T-Mobile = Horrible customer service??!?!?

[SpringfieldXD45C]

I've heard the rumors... T-Mo's customer service is legendary. They're the best in the game. Everyone says so!!

Rewind: October 2007. I was a Sprint customer. After 3 years of hell with Nextel, no service in Rhode Island, replacement phones, billing errors, and long wait times, I became an ex-Spring customer when I threatened to leave Sprint for T-mobile, and the customer service SUPERVISOR said to me "You do what you have to do..." *click* and hung up on me. So I did just that... I walked into a t-mobile store and bought a wing.

Fast-forward: Today. It's now 6 months later. I've had 3 warranty replacements on the Wing, then (because I was fed up with the wing) I asked for an alternate model. They told me the only other "multiple exchange" model was the Dash. So they sent me a dash (which I can't figure out because it's cheaper). That was 3 weeks ago. Today, I noticed a bunch of white lines on my screen (see my other post for a screen shot).

I just got off the phone with T-mobile. They confirmed that this is a problem with the Dash, and the brackets holding the screen apparently break for no reason at all, causing this problem. It can happen for any or no reason at all. Well, the wing might be slow and lock up and reboot itself when it wants (though I fault t-mobile's shitty software for that) but at least it kept it's screen in tact.

So I told them I wanted a wing back. They refused, because I did not qualify for the multiple exchange, since it was only my first dash. I told them I needed a phone that DIDN'T lose it's screen at random, so I wanted the Wing back (which is what I originally paid $300 for) and they said no, because that only applies if I had 2 or more defective dash's. What the hell is wrong with this company!?!? They can't send me a Blackberry Curve (even though it's the EXACT same price as the Wing), they can't send me ANYTHING, not even a basic phone. They said if I wanted the wing now, it would cost me $400!!!

Now, looking back at Sprint, with their new CEO (who has vowed to clean up customer service) and their newest plan (simply everything), and the coolest phone I've ever seen (the Sprint "Touch") I think I'm going to pay the early termination $200 fee and switch back to sprint when I get my $600.00 economic stimulus check from the government in May, and I told the t-mobile guy that too. He said "Well, sorry to hear that, but there's nothing we can do for you..." <-- What the hell is that??? What happened to customer service? I left Sprint because they sucked, and now they're getting better and T-Mobile sucks.

Looks like I picked a bad time to leave Sprint and an even worse time to join T-Mobile.

WARNING TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING TO T-MOBILE OR BUYING A PDA FROM T-MOBILE: DON'T do it!!! If it's a bad model, you'll be stuck with it!!

I am SICK of getting new phones every month in the mail. It takes me about 6 hours to get my phone looking & acting the way it should. I have to flash the ROM, copy pim.vol, change the theme, remove the stupid "callstart.wav" file, hack the shit out of the registry, and set up email, internet connections, and everything else. I've wasted countless days of my life doing this.

I've reached the end of my tether. I hope a perspective T-mobile customer reads this and it helps them decide to NOT go to T-mobile. Likewise, I hope a higher-up at T-mobile reads this and gets the message.

[Mikey]

LMFAO Dude grow up.

[pudgedaddy]

I've heard the rumors... T-Mo's customer service is legendary. They're the best in the game. Everyone says so!!

Rewind: October 2007. I was a Sprint customer. After 3 years of hell with Nextel, no service in Rhode Island, replacement phones, billing errors, and long wait times, I became an ex-Spring customer when I threatened to leave Sprint for T-mobile, and the customer service SUPERVISOR said to me "You do what you have to do..." *click* and hung up on me. So I did just that... I walked into a t-mobile store and bought a wing.

Fast-forward: Today. It's now 6 months later. I've had 3 warranty replacements on the Wing, then (because I was fed up with the wing) I asked for an alternate model. They told me the only other "multiple exchange" model was the Dash. So they sent me a dash (which I can't figure out because it's cheaper). That was 3 weeks ago. Today, I noticed a bunch of white lines on my screen (see my other post for a screen shot).

I just got off the phone with T-mobile. They confirmed that this is a problem with the Dash, and the brackets holding the screen apparently break for no reason at all, causing this problem. It can happen for any or no reason at all. Well, the wing might be slow and lock up and reboot itself when it wants (though I fault t-mobile's shitty software for that) but at least it kept it's screen in tact.

