Cell Phone RANT (LONG)

[Bob]

(Hey, it's a TOOL, right?)

A couple of months ago, I updated my ALLTELL plan, and they really pushed the "protection plan" for lost or damaged phones.

For a $5.00 added fee on each phone's monthly bill, they (supposedly) will replace your phone if lost or stolen up to 2 times a year, for $50.00 each time.

I'm NOT one to buy things like this, much less to use them, but I "fell for it", and added the protection to the plan. In the 12 or so years we have been with that rip-off company, we have NEVER turned anything like this in before, so there certainly hasn't been any abuse.

My 18-y-o son lost his phone several days ago, working construction (running a Bobcat) at a gas pipeline compressor station site.

Less you say, (as I would have), WHY a cell phone at work.. he is required to carry a phone for "dispatch" by the foreman.

Anyhow, he lost his phone on the site, most likely packed into a zillion yards of dirt.

Since he leaves for work EARLY in the AM for a remote jobsite, and gets back to civilization LATE in the evening, I attempted to get him a replacement phone yesterday, so he didn't have to miss work.

The ALLTELL store will not do a #$%^ thing to help you, except slap down a sheet of paper with the "insurance company's" phone number on it, and telling me I needed to fill out a police report for a "stolen" phone.

I repeated it was NOT stolen, just lost in a bad place. He said "we can't help you, we DO NOT sell phone insurance". I asked "then, why the ^&*%& is it on my bill, then????

There was NO help there, so I called the 800 number, and got a 'puter voice telling me I needed a police report #, time, date, officer's badge #, and about a half-dozen other things that were rattled off so fast, I couldn't even jot them all down.

GREAT service, huh?

I don't know what to do... the site where the phone was lost is remote... you'd have to get a sherrif or a deputy out there to do the report. Since it is a gas pipeline site, there is a degree of security, and, I'm sure the last thing those guys want is a cop out there, disrupting work, to fill out a police report on a buried cellphone!

Since the company can track where the phone was last "operating" I thought a I was doing the "right thing" by reporting it LOST at the remote site, where it was last being used. A guy at another ALLTELL store told me I should have simply reported it stolen, in town, at the son's appt. Pretty good - have to LIE to get the coverage plan you pay for honored... WHAT A BUNCH OF JERKS!

Since he needs the phone for work, I coughed up $300.00, and bought him a new one. I told him to ask the foreman if it would be a big deal if a cop came out there for such a stupid reason.

I GUESS that's the only thing to do, and then if the JERKS actually honor the phone insurance, we'll have a spare phone.

Anyone else dealt with something like this?

The thing I can't figure out is WHY the cops need to be involved, since there was no theft, and almost NO chance of recovery. If this is the way things are, figuring the number of phones that must get lost or stolen in a populated area every day, HOW do the cops get anything ELSE done, besides fill out police reports on missing cellphones???

 

[Pair-a-dice farm]

I guess it is a streach to call it a tool but my chicken house alarms are routed to mine.

AT&T is no better I had a bill on mine for downloading rings. I told them that I didn't ask for that and wouldn't pay it. They said that it was a third party charge and I had to pay. I put a block on my phone so it won't happen again.
Also I am charged if someone sends a text message. I have a phone to hear a voice. If someone wants to get me they can leave a voice message.

 

[souNdguy]

what sleazebags..

I'd lookup the insurance terms and if it does say 'lost'.. then I'd try to get a human on the phone somewhere and run that by them.. Maybee you can get 250$ of your money back.

Soundguy

 

[JT]

That "phone insurance" is the biggest scam in the world. I had one thaat the flip part of a flip phone broke when I opened it, Ok, that is what insurance is for right? Was informed that if it just broke when opening, then handset insurance does not pay for that, but if it got dropped on the floor, dropped in water, etc, an accident, they would cover that, I had another phone I started using, A month later, it got dropped, called them about that, was told that was abuse and was not covered under their protection plan, so I asked, what is the protection plan for. This time I was told it was for lost, stolen or "accidenal" damage. I have come to the conclusion, it is just a legal rip off and a scare tactic the cell phone conmpanies use to get your money. Needless to say I cancelled the handset insurance. Found you can buy phones off flebay for 40-50 dollars, used and they work just as good as new ones.

