Electronics

[sueinsf]

I have had tracfone for 2-3 years and been very pleased -- got both from HSN, first the LG 800 and then the LG 840. I use it primarily for phone calls and texts and even then pretty infrequently (as I now have an iPhone for work), so really can't speak to the internet access or other features.

flygirl8 -- they have an 800 number in the U.S. (corporate office in Miami I believe) - 800-876-5753 and you will obviously get someone who speaks English. As to the triple minutes (assuming this is the same on the Q phone), this is pre-programed into the phone. First you activate the phone (which I think gives you about 10 minutes and 60 days) and then you call a separate number to get your additional time and promotional minutes which automatically triple. All these instructions should have come with the phone. The first time I did it all online and the second time I called. Both times it was very easy and took a few minutes!

[flygirl8]

Thanks Pook and sueinsf... My mom and I both read the directions that came with this phone. It was her first TracPhone and I have never had one, either. She didn't have minutes to transfer. She activated it fairly easily. With activation, she had 600 mins to use before Jan 31. Nowhere in the instructions she got did it say that the only way to add minutes (that would be tripled) after that is by calling an 800 # or going online. And none of the 4 customer service reps told us that either. She got nervous about the deadline approaching, so she purchased a card at the grocery store. I wasn't with her when she put the minutes on the phone. She got them added ok. But they did not triple. That is when I called the customer service 800 # again. I simply told the CS operator that the phone was purchased at QVC. The promotional period is over so she added minutes from a purchased card. They did not triple.This operator in particular, whose responses I could only decipher about 40% of the time, continuously tried to tell me that I need to call QVC to put the minutes on. She also continuously told me that the minutes weren't tripled. WHAT???

This is what I call 'passing the buck'. I work with the public myself, and always really try hard to listen and provide ALL the relevant helpful information I can if someone needs help. If I don't know the answer, I GO ASK SOMEONE WHO DOES. Know what I mean?? Try a little harder?? It doesn't take much effort and it could make a really big difference in how that customer feels when the conversation is over. But even when I asked if there was someone else I could talk to who is familiar with the QVC package, I was told, very unceremoniously, I might add... "NO".

I think the thing that makes me most angry is that a lot of people in her age group (she is 74) like the idea of these phones not necessarily for the bells and whistles, but because of the "pay for only what you use" feature. They are not necessarily tech savvy. And if you ask my mom, she'll tell you that she doesn't WANT to be!! The presentations make it sound so easy. Then you get it at home and either the directions aren't there, or they are as clear as mud, or you have to get online to make it work, or warm-body, english-speaking customer service is non-existent. Someone like my mom is buying this phone mainly for emergencies and the very occasional call she needs to make when away from home and I wouldn't trust a phone for those purposes from a company like this. We will continue to look for something that serves her needs.

I am glad to know they have worked for some of you and you are happy with your purchases. Clearly, they sell a lot of them on QVC.