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TracFone - Network Problems

TracFone • Missing minutes • Activation problems • Can't get local number • Defective phone • Network problems • Lost the phone • Advertising, promotions • Rebate problems • Inside Trac --- News • TracFone Pays $50,000 for Violating Missouri's Do Not Call Law

Tracy of Poultney, VT March 27, 2009

Tracy of Poultney VT (03/27/09)
My daughter purchased a tracfone to use to text message her friends. She purchased a model that was advertised as a model that would work in my area. Sadly, the phone was not equipped with the proper technology to work with the cell tower in our town. To date we have spent at least 10-12 hours on the phone with tech support...possibly even more hours. I was told several times that I needed a replacement phone and that I would be contacted withing 24-48 hours to confirm shipping information and be provided with a ticket number.

After not receiving the confirmation call I was forced to call back, only to be told that I needed to go through the troubleshooting process again. This happened several times! When I finally was able to get an agent to provide me with a ticket number for a replacement phone, they sent me the EXACT SAME MODEL PHONE that does not have the proper technology for my area! I'm beyond frustrated with this phone. The sad part is this: the phone was purchased by my 14 year old daughter with her own money and this company has taken her money and not delivered the service that she paid for.

The phone plus airtime card cost approximately 55. The 10-12+ hours we've spent on the phone trying to fix it...priceless. Those are hours that should have been spent with my 5 children.

Sandra of Excelsior Springs, MO March 17, 2009

Sandra of Excelsior Springs MO (03/17/09)
I,m on my 3rd fone since Oct.The phones were Motorola, I was told by a rep they didn't work in my area.They were to send a different brand. Well today a Motorola showed up,another reconditioned one!Wouldn't activate, put bunches of codes in.Finally my minutes showed up,but lo & behold no service! Restriction-34, just like the other2.Theylady I talked to hung up on me.I,m disabled & was stranded on the road,had to finally walk for help!

I have lung problems & the walk sure didn't help! I,d just gotten out of the hospital for this problem when I was stranded.

Sandra of St.louis, MO March 12, 2009

Sandra of St.louis MO (03/12/09)
I was given a Tracfone for a valentine gift. I constantly get wrong numbers 5 to 10 times a day. Bausch & Laum, a lense company has the same number with a different area code but people don't always use the area code. Yet I get people calling for other companies also.

It is a hassle just to own one of these phones unless you know every persons phone number that you ever associated with.

John of Defiance, OH March 2, 2009

John of Defiance OH (03/02/09)
My wife, Karen, wrote in November 2008 about receiving spam text messages on her Tracfone, apparently from Tracfone, trying to sell Tracfone promotions. I, too, receive these Tracfone messages. She has quit using their service, and when my minutes run out, I will too. Until Tracfone's business declines, nothing will be done by them. I encourage everyone to visit as many complaint websites as possible and also spread the word about the Tracfone's poor business practice. If anyone hears of a group lawsuit against Tracfone, please write and let us all know--we will join.

Dean of La Crosse, WI December 30, 2008

Dean of La Crosse WI (12/30/08)
Be extremely cautious of purchasing a Tracfone from the Tracfone web site. The phones listed based on the zip code question they ask often will not work for your area. I spent more than 10 hours on the phone with customer support over 10 days to find out the phone I purchased will not accept a local phone number due to the technology of the phone not supported by the service providers in our 608 area code whom Tracfone contracts with.

The web site is a classic Bait and Switch. They offer you a wonderful phone with lots of cool features at a price you can not turn down. Only to find out after you order the phone and waste countless hours of your life on the phone with non-English speaking service reps, that the phone will not work in your area. Then to complete the classic Bait and Switch, they offer to replace the useless cool phone you have just purchased with a lesser phone with very few features. then to add insult to injury, if you choose not to accept their replacement phone, you have to pay return shipping.

This classic Bait and Switch' should really be looked into by someone. The end result is I've wasted over 10 hours of my life struggling on the phone with services reps who either could not understand me, or me understand them. I put my credit card out on the web for potential loss to identify thieves and now have to pay an additional 5.65 for shipping and handling to get my money back.

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