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I don't even know if I'm technically allowed to post this here...
Admins, I'm not specifically trying to sell anything, I just want to clear up some info on EVO preorders, at least from the RadioShack standpoint. If I need to word things differently, let me know, I'll be happy to change the post.
I'm the store manager of RadioShack. Currently, you can preorder the EVO from RadioShack for a $50 down payment. You pay $50 up front, we give you a gift card with the $50 on it you can use towards the price of the phone at time of purchase. If you decide not to go with the phone, the $50 gift card is non-refundable, but you can use it for anything in the store. The company is also throwing in a $20 credit for accessories that you can use at the time of purchase. The full un-subsidized retail price is $499, which you can preorder for as well. RadioShack requires that you be able to activate the phone, which means that you have to be eligible for an upgrade or eligible for a new line in order to preorder. It is not, however, a requirement to activate the phone in order to buy it.
We also have a trade-in program for any of your old phones, we can give you money back that you can use at the time on the price of the EVO. As a base for comparison, a HTC Hero in fair condition will net you about $90 back.
All the RadioShack stores inventory of EVO phones is based upon how many pre-orders we sell leading up to launch day, so if you preorder from us, you are guaranteed to be able to get your phone that specific day. We may be busy and you might have to wait until we can get to you, but we guarantee to have enough phones in stock to cover preorders. We are supposedly going to have several other EVO's shipped as well for those who did not preorder, but those will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your best bet is to preorder, that's the only way we can guarantee you get a phone.
I have personally had the opportunity to use this phone as part of inter-company training, and let me tell you: every rumor you've ever heard about this phone being fast as all hell is absolutely true. This thing is a beast. I've already pre-ordered mine, and anyone in the area is welcome to stop in the store. We're not allowed to show anyone or demo the real deal before launch date, but we do have a dummy models that I would think that anyone would be happy to show, so you can see how the real phone feels prior to launch.
So that's all I got, I'll post any more info as I get it.
I went to my local RS a week ago and asked if I could pre-order an unsubsidized EVO. I watched the employee call his district manager and ask if this was possible. The answer was a flat out "NO".
I have seen varying reports from different members, both here and at Android Central, who have asked this question at their local RS stores. Some say yes and some say no.
My question is: Why is this a variable phenomenon?? It should be either allowed at all stores or not allowed. Not left to the whim (or ignorance of policy) of the managers.
Please understand, I am not attacking you and I greatly appreciate the info you have posted. It's just starting to drive me nuts!!
EDIT: I am going to stop by the store again on the way home from work and ask if the pre-order policy has changed. I will report back what I am told.
i pre-ordered mine from the manager at a radio shack. i'm not eligible for upgrade and i told him i was planning to pay full price. he checked out my phone number on his system and said i can totally pre-order it and pay full price. also i have the everything plus family 1600 plan, and he told me i would simply need to add the $10 4g data onto the line with the evo but i wouldn't need to change my plan.
Thank you for the information I already preordered my EVO at RS but I didn't know about the trade in part and the sales agent didn't tell me about it either. Might be something to bring up to training, I feel this is something I should of been told about when ordering the phone. My G1 is nearly flawless have had a Full body skin covering it from day one wonder how much I'll get. Oh I also have a Dash can i turn in both phones?
yes, there is no limit to how many phones you can turn in. We also take mp3 players, gps units, and other small electronics.
CLARIFICATION: you can not preorder the EVO at RS without being qualified with Sprint. This means you must either be eligible for an upgrade, or be eligible for a new line of service. As far as I am aware, you do not actually have to activate the phone in order to purchase it. For example:
Say you do not have or want sprint service, or you are up for an upgrade but do not wish to renew your contract. RS associates will run your credit for a new line of service, or check upgrade eligibility. We do a preorder, you pay the $50 down for a gift card. When the phone comes in on the 4th, you can choose to just buy it outright, the price is $499, and you can use that $50 gift card towards the price of it.
Hope that helps.
Sweet! thanks for the info.
Btw, what's the difference between pre-ordering through sprint and pre-ordering through radio shack? Any reason i should go with one or the other? I have a radio shack to my left and a sprint store to my right... at this very moment.
And are you guys taking in iPhones?
I believe at the sprint store you actually have to pay 299 and mail in the 100 dollar rebate where RS instantly reduces the phone to 199 and they give you a 20 credit towards accessories.
0okami said:
Btw, what's the difference between pre-ordering through sprint and pre-ordering through radio shack?
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The Sprint stores here are not taking pre-orders, AT ALL. Some will open an hour early and some won't.
I stopped by the Radio Shack store and asked the one employee there if I could pre-order without an upgrade or a new line of service and he said he wasn't sure but could see no reason why I shouldn't be able to. I decided to do it but when he looked for a gift card he realized that they were out. He made a phone call to what sounded like his manager and was on the phone with him for quite a while. After he hung up he said that there were NO gift cards anywhere in the district (due to the EVO pre-orders) and that there was no indication that there would be any more before the 4th! He offered to take my name and number to let me know if any more came in. He also told me the same thing that the employee from my previous attempt: call the store on the morning of the 4th and they would set one aside for me.
