Sprint

I had purchased my phone on the 28^th of the month. I had until the 30^th to return my old phone for the buyback plan promotion. It’s stupid that they would rush the buyback anyway considering that was the reason that I bought the new phone and I had already acted on it. So I go in the store at 7:30 PM and the place is already packed. There is an old guy at the counter and two young guys helping customers.
So the old guy at the counter said I could wait in line but there was no way they would help me before they close at 8 PM. And he said that if I brought my phone in the next day they would not honor the buyback even though I bought my new phone already, even switched carriers. So my only choice was to get in line and stay after hours. He insisted that anyone who left the store would be out of line and not get service. While in line I asked the young guy who was helping the customers ahead of me, why couldn’t the old guy help some customers instead of just standing at the counter? He said that the old guy didn’t know how to use any of the systems, despite the fact that he was in charge. And he was right. Once closing time hit at 8 o’clock, the old guy left while more than 15 customers stood in lines for the two younger employees. The service tech in the back also left — no cross training at this store.
So I got to wait in line for 2.5 hours for the simple task of selling back my old phone which you think even the dumbest employee could handle. The old guy doesn’t have a clue how to treat customers.
The two young guys were both doing their best and very accommodating since they realized the senselessness of it all. The guy I dealt with (Ryan?) was excellent both when I bought my phone and returned my old ones. Although he did try to upsell services he was trying to get the line moving by getting the next one in line ready before their turn. Their computer systems are really slow so don’t be in a hurry if you are switching from another carrier.
This gets one star for how poorly the store was managed.

Dude At The Podium: Can I help you?
Me: Yes. My phone is broken and I need to get it fixed.
Dude At The Podium: Someone will be with you in a few minutes.
So, I occupied myself the only way one can in a store that sells phones. I mucked about with all of the phones. I was approached twice by someone wanting to sell me a new phone. I waited twenty minutes for someone to call my name about fixing my old phone. Priorities.
Dude Who Knows Phones: What’s wrong with your phone?
Me: I don’t know. That’s why I brought t to you. It blabbity blah blahs when I blah blah blah and then I can’t doodah doodah or wocka wocka. I have to turn it off and then back on in order to wocka wocka and that’s a real pain in the badonkadonk. So I reset it and nothing changed. I did a hard reset and nothing changed. I think something is wrong with the widget.
Dude Who Knows Phones: Have you tried turning it off and then back on?
Me: Yes. I just said that…
Dude Who Knows Phones: Have you tried resetting it?
Me: Yes. I just said…
Dude Who Knows Phones: Did you do a hard reset?
Me: Yes. I just said…
Dude Who Knows Phones: Well, let me take a look at it. (Looks at it.) This phone is over a year old. You need to upgrade.
Me: Well, that phone is under a two year contract. I pay for the «shit went sideways and my phone is FUBAR» insurance every month. I need that one fixed.
Dude Who Knows Phones: Well, the new Yackity Yack is out now and it is a lot better than this one and it would just extend your contract to get a new one so…“
Me: Fix my phone, please.
Dude Who Knows Phones: Why don’t you take a look at the new Yackity Yack while I see if this can be repaired.
Me: I don’t want a new Yackity Yack. I want you to fix my flip flopping phone. Capice?
Dude Who Knows Phones: Fine. You’ll have to wait.
Me: I’m shocked.
And, I waited. While I waited, I occupied myself the only way one can in a store that sells phones. I mucked about with all of the phones. I was approached again by someone wanting to sell me a new phone. Apparently, the Yackity Yack will cure cancer and discover life on Mars. I still didn’t want it. Since, you know, I was there to get my phone fixed.
I waited about forty five minutes while gremlins in the back room with tiny hammers and saws, repaired whatever was wrong with my phone. I imagine them with shackles on their legs and flour sack loin cloths covering their private gremlin bits. Poor things.
Dude Who Knows Phones: So, we fixed your phone. (Notice how he takes at least partial credit for the slave labor of the gremlins.) The widget needed to be replaced so it should work fine now. Are you sure you don’t want to take a look at the Yackity Yack?
Me: I’ve seen the Yackity Yack! I don’t want the Yackity Yack! Shut up about the Yackity Yack and give me my phone!
And, I stomped out.
**Names and actual malfunctions have been altered to protect the innocent (and stupid) and avoid the onslaught of well meaning but unnecessary advice about how to fix my phone and proclamations about the awesomeness of the Yackity Yack.**

It’s a Sprint Store… Your experience is completely based on the person you get and the mood they are in. I have had really good experiences there and some really bad. Sometimes you have to wait a ton… sometimes you get right in (With the inside looking the same???) So as far as Sprint Stores goes… it’s run of the mill, I use it because it is the closest to my office.