 

[JML755]

I agree with you that when you purchase the insurance you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get them to honor the policy. But, your experience seems to be the rule rather than the exception today. They will point to some "fine print" to get out of paying anything. As a suggestion to your son, I tie a piece of fluorescent surveyor tape to the antenna of my cell phone, so I can find it easier if it falls off of my belt clip. Won't help if you bury it, but every time I see a piece of tape on the ground, I check my hip.

 

[Bob - MI]

Not that I can gaurantee it will do you any good long term, but you may want to contact your state attorney general"s office and lodge a complaint. Tell Alltell and the store owner that sold the contract to you that you have done this as well.

Contracts are to be conducted in accordance with state law where they were sold. These are just bad people who try to take you when they can and sometimes getting a higher power involved makes them respond like roaches scattering when the light is turned on.

I had an episode with a homeowner"s claim that I did this on. It turned out to be a rewarding experience that I have shared with others who have gotten screwed by an insurance company. Most get some quick satisfaction.

What happened to business integrity???

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've had 2 claims in one contract period, and I think one other claim besides, one of the 3 I had to get a police report to be submitted with the claim. Asurion was the company that provided the replacement equipment and the handling of the claim was no big deal. Don't recall if I had the $50 deductible, most likely.

I've had phones damaged as well, and not wanting to use a claim, I was due an upgrade from my plan anyway, think you get 1 a year on that with this provider,(Verizon) so I've used an upgrade twice for damaged equipment, once waited 1 month until I was eligible.

What gets me is that the provider tells you the equipment is worth several hundred dollars, but with the signing of the phone service contract, you get a huge discount and the phone is $20 or something, but you will pay full price to replace that phone if you don't have the insurance. It's a catch 22, if you're prone to lost or damaged equipment, still cheaper to have the insurance but not if the claim went like what you describe. Just a marketing trap is all it is, they create a need for you to have that insurance, especially if you'r accident prone with these phones.


I think it's wise to read the terms of these insurances before signing up and have the provider representative or salesperson walk you through a mock claim, make a note of who the person was and the outline of the process as described in the insurance agreement, by the time you have a claim that salesperson will probably be gone anyway, and they always tell you that it's out of their hands now, so whatever agreement you have is with the replacement provider.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I dont know Bob, If the policy says it covers lost phones 2 X per year, then they got to honor that. If it says stolen only, then thats another deal with the police report and all.
I would bet a call to the insurance comissioners office would get some action. An insurance policy is a legal contract.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I lose mine on a site every couple of years. I just call the police, say I lost it and need a report # for the insurance company. They sound like it is a very common occurrence and no officer has ever had to go looking for it.

But it is still a real unnecessary pain. Sounds like it is meant to prevent people from just saying they lost it. It makes you think about it if you plan to file a false police report.

But, I agree with you. You pay for the insurance so they should just give you the ##$#$^ phone.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If the phone is required for day to day work, then your son's employer should provide one. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[havvey]

I had it (phone is through fertilizer co op) Lost one during harvest. called it in the lady was very helpful and quikly replaced it no police needed no dis honesty on anyones part was needed. Guess i was lucky. Had probems using it took it in lady straitened out all the codes and problems no charge worked good. SOME FELLOW STOLE THE LOCAL SHERIFFS PHONE GOT CAUGHT AND WENT TO JAIL FOR IT GO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT.

 

[Lanse]

I fed my last phone to a meatless taco, then my mom told me to go rinse it off...........

Verison replaced it no questions asked. They were great. I cant stand it when Im talking to someone and their phone rings and they just reach down to answer it without thinking about it.

I will answer my phone in that situation ONLY if its an emergency. If im really talking to someone, or just usually, I reach into my pocket, remove the phone, flip it open and hit end, close it and slide it back into my pocket in one smooth move.

