Develop Bugs

Wifi problem SOLVED (acc'd to sprint rep)

I just had the best conversation ever with a sprint rep. This was an in-store tech person, mind you, so all of my facial expressions were more than obvious.
The conversation went like this:
Hi, my E4GT is having some wifi connectivity issues. When I try to connect, it says connected but then keeps scanning, and in fact, it's not connected at all because I can't get a webpage to...
(Interrupting me) WAIT RIGHT THERE...let me see the front of your phone, turn it around! (I do so.) Yup, that's the problem...you downloaded something to make your ANDROID phone look like a WINDOWS phone.
You mean a launcher?
Yes, it's an unapproved app, and you corrupted your whole system. You need to delete that and hard reset. Don't make it look like it's not an Android phone...otherwise you corrupt the system.
(My face has a wtf are you serious look on it at this point.) Oooooh-kay. Um, are you sure?
YES! ABSOLUTELY! Also, I bet you have checked off install apps from unknown sources, don't you?
Yes...so?
THERE YOU GO AGAIN --- COMPLETELY CORRUPTED YOUR ENTIRE SYSTEM. Now, anyone anywhere can just go into your phone and access everything. That's why you can't get online.
(Now my face has the wtf look on it as well as a little bit of anger from this rep having somehow survived this long in her life, and in doing so, disproved darwinism.) So, you're telling me installing the amazon appstore breaks our phones?
YES, it's an unapproved app, just like that one that made your phone look like a windows phone!
But, that app's from the google market...??
I BET YOU'RE TETHERING TOO, AREN'T YOU?
(Damn, she got me there.) No! What is tethering?
Someone will come up and tell you to tether...go right ahead and do it if you want, but you'll be corrupting your entire phone again and it won't work.
Ok, thanks, this has been a big help.
You bet! Thanks for coming in!

Erislover said:
I just had the best conversation ever with a sprint rep. This was an in-store tech person, mind you, so all of my facial expressions were more than obvious.
The conversation went like this:
Hi, my E4GT is having some wifi connectivity issues. When I try to connect, it says connected but then keeps scanning, and in fact, it's not connected at all because I can't get a webpage to...
(Interrupting me) WAIT RIGHT THERE...let me see the front of your phone, turn it around! (I do so.) Yup, that's the problem...you downloaded something to make your ANDROID phone look like a WINDOWS phone.
You mean a launcher?
Yes, it's an unapproved app, and you corrupted your whole system. You need to delete that and hard reset. Don't make it look like it's not an Android phone...otherwise you corrupt the system.
(My face has a wtf are you serious look on it at this point.) Oooooh-kay. Um, are you sure?
YES! ABSOLUTELY! Also, I bet you have checked off install apps from unknown sources, don't you?
Yes...so?
THERE YOU GO AGAIN --- COMPLETELY CORRUPTED YOUR ENTIRE SYSTEM. Now, anyone anywhere can just go into your phone and access everything. That's why you can't get online.
(Now my face has the wtf look on it as well as a little bit of anger from this rep having somehow survived this long in her life, and in doing so, disproved darwinism.) So, you're telling me installing the amazon appstore breaks our phones?
YES, it's an unapproved app, just like that one that made your phone look like a windows phone!
But, that app's from the google market...??
I BET YOU'RE TETHERING TOO, AREN'T YOU?
(Damn, she got me there.) No! What is tethering?
Someone will come up and tell you to tether...go right ahead and do it if you want, but you'll be corrupting your entire phone again and it won't work.
Ok, thanks, this has been a big help.
You bet! Thanks for coming in!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, now that's funny
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

Damn that guy is hilarius
Sent from my SPH-D710-10 using xda premium

Ha ha ha, it's to funny! How incompetent.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

so...did it work?

Lol... I thought she was joking but shes serious... It anoys me that i know more about my phone and other phones then a sales rep(no offense to the sales reps that know what there talking about ).
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

I once had a verizon droid incredible with a screen that literally moved when you touched it (this screen hardware itself physically moved, not anything on the screen). Took it into a Verizon store and the rep seriously asked me "did you try doing a battery pull?" I was just like wtf does a loose screen have to do with a battery pull.
I don't know where they find these people. When I apply for jobs there I never even get an interview, I think I fail their personality testing during the application.

I don't even understand how people like that can get hired. You would think they would require at least some basic knowledge of the industry and products. I am actually looking to change careers and would like to get a position managing a sprint store but I can't seem to find an opening in my area because they keep hiring people like this. I have been to four stores in my area and every single one has not one person who seems to know much of anything. Maybe its just the central florida area.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Normally, I would say this story seems too far out there, and that there is no way someone is that clueless as an employee at the Sprint store.
However, I have dealt with some of the Sprint store employees and I guess it is feasible.
Either way, thanks for posting as it was an entertaining post.

