The following is a customer service review of T-Mobile located Market City Shopping Center.
I own a Sony Xperia Z1s, which was marketed by T-Mobile and Sony as "The world's best camera in a waterproof smartphone*..." Those very features are what sold me! I'm addicted to social media and need a strong camera with a phone that has fast processing capabilities. The fact that it's waterproof was bonus! Unfortunately, the waterproofing was what proved to be an epic fail.
On Thanksgiving I wanted to take a picture of my niece swimming. So, after making sure the ports were secure, I dunked my phone halfway in wanting to catch a semi submerged horizon style picture, instead my phone blacked out and never started up again.
In order to dry out my phone, I placed it in a bag of dried rice with all the ports opened. After 24hrs the phone screen still wouldn't power on; however, I took comfort in believing that either T-Mobile or Sony would stand by their marketing word and make things right. Thus, began a sad endeavor.
On November 28th 2014, I visited the Market City T-Mobile location. I was greeted by "Training", who was very upbeat and pleasant. I felt a little bad for "training" not getting an actual name tag in addition to her training identifier. In any case, she was nice. She asked what I was there for and I explained that my phone was broken and I needed to see someone about getting it fixed or replaced.
Moments later Masa came out and took my phone. He shoved some kind of instrument into it then said, "It's water damaged. I can process an insurance claim for $175." I was flabbergasted. I pointed out the several marketing promises, explained that in addition Sony had just texted me last month inviting me to try their new apps, ones designed exclusively for underwater use. He told me it was the only thing he could do for me.
"...but, that's more than half the price of the phone! The damn thing is supposed to be WATERPROOF!" I again explained. Masa offered no further help, so I asked for a manager.
Daniel came out from the back office several minutes later. Immediately, without inspecting the phone, he reiterated what Masa said. At this point, my frustration grew to anger; he hadn't even looked at the product before making a call! Also, no one had even bothered to ask my name.
Daniel continued to spiel. I stopped him and asked him to explain how it was reasonably possible for a company to charge a customer for doing no wrong and for using a product in the way that it was marketed when sold. He basically told me that it had limits and I had obviously pushed it because certain indicators were missing and that he could see sand in the ports. It was completely unprofessional of him to make that accusation.
The indicator he was looking for was on the other side of the phone, which Masa pointed out. He would have known this had he actually inspected the device. I also pointed out it was not sand he was seeing but rice particulate, from trying to dry out/save my phone.
I explained that I refused to believe there was nothing further he could do for me. He told me the only other thing he could do is send it in directly to Sony under a warranty claim but I would only be delaying the charge because Sony would say that it was water damaged; then Sony would send a bill through T-Mobile that I'd end up having to pay anyway.
Again, I asked, "Why should I get charged for using a waterproof phone in the water?"
In a last attempt with Daniel, I explained that I've worked, trained and managed in retail. I told him I suspected he surely had to be empowered to do SOMETHING to lessen the blow: a credit, a "damage out", SOMETHING! He was cocky smug and said, "Well not with this company."
I realized he wouldn't budge so I asked him who his boss was. He snapped, "I AM MY BOSS. This is it."
To which I replied "Bullshit. Everyone has a boss. Who's your regional manager? I want to talk to them!"
He shut up for the briefest of seconds and then said "He's only going to tell you the same thing."
I demanded to know how to get ahold of him but he refused to tell me how or give me his number. After arguing he finally agreed to TEXT him. After several minutes, when there was no reply to his text, Daniel told me he would have his manager CALL ME.
"HOW?!?!?! ON WHAT PHONE ?!?!?!", I snapped. A dumbfounded look on his face, Daniel said that he would talk to his manager and have him email me. I have yet to receive any contact.
This was hands down THE WORST customer service experience I have ever had. The most pleasant thing was the greeting by "training" and I can't even credit her by name.
The interaction with both Masa and Daniel was nothing more than regurgitated spiel. I understand that perhaps, they were simply doing their job; however, when it comes to customer service there are two sorts. "Those who do their job, justly" and those who "Just (bare minimum) do their job". read more