 

[Doug in Illinois]

I have had cell phone insurance in the past, but with the deductibles and hassle have dropped it. I have two extra cell phones bought off Fleabay and Craigslist on hand, all I have to do to activate them is call the company or take them in to the store. I got the idea to self insure after one of my phones still under warranty quit, carrier says water damage, insurance said still under warranty. Neither wanted to provide a replacement phone. Cute thing is, after leaving the back of the dead phone off for a couple weeks after dousing it with NAPA electrical cleaner it works as good as new. I can call the cell phone company on a turned off phone, so know this for a fact. Depending on brand and how little or much use the used phone has, expect to pay 1/4 to 1/3 of retail. Just make sure you get one for your network. Doug

 

[Tradititonal Farmer]

No ripoff Alltel comes up with would surprise me

 

[HuskerMedic]

My wife and I make it a point to each get a new cell phone every time we renew our contract. That way, if we lose or break one, hopefully we'll have a spare to use until the next contract renewal comes up.

Only hasn't worked once...when they switched over to the new gps positioning whatever cr@p so the 911 operator can tell where you're calling from. The company (Alltel) claimed that they couldn't legally reprogram any of the old telephones without this feature. I think they're just more worried about their liablility...and want to sell you a new phone.

Unfortunately, none of the other companies around here are any better. Been there, done that.

 

[Bud in FLA]

When I "retarded" in NC I made D*MN sure the company lap top computer, the company beeper AND the company cell phone were IN the company truck when I turned it in!
Naw - I ain't missed ANY of them since, either!!!!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Sorry about our loss --- BUT --- I don't like Cell phones -- IN fact I have a Cell phone Jammer and turn them off when ever they get 70 feet from me ...

Now then -- First --- If the employeer requires a Cell phone on the job --- the employeer should be supplying the cell phone ...

Second -- kids should not be given a cell phone unless they buy it themselves and pay the costs monthly,,

Third --- you should know better --- If not --- your the Jerk as Judge Judy would say ....

 

[DRL]

I have had nothing but good luck with Alltel's insurance. Lost one while brush hogging on the tractor. Went to the store and they replaced the phone no questions asked. "Lost" another one while out in the middle of a lake filling a fish feeder. Phone slipped out the bib pocket of my overalls and made a perfect swan dive into the drink. Had to call sherrif's office that time and get a report #. They then replaced the phone. One key factor is that you have to go to an authorized service dealer. The kiosk at Wal-Mart, or your local mall isn't going to be able to do anything except sell you a phone. Call Alltel and find out where the authorized service center nearest you is. As you can tell, I'm hard on cell phones. The insurance had more than paid for itself in my case.

 

[Bob]

1.) The few minutes a month the phone is used for "work matters" is NOT a problem. He is paid WELL for what he does, and I have NO problem with the "phone for the job" thing.

2.) He DOES pay his share of the phone bill. I helped him out with the replacement phone 'cause he's working across a state line, in a remote location, and would have to miss work to get to the phone store. (Hey, it gave me an excuse to "goof off" for a day.) He WILL reimburse me for the phone.

3.) Ya, I'm a jerk.

 

[suptscottyb]

It is pretty common thinking in the construction industry that every good employee have transportation and communication. It is 2007.
Construction wages have always been high (especially for operators) and the days agenda can change in a moment, making it neccessary to contact all involved.

 

[Jeff-oh]

What the???? where did you crawl out from?

 

[Anonymous-0]

(If your a parent with a child ) I would bet your one of them parents that buys their kids every thing -- and don't know the meaning of teaching responsibilities in life ---- and use a cell phone for nonsense to boot ---

it's True --- there's a Fool born every Minute .

 

[Anonymous-0]

Bob,

Alls you have to do is call your local police dept, tell them you have a lost phone, and the cell phone insurance company needs a report or an officers badge number, they will tell you that they dont do a report for cell phones, then you ask for the officers badge number to put on the report for the insurance company. I have been through it several times.

The reason for this is the insurance company is cracking down on crack-pot claims. Instead of people calling their service provider to update there phones, they would just call the insurance company make a bogus claim pay the 50 bucks and wam they have a brand new phone, no contract extension ect.

 

[Anonymous-0]

What % of every dollar spent goes to insurance and lawyers? Probably higher than one would think.

I hate insurance premiums but its a necessary evil. A sign of a good policy is how it handles claims. Based on this thread I'd not do business with this company.