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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

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.

Allen of Fairmont, WV July 21, 2008

Allen of Fairmont WV (07/21/08)
My wife's TracFone becomes inoperative when outside our local area. Messages include Unregistered SIM, No Service, Emergency Use Only. I have made calls, emails, and service ticket entries. Usually the response is wait 24 hours. Regardless of the methods the phone dooes not begin working until she returns home.

Recently upon return from the last trip the voice mail no longer responds to the security code. Technical Support supposedly reset the code to the default but that code does not work either. The experience has convinced us to not continue the service. It is a nice idea but the reliability is not acceptable. As a service for people traveling and needing a method of contacting family it is not dependable.

Ann of Snohomish, WA July 21, 2008

Ann of Snohomish WA (07/21/08)
I have had my Tracfone cell for 5 years. Always I have been able to use it in Victoria & Vancouver B.C. Now when my car broke down & I needed to use it in Victoria to get assistance, also when at Tswassen Ferry terminal to call my daughter to let her know what ferry I would be on I get the message NO SERVICE

I have been told that I am NO longer able to use the phone in Canada. There has never been any warning that in future This service would not be available. If, I am no longer able to use it I want a refund for the 916.9 units available. The idea that ALL of a sudden I cannot use the phone makes it absolutely useless.

Carol of New Brighton, PA May 11, 2008

Carol of New Brighton, PA (05/11/08)
I just want to say that I have used Tracfone for several years without a problem. I have had to call once or twice for issues and they have treated me well, and have immediatly acted on my concerns. They were very helpful to me in learning how to use a cell phone and even though my old phone is totally outdated and huge, I keep it because I like Tracfone.

Gary of Williamstown, MA February 19, 2008

Gary of Williamstown MA (02/19/08)
Three years ago, I gave up on my TracFone because the Cingular network they assigned was worthless where I live. Recently, hoping that things had changed, I e-mailed TracFone and asked whether I could get the Verizon network (the only one that works reasonably well here). After two irrelevant replies, I finally was assured that Verizon was the network for my area code. When I tried to reactivate the old phone, I discovered in a very lengthy, broken-English phone call, that it would no longer work, but that TracFone would send me a new, 15 Motorola to replace my old 49 Nokia. When the new phone arrived, I discovered (a) that its battery would not take a charge and (b), after another hours conversation, that my network would be Cingular! I decided to give TracFone one more chance. They are sending me a replacement phone and I will try to get them to honor their assurance that I can have Verizon. Truthfully, I am not holding much hope.

Consequence: a waste of this writer's valuable time.

Martha of Kerhonkson, NY January 19, 2008

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