ATTN: Nextel's unethical business practices

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Jason Ward - 28 May 2004 21:25 GMT

I opened up a Nextel account in May of 2003 and signed a one year
contract. Throughout the past year, I have struggled with dropped
calls, poor reception and abysmal customer service. My contract ran
up on May 14th and the next day I opened an account with AT&T wireless
and attempted to port (switch over) my number from Nextel to my new
AT&T phone.
When I called Nextel to ask how long this procedure would take, I was
told that my Nextel would be ported and switched off within 10
business days. Now, two weeks later not only has my number not been
ported but Nextel is telling me they will not turn off my phone until
the middle of June. I asked why this was and they responed by telling
me that they do not pro-rate accounts anymore because there customers
did not understand the concept. What person does not understand
pro-rating?
I run a swimming pool business and an e-commerce web site. The
dropped calls on my Nextel are upseting my customers and I know that
I've lost at least two customers due to this issue. I've told Nextel
that I would pay the bill for the full month even if they turned my
off now. But of course, this was to no avail.
I filed a complaint with the FCC but so far I have not received any
response from them.
Does anyone have any ideas? Is it legal for a company to force me to
pay until the end of this billing cycle even though I am now out of
contract with Nextel?
Has anyone else had a similar problem with Nextel's porting and
customer service?
I've really got a desire at this point to collaborate with other
disgruntled customers and force some action upon them. Companies like
this will always take advantage of folks (i.e. no pro-rating) when
only a handful speak up. I want this thread to be a collage of
anti-Nextel sentiment that can be brought to the attention of Nextel's
management and hopefully force them to change their policies.
"Beep-Beep. How justice gets done."

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Mike Gill - 28 May 2004 21:36 GMT

> I opened up a Nextel account in May of 2003 and signed a one year
> contract. Throughout the past year, I have struggled with dropped
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> management and hopefully force them to change their policies.
> "Beep-Beep. How justice gets done."

This is exactly why I am worried about 'porting' my number
away from Nextel. They have no right to do this! File more
complaints and keep us posted! Thanks.

-Mike

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John - 28 May 2004 22:15 GMT

> > I opened up a Nextel account in May of 2003 and signed a one year
> > contract. Throughout the past year, I have struggled with dropped
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> -Mike

Try the BBB

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CWArnold - 29 May 2004 12:47 GMT

If you tell them to turn off your phone you have to wait for the rest of the
billing cycle to finish up. Its been that way for a long time. The months
are pre-paid and if its such a big deal tell them to disable all incoming
calls. It can be done.

> > > I opened up a Nextel account in May of 2003 and signed a one year
> > > contract. Throughout the past year, I have struggled with dropped
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>
> Try the BBB

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Bob Ward - 29 May 2004 21:50 GMT

>If you tell them to turn off your phone you have to wait for the rest of the
>billing cycle to finish up. Its been that way for a long time. The months
>are pre-paid and if its such a big deal tell them to disable all incoming
>calls. It can be done.

So your position is that Nextel is morally obligated to restrain you
from using your cell number - the number that the government has
stated to be your property, since you CAN take it with you?

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Shawn Hearn - 29 May 2004 15:06 GMT

> This is exactly why I am worried about 'porting' my number
> away from Nextel. They have no right to do this! File more
> complaints and keep us posted! Thanks.

This is standard practice amongst cell phone providers. Also, closing a
cell phone account rarely happens immediately since most cell phone
companies bill for future service, they close the account when the
previously paid for service expires and they simply stop billing for
additional months' worth of service. Same with regular phone companies
too.

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Bob Ward - 29 May 2004 21:53 GMT

>> This is exactly why I am worried about 'porting' my number
>> away from Nextel. They have no right to do this! File more
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>additional months' worth of service. Same with regular phone companies
>too.

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/NumberPortability/#earlyfee

If a consumer has a long-term contract with a carrier, is that
consumer still obligated to pay an early termination fee even if
he/she ports the phone number to a new carrier?

Yes. While consumers who wish to switch carriers may request service
from and port numbers to a new carrier at any time, they are still
obligated to pay any early termination fees they may have under an
existing contract, and they are obligated to pay any outstanding
balance owed to the old carrier.

Consumers interested in switching providers should review their
existing contract to determine what fees or charges would apply.

However, once a consumer has requested service from a new carrier, the
old carrier may not refuse to port a number, even if that individual
owes money for an outstanding balance or termination fee.

...

How long will the porting process take?

The new carrier can usually provide a good idea about how long the
process will take.

For a wireless-to-wireless transfer, the phone number should work
within a few hours from the time the porting request is made of the
old carrier.

A wireline-to-wireless transfer may take several business days to
complete. Ask the new carrier whether the current wireline number will
be available for use during the transfer process.

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Steve - 30 May 2004 02:27 GMT

Hello

There is no way nextel is holding your number. We check with a few
Depts and If you what out go. If your under Contract you will be hit.
No Way Shape or form is nextel holding your personal number. If SO
Please e-mail us. You will have your number in 4 hours.

From steve

>>> This is exactly why I am worried about 'porting' my number
>>> away from Nextel. They have no right to do this! File more
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>complete. Ask the new carrier whether the current wireline number will
>be available for use during the transfer process.

Note: This post may contain misspellings, grammatical errors,
disorganized sentence structure, or may entirely lack a coherent
theme. These elements are natural to the process of writing, and will
only add to the overall beauty of the post.

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DevilsPGD - 28 May 2004 22:13 GMT

>What person does not understand pro-rating?

Having worked in telco, I can tell you that most people don't understand
pro-rating even when it's spelled out and it makes sense.

With most bills today, it makes very little sense.

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