right? I experienced issues with AT&T/Cingular which offered horrible customer service when my contract was up I signed up with Sprint. Sprint offered me spotty service. When my contract was up I signed up with Verizon. That was when I realized I might actually be crazy. Verizon is HORRIBLE. I paid EXCEEDINGLY HIGH monthly fees. I had lots of minutes but it just never seemed enough.

FINALLY I got smart and signed up for Alltel Service. I now pay a regular monthly fee, have plenty of minutes, 10 numbers I get to call as often as I want (even my friends that don’t have cell phones are part of the freebie numbers) and lastly, I can’t remember the last time I had a dropped call.

By: Dansterdan

Dansterdan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:10:32 +0000

I know it sounds boring and un-anti-establishment, but have you considered contacting the Better Business Bureau (http://welcome.bbb.org/)? I have used their service to mediate a dispute before, and they were able to resolve it when thousands of hours on the phone had failed. It sounds like you have a legitimate claim and can clearly document the case. You’ll just need to decide what a ‘fair resolution’ would be (and ask for a bit more than just “set me free for free” at this point).

Good luck!

By: cgaub

cgaub — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:37:18 +0000

I had a similar experience with my new toshiba TV that arrived NOT WORKING. over 2 months and run around service calls where they refused to fix, replace or refund our money. We finally had the original online store refund our money and we got an LG tv instead. I feel for your plight!

I vote for calling your local TV consumer segment.

By: Ilene Frank

Ilene Frank — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:52:33 +0000

Alan, does your local TV or newspaper run a consumer complaint segment? What about calling and telling them the story? That kind of news attention seems to get some great results – at least for the individual involved. You know – use other media as well as the web against them! ;)

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:41:59 +0000

I had a similar experience with tech support for my 97 yr old father’s Westinghouse TV.

The video board went and I had to send it in for repair. After one month of stories like it is hard to get parts out of China and one month of being told it was in shipping but it would have to be elevated to a supervisor to find out when it would be shipped- I lost my cool. I sent an email complaint to their PR guys and referenced their CEO who got his degree where I work. I assured them that he did not learn this type of customer support here!

5 minutes later I got a call from the head of “customer care” and in 24 hours a new TV was Fed Exed to my dad.

I sprung big corporation jail- I am free. Now if there was just anythign good to watch on that TV…

By: Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:35:44 +0000

submitted a “Free Alan Levine” request #080426-000527

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:30:42 +0000

Alan, Thank you for your post. I have had a mirror experience with Sprint over the last few months. I suspect only you can imagine my level of frustration. Yesterday, I finally caved and paid the $150 fee to be released from hell. But, that $150 only gets me out of the broadband internet contract, not the voice line. Argh. I should send THEM a bill for all the time I have spent trying to get issues resolved.

Good luck!