So, there it is. On the 4th I will be in line at the Sprint store. If it looks like it's out of control (which seems VERY possible) I will be calling Radio Shack and hoping they have some left.
The sprint store's price is $299, and then you get a $100 mail in rebate. At radioshack, the price out the door is $199. Also, at RS you get a $20 credit towards accessories.
And if a store says they have no gift cards, well, my store is in Bellmead, TX, (the north side of waco) and I have plenty of them.
nuformzdesign said:
The sprint store's price is $299, and then you get a $100 mail in rebate. At radioshack, the price out the door is $199. Also, at RS you get a $20 credit towards accessories.
And if a store says they have no gift cards, well, my store is in Bellmead, TX, (the north side of waco) and I have plenty of them.
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LOL, it's only 100 miles plus change!
My mom used to live in Waco but moved back down to Temple. If she was still up there I would go "visit" her on the 4th.
Any chance that I can slide some money under the table and pick up my Evo earlier? How much earlier do you guys get the pre-orders? Will it be a week before launch?
Maybe I'll come with a Box O Joe and some donuts on me..
grr i applied for radioshack and got an interview but never a call back!!!!!
gqstatus0685 said:
Any chance that I can slide some money under the table and pick up my Evo earlier? How much earlier do you guys get the pre-orders? Will it be a week before launch?
Maybe I'll come with a Box O Joe and some donuts on me..
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I wish. We probably wont get them till the day before though. And will be unable to ring them out until the 4th anyway.
nuformzdesign said:
yes, there is no limit to how many phones you can turn in. We also take mp3 players, gps units, and other small electronics.
CLARIFICATION: you can not preorder the EVO at RS without being qualified with Sprint. This means you must either be eligible for an upgrade, or be eligible for a new line of service. As far as I am aware, you do not actually have to activate the phone in order to purchase it. For example:
Say you do not have or want sprint service, or you are up for an upgrade but do not wish to renew your contract. RS associates will run your credit for a new line of service, or check upgrade eligibility. We do a preorder, you pay the $50 down for a gift card. When the phone comes in on the 4th, you can choose to just buy it outright, the price is $499, and you can use that $50 gift card towards the price of it.
Hope that helps.
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You can pre-order one without being qualified IF you're buying it for full retail price.
I went to Radio Shack yesterday and surprise I was the very first one to pre-order phone at this particular radio shack.
The OP specifications were exactly correct. They gave me a $50.00 gift card. They ran a credit for me, I was eligible for five lines. I am a new Sprint customer.
Heck, I could've taken a phone for free, test it, and when the EVO arrives in two weeks, exchange it (of course buying EVO) since Sprint offers 30 day guarantee to test it.
VGPOP said:
I went to Radio Shack yesterday and surprise I was the very first one to pre-order phone at this particular radio shack.
The OP specifications were exactly correct. They gave me a $50.00 gift card. They ran a credit for me, I was eligible for five lines. I am a new Sprint customer.
Heck, I could've taken a phone for free, test it, and when the EVO arrives in two weeks, exchange it (of course buying EVO) since Sprint offers 30 day guarantee to test it.
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I've seen the "loan phone" option reported in several Radio Shack posts now.
I just went to RS and I too paid $50 for pre order and got $50 giftcard but that RS employee did not run the credit check at all!
I am coming from ATT/iPhone. Not sure what's going on! Anyway, he asked me when I can come to pick it up and I said on 4th!
May be he will run the credit check on 4th?! But what if I am not eligible for any line with Sprint!?
v2tech said:
I just went to RS and I too paid $50 for pre order and got $50 giftcard but that RS employee did not run the credit check at all!
I am coming from ATT/iPhone. Not sure what's going on! Anyway, he asked me when I can come to pick it up and I said on 4th!
May be he will run the credit check on 4th?! But what if I am not eligible for any line with Sprint!?
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I would go back in and have them do the credit check before the 4th so you know exactly what you need.
So, I read on another forum that Best Buy is giving out free bluetooth headsets with each EVO purchse (pre-order). Any plans by Radio Shack to up the ante?
doubt it!!
chazglenn3 said:
So, I read on another forum that Best Buy is giving out free bluetooth headsets with each EVO purchse (pre-order). Any plans by Radio Shack to up the ante?
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However, what kind of bluetooth are they giving is the question??
Amazing what these stores get away with. my wife and I stopped in at a premium retailer and were looking at the dinc2 just out of curiosity. I liked it but told the salesman that I really need 4g for the constant tethering I do for work, I told him my upgrade HAD to be a 4g. He told me that there is a Sim card that updates the phone to 4g coming out very soon. Like an idiot I bought 2 on my upgrade and got rid of my Dinc 1. I ran the ruu right there in the store and unrooted, handed it to my brother. Throw your blackberry in the trash dude....