Thanks op that was classic, I seem to run into these people all the time. Awesome

I had a similar thing happen at Radio Shack. I had bought the Photon there and before my 30 days were up I wanted to trade it for our SII...on launch day they didn't have any so I told them I wanted to return it and go to Sprint to get the phone. The salesman said why...the Photon is dual core and a much better phone...I immediately told him it was none of his business and then proceeded to rattle off the specs of the SII..he went into the back room. These people are clueless!

Haha I purchased an app called HVAC Buddy for work and a sprint tech told me it broke the gps in my Moment. Wtf
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

smark72 said:
I don't even understand how people like that can get hired. You would think they would require at least some basic knowledge of the industry and products. I am actually looking to change careers and would like to get a position managing a sprint store but I can't seem to find an opening in my area because they keep hiring people like this. I have been to four stores in my area and every single one has not one person who seems to know much of anything. Maybe its just the central florida area.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of FL, bro...I'm in the ft laud area myself, and it's harder to find a glimmer of intelligence in the general population than it is to find a guy who doesn't shave his chest here.
anyway, just fyi, it's an absolutely true story. the worst part, which I forgot to mention in the OP, is that a couple minutes before this dolt began "helping" me, I was talking with another customer who had an E4GT with some crazy problems (phone with a mind of it's own...would just randomly open up apps and close them and restart...) and I was telling her about this forum and how her problems were atypical and how she should just get a new E4GT...and then every time this stupid, stupid customer service rep talked, I had to just look over at this lady and hope she knew how completely retarded the rep was.

I hate that I am associated with these types of employees ...
-J
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

zonacats23 said:
I hate that I am associated with these types of employees ...
-J
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know there has to be some knowledgeable reps, I just haven't encountered any myself.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

In my defense, not all of us are idiots.
And a 2nd thought, ive met such people. I sometimes feel ashamed that theyre one of my own.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

zonacats23 said:
I hate that I am associated with these types of employees ...
-J
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, this. I'm sorry guys.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

squshy 7 said:
Yeah, this. I'm sorry guys.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to apologize on their behalf...it's the same at every job and every profession. It's just a shame that people don't say, "sorry, I don't know," when they don't know. But, on the bright side, it does sometimes make for some funny ish when they talk out their ass

Walked into my local repair center and showed the Guy my OG Evo, told him that I was having some issues with the fact that my $400+ phone had a crack in the casing near the volume and power buttons. He immediately told me "you dropped your phone and it cracked. that's not covered sorry." and proceeded to the next customer. I walked up, showed him again my phone was in an otterbox defender case, had NO signs of damage... mind you I kept the case on since day 1 and I had never dropped the phone....
He looks at me with the straightest face and says "it is because you are using a Facebook IM application which causes the problem." at this point I laughed in his face, left the store and proceeded down the block to the next repair center.
This Guy still works there....
Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II Epic Touch 2G

Oh and here's another one.
Took another OG Evo 4G to another local repair center to have the dust cleaned out from behind the screen (there was a **** ton) and the service tech puts my phone back together and broke the power button, camera, and screen and then tells me "Uhhhh it came like that sorry"
.... fail of sprint repair centers. I'm better off fixing the phones myseld
Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II Epic Touch 2G

Likely losing root :-(

Well guys. I'm about to file a claim on my phone...laid the motorcycle down the other day and the screen is messed up...starting to mess up in the edge. If anyone has filed a claim let me know if you got hboot 97 or 98 please.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

knipp21 said:
Well guys. I'm about to file a claim on my phone...laid the motorcycle down the other day and the screen is messed up...starting to mess up in the edge. If anyone has filed a claim let me know if you got hboot 97 or 98 please.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you'll get lucky if you're getting insurance replacement. If it from VZW, the odds are probably much lower. Hopefully they release a Revolutionary update soon.

knipp21 said:
Well guys. I'm about to file a claim on my phone...laid the motorcycle down the other day and the screen is messed up...starting to mess up in the edge. If anyone has filed a claim let me know if you got hboot 97 or 98 please.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that sucks about your bike knipp, hopefully you weren't scraped up too bad....and to answer your phone, i'm on replacement #3 because of shoddy reception and they claim i shouldn't have all these reception issues (lolol), so i've gotten 2 replacements thus far, the first one was 97 and the second was 98....it all just depends on which batch they send from

