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TracFone - Advertising, Promotions, Sales Practices

TracFone • Missing minutes • Activation problems • Can't get local number • Defective phone • Network problems • Lost the phone • Advertising, promotions • Rebate problems • Inside Trac --- News • TracFone Pays $50,000 for Violating Missouri's Do Not Call Law

Clifford of Lawndale CA (1/22/04):
I wanted to buy 300 minutes of prepaid cell phone time. They asked for my credit card. I gave them the credit card number. They told me it wouldn't go through. I had just used it yesterday without any problems. They asked for another credit card and like a fool I gave them another credit card number. They also told me that, that credit card number would not go through. This time I realized something going on. I told them to forget it.

Afterwards I called both credit card companies and checked to make sure none of the transaction had gone through. Well to my surprise I had 3 charges for each credit card. Both totaling over $1000.00. Tracfone had put these charges on my credit card bill! I immediately called Tracfone back and complained. Hardly anyone there could speak English! I also never received any cell phone time.

Frederick of Patagonia AZ (1/14/04):
On January 14th 2003 I attempted to purchase 60 minutes of airtime using promotional code 57154 using the instructions on the advertised mailing by calling (800)867-7183 but was refused because it wasn't in their computer system. The fourth person I spoke with, Ziggy (#45979) transferred me to a supervisor, Ernesto (extenion 80494) who told me that I had to purchase 100 minutes to be able to use the promotion code.

That is called BAIT AND SWITCH and is illegal (ask Sears). The promotion advertisement that was mailed to my home states: "Use promotional code 57154 available at retailers nationwide 1(800)867-7183 or www.tracfone.com" The offer is to receive 30 bonus minutes with each purchase of 60 minutes of airtime or greater.

They won't sell me 60 minutes! but will sell me 100 at a higher cost. Bate and Switch! The offer expires tomorrow (Jan 15th 2003) so afer talking with five people at Tracfone I have decided to make formal written complaints at this web site, The Better Business Bureau, The Attorney Generals Office and all of the retailers who sell Tracfone cards.

Cynthia of Bordentown NJ (8/9/03):
I received an email to buy air time it said "click here to buy now" which I did and was transported to a redeem airtime page. There were two flashing arrows pointing to 2 different airtime units so I assumed this is what I had to choose from so I did. And after I entered all of my information into my phone I was shocked to find that unlike what the email said - I DID NOT DOUBLE MY AIRTIME MINUTES!

So I called customer service and was told that what the email meant is that I had to join a "PREPAID PLAN" FOR $14.95 PER MONTH AND THEN BUY AIRTIME CARDS TO DOUBLE MY AIRTIME. HOWEVER, NOWHERE IN THE EMAIL OR THE REDEEM AIRMAIL PAGE THAT I WAS DIRECTED TO STATE THIS. I believe that I was intentionally MISLED.

Damage Resulting: I purchased additional airtime that I really didn't need (my due date to purchase airtime was October 16, 2003) and I had plenty of airtime to last me until then. I just really feel that I have been purposely misled. I would like my $100.69 back and I never want to receive another email from this company.

As soon as my airtime minutes are used up I plan on tossing their cell phone in the trash.

Bov of Mary Esther FL (5/6/03):
I purchased and activated a Tracfone 27 Mar 03. I then redeemed a 1-year 150-min airtime card and keyed in the promotional code 52312 on the web site and the screen came back and said to redo, so I submitted it again. It went through the second time but did not give me a promotional code credit. I called Tracfone and was told to purchase a 30-min card and try it and call back if I had any problems. The 30-min card gave me 30 min and not double minutes (60).

I called Tracfone and they gave me codes to enter to get the additional promotional 30 min which I did and they said they would take care of the problem with the promotional code as I told them I was going to buy the 300-Min card soon. They told me to wait a week to correct the promotional code problem and then purchase 300-Min card. I redeemed the 300 Min card on 27 Apr 03 and it gave me only the 300 min and not the 600 min like it was should have. They did not correct the promotional code problem like they said they would. I called Tracfone 27 Apr 03 and they said I needed to send this to you by email to get the additional 300-min credit.

As of 6 May 03, I have not received any reply to my problem. 6 May 03 I called Tracfone and a supervisor named Baze advised me I could not talk to anyone about my problem and that the only way to correct the problem was through email, no one else could help me at all. This has been 9 days and I am still waiting.

I also have a second problem now. I also Referred A Friend for the 60-min promotion on 27 Apr 03 for each of us through email and neither of us has received any email for him to get a phone. He got the phone and still has not received the email for him to go buy a phone from my referral.

Jim of Hot Springs AR (4/23/03):
In March I purchased a 1-yr 150-minute card on the net with a promotion of double minutes on the next purchase. In April approx the 14th I purchased a 300-minute card which was supposed to be doubled but it only added 320 minutes. I have not been able to get my bonus minutes; they gave me a phone number but no one ever answers that number.

Jamie of Conshohocken PA (3/28/03):
I bought a Digital Tracfone specifically for its FREE features that it advertises only to find out many many phone calls later that those features were not available. I wasted a lot of my time and my minutes on my Tracfone that I paid for to find this out. I am very mad. This is false advertisement. It was not stated on the box or in the manual that the FREE features may not be available. If that is the case, this should be advertised as well. Now, I am stuck with a phone which was more expensive that doesn't come with the features I bought it for.

Arthur of Zephyrhills FL writes (7/5/01):
In December 2000 Tracfon offered me a 100-minute card for 100 free minutes on my Tracfone if I recommended a new customer to buy a Tracfon and stay in good standing for three months. I did this and after the waiting period I began asking for my 100-minute card. It is now seven months and all I get is a form to fill out. I have filled out ten forms and sent over twenty e-mails but this Natasha Harvey always sends me another form. This to me is false advertising and should be addressed.

In spite of Natasha Harvey's actions to block my getting the card, Tacfones rebate dept. says I am entitled to it but obviously Natasha Harvey for some unknown reason continues to cause me emotional distress by taunting me weekly with her ridiculous requests.

My complaint is her refusal to O.K. a rebate card for 100 minutes for referring a new customer, in spite of Tracfones rebate dept, which has said via e-mail that I am entitled. She just keeps sending me the same form over and over again for three months.

I cannot describe the mental anguish she has put me through sending e-mails (app. twenty) phone calls every week and all she does is put me on hold, and leave me there. All I am asking for is what they promised in their ad campaign.