When I found out he lied the manager said he would not wave the restocking fee. He also said the activation for two years was irrevocable. Called Verizon, they waved it and said I have 14 days for the activation reset.
Manager of the store, when I called back, said since he is a premium retailer, he can and will charge the fee. had to call Verizon back to prove this untrue.
There must be no governing of these stores at all. , Verizon doesn't care and there doesn't seem to be much I can do. I love the phone actually but no way i'm buying it from these guys....but I HATE to have to fight with people over stuff like this
Anyway just fishing for opinions, and looking for any advise I can get.
at least i'm back to running magnolia. man I missed that ROM! Runs awesome on this phone too.
Unfortunately it is the retailers phone not Verizon's, so in fact he can charge whatever he wants. Bypass the manager and talk to the OWNER of the franchise should get it taken care of. I'm sorry that you were lied to but this is a perfect example of why doing your research is VERY important, who knows the store you go to may end up trying to charge every cent
If this is a 2 year renewal upgrade, you could have went thru Amazonwireless.com and purchased the Dinc2 for 1 penny + free shipping. Yes only a cent!
Tbolt and Droid 2 are also available starting at only a penny depending on your contract, discount and renewal.
I looked at Verizonwireless.com and they wanted $199-$30 Verizon credit = $169, then on my corporate discount website and they wanted $199-$30 Verizon Credit - $30 Corp discount = $139.
Amzonwireless.com 1 penny + free shipping and it was delivered to my door in 2 days.
just want to add my experience with a third party retailer. I bought a tbolt from one and didn't like it, I have a mifi pad so my phone doesn't need to have 4g I went to return it to get my dinc2 they said they couldn't because I didn't have the.sleeve with the serial numbers that goes over the box. so I went home and tore the house apart. then my wife, who has a photographic memory, informs me it didn't come with a sleeve. so I went back to the store and it took three calls to a manager and me raising all kinds of hell to get it switched. the tbolt was only two days old by the way. Morale of the story is third party vendors are crooked an will screw you all day if you let them
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
And to add to all the above... A lot of the salespeople have no clue as to what they are selling. They will tell you anything to make the sale.
I do know there are a few out there that do know what's up in the world of mobile phones, but where I live they are few and far between.
Google as I say (and many others) is your friend.
Hopefully you can get this straightened out without costing you more money.
I have to say that third parties are hit and miss. I manage a premium location in sc. We follow the guide lines of Corp. If customer service says waive then we waive. We are one of the few around that work off that philosophy. We want customers to have a better experience in our stores than corporate stores.
With that said I have had my own horrible experiences at premiums and authorized retailers. There a lot of crooks out there and will rip you a new one at the drop of the hat.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
your one of the few good ones then. too be honest that whole experienced soured me on third party retailers I'll spend the extra couple bucks and go to the official Verizon store
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
oxlong, you and I shoulda gotten together! Thats the one I want lol. I can handle the battery.
I freaking dropped it today. Put a small but unfixable dent on the top. The fine print of the guarentee doesnt mention condition of the phone. Hope I didnt just give them their out.
be wary of the bolt. most of the roms are buggy and that's not the devs fault HTC still haven't released official GB to my knowledge so that means no source code. and I can deal with poor battery life but the bolts batt life is just horrible. maybe mine was just a lemon I don't know. a good solution is a mifi it picks up 3 and 4g and is ultra portable I love mine
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Back when I got my Titan from a premium box store, it would not turn on the second day. I called Verizon and they told me in the first 30 days I needed to go back to this store. They said I did not buy the protection plan, so it was not covered. I called Verizon customer service and they called this store and the VZW service rep corrected everything for me. She even let me listen in on the conversation as she set them straight. Try calling VZW and complaint about this third party and how they are doing you wrong.
kmanuel74 said:
Back when I got my Titan from a premium box store, it would not turn on the second day. I called Verizon and they told me in the first 30 days I needed to go back to this store. They said I did not buy the protection plan, so it was not covered. I called Verizon customer service and they called this store and the VZW service rep corrected everything for me. She even let me listen in on the conversation as she set them straight. Try calling VZW and complaint about this third party and how they are doing you wrong.
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yep same thing I had to do. if I wouldn't have gotten Verizon involved they would have walked all over me
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Um so, I got my "prepaid app" card in the mail today. What I originally expected to be $25 applied to my account somehow - so i would have a credit to purchase apps with, I then found out to be a prepaid card which I assumed you could use to purchase apps.
What is literally is is a prepaid visa card - that you can use anywhere on anything you want - which can also be used when purchasing apps.
This is pretty neat IMO, in that I can do what I want with it - which now means my phone actually cost -$24.99.