Thanks guys. Dang I don't wanna loose root :-(
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

I had to get one for my granddaughter friday an it came with .98 an 2.3.4 already on it

RRF12 said:
I had to get one for my granddaughter friday an it came with .98 an 2.3.4 already on it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From assurion?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

dam that sucks I dont think I cant be with out root hopefully you get lucky

digitalsynner85 said:
i'm on replacement #3 because of shoddy reception and they claim i shouldn't have all these reception issues (lolol)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're mainly having issues at home, push for them to give you a free network extender. The phone DOES have a very weak antennae and I was given the same run-around for several months - I was told there was excellent coverage in my area. They even (supposedly) sent a tec out to measure it and he (not surprisingly) found no issues. This despite my not even being able to maintain a call outside, in the middle of the yard, on a clear day.
Just keep calling and eventually you'll get someone who'll offer a network extender. I got one and they do work - I can now make and maintain calls throughout the house. I could deal with the low signal when I'm outside near/around the house, but to not be able to make calls inside was unacceptable.

Keep us posted knipp. We need you here.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

ChrisDDD said:
If you're mainly having issues at home, push for them to give you a free network extender. The phone DOES have a very weak antennae and I was given the same run-around for several months - I was told there was excellent coverage in my area. They even (supposedly) sent a tec out to measure it and he (not surprisingly) found no issues. This despite my not even being able to maintain a call outside, in the middle of the yard, on a clear day.
Just keep calling and eventually you'll get someone who'll offer a network extender. I got one and they do work - I can now make and maintain calls throughout the house. I could deal with the low signal when I'm outside near/around the house, but to not be able to make calls inside was unacceptable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had mentioned that and stated that I was in no financial situation to pay for one and he's like "yeah, they run yall about 250" and so we were talking and he said that 3 replacement phones is completely unacceptable and that we're only like 3.5 miles from 2 towers and we should have damn near perfect service
the conversation went on and he said that they're "sending a tech out" and that if they find nothing wrong w/ the tower(s) that they will see about replacing my phone with something else....lol

romma1 said:
Keep us posted knipp. We need you here.
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha all I do.is cause trouble
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

better than some people lmao......at least you contribute in some fashion haha

digitalsynner85 said:
the conversation went on and he said that they're "sending a tech out" and that if they find nothing wrong w/ the tower(s) that they will see about replacing my phone with something else....lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See if you can be notified when the tec will be there so you can show him your phone and it's dbm reading. I literally had readings of -96 to -106 outside, and this was on 3 separate Dinc 2's (mine and my wife's and a replacement) and the two Fascinates we had before them. Clearly it wasn't a faulty phone since the issue spanned 5 separate phones across two manufacturers. We live at the bottom of a hill, and as we're nearing our house in the car, even the local radio reception starts to break up.
Just keep calling them on it. At first they said no, then they offered $50 off the price. I called back a few hours after they offered the $50 and got someone different who offered the extender for free. Don't know how long you've been a customer, but my wife had been for about 10 years, and that helped.
Good luck.

ChrisDDD said:
See if you can be notified when the tec will be there so you can show him your phone and it's dbm reading. I literally had readings of -96 to -106 outside, and this was on 3 separate Dinc 2's (mine and my wife's and a replacement) and the two Fascinates we had before them. Clearly it wasn't a faulty phone since the issue spanned 5 separate phones across two manufacturers. We live at the bottom of a hill, and as we're nearing our house in the car, even the local radio reception starts to break up.
Just keep calling them on it. At first they said no, then they offered $50 off the price. I called back a few hours after they offered the $50 and got someone different who offered the extender for free. Don't know how long you've been a customer, but my wife had been for about 10 years, and that helped.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We were part of a recent acquisition so only like 3 months thru verizon, but 10+ years with the other one we were with before. Ive called them from it before but would lose service before getting thru lol. The tech is supposed to come ride out to test the signal here after they mess with the tower.
We have an LG Revolution on the plan but even with 95dbm, she can get full service. I just want use of my phone without using groove ip for calls and google voice for texts lol
Sent from my ADR6350 using xda premium

Well looks like ill keep root if I'm sending this back via insurance do I need to unroot?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

knipp21 said:
Well looks like ill keep root if I'm sending this back via insurance do I need to unroot?
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I probably would. Jcase's method will unroot you, but I think it takes you down to 2.2. You may have to run the RUU to get it to 2.3.3 and then accept the OTA update. Their should be more info in the Rootzwiki thread.
Edit: As long as you don't lose or break your phone.

