?? for PCS people

[av8or]

Ok, on a retention plan back in may, I got a decent plan, and wanted a hitachi p300 (seemed to have decent reviews all around and had some features I was looking for)
well they managed to find one, I went and got it, after a few days I realized it wasn't a NEW phone, it apparantely had been a 'loaner' used at a mall kiosk for when phones were sent in to service, but it seemed to be ok at the time.

well now things are different, battery life is attrocious (despite it supposedly having decent battery life in resources i checked) even with a new battery.
back lighting stays on randomly (sometimes just screen, sometimes screen and keypad) pretty much has to be charged every day if i use it a little bit (it'll go 2 days with out charging if i don't talk but a few minutes on it)

signal quality frankly svcks now, go in a building where i may have a couple bars outside, and many times it goes out of service

will occasionally cycle in and out of service while sitting still and trying to make a call with one signal bar

suffice to say, this phone obviously has issues, probably stemming from abuse it most like sustained being a 'rental/loaner' phone.

is there anyway i can get sprint to replace it without using lockline and getting stuck with a crummy new phone (ala vi600 or some flip-phone)

thanks in advance to any help/info anyone gives me.

[av8or]

so no ideas anyone?

[Ted]

if you bought the phone at a sprint store i would go to that store to resolve the issues.

[av8or]

if you bought the phone at a sprint store i would go to that store to resolve the issues.

well i picked it up at a mall kiosk, but it was arranged by a retention person on the phone (who was very nice and helpful) paid for it there too
(there was a refund that eventually made it free).

[DF@Work]

Was it ever reflashed to 'original' factory state with updated SW loaded?

[av8or]

well the version was outdated and after much time spent arguing with tech in local spcs store and co-ordinating with the phone techs (within a week of receiving the phone back in may), he got what was supposed to be the latest revision s2a34 in an email, and uploaded it to the phone, and it has that version now
so all problems are with the newest software (which was apparantely a factory loaded version thereby dating my phone as an even earlier [read: older] phone since it had a version the tech had never even seen before)

[Fubar101]

FYI, they can not upload the software to a phone. Software upgrades must be done by Sprint stores and prl's updates can be done over the phone. Software updates must be done by hardware at a Sprint store and not over the phone, emails, etc... More than likely they updated you prl and not the phone software. If the software shows s2a34 than you have the most current software. If you have the most current software this came with the phone and not an software upload.

[av8or]

Uhm, I said i took it to the store, and the tech there uploaded the s2a34 (which the phone DID NOT have when i got it) after the phone techs were able to send it to him (how, i don't really know)

[Fubar101]

Sorry, but I did not read your post all the way. As far as I know tech's are pushed the software and I was not aware they could use software sent to them by email. If you have the s2a34 software than you have the most current software. If you bought a demo model from a kiosk your warrenty is probably void and your phone does not have a warrenty. If you phone is bugging out you would have to go through erp or buy a new phone.

[av8or]

i wasn't aware it was a demo model, it was arranged by the gal at retention (who went out of her way to find me the model i was looking for), i just picked it up at that kiosk cause it was a convenient location she could have it transfered to.

[av8or]

I guess the gist of my question is should I;

A. Call sprint phone tech

B. Go to local spcs store with a tech

C. Go to the kiosk I actually picked the phone up at

whats my best course of action to get this phone replaced? and how would i best go about it?
thanks again for any help

[kaicam75]

Get on EBay and pick one up for 30.00 or so.

[av8or]

for a phone i recieved from sprint as 'new' 4 months ago?

[Deval]

whats my best course of action to get this phone replaced? and how would i best go about it?
thanks again for any help


buy one? :confused:

[justinwatts]

Wow, people sure are quick to help you, aren't they? :huh:

I would call retention first [(877)417-7846]. Explain the situation and let them know that you thought you were getting a new phone, not a demo unit. If that doesn't work, call executive services [(888)347-8988]. The kiosk at the mall might have another phone you could trade out, but I doubt they could or would do anything. You are past your 30 days and they won't make any money by helping you. You could try to talk to them, but I would see that going nowhere.

Your best bet in my opinion is to call retention and let them know what is up. If you don't get anywhere, keep asking for a manager until you get the problem solved. I would be mad if I bought something thinking it was new and then it broke. Sprint should help you out on this one. Keep us posted on what you come up with.

You could also e-mail Hitachi or call them and let them know what the problem is. Their website is http://www.hitachi.us. If you decide to just get the phone fixed, Hitachi has a service station in the US. I have the info listed below, along with a phone number and e-mail address. The warranty should cover any work as far as I know.

Tel: 1-800-448-2244
(Toll-free number : USA only)
Fax:+1-309-589-7689
email:customerservice.ce@hhea.hitachi.com

[kaicam75]

All I mean is that before I would pay Lockline 35.00, I would try EBay. If Sprint will replace it, great!

[av8or]

kai, aah i gotcha, wasn't sure at first, good point

watts, thanks for the good info, i'll call retention tomorrow morning and see what they say.