I had to register the card @ prepaid.citi.com/uswindowsphone
this eventually leads you, at least in MD, to the same site and system used by the MD Dept. of Labor - which is what you get your unemployment prepaid cards through - in case anyone may already have an account, you may have to create a brand new one for your card. FYI
plan on using this probably for groceries or something
you can't use it anywhere but the app market
where does it say that?
svtfmook said:
you can't use it anywhere but the app market
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i been looking fdor it.
emjlr3 said:
where does it say that?
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when you filled out the info for the card.
plus people have tried using it at other places.
sauce plz????
I tried to use it a Chinese restaurant the other day on accident. It looks a lot like my my visa check card. It didn't work.
Sent from my PI39100 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Can you buy these cards?
lip said:
Can you buy these cards?
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http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=20311005
Sent from my PI39100 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
just checked the T&C here:
https://windowsphone.promo.eprize.com/redemptionprogram/tandc
And verified the merchant codes here:
http://www.citibank.com/transactionservices/home/sa/a2/gsasmartpay2/reference/docs/h.pdf
It actually seems you may be able to use at any retailer that sell digital or electronic goods. I am going to attempt to use it at gamestop online now. I'll let you know how it goes.
---------- Post added at 04:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------
Just tried on Steam. It didn't work
nice post
must be used at merchants with the following codes:
Merchant Category Codes of 4816, 4812, 4814, 5021, 5310, 5045, 5732, 5734, 5735, 7372 and 7379
I tried it at fandango.com yesterday and it did not work
4812 Telecommunications Equipment and Telephone Sales
4814 Telecommunication Services, Including Local and Long Distance Calls, Credit Card Calls
4816 Computer Network/Information Services
5021 Office and Commercial Furniture
5310 Discount Stores
5045 Computers and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software
5732 Electronics Stores
5734 Computer Software Stores
5735 Record Stores
7372 Computer Programming, Data Processing and Integrated Systems Design Services
7379 Computer Maintenance, Repair and Services
Makes sense why Fandango would not work. Wonder if like Newegg or Amazon would work??
wonder if there is somewhere you can check MCC codes for various merchants??
I tried to use it to buy points on the Nintendo 3DS eShop; it didn't work. This was before I went through the website though - but I didn't think the card needed to be activated.
I wonder if I can use it at an AT&T store to buy an iTunes gift card?
I actually recieved two cards for my Radar.
I added one of the cards to my account, and love the fact, I can download app's and music.
With the second, after reading the TOS, and verifing the Merchant codes, I used the second one to pay my T-Mobile bill. It worked like a charm.
I also heard but haven't tried, you can use the card at Best Buy. But again, I do not know how true this is.
But hey, I love the fact that my Radar was free and then I got two WP App cards, and now I also am getting a $50 rebate card from T-Mo. So the move to WP had paid for itself over and over!
would be great if I could buy these prepaid cards instead of having to tie a credit card to zune...
I am just extremely frustrated with Best Buy for this Note 4 preorder business. I placed my preoder on 10/9. They said when it is here and ready to pick up, we will send you an email. I have not received an email yet, but it has almost been a full week since preorders have been out. (This is specifically in regards to NYC). It baffles me they are not receiving any Sprint Note 4's (regardless if you ordered the black or white version), but they have all the other carriers (with the exception of Verizon). I've been calling Best Buy on the daily to get an understanding as to why the phone has not arrived yet. Everyday is a different answer. I've had one rep tell me it's Samsung's fault because they haven't shipped them out to us. Another rep told me that they do have some coming in but their delivery days into the store are Wed and Fri. Another rep told me we will get them when we get them and just look out for our email.
What is the point of preordering a phone when it doesn't come in and it is already released to the rest of the market? And how do you not give a customer a valid reason as to why the phone is not yet in your store but rather say oh this is a city wide issue? Shouldn't you try to find out as to what is going with the shipment seeing how this is a FLAGSHIP PHONE for Samsung and why is it only the SPRINT version with no delivery? The sad thing is that I used to work for Best Buy about a decade ago, and the service that we gave was better.
Anyone else running into this issue with Best Buy?
Yep. Same issue here with my wife's white sprint phone. I even preordered both the same day as you, the 9th, but I got my black one release day, hers, I get the same exact run around you are getting. It really sucks.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
I preordered mine the day preorders opened up and got an email may Thursday night that my phone had arrived and I could pick it up
I placed my pre-order on 09/26/2014 with the ship to home option to avoid the short shipped supplies to the stores. It finally came on Wednesday and I activated it after work. When I went into the store for my price match (I was billed at $349.99 but they dropped it to $299.99), the store manager told me he can't do anything for me because it was an online order. When I asked for my $200 pre-order/rebate via Samsung, he told me that the promotion was changed and it had to be the phone that was on the line that got the upgrade. I told him that when I placed my pre-order, that was not the case and I expect the promotion listed at the time of my pre-order honored. He again told me that he couldn't do anything for me. After several attempts at calling 888-best-buy and remaining on hold for 15+ minutes each time, I just sent an email off to customer service. It's ridiculous how they really screwed the pooch on this whole pre-order process and now are trying to cheat me out of $250! Definitely the last time I pre-order anything from WORSTbuy, maybe last purchase period....
