I went in last night to purchase a phone for my son. I had spoken with Rafael over the phone, and he had thoughtfully put aside the only Nokia 3.1 Plus they had in stock. Unfortunately, things went downhill from there.
First off, he told me that I could not buy the phone outright, I had to open a phone line or transfer one over. This would turn out to be the only accurate thing he told me.
The phone was advertised with a full retail price of $160. He insisted the price was $180, even when I showed him the official Cricket Wireless website. Fine, whatever.
Then he tells me that my son has to have the $50 unlimited plan, even though the website states that even their 2 GB plan for $30/month is acceptable. Again, whatever, I just ask for what the out-the-door total price is, since now that we're opening a phone line, the price of the phone drops to $120.
He tells me I qualify for a coupon on a phone case and screen protector. I say sure. Then he tells me the total is $270. I do some mental math and ask to see a break down. Here's what I see:
$40 for a phone case
$40 for a screen protector
$62 for the unlimited plan (not $50)
$18 activation fee (which he tells me he discounted for me, it's usually $40, or so he claims)
EIGHTY DOLLARS for a case and screen protector? He points out that the coupon gave me $10 of each so it's only $30 each. I tell him he needs to remove those but he insists that the price of the phone "will go up to $180" and then tries to tell me that the phone is going to be $180 with or without the case and screen protector.
I start trying to purchase the phone from Cricket directly but he tells me that the price will be the same. Not wanting to waste anymore time I go home and buy it off of the official website.
$159.29
No bull crap accessories. No activation fee. The $30 2 GB plan. And some taxes.
I don't know who runs this store but this was my first and last time in a Cricket Wireless store. Trying to rip people off and having the balls to try to sell people $40 cases and screen protectors is bold, but bad for business. read more