T-Mobile trade-in scam

[czaplin]

Hi guys,
I just want to share my experience with t-mobile rebate program. I sent my good old (in working condition) motorola v188. I've just checked rebate status and it says:

Your Trade-In has been received and inspected on 12-11-2009. Your Trade-In has the following remarks: Screen is Damaged. Your total credit will be $ 0.00. If you have any questions please contact tradein@twsmail1.com and please include your voucher number.
Thank you for participating in the T-Mobile Trade-in program.

This is not truth. Phone was fully functional in good condition. Is this the way they collect old phones?
Has anyone ever received a check?

I was talking to friend of mine and he said he's been waiting for rebate since May.

[Strontium]

Might want to contact the company that DELIVERED the phone...

[berryite]

Originally Posted by czaplin

I just want to share my experience with t-mobile rebate program. ... was talking to friend of mine and he said he's been waiting for rebate since May.

There's a similar thread somewhere here on CrackBerry that I just read. Same issues.

T-Mobile isn't responsible for this company. They are an independent 3rd party outfit who, as I seem to recall, is located in Michigan. Personally I think T-Mobile should disassociate themselves from these people but that's just my opinion.

I used these people once for an out of the box quality Curve and it took MONTHS to get my $75. I would never use them again.

I just sold my 8900 days ago and I used Craig's List. The response was very strong and the transaction was perfect. Nothing like these other people.

I can't recommend this company that T-Mobile puts on their website and would caution anyone considering using them to be very careful. Certainly don't sit by your mailbox waiting for a cheque because while they promise a cheque in weeks, it takes months and months. Obviously they are not a highly credible company.

[NorrisCell]

Originally Posted by berryite

Personally I think T-Mobile should disassociate themselves from these people but that's just my opinion.

I feel the same way. There are tons of "recycling" companies for phones that either claim there was some small defect or offer such lowball prices that it isn't worth the owner's time. It's a shame that T-Mobile associates with this one long term.

The only recycling programs I would trust are ones by the manufacturers themselves, such as the ones offered by RIM and HTC right now.

[BlkBear]

Another thing I noticed with some of these cash for old phones type recyclers, is that in their offer, they say phones can not be returned. Which I find odd, especially if they say it's worth 0, or not what you were quoted, then I say send it back. And the reason they don't I think is because they would then have to damage the phone or claim they made a mistake or return a damaged phone, in hopes that the sender can't tell the difference.

[jidx]

Sounds like a scam

[rayporsche]

We've been through the process more than once without any problems, always got our refund, a little bit slooooooooooow process but it has worked.

[berryite]

Originally Posted by jorgeed

Sounds like a scam

Scam is a strong word. I used them and did get my $75 but it took FOREVER.

Scam? Perhaps.

Poorly run, ineffective communication, bad customer service? DEFINITELY.

[Artemis68]

Yeah I've heard bad things about the company.

Besides, you can usually sell your old BB for a lot more than 75 dollars and, of course, there's no waiting by the mailbox.

[mostlydo]

i have had success but it takes crazy long. to czaplin i would recommend following up with the company in regards to the situation. its a little unfortunate they valued it at 0 for screen damage but i would call or email and verify the situation and set what options you have to retain the device or what. it doesnt seem worth following up legally if they are not willing to send back the phone but im sure tmobile may be interested about the outcome. wether they are third party or not. tmobile is promoting these actions and as a costumer your suffering. to me that bs and not acceptable. hope all works out, cheers and merry xmas

[Artemis68]

Sometimes, verifying doesn't always work..

See, the problem with some of these "trade in" companies is that you are always taking a risk. You have to send in your phone and then they judge how much it's worth. What if the company is not very trustworthy and immediately says "oops...damaged, no $$ for you." You really end up screwed.

Selling on eBay and CL is nice because there's accountability and things to do if you got scammed by someone.

[czaplin]

Here's their response I got today:

The screen that was damaged is not the cosmetic damage to the screen, but the LCD damage to the inner and outer screen.

I am sorry you are disappointed, but we must abide by the rules of the program.

Jonnie

Jonnie Sullivan
The Wireless Source
794 Industrial Ct.
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
www.thewirelesssource.com


I checked phone and it was fully functional before sending it. This is total BS.

[Artemis68]

Did you ask them to send the phone back to you then?

[czaplin]

Artemis68: yes, still waiting for info

[czaplin]

Here's the another response:

It is also impossible to return your phone because once a phone has been inspected and shows damage it is automatically recycled. Below is an excerpt of the terms and conditions:



Please review the following terms and conditions:





13.RETURN OF USED PHONE OR CONTENT THEREIN: Once you trade-in �s used phone, The Wireless Source or its vendors will not be able to return the used phone or any of its contents including accessories or data contained in the used phone. All transactions are final and non-returnable. There will be no substitutes or replacements provided.





Jonnie



Jonnie Sullivan

The Wireless Source

Customer Service for the Trade-In Program

Holy crap t-mobile! How could you chose those liars?