So I told them I wanted a wing back. They refused, because I did not qualify for the multiple exchange, since it was only my first dash. I told them I needed a phone that DIDN'T lose it's screen at random, so I wanted the Wing back (which is what I originally paid $300 for) and they said no, because that only applies if I had 2 or more defective dash's. What the hell is wrong with this company!?!? They can't send me a Blackberry Curve (even though it's the EXACT same price as the Wing), they can't send me ANYTHING, not even a basic phone. They said if I wanted the wing now, it would cost me $400!!!

Now, looking back at Sprint, with their new CEO (who has vowed to clean up customer service) and their newest plan (simply everything), and the coolest phone I've ever seen (the Sprint "Touch") I think I'm going to pay the early termination $200 fee and switch back to sprint when I get my $600.00 economic stimulus check from the government in May, and I told the t-mobile guy that too. He said "Well, sorry to hear that, but there's nothing we can do for you..." <-- What the hell is that??? What happened to customer service? I left Sprint because they sucked, and now they're getting better and T-Mobile sucks.

Looks like I picked a bad time to leave Sprint and an even worse time to join T-Mobile.

WARNING TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING TO T-MOBILE OR BUYING A PDA FROM T-MOBILE: DON'T do it!!! If it's a bad model, you'll be stuck with it!!

I am SICK of getting new phones every month in the mail. It takes me about 6 hours to get my phone looking & acting the way it should. I have to flash the ROM, copy pim.vol, change the theme, remove the stupid "callstart.wav" file, hack the shit out of the registry, and set up email, internet connections, and everything else. I've wasted countless days of my life doing this.

I've reached the end of my tether. I hope a perspective T-mobile customer reads this and it helps them decide to NOT go to T-mobile. Likewise, I hope a higher-up at T-mobile reads this and gets the message.


Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today! I for one would never EVER go to sprint. I don't care how much 3g or EV-DO they have...I used to be work for sprints technical support desk and i absolutely hated it! all they cared was for you to get off the phone as quickly as you could try to sell some add-on crap that you didnt need... retrigger the IOTA (internet over the air refresh) and get off the phone ASAP! and the reson why the tech do this is they dont get a bonus if they dont have an average call time under 7 minutes! i went to work for them thinking it was a technical job and all it was , was a front for over the phone sales! i was only there for 8 months and i hit the door as soon as the opportunity arose.

[Mikey]

Maybe its you, not the phones. Ever think about that.
T-Mobile is not here to exchange any phone "YOU" decide to mod, drop, throw, dunk,etc.
They have a limit on how many, per customer, can get an exchange.
There is a thing called insurance you can buy from them, for this specific reason.
Pay up to keep getting a new phone every 4-6 months.

[ashasaur]

And see, I am the exact opposite of what the first poster said, I am a current SunCom Wireless customer, who was just bought out by T-Mobile, and I have had nothing but good things from TM's customer service. I called them about getting a Wing, and if they would provide me with a TM SIM card that would work with my SunCom plan....which wont work of course, so instead they say-"Hold on one moment and let me look at your account...(so I give em my account number, a SUNCOM account number mind you)and the dude comes back and says, well with your anytime rewards(basically 5USD off of a new phone that yoy get for every month you stay with SunCom), you can get a Wing for 249.99, and we will go ahead and SIM unlock it for you before we ship it, so that you can use it with SunCom. Then when SunCom and TM become one company, we will send you a TM SIM card(because thats what they are doing with everybody) and you will still be able to use your SunCom services and current billing prices." So of course I say hell yeah, and give the guy my debit card number, and he comes back and says, "Oh, and you also qualify for free next day air!" so hell yeah, I do LOVE TMs customer service already, and im not even one of their customers yet! BTW, teh Wing=AWESOME!

[spikey911]

I sort of had a similar experience.

I had a Shadow, and did not like it, I really wanted the Dash to begin with..

I called and asked to send the Shadow back, and that was fine, but they wanted me to pay $200 upfront.

After thinking about it, I said no.

Called back asked for a supervisor, who immediately called the proper department, got my phone sent out FREE, gave me the rebate instantly, and also sent me a free bluetooth headset.

I have no problem with T-mobile, but if you do, call back and ask for a supervisor.

[Yianaki]

I LUV me dash and I think that Tmobile is probably the best mobile phone company. Hell they didn't ever try to sell up, but they did help me downgrade my plan with courtesy and respect and no additional months on my contract.