Pre-ordered mine on 10/15, called BestBuy about 30-35 times (from 17 to 22) and as result they change my "expedite" shipping to "express" shipping. Enough for me to receive phone on evening of 22nd.
Every time I called them I heard same crap "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow" and on 21st I was told that my delivery will be on 20th??? Yes, day before which already passed. WOW, what a service, they deliver into "past time". I exploded and got mine on 22nd as mentioned earlier.
I believe this might be my last pre-order with best buy ever...
i preordered mine the week preorders came available. when i checked on my preorder i found out i don't really have a preorder and have to wait to see if any extra's show up. I have given up calling as that is useless. Im just gonna sit back and wait to see if i can get one if not i guess i just won't upgrade to a new phone. Lesson learned i will never preorder from best buy again i don't care if they give me a million dollars off my upgrade it just isn't worth it.
I'm so fed up with this crap. I suggest contacting your favorite android news sites and imploring them to give this issue more coverage. Maybe then the higher-ups at these multibillion dollar corporations will finally have something to say about why those who preordered still don't have their devices, or even a rough ETA.
I'm in the same boat, as the rest of you.
I've called the store, and the customer service line, every day. It is definitely Best Buys fault. They try to put the blame on Sprint, but I know several people on AT&T, with the same problem. In the AT&T forums, Best Buy, told them them it was AT&Ts fault.
So, as I said a couple of days ago, either AT&T and Sprint, are working together, to sell less phones, and get less people locked into two year contracts, or Best Buy is responsible for this mess.
LMMT said:
So, as I said a couple of days ago, either AT&T and Sprint, are working together, to sell less phones, and get less people locked into two year contracts, or Best Buy is responsible for this mess.
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Why would Sprint not want me to renew my contract? Even if they do away with unlimited data they can still affect that change regardless of my contract renewal, so I'm confused why you're saying that.
ffolkes said:
Why would Sprint not want me to renew my contract? Even if they do away with unlimited data they can still affect that change regardless of my contract renewal, so I'm confused why you're saying that.
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I'm agreeing with you. I'm just giving two possible scenarios. One ridiculous possibility, where Sprint and AT&T, are working together, in a conspiracy to sell less phones, and less two year contracts. The other (real) scenario is, it's ALL BBs fault. (BB blames Sprint, when talking to Sprint customers, and AT&T, when talking to AT&T customers). They refuse to acknowledge their incompetence.
I'm in the same boat. And this will DEFINITELY be the last thing. I ever purchase from best buy.
I think they don't want to honor the 200 credit on ****ty phones. The credit is suppose to end Next saturday.
Lets see what happens then. If they extend it or just let it expire then. If the shortage is so bad. Why do other stores
have plenty of stock? It Bestbuy is just screwing us.
Had no problem here with a black Note 4 preorder. They even held it 2 extra days for me while I was at the BABBQ. Not only that but they let me trade in 2 old phones and gave me $200 each, which paid for the 2 years insurance too!!!
Bestbuy screwed up on this one definitely. I ordered my Note 4 on 10-16 and it started off rough. Found out the associate did not update my email address and told me my phone would be available the 17th. I had to gain access to the account called the store and the customer service line friday sat and sun to run around, i dont knows and our next shipments. Finally i got fed up and sent a letter to a corporate member of Bestbuy with my experience and telling them I more than likely would not be buying another phone from them. Its one thing to tell customers hey your phone won't be available until next week up front. Cool i know how it works and backordering can suck. But to tell people paying their money that you just have to wait, we dont know and be patient is unacceptable. Explained the customers are there first priority and are the reason they are successful and deserve communication regardless. Basically, the end story is i'll be getting a gift card in the mail. I also got a call promptly the next morning that my phone was available. Smh.
See i thought this was just me, same issue of pre-ordering on 10/9 except the employee was new and didnt even do the preorder it correctly for me, just charged me for a $50 gift card, found out when i went 10/17 to get phone, have called every day since and nothing now i was reading the $200 trade in is only valid till 11/1?
wineguy said:
I placed my pre-order on 09/26/2014 with the ship to home option to avoid the short shipped supplies to the stores. It finally came on Wednesday and I activated it after work. When I went into the store for my price match (I was billed at $349.99 but they dropped it to $299.99), the store manager told me he can't do anything for me because it was an online order. When I asked for my $200 pre-order/rebate via Samsung, he told me that the promotion was changed and it had to be the phone that was on the line that got the upgrade. Definitely the last time I pre-order anything from WORSTbuy, maybe last purchase period....
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Samsung promotion had nothing to do with Bestbuy preorder.