JAS_21 said:
I probably would. Jcase's method will unroot you, but I think it takes you down to 2.2. You may have to run the RUU to get it to 2.3.3 and then accept the OTA update. Their should be more info in the Rootzwiki thread.
Edit: As long as you don't lose or break your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah ill call assurion and ask them...but I won't include my information lol
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

yeah you have to unroot, if you send the phone back rooted, they will say you voided your warranty and you will see a bill for the phone on your next bill lol....and congrats knipp! glad to see you didn't have to lose root after all

knipp21 said:
Yeah ill call assurion and ask them...but I won't include my information lol
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good idea. I know when I called them about my Eris, they do charge you like $90 for a replacement no matter if it is broke, lost, etc.

digitalsynner85 said:
yeah you have to unroot, if you send the phone back rooted, they will say you voided your warranty and you will see a bill for the phone on your next bill lol....and congrats knipp! glad to see you didn't have to lose root after all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol read again bro. I'm talking insurance not warranty. I know it will be messed up with Verizon.
I might send it back with the stock Rom on it but leave it s off...its why I made that original nandroid to begin with haha
Sent from my Incredible 2 using xda premium

TMO Galaxy S2 "Not part of our replacement program"?

Well i went back to stock (at least tried to) for the preperation of ICS and the maintenance update. That was a disaster. I have had over 25 android phones but i guess i thought it would be a good idea to check re-partition in ODIN cause i thought it would be an *extra good* flash. Ya now i have a FULL brick. Before i tried to reboot download mode, it said PARTTABLE missing or something like that. And yes it was a full brick there was nothing i could do.
Whats even BETTER is that TMOBILE told me to shove it! "Oh this phone is not part of our replacement program." WTF. So they directed me to call Samsung which i did and it is now on it's way there. Since when does a phone i bought on the account less than six months ago not qualify for an exchange. Bastards. Well hopefully Samsung fixes it in a timely fashion and sends it back!

My wife recently broke her screen on her GS2 and they replaced it...

Geeze man, that's a major screw up. It's posted everywhere not to check repartition. and tmo has been replacing these phones for people.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Idk who you talked to maybe a out sourced rep but sg2 is surely part of the exchange list my bro just did a exchange on his two days ago
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

So Tmobile has con another person. I think that you should tell Tmobile to shove it again and again after the lie they told you. The are the practical joking wireless company, don't be fooled by one representation of Tmobile, you have to keep escalating the situation until you find the hard to get truth with Tmobile.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

For future reference you cannot and should not ever check re-partition with out a valid PIT file. It will always result in a brick otherwise.

-Mr. X- said:
For future reference you cannot and should not ever check re-partition with out a valid PIT file. It will always result in a brick otherwise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. It was a very very dumb move. But i was pretty sure there is a pit file in the same folder as i have odin and i put it in the correct box.
See i figured someone shafted me. That really sucks cause god knows samsung is going to take longer than it would have taken teabag-mobile! GRRRR.

xsteven77x said:
I agree with you. It was a very very dumb move. But i was pretty sure there is a pit file in the same folder as i have odin and i put it in the correct box.
See i figured someone shafted me. That really sucks cause god knows samsung is going to take longer than it would have taken teabag-mobile! GRRRR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no pit file
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Why would you go through all of that unrooting for an update that you will want to root ? I mean we all know what ICS looks like... i guess i just dont understand why you even wanted to do that when we have multiple Twiz flavored ICS roms that have 0 bugs and even ASOP and MIUI ICS Roms with very few bugs..

xsteven77x said:
I agree with you. It was a very very dumb move. But i was pretty sure there is a pit file in the same folder as i have odin and i put it in the correct box.
See i figured someone shafted me. That really sucks cause god knows samsung is going to take longer than it would have taken teabag-mobile! GRRRR.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
samsung had my device back to me in 5 days. i mailed it on a Monday and got it back on a Friday. brand new device not a refurb.

dude I have done two replacements on this phone You should never ever ever call tmo on the phone to get anything done period. Go to a corporate tmo store not one of those dealers a full tmo store and deal with them face to face. Those idiots over the phone are stupid and they dont care, but when you are face to face they will respect you more and try harder. And they dont just call the same number we call when you go to a corporate store they actuall get to the right people. Hell I dont even call them to change my plan I go to the store. You know how many times I just wanted to make a small change in my plan and they gave me a problem or they did the wrong thing and then I went to the store and they fixed it without a problem. I know it might be a pain in thew ass I work 70+ hours a week and I dont have a car but I still find a way Thats my two cents

If you gave tmo warranty call again they should replaxe it.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA

-Mr. X- said:
samsung had my device back to me in 5 days. i mailed it on a Monday and got it back on a Friday. brand new device not a refurb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm I've got serious blobs in my screen did the one they sent you have any flaws?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

blchff04 said:
Hmm I've got serious blobs in my screen did the one they sent you have any flaws?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am currently on my 4th S2 since NYE when I purchased the phone, never have I had issues getting a replacement. The only issues ive had have been trying to go around the.$20 fee since I dont have thr insurance but even that can be waived easily
My first replacement had issues so I quickly returned till I had a decent one then that one stopped charging after like 6 months.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

You'll be fine man. You seem to have a phone with a warranty. Mines from Ebay.
And its actually nice to know Tmobile does that.
Good luck.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

Android_Monsters said:
You'll be fine man. You seem to have a phone with a warranty. Mines from Ebay.
And its actually nice to know Tmobile does that.
Good luck.
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
definitely! also this last time they offered me a $3.99/month for LIFETIME WARRANTY so as long as i don't have any water damage or screen physical damage, i am set well that is until the next top of the line phone comes out, and no the SIII isn't good enough to switch at least from what i've read about it

mojorisin7178 said:
dude I have done two replacements on this phone You should never ever ever call tmo on the phone to get anything done period. Go to a corporate tmo store not one of those dealers a full tmo store and deal with them face to face. Those idiots over the phone are stupid and they dont care, but when you are face to face they will respect you more and try harder. And they dont just call the same number we call when you go to a corporate store they actuall get to the right people. Hell I dont even call them to change my plan I go to the store. You know how many times I just wanted to make a small change in my plan and they gave me a problem or they did the wrong thing and then I went to the store and they fixed it without a problem. I know it might be a pain in thew ass I work 70+ hours a week and I dont have a car but I still find a way Thats my two cents
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's funny, we've had the reverse experience.
The T-Mobile store people have frequently lied to us. When we signed up during their Valentine's Day deal they lied about the plan requirements, they lied about transferring our old phone numbers to T-Mobile that day, they told us we could downgrade from unlimited talk and 5GB data in two weeks, then two weeks later they said we couldn't.
In the end we just called T-Mobile CS the next day who transferred our numbers and changed our phone plans with no fuss at all. Now we never bother dealing with the T-Mobile store in person, my girlfriend gets pissed off just thinking about them.

rosemachinegun said:
That's funny, we've had the reverse experience.
The T-Mobile store people have frequently lied to us. When we signed up during their Valentine's Day deal they lied about the plan requirements, they lied about transferring our old phone numbers to T-Mobile that day, they told us we could downgrade from unlimited talk and 5GB data in two weeks, then two weeks later they said we couldn't.
In the end we just called T-Mobile CS the next day who transferred our numbers and changed our phone plans with no fuss at all. Now we never bother dealing with the T-Mobile store in person, my girlfriend gets pissed off just thinking about them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
service varies greatly from store to store, and agent to agent on phone as well. But I will say this that.if you know the right things to say you can get more done over the phone
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Its so funny how people think stores have a special number to call! They have a retail line they call but that's just to enter their dealer codes they get to the same place u get to when u call!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

AJ26T said:
Its so funny how people think stores have a special number to call! They have a retail line they call but that's just to enter their dealer codes they get to the same place u get to when u call!
Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Refurbed T989s... Any good?

Few coworkers of mine have T-mobile and are looking for a Samsung device for VPN support. Due to being in contract they're looking to get a good phone without breaking the bank. So that leads to the T-Mobile site selling refurbed T989s for $30.
Any refurbed owners want to offer any feedback? I think their greatest concern is the 90 day warranty - but from what I know on the E4GT it's extremely likely that if it breaks you'll notice it before then. They're not looking to root it or do anything special either, in case that's a factor.
TIA and I did search by XDA forum search on General & Q/A before posting - so hopefully that will avoid the flaming.
P.S. Hope you guys get the OTA today and that it has the eMMC fix in there as it is rumored to!

No one has a refurbed GS2 from T-mobile? Find that hard to believe....
TIA
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

Bump
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

garwynn said:
Bump
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After sending mine back once for a random hardware issue, as always, tmobile sends me a refurb in pristine condition, but clearly its not brand new straight out of the box. I've had 0 problems with it and as with any other refurb'd products i've purchased always work just as good as new.
When I had HTC's Glacier / Mytouch 4g I went through 4 sendbacks from various stupid things I had done to it, all returns got refurbished back, which all worked fine (until I broke them myself)
I'd go for it. Whats the worst that can happen, you lose 30 bucks? Where is this link to the 30 dollar refurb?

