So I've been a republic wireless customer since 2013 and have generally had no issues with them until recently when I was forced to purchase a new phone as my Defy no longer was in working condition. After making the fateful decision to purchase a Samsung J3 via the Affirm credit - and thinking that this is all going to be billed under my account - as that is the impression I was given whilst signing up - I initiated the purchase and eagerly awaited the arrival of my new phone.
After the phone arrives it works fine for several days and then suddenly stops working altogether. At least the screen no longer works but the phone does, at least the lit power light seems to indicate as much.
At any rate, it being less than two weeks, I figure that I'm within my 14 day unlimited return guarantee that they supposedly have offered. So I make the arrangements to get the phone shipped back, which takes a bit of time since RW has zero - ZERO - customer support and they seem to have a 1 email per day policy from whatever Indian sweatshop handles their customer complaints, which must be legion. So after several days I finally manage to get this white elephant back to them and have finally received a reply. These fools imagine that they're going to charge me 197 dollars for a phone that worked for less than two weeks, claiming that the phone screen was 'cracked' and that the phone was 'scratched' - neither of which are in fact true. When this phone was returned there was not a scratch on it and the screen certainly was not cracked. I have done some research - I should have done this prior but I was in need of a phone and hadn't really imagined that past Samsung products are as shoddy as their current exploding phones - but apparently the J3 is NOTORIOUS for its blackscreen problems but these corporate con-artists somehow imagine they're going to hide behind a combination of an utter lack of customer service (no phone number or mailing address sure makes it difficult to contest things like this and discourages one from doing so!) and the facade of corporate anonymity and their presumed power to destroy ones' credit rating.
Well, Republic Wireless - you've met ONE angry consumer who will NOT be bullied by your shady business practices or your stonewalling tactics. I intend to file a complaint under the Fair Credit Billing Act for your shady as fuck practices and I will see you or your agents in small claims court!
As for any potential customers - let my experiences with Republic Wireless serve as a warning - As long as you have no issues that need to be resolved - like returning a 200 dollar defective phone that is supposedly covered under an 'Unlimited 14 day warranty' - you should be fine. However, if you receive a defective product in response to your order, you may end up being charged for it and stonewalled just like they're trying to do to me. I wonder how many others have fallen victim to their scams?
No doubt this subreddit is run by this shady corporation and this will be deleted but in the meantime perhaps someone will read this and dodge the horrible bullet that is Republic Wireless.
I should have switched to ATT Go, it's what I've ended up doing anyway.
Thanks for NOTHING, Republic Wireless!