Update - So I got an email yesterday morning that my phone was ready to pick-up. You basically have a 24 hour WINDOW to pick up your phone after they email you. How does one set a capped window period to pick up a new phone when the preorders are LATE to begin with? I mean we are waiting and waiting but we could not even be in town when this email comes. I think there is something wrong with that whole system. Anyways, I was lucky that I had a Best Buy Mobile Manager taking care of me. They did honor the $200 credit (after I had to remind him). Purchase Price = $126 (after $200 trade-in) plus some change. The phone itself is a beast (everything from the screen to the materials is awesome). In terms of accessories, I would suggest you guys buy all your **** before and have it ready because Best Buy does not really have many accessories in store. Also, there were issues with activation while in store. The manager called Sprint and they had said that their provisioning services were down nationwide so I had no service for about 4-6 hours. All in all, don't preorder from Best Buy unless you want the hassle. LESSON LEARNED
A while back, just after the Samsung promotion was announced, I fired off an email to Samsung asking them to do something better with an offer at Best Buy. An instant trade in credit on any working smart phone and $50 upgrade bonus on top of that should satisfy most US buyers and leave a lot of others not so fortunate, envious. Had the phones been broadly and readily available and Best Buy chains fully aware of the policies, this would have been a hit that many would have been happy with and look to replicate with repeated patronage. My local BB got it right with some pre-launch dialogue and not so good broad communication on the terms of any working smart phone looked up as $0/recycle. The word was put out to other mobile assistants while I was there, the third person in line. They seemed to have stock and were even trying to get customers the color they preferred. Mileage varies; sorry not everyone got the same or better experience. But to me this was a win and would pre-order there again. I don't think it was all Best Buy's fault. Ample and broad stock may have made this much better of an experience for most. Add it's good to hear that Best Buy is honoring the terms for those in-store pre-orders that were late. Some stores also made exception before hand on terms to satisfy those made online to home delivery because the pre-orders were longer being taken. Cheers and congrats to all who got the terms right. Regards to those that didn't or weren't eligible.
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Pretty sure this whole thing is due to best buy overselling the 200 trade in credit. It runs until 11/1. Guaranteed on 11/2, note 4 's will be available for people walking in. Every sprint store in the area has them readily available. This is not just sprint either, best buy has no stock for any carrier and still has not full filled their preorders. At least within 100 mile radius of costa mesa ca. Bummer it was a good deal. Also if your pre order comes in after 11/1 supposedly the 200 trade in deal is out the window, said my local store.
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That's my thought. That's why I picked it up at the sprint store.
urbanlink said:
Also if your pre order comes in after 11/1 supposedly the 200 trade in deal is out the window, said my local store.
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Best Buy's semi-official stance is that they will be honoring trade in's for all preorders, as mentioned here.
While I don't hesitate to think poorly of Best Buy, this was a multi-million dollar ad campaign - my local stores were slathered in banners, signs, stands, displays, etc touting the $200 trade in FOR PREORDERS ONLY, not to mention the press spreading word (blogs, etc). I can't see how Best Buy could just renege on the the core and only aspect of their advertising, especially after money has already changed hands. Now on the other hand, I think anyone wanting to buy within the extended offer period (non-preorder) will be out of luck, as incoming stock is going to preorders instead and by the time that equalizes the promotion will be over.
I want to clarify as a manager one time in a retail store I understand the stock issue and this brought me to why I went through the process I did and having documented and signed off from the correct people and dotted "I's" and crossed "T's". I knew exactly what I was getting into or so what should have happened. The other reason i'm making this a separate thread is to address how these issue the VERY poor communication that occurs between people and even with the correct chain of commands refusals and issues still arise and how this arises outside this recall. So without further ado ..
We are now without Cell Phones .. After going through the last couple days double and triple checking through chains and people and corporate offices. Verizon Screwed us over really bad yesterday which was the final nail being their customer.
We drove OVER a "HOUR" with "documented record and permission" from a district manager at Verizon corporate office to exchange our recalled our Samsung Note 7's. We were going to one of his stores, we get there they take our nail and we wait 45 minutes, after the wait they tell us they will NOT be able to exchange out Recalled phones cause they were not bought in that store. However according to the stores district manager (with documented proof) they were to suppose to allow it however the corporate store would not and refused to follow orders. I was pissed for driving OVER after calling BACK to corporate office and no way to get a hold of the district manager as he was in conferences, they had no way to enforce the letter I had but they would contact someone to further deal with it and it could take a few days. I at that point had, had enough with the issues we've had with Verizon and then to get screwed like this it was time to end my time with them. I told her, i'm closing all 6 lines and you can play games with other people. I then hung up.
