One Solution for Angry Cell Phone Customers
Consumers are fed up with cellular phone companies, prompting legislative action in some states. Once company offers to buy back old phones that still work but are no longer in use to help consumers who feel "stuck" with old phones.
Ocala, FL (PRWEB) June 20, 2004 -- A recent report from the University of Michigan's customer satisfaction index reveals that the cellular phone industry is the second-lowest ranked industry for customer satisfaction.
Recently one young man was so angry with his wireless phone company that he went on a rampage in a Fargo, North Dakota mall throwing phones and electronics everywhere forcing employees and customers to run for cover.
Jason Perala, 22, said, "I kind of regret that I did it, but I hope my message got across," according to a report in The Forum newspaper. Although his actions were extreme, his feelings of frustration are not unique.
Last year the Better Business Bureaus ranked mobile phone companies at No. 2 for the most complaints nation-wide, which is actually a slight improvement from first place the year before.
Consumers complain of frequently dropped calls, lousy customer service, exorbitant penalties for exiting a contract, a multitude of fees, number portability problems, and locked phones.
"It is true that you can keep your existing number when you switch to a new cell phone service, but usually you are forced to get a new phone because the old one is locked and will only work with the old company. The new company not only gets to sell you a new phone, they usually charge a fee to enable you to keep your old number," explained James Mosieur of RMS Communications Group, Inc.
Verizon Wireless plans to charge customers more than $173 million a year in fees for number portability alone, according to published reports. Other companies have similar plans in place.
Sprint PCS placed a four-page ad in USA Today and asked, "What if the rest of the world were like the wireless industry?"
The ad showed a group of children reading the rules at a playground: You have to guess how many minutes you're going to use your ball -- for the next two years. Don't guess too high or too low, or you'll be sorry."
The analogy hits home with many frustrated consumers.
Mosieur's company formed www.CellForCash.com to solve at least one problem cell phone users are experiencing -- getting stuck with a locked phone they can no longer use.
"We will pay the cost of shipping the phone to us and then send the consumer a check to pay for their working phone," said Mosieur. "When your new cell phone company does not let you keep your old phone, at least now you have a way to put it to good use and receive some extra cash as well."
Unused but working cell phones can be turned in so they can be refurbished and put back into use in areas around the world where people cannot afford new phones. The program protects the environment from hazardous waste found in cell phones, puts the phones to good use, and compensates consumers and non-profit groups for the old phones.
"Everyone comes out a winner," said Mosieur.
Many states are considering various types of legislation to deal with the growing deluge of consumer complaints. California last week adopted a Telecommunications Bill of Rights that requires companies to inform customers about rate increases, bill customers only for services that they request and allow customers to drop a service, without penalty, within 30 days.
The industry has promised to challenge the new regulations in court.
Youth groups, church groups, Scouts, athletic teams, and others interested in raising funds by collecting old cell phones should visit www.CellForCash.com, or just call customer service toll-free at 1-800-627-2022.
About CellForCash.com
CellForCash.com provides consumers and businesses a convenient way to get cash for cell phones that otherwise lay idle. More information can be found at www.CellForCash.com.
About RMS
Since 1985 RMS Communications Group, Inc. has been a leading wireless wholesaler with customers all over the world. They support the wireless industry with innovative services designed to help service providers, wireless agents and corporate customers get the most out of their wireless devices. More information on RMS is available at www.rmscomm.com.
Contact:
James Mosieur
RMS Communications Group, Inc
4551 NW 44th
Ocala, FL 34482
Phone: 352-369-3888
lgorsuch@rmscomm.com
David M. Bresnahan, 801-562-5362
www.ThatPRGuy.com
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