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TracFone

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

It sounds simple enough. TracFone advertises itself as an easy-to-use prepaid cellular service. Just buy the minutes in advance and order more when you need them. But some customers say it's not that easy. Read a few of their reports and AT&T, Verizon and other big bullies don't look quite so fearsome.

Oh, and here's Tracfone's response:

Hello Tracfone customer my name is Elston and I am a Tracfone Employee and I am her to assist anyone that is having a problem with their phones. you can contact me at 1.800.626.4883 ext 6107 or by email elombillo@tracfone.com.

Rev of Ripton,, VT August 26, 2008

Rev of Ripton, VT (08/26/08)
it took 12 calls to activate our phone 120 minute card

Elizabeth of Union, NJ August 13, 2008

Elizabeth of Union NJ (08/13/08)
I purchased a new Tracfone and wanted to switch my current Tracfone number to the new cell phone. On July 28, 2008, I called Tracfone. The agent removed my remaining minutes from my old phone and provided me with a case number. The agent told me it would take up to 48 hours to update. The agent neglected to tell me that it is 48 business hours. On July 31, I contacted Tracfone again, and was told it would take one more day. I contacted Tracfone on August 4th and was told it would take an additional 24 hours. Again, the agent neglected to tell me that it would be 24 business hours.

I contacted Tracfone on August 7. This time the agent apologized for the delay and explained the situation to me. The old transmission tower needed to release the informaion before the new transmission tower was able to update the new cell phone. I was informed to call back on August 9th after 3pm to update the new cell phone.

On August 9th, the Tracfone agent informed me that it is not ready and would take an additional two or three days. Please call on Wednesday. August 13th, I called Tracfone after 3pm only to get the same nonsense. That it would take an additional 24 hours. I had to ask the agent if it was business hours or clock hours. The agent informed me that it was business hours. I had to ask when does the 24 business hours begin. The agent reported that business hours are 8am to 3pm and I should try calling on August 17th after 3pm.

I have been without my cell phone for 17 days. I have missed appointment calls and text messages. During this time, my mother was in the nursing center and gave them my cell phone. I had missed a phone call from the nursing home. Nothing major with my mother but I can't help think what if it was. I don't know who else called since I cannot retrieve my voice or text messages. I use this number on my resume and I was expecting a job interview. Since I cannot retrieve my messages, I cannot return phone calls.

Lynne of Round O, SC August 5, 2008

Lynne of Round O SC (08/05/08)
My service was about to expire on July 5, 2008. I bought an airtime card for 60 minutes from Walmart on July 4, and added it on July 5. NEITHER The minutes nor the new service expiration date never appeared on my phone.(although the expiration date changed ONE DAY--to July 6) I finally called in, after some time of trying to get contact by Internet--and spoke to the Rep. who answered the phone. She could barely speak English--and I had a hard time even getting across that my minutes were not added.

When I finally THOUGHT I'd explained myself--she told me that I'd admitted (like I was commiting a crime!) that my service had continued past the old expiration date. I told her yes--my SERVICE had continued, but I needed the MINUTES added to my On-phone total, AND my new expiration date of October 5 put on my phone too. She informed me that she couldn't give me any minutes without purchasing a phone card! I told her I'd already done so--all I wanted was for them to be added to the total that was already on my phone, and the new expiration date to be displayed. She told me they WERE--I told her they WERE NOT; and asked to speak to her Supervisor.

After many delay tactics--during which she claimed she was talking to her Supervisor; I finally spoke to a person who CLAIMED to be her Supervisor; but sounded like the same girl. THIS person went through the same explanation with me about how I was supposed to buy another card before I could get more minutes! Finally, after I told her AGAIN that I'd been using the SERVICE and my CARRY-OVER minutes; and had NEVER had the 60 minutes I bought added to my total; NOR had the expiration date changed on my phone--she told me that they would not be able to help me at this time.

She asked if I had any other questions and I said yes--I want to know when you are going to add the 60 minutes I bought on July 4 added to my total, and also when you are going to change the expiration date on my phone? With a huff of exaspiration, she HUNG UP on me! My phone STILL reflects the 27 minutes or so I've got left from the PRIOR card, and STILL says that my service expires on July 6, 2008. I'm at a loss as to how to get my minutes added--or my date changed on my phone! (besides my aggravation!)

I don't have the use of my 20 worth of minutes; I can't refer to my phone for minutes remaining or expiration date--and I've been stressed to death! I'm on full Disability; I can't handle alot of this--I need my phone to work when I need it, especially in an emergency. Without the extra minutes I bought available, I'll run out soon. I simply can't handle a so-called Supervisor actually HANGING UP on me! I wasn't asking for a thing that they haven't done before (this happened once before) and I was respectful. THEY got rude.

Gary of Provo, UT July 2, 2008

Gary of Provo UT (07/02/08)
I had been with TracFone for a few years. I bought a new cell phone (in a TracFone blister package) at a retail outlet. When I called TracFone to activate the new phone, I asked to use my existing TracFone number. TracFone immediately deactivated my old phone and sent me the wrong SIM card.

After nine more calls to the TracFone call center (in South America), I received two more bad SIM cards, lost the minutes I had previously purchased, had two dead cell phones and no service for two months--the worst service I have ever experienced from any company, ever.

Roberto of Oceanside, CA June 30, 2008

Roberto of Oceanside CA (06/30/08)
I have purchased and received two Motorola phones W260G directly from TRACFONE, FOR 64.63. I have called 800- on June 13, 2008 to initiate the activation process and requested to transfer my existing phone numbers from Nextel, to Tracfone. I completed the process for both phones, I was given the case #, and I was told the process will take seven days.

As to this date, June 30, 2008 I haven't received the Simm cards the company promised and nobody contacted me by phone or email to explain the delay. I called back on June 21, 2008 and I was asked to provide the same information again for a follow-up with their IT. I have been without cell phone service since the service with my former carrier was terminated by TRACFONE and worst of all, my former cell phone numbers I asked to transfer are still up in the air.

TRACFONE WIRELESS, INC.service is worthless, and their company claim that the activating process will take seven days is not only misleading, by false. I am no longer interested in pursuing cell phone activation by TRACFONE and I would like to return their cell phones for a complete credit. I have sent an email to TRACFORE today, June 30, 2008 and also asked to start the process for the purchase refund of these two phones. I have been without cell phone service for a total of 17 days and worst of all, my two former Nextel numbers I asked TRACFONE to transfer, are in limbo.

64.63 for the purchase of these phones and unspecified damages for the inconvenience, loss of cell phone usage, and, for the potential loss of my former cell phone numbers from Nextel.

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