Thanks to everyone for their input, i'll be sure to post the final results

(as far as sending to hitachi, that would be fine other than i'm one of 'those' people that can't be with out their phone, its my only line of communication, and were required by work to have a means of contact)

[justinwatts]

I've got an old Sanyo 4500 you can use if you want (it's one of the old ones, pic is linked below). I can drop it in the mail to you at no charge. It needs a battery, but if you need a phone it's better than nothing. Someone here might even have an old battery they would give you as well. Let us know if you need anything and keep us posted.

http://www.wattswalnut.com/4500.jpg

Justin

[av8or]

justin,
thanks bro, i appreciate it, but you just reminded me that i have my ol 4700 lying around somewhere so i could have them reactivate that if they want to send my phone away
(although, i wouldn't mind them upgrading me to like a 4920 lol)

[av8or]

update:
spoke to gal in retention, very helpful, recomended i take the phone to the store to get it tested and replaced, made notes on acct stating such
went to store, guy tested it, said the reception test was fine (or course it doens't freak when he tests it lol) and if i really wasn't happy with the phone they could replace it with the audiovox v600. i said eh, no thanks, the reviews i'd seen on it, are worse then the p300 i already had, he then said he could get a sanyo4900 but it would take a little while to get it.
i asked if they had anything a little more 'current' he said the 4920 but i would have to pay for it ($50, which is odd since its only 20 more than the v600 he offered as direct replacement)
i said i'd just try the 4900 first so it should be in during the week sometime.

[justinwatts]

I'd definitely go with the 4920, man. It gets great signal and battery life, and it is tri-mode versus the 4900 being a dual mode phone. But I hope whatever you get works for you. Glad we could help you out!

[av8or]

question is, can i get them to give me the 4920 (or at least to pay the $20 difference over vi600 they offered) maybe i'll call the retention number again and see if they can help.

[MsRandall]

Hold on I know I am currently suffering from a hangover...long night but a phone bought at a kiosk has the same warranty as a phone bought anywhere else...all you have to do is go to a store and have them replace it under warranty...if the phone was not damaged and it is acting up...this would be a free process....havibg software updated on the phone by and sprint tech doesnt void your warranty....

[Vanity3]

I would call retention first [(877)417-7846]. Explain the situation and let them know that you thought you were getting a new phone, not a demo unit. If that doesn't work, call executive services [(888)347-8988].

What is 'executive services'?

[Draggar]

Hold on I know I am currently suffering from a hangover...long night but a phone bought at a kiosk has the same warranty as a phone bought anywhere else...all you have to do is go to a store and have them replace it under warranty...if the phone was not damaged and it is acting up...this would be a free process....havibg software updated on the phone by and sprint tech doesnt void your warranty....

But -

First, this is soundling like it wasn't a Sprint owned kiosk and more of a 3rd party koisk.

If they used it as a loaner phone, then sold it to the OP, that phone would have no warranty (warranties do not transfer).

[av8or]

well, went to the store again, guy won't have any part of only paying the $20 difference between the vi600 (that he intially offered as a replacement) and the 4920 (that he says i have to pay $50 to get), tried calling the retention number and get soem strange recording about it not being accessible from my area, call regular *2, gal at customer service says that retention doesn't exist and they could no longer swap my phone out for me and that ALL warranty transactions or replacements are done through the stores now.

well i can't really afford to shell out $50 bucks for the phone, but i really don't think getting the 4900 (while granted a good phone, still 1-1.5 since release just like my p300 was)

again, i'd really rather not use lockline (don't want to abuse the system too much ;) ) but if its the difference between 50bucks and 15(is that the warranty replacment cost?) for the 4920. thats assuming that lockline is capable of telling me what phone i would get in replacement, any one out there with experience recently with lockline?
thanks again for everyone's help

[Tygon]

What is 'executive services'?

Executive services/escalations/corporate HQ

at least that's my understanding... never had a reason to call them

[justinwatts]

well, went to the store again, guy won't have any part of only paying the $20 difference between the vi600 (that he intially offered as a replacement) and the 4920 (that he says i have to pay $50 to get), tried calling the retention number and get soem strange recording about it not being accessible from my area, call regular *2, gal at customer service says that retention doesn't exist and they could no longer swap my phone out for me and that ALL warranty transactions or replacements are done through the stores now.

well i can't really afford to shell out $50 bucks for the phone, but i really don't think getting the 4900 (while granted a good phone, still 1-1.5 since release just like my p300 was)

again, i'd really rather not use lockline (don't want to abuse the system too much ;) ) but if its the difference between 50bucks and 15(is that the warranty replacment cost?) for the 4920. thats assuming that lockline is capable of telling me what phone i would get in replacement, any one out there with experience recently with lockline?
thanks again for everyone's help


Does the $50 mean that you are renewing your contract? If so, you might qualify for the $30 web special on sprint's website, making the 4920 only $20.

[av8or]

Does the $50 mean that you are renewing your contract? If so, you might qualify for the $30 web special on sprint's website, making the 4920 only $20.

not that i can tell, the guy was saying something about 'differences in retail prices' between my phone and the 4920 because its a warranty issue, no contract renewal (already did that to get this phone in teh first place)

[justinwatts]

If you called lockline they might be able to tell you what phone you would get in exchange. Check the FAQ for the number. Don't know what to tell you, the ball's in your court. Figure out how much you want to pay and which phone is worth it to you.

[djfreake]

not for nothing but if i were you and you were some swedish ski bunny...id pay the 50 bux and go with the 4920...you wont be disappointed.

[av8or]

nope, no swedish ski bunny here, just a big dumb white guy :D

prolly gonna have to do the 50bucks thing (even though i really can't afford to just chuck away fity bucks like that), phones just too wacky

now that it appears that retention and exec services are back, anyone think i should try them again one last time?

[vodeneal]

Are you expecting Sprint to just give you one? If you can get a 4920 for $50, take it.

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