We drove over a hour back and to our local store whom my friend is the store manager and he made calls as did the Samsung reps and I talked to some big big wigs, they wanted us to go back to that other store and meet with the district manager (would have been today), to exchange the note 7's and discuss what took place and how they can handle the situation, as things were badly mishandled. I explained I have a life and things and cant just jump and drive here and there at will especially when OTHERS screw up. I told them thank you for making a late attempt but if someone like myself who knows the system had this much of a issue I can only imagine how others who don't and that kinda service doesn't need rewarded. I made it clear the attitude between the employees and companies and HORRIBLE lack of communication was beyond unacceptable for me and my family to remain customers.
They were very apologetic but to me you need to be proactive about issues and not reactive and this situation was a very simple one and could have no only kept customers but also could have given them a atleast a great review on how they handed it. Instead they are losing 6 lines and how badly their communication/orders are.
few questions answered.
1. my area out in nowhere land isn't slated to get replacements note 7's till 9/29
2. the district manager of our store has notified locals we have permission (with documentation to go one of HIS another stores for replacements)
3. I also noticed they were selling Note 7s yesterday to anyone while there were a TON of people there for replacements and they had limited stock. Samsung Reps said (as t-mobile and at&t are doing they are suppose to be for exchanges first)
4. Ive been researching on who we will move to, ive been with at&t before and where we live has limited coverage with carriers, so thats the BIG factor. I am aware basically all carriers have issues with things and someone with at&t will go to verizon and someone with tmo will go to at&t so... its all a moving game. its what suites us best.
Matttrix said:
I want to clarify as a manager one time in a retail store I understand the stock issue and this brought me to why I went through the process I did and having documented and signed off from the correct people and dotted "I's" and crossed "T's". I knew exactly what I was getting into or so what should have happened. The other reason i'm making this a separate thread is to address how these issue the VERY poor communication that occurs between people and even with the correct chain of commands refusals and issues still arise and how this arises outside this recall. So without further ado ..
We are now without Cell Phones .. After going through the last couple days double and triple checking through chains and people and corporate offices. Verizon Screwed us over really bad yesterday which was the final nail being their customer.
We drove OVER a "HOUR" with "documented record and permission" from a district manager at Verizon corporate office to exchange our recalled our Samsung Note 7's. We were going to one of his stores, we get there they take our nail and we wait 45 minutes, after the wait they tell us they will NOT be able to exchange out Recalled phones cause they were not bought in that store. However according to the stores district manager (with documented proof) they were to suppose to allow it however the corporate store would not and refused to follow orders. I was pissed for driving OVER after calling BACK to corporate office and no way to get a hold of the district manager as he was in conferences, they had no way to enforce the letter I had but they would contact someone to further deal with it and it could take a few days. I at that point had, had enough with the issues we've had with Verizon and then to get screwed like this it was time to end my time with them. I told her, i'm closing all 6 lines and you can play games with other people. I then hung up.
We drove over a hour back and to our local store whom my friend is the store manager and he made calls as did the Samsung reps and I talked to some big big wigs, they wanted us to go back to that other store and meet with the district manager (would have been today), to exchange the note 7's and discuss what took place and how they can handle the situation, as things were badly mishandled. I explained I have a life and things and cant just jump and drive here and there at will especially when OTHERS screw up. I told them thank you for making a late attempt but if someone like myself who knows the system had this much of a issue I can only imagine how others who don't and that kinda service doesn't need rewarded. I made it clear the attitude between the employees and companies and HORRIBLE lack of communication was beyond unacceptable for me and my family to remain customers.
They were very apologetic but to me you need to be proactive about issues and not reactive and this situation was a very simple one and could have no only kept customers but also could have given them a atleast a great review on how they handed it. Instead they are losing 6 lines and how badly their communication/orders are.
few questions answered.
1. my area out in nowhere land isn't slated to get replacements note 7's till 9/29
2. the district manager of our store has notified locals we have permission (with documentation to go one of HIS another stores for replacements)
3. I also noticed they were selling Note 7s yesterday to anyone while there were a TON of people there for replacements and they had limited stock. Samsung Reps said (as t-mobile and at&t are doing they are suppose to be for exchanges first)
4. Ive been researching on who we will move to, ive been with at&t before and where we live has limited coverage with carriers, so thats the BIG factor. I am aware basically all carriers have issues with things and someone with at&t will go to verizon and someone with tmo will go to at&t so... its all a moving game. its what suites us best.
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Click to collapse
I exchanged my defective Note 7 for a new one at a DIFFERENT store from where I originally purchased the defective one with no questions asked. I would be furious if I were you, and totally agree with your actions.
mysmartone said:
I exchanged my defective Note 7 for a new one at a DIFFERENT store from where I originally purchased the defective one with no questions asked. I would be furious if I were you, and totally agree with your actions.
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depends if you originally bought it at a corporate verizon store vs authorized/premium retailer store. I ran into this issue and learned they are on completely different systems and its just best to stick with Verizon Corporate stores if possible. So i returned my S7 at the premium retailer and went to the corporate store for the Note 7.