Lets get serious, a refurbished phone upgrade or value plan?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

iwasblown said:
Lets get serious, a refurbished phone upgrade or value plan?
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Person was quoted 100 for new blaze or 30 for GS2 refurbed as a few of their upgrade options. Value plan, they mainly need for vpn support, good browser and terminal emulator.
My thought was get the GS2 for that price... But only if the refurb isn't junk.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

As for link, just go to T-Mobile's site and look at current phone list. Was there as web only special.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

From my experience with warranty exchange, the refurb phones are as good as new. I have never had an issue with a refurb phone and would not worry about it. But for $30 that sounds really cheap for a GS2, even if it is refurbed. Do you have to sign a contract with them or something? The price just sound too good to be true for a straight out purchase NO CONTRACT involved.

I have a refurbished T989
I had a new one but it stopped working properly, it began to act as if the desk dock or sometimes the car dock was attached to it. Became very annoying. Tmobile sent me a refurbished one, though I wasn't too happy about it. The packaging was identical to a new one. I was even allowed to keep the extra battery & back cover. They asked to send the old one back, and this was earlier this year. Everything seems ok so far "knock on wood"
The one thing I'd like to say is, I used to work at Best Buy Mobile. We'd sell insurance policies where people would pick up refurbished phones if they broke theirs, and honestly, those were garbage. Too many would come back with problems again...not good.
So you know, it's a risk

jfarhat said:
From my experience with warranty exchange, the refurb phones are as good as new. I have never had an issue with a refurb phone and would not worry about it. But for $30 that sounds really cheap for a GS2, even if it is refurbed. Do you have to sign a contract with them or something? The price just sound too good to be true for a straight out purchase NO CONTRACT involved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 yr contract reqd according to site. Maybe they're just trying to move old stock?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

sphogat said:
I have a refurbished T989
I had a new one but it stopped working properly, it began to act as if the desk dock or sometimes the car dock was attached to it. Became very annoying. Tmobile sent me a refurbished one, though I wasn't too happy about it. The packaging was identical to a new one. I was even allowed to keep the extra battery & back cover. They asked to send the old one back, and this was earlier this year. Everything seems ok so far "knock on wood"
The one thing I'd like to say is, I used to work at Best Buy Mobile. We'd sell insurance policies where people would pick up refurbished phones if they broke theirs, and honestly, those were garbage. Too many would come back with problems again...not good.
So you know, it's a risk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I wanted to get some opinions before deciding to suggest or not. My thinking is that there isn't much in the GS2 that easily breaks, so if they go for it then watch it carefully...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

floor, wnmenir
garwynn said:
2 yr contract reqd according to site. Maybe they're just trying to move old stock?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure are, they're making room for the GSIII!

So... New GS Blaze or GS2 refurb in your opinion?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA

VoiD_Dweller said:
After sending mine back once for a random hardware issue, as always, tmobile sends me a refurb in pristine condition, but clearly its not brand new straight out of the box. I've had 0 problems with it and as with any other refurb'd products i've purchased always work just as good as new.
When I had HTC's Glacier / Mytouch 4g I went through 4 sendbacks from various stupid things I had done to it, all returns got refurbished back, which all worked fine (until I broke them myself)
I'd go for it. Whats the worst that can happen, you lose 30 bucks? Where is this link to the 30 dollar refurb?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, I hardbricked my phone a couple months ago and I'm sure the replacement I received was a refurb. I haven't had any issues with it so far.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA

garwynn said:
Bump
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a refurb right now. Looks brand new. Send as a handset exchange from my amaze cuz they had none to send me. Youd never get a refurb with any damage or scratches from T-Mobile. I also have the premium handset protection so its always warrentied. Dont see the need to pay extra when I always can get other ones if there is problems.
Also for the person who said Blaze or SG 2, comeon now, thats an obv answer

I have a Epic Touch I am selling!!!

If you get a refurb, you can count on it being the Made in Korea version produced pre December, 2011. All of those devices are known to exhibit mediocre screens when compared to the post December 2011 versions that are Made in China.
When I say mediocre screens, I am referring to the lines, blobs and poorly calibrated color. Though for $30, it is a good deal.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

G1ForFun said:
If you get a refurb, you can count on it being the Made in Korea version produced pre December, 2011. All of those devices are known to exhibit mediocre screens when compared to the post December 2011 versions that are Made in China.
When I say mediocre screens, I am referring to the lines, blobs and poorly calibrated color. Though for $30, it is a good deal.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you tell which one you have? Mine is a refurb I got last week and seems perfectly fine

Learned a hard lesson

Thought my NFC chip failed on me, cm10/codename/stock rooted all wouldn't let me use NFC. Took my phone to Sprint local store, dropped it off and 2 hours later was told I need to go TEP route and was provided a tiny business card to contact asurion.
Called sprint later the same night, dude didn't even know what NFC was. Transferred me to a tech that night never answered.
Through xda, a member advised the NFC chip is in the battery. I switched my battery back to stock, and shocker, NFC was again fully functional. Really Sprint? Do you not know your product well enough to know this?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Thats pretty sad on sprints part.

Well also pretty sad you didn't see it on the battery.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

And they wonder why their reps have reputation of being extremely incompetent.

The nfc chip is not in the battery. That would imply that every phone is capable of nfc with the correct battery. The nfc chip is in the phone, however, in order for it to work, it needs the antenna which is rather too large to put in the phone, takes up too much surface space. Thus, they use the battery as the location for this nfc antenna.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

There are a lot of "techs" who know absolutely nothing about how the phones actually work. They were just taught how to repair them by the book and don't actually think outside of the box.

THEY SELL THE PHONE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT NFC IS?! WHAT A JOKE. Why do they hire these incompetent tech support people that know nothing of phones?

Sunsparc said:
There are a lot of "techs" who know absolutely nothing about how the phones actually work. They were just taught how to repair them by the book and don't actually think outside of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yet those of us that actually know about this kinda stuff can't seem to get hired? Well I speak for myself anyway....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T

This wouldnt even be an asurion claim in the first place....did the phone have obvious signs of physical damage?
Where you at a corp store or authorized retailer?
My techs are frigging awesome....but there are limitations to what they are allowed to do, and only as good as the training they receive.
donovanx3 said:
THEY SELL THE PHONE AND DON'T KNOW WHAT NFC IS?! WHAT A JOKE. Why do they hire these incompetent tech support people that know nothing of phones?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Techs do not sell phones...or anything for that matter. They make repairs.
More and more its my belief that carriers are going the route of phone swaps though...and sending the phones somewhere in bulk to be refurbed. In the long run I could see how that would be cheaper.
Hearing NFC is still in the battery is news to me as well. I was of the understanding that after the skyrocket samsung moved everything to the back cover...go figure.
And I spend hours with this stuff lol
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

00mred00 said:
This wouldnt even be an asurion claim in the first place....did the phone have obvious signs of physical damage?
Where you at a corp store or authorized retailer?
My techs are frigging awesome....but there are limitations to what they are allowed to do, and only as good as the training they receive.
Techs do not sell phones...or anything for that matter. They make repairs.
More and more its my belief that carriers are going the route of phone swaps though...and sending the phones somewhere in bulk to be refurbed. In the long run I could see how that would be cheaper.
Hearing NFC is still in the battery is news to me as well. I was of the understanding that after the skyrocket samsung moved everything to the back cover...go figure.
And I spend hours with this stuff lol
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, only had it one week and is in perfect condition. And it was a corporate store, i dont go to retailers. I checked the stock battery and it does say near field communication enabled on it. So again, battery may not be where the chip resides but it does enable the feature if the battery allows it to.
The tech was one thing, all he did was wipe my phone and then reboot it. Worse was the phone rep that didn't even know what NFC was until I described it (he was still wary about it through the call saying 'try that option again, not even knowing how I was trying it out).
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

dante32278 said:
Nope, only had it one week and is in perfect condition. I checked the stock battery and it does say near field communication enabled on it. So again, battery may not be where the chip resides but it does enable the feature if the battery allows it to. The tech was one thing, all he did was wipe my phone and then reboot it. Worse was the phone rep that didn't even know what NFC was until I described it (he was still wary about it through the call saying 'try that option again, not even knowing how I was trying it out).
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohhhhhh ok you CALLED tech support...my bad. I thought you took the phone in to a repair center. Sounds lume you did both? I know there isnt much out yet on the S3..pretty sure tear down info isnt even out there yet.
It still throws me off that someone would tell you to use insurance in a store. Within 14 days they typically swap out the phone with a new one. After 14 days they should have just ordered a new one.
1. From what I have heard call center stuff is farmed out. I hate that.
2. Seems kind of silly to me to expect resolution to a hardware issue over a phone call (just in general, not directed at you)
And yeah after reading a few articles It sucks to find that since my galaxy note on att I have been misinformed...the chip itself still resides in the battery and the antenna is on the back cover I guess
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