Also to the OP, verizon can set up a return box that you can ship and then they can ship you the Note 7. The only issue is you will be phoneless unless you have a backup phone you can use while waiting. That is also one option i learned they can do for you.
chillsen said:
depends if you originally bought it at a corporate verizon store vs authorized/premium retailer store. I ran into this issue and learned they are on completely different systems and its just best to stick with Verizon Corporate stores if possible. So i returned my S7 at the premium retailer and went to the corporate store for the Note 7.
Also to the OP, verizon can set up a return box that you can ship and then they can ship you the Note 7. The only issue is you will be phoneless unless you have a backup phone you can use while waiting. That is also one option i learned they can do for you.
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Unfortunately, UPS and FedEx are refusing to handle the recalled phones, so the only option is to return them to corporate stores. Samsung reps are actually picking them up at the stores to return them to a location where they can be processed.
Dodge DeBoulet said:
Unfortunately, UPS and FedEx are refusing to handle the recalled phones, so the only option is to return them to corporate stores. Samsung reps are actually picking them up at the stores to return them to a location where they can be processed.
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UPS has posted this statement.. (effectively ground shipping only and likely will need specific shipping materials to go)
https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/about/news/service_updates/20160915_samsung.html
dottat said:
UPS has posted this statement.. (effectively ground shipping only and likely will need specific shipping materials to go)
https://www.ups.com/content/us/en/about/news/service_updates/20160915_samsung.html
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Thanks for posting that. It will certainly be useful for those who purchased their phones directly from Samsung. I don't believe Verizon customers will benefit from UPS's flexibility, though.
My comments were based on multiple news reports of FedEx and UPS outright refusing to handle the return shipping of recalled phone. Guess that wasn't quite the truth ...
chillsen said:
depends if you originally bought it at a corporate verizon store vs authorized/premium retailer store. I ran into this issue and learned they are on completely different systems and its just best to stick with Verizon Corporate stores if possible. So i returned my S7 at the premium retailer and went to the corporate store for the Note 7.
Also to the OP, verizon can set up a return box that you can ship and then they can ship you the Note 7. The only issue is you will be phoneless unless you have a backup phone you can use while waiting. That is also one option i learned they can do for you.
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Click to collapse
Completely true, reps in the store simply cant do an exchange in the system. Its as if you bought something from walmart and tried to return it at target. Imo authorized retailers are the worst! They can set their own prices and promotions and when I worked in the store I could literally tell that one close to me was selling returned phones because the esn had been active on many accounts. Essentially the district manager would be agreeing to giving you a new phone cause in no way shape or form could it be an exchange in the system.
mickeyleah said:
Completely true, reps in the store simply cant do an exchange in the system. Its as if you bought something from walmart and tried to return it at target. Imo authorized retailers are the worst! They can set their own prices and promotions and when I worked in the store I could literally tell that one close to me was selling returned phones because the esn had been active on many accounts. Essentially the district manager would be agreeing to giving you a new phone cause in no way shape or form could it be an exchange in the system.
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I think the truth is just more likely an evolving story here. Hopefully this all gets sorted soon for everyone's benefit.
dottat said:
I think the truth is just more likely an evolving story here. Hopefully this all gets sorted soon for everyone's benefit.
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I got a update...
The district manager came to personally meet with me and we had a hour meeting and we joined by the general manager of the corporate store. The store manager apologized for his and his employees mistake, the district manager explained there was poor communication on their part, this should have been handled much better. However due to supply issue they are unable to give me new phones till October 5th. They have paid my current bill and 25% of each phones costs when I get them. As I agreed to remain a customer and sign a new phone agreement. I also got everything in writing again. If anything under the current deal is unable to be met i can withdraw without penalty etc and their payment on my bill will not be charged back to me.
After what I went through im going cover extra extra everything. I don't trust anything. Ill keep you all informed about it.
I can't believe the amount of time spent by so many people on so many levels for a couple phones.... I get the principle aspect of it.... but these are cell phones. Unnecessary. A luxury. I simply don't understand going to such great lengths over such a minor thing. Life is so large, what in the world will you do when something actually important doesn't go as planned?
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neyenlives said:
I can't believe the amount of time spent by so many people on so many levels for a couple phones.... I get the principle aspect of it.... but these are cell phones. Unnecessary. A luxury. I simply don't understand going to such great lengths over such a minor thing. Life is so large, what in the world will you do when something actually important doesn't go as planned?
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Carrington Event
Updated
I got called this morning and got told the Blue Coral are behind on stock and I could get another color tomorrow. I am disappointed but at this point another few days I'll live.
What this whole subject has been about to me is the communication issues, promises, documented orders by region people, stores not following orders, the list goes on and on. I did put myself in hell but at the same time. I made them deal with their failures and address their issues. Sitting there hearing them admit they ****ed up and offering to pay my bill and discount my new phones was a "start".. But I still think about the countless others who go through such bull**** while these companies walk on us. Hopefully my situation will get others to step up to make companies do what they say and offer.