dante32278 said:
Nope, only had it one week and is in perfect condition. And it was a corporate store, i dont go to retailers. I checked the stock battery and it does say near field communication enabled on it. So again, battery may not be where the chip resides but it does enable the feature if the battery allows it to.
The tech was one thing, all he did was wipe my phone and then reboot it. Worse was the phone rep that didn't even know what NFC was until I described it (he was still wary about it through the call saying 'try that option again, not even knowing how I was trying it out).
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its Sprint employees like that that make the good ones have a bad name. I have been a Sprint employee (Store manager @ Preferred Retailer ASC) for over 3 years. I have watched other locations in my region fall by the wayside and have been nearly shocked in every way imaginable from some of the "help" or "suggestions" i have heard. I can say from an employee whos store location has managed a 90% CSAT average for over two years that not all are as "smart" as the one you encountered. I am sure you are aware of that but it truly upsets me to hear of some wannabe, fake technician simply trying to pass the buck with the "good ol' hard reset will fix ANYTHING" option......k done with my rant....thanks for listening.

00mred00 said:
Ohhhhhh ok you CALLED tech support...my bad. I thought you took the phone in to a repair center. Sounds lume you did both? I know there isnt much out yet on the S3..pretty sure tear down info isnt even out there yet.
It still throws me off that someone would tell you to use insurance in a store. Within 14 days they typically swap out the phone with a new one. After 14 days they should have just ordered a new one.
1. From what I have heard call center stuff is farmed out. I hate that.
2. Seems kind of silly to me to expect resolution to a hardware issue over a phone call (just in general, not directed at you)
And yeah after reading a few articles It sucks to find that since my galaxy note on att I have been misinformed...the chip itself still resides in the battery and the antenna is on the back cover I guess
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did both, during the day at work I brought my phone into a retail store and left it there for 2 hours. Later that night, I called in and received the "huh" service. To sprints credit, they were very helpful an my epic touch phone issues. But I was also shocked that the guy at the store suggested asurion instead of ordering me a new phone, seeing as mine was only a week old with no damage signs.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

00mred00 said:
Ohhhhhh ok you CALLED tech support...my bad. I thought you took the phone in to a repair center. Sounds lume you did both? I know there isnt much out yet on the S3..pretty sure tear down info isnt even out there yet.
It still throws me off that someone would tell you to use insurance in a store. Within 14 days they typically swap out the phone with a new one. After 14 days they should have just ordered a new one.
1. From what I have heard call center stuff is farmed out. I hate that.
2. Seems kind of silly to me to expect resolution to a hardware issue over a phone call (just in general, not directed at you)
And yeah after reading a few articles It sucks to find that since my galaxy note on att I have been misinformed...the chip itself still resides in the battery and the antenna is on the back cover I guess
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, does that mean we are forced to buy actual Samsung batteries for our phones if we want to use NFC?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Dalmus said:
So, does that mean we are forced to buy actual Samsung batteries for our phones if we want to use NFC?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, just check that they are NFC enabled. I returned the one I was using and ordered a new 3rd party that will work.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

peanut1596 said:
yet those of us that actually know about this kinda stuff can't seem to get hired? Well I speak for myself anyway....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like those of us who are good enough with cell phones probably make some stores feel like we are overqualified. Better to pretend we are herp durp until after we are hired as sales reps
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

More loveliness for this topic.
So I ordered a replacement phone as sprint suggested the night I posted this. After I found how to fix the issue, I called sprint and a rep told me "just send the new phone back and you will be ok, they will accept the phone and you wont be charged."
Received phone, returned it in the postage paid envelope.
Last friday (2 days ago), I dropped the same original phone and the screen shattered. I placed a claim with asurion and was advised due to having 3 claims in a year they are cutting me off (dropped my, epic touch aniut 2 months before getting this one). Now asurion has 300 from me, I am getting my replacement tomorrow, but they do not want to invalidate my prior claim. The guy on the phone said they have to honor all claims and sent me to a sups voicemail. I call sprint and tell them this was a result of bad advice from their store and call center and am advised to call Asurion again. Wow. Wtf.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Funny thing was I also reverted back to stock for the rep before I gave the phone (stock rooted). Regardless, if our a tech and should know about your phones, wouldn't step one be check the battery to see if it says NFC enabled? I could see if you can't get it to work after that, but...you're a tech. Doesn't help that the guy I talked to on the phone didn't even know what NFC was.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app

Probly true....and I know a thing or two about fixing things....but before u just use easy out to call insurance wouldn't a better customer service aspect be "i don't know, check around as I am not familiar with the issue" or "i called Samsung and the said..." as opposed to "dunno, get a new phone"?
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda app-developers app