As to your problems with the Dash, I am sorry I would still get another. Even great products have some problems with them. I have had my Dash for over a year and couldn't possibly be more pleased. I keep it in a case and it is in pristine condition. My contract is over and I really would like a 3g device but there isn't anything I would like more than the dash out there. Especially with google's web page compression and the opera mini.

I work at IT at a hospital and most...no every smartphone has KNOWN problems with them. Please don't ask about getting a TREO..... You won't see known issues broadcast anywhere unless you are an major enterprise client. Cellular companies don't usually ever mention problems to nickel and dime clients.

My sister has major problems keeping a working cellphone for more than 4 months since they stopped making them large plasic bricks in the 90's. She has had her Dash for over a year as well. It has a large crack in the screen (no actual harm just a large crack). Various large gashes and the power button has to be pushed extra hard but it's still workin! So if you ask me it is a brick.

Tmobile is different. They only have edge no 3g at all that is a dealbreaker with enterprise clients. They only have nickel and dime clients. I think in general Tmobile have to be nice to their personal clients and they are. Just don't put a pink logo on your website!

[SpringfieldXD45C]

Allright... for those of you telling me to "Grow up" and "Maybe it's not T-mobile, it's you" First of all, I'd like to remind you that I'm at least being polite to you. See, I reply to topics to give USEFUL information, not scathing remarks. That makes for somethign we like to call "a pleasant atmosphere". Perhaps you've never heard of that before. So how about YOU grow up? Thanks :D

I'd also like to point out that "I" am hardly the reason for the following WING issues:

Phone #1: Random reboots, battery lasted for 2 hours max, touch screen would stop working, and only come back after a reboot.

Phone #2: Extremely slow (timed: 34 seconds for the start menu to appear after pushing the start button.. OUT OF THE BOX), random reboots.

Phone #3: Internet would not work at all. On the phone with PDA Tech support who walked me through everything he wanted me to do, then finally HE suggested replacing the phone.

Phone #4: Would not power on at all.

Phone #5: The dash: Everything is working fine. Today, while sitting on my desk (e.g. not being dropped, submersed, etc.) a bunch of white lines appear on my screen. A member of this board said he had the same problem, and even T-Mobile said it was a known issue...

I'm sorry, but please explain to me HOW that is "me" and not t-mobile!??! You've obviously proven to me what great intelligence you have by demonstrating your innate, Jedi-like ability to sit at a keyboard and say "Dude, grow up" and "Maybe it's you not t-mobile" So please explain, Captain SDA... I eagerly await your solution to "my" problems with these "perfect" phones.

My mom once told me "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". Clearly your moms never told you that, Perhaps you should ask YOUR mom for that same advice. Judging by your superior online personalities, that shouldn't be too hard: Just leave your basement and walk upstairs. I'm sorry you don't understand the value of a dollar, and the fact that I have now spent $300 on a phone that doesn't work, and I religiously pay my bill for a service I can barely use. I'm sorry that upsets me. You're right, I shouldn't complain about that.

*** sigh ***

For the rest of you: Thanks for the advice about going back to sprint. The only reason I'm even thinking about it right now is because of all the good things I heard about the new CEO and the changes he's making, and I'm excited about the Samsung Instinct as well as the Sprint HTC Touch, which I personally got to use and it was lightning fast!!

[Mikey]

My point was that T-Mobiles history with you as their customer.

When i read the story, i thought, this guy has no luck with phones. Do you honestly think T-Mobile will start giving away replacements to a person that has a history of mishaps? Look at it from their point of view also.

The thing is these days, people think everything is about themselves.

Sorry if you hate my replies. I tell things the way I see them. I don't sugar coat anything.

[SpringfieldXD45C]

If you had said THAT instead of "Dude grow up" at first, it would've been a little nicer, don't you think?? Do you think I don't have enough on my plate already, after bleeding out all kinds of money for a damn phone & service that I can't even use, without having to put up with wisecrack remarks??

Yes, I DO expect T-Mobile to stand behind their products.

I respect the hell out of calling shots as you see them, but I question HOW they're seen. Throw me a bone, will you??

[Mikey]

If you had said THAT instead of "Dude grow up" at first, it would've been a little nicer, don't you think?? Do you think I don't have enough on my plate already, after bleeding out all kinds of money for a damn phone & service that I can't even use, without having to put up with wisecrack remarks??

Yes, I DO expect T-Mobile to stand behind their products.

I respect the hell out of calling shots as you see them, but I question HOW they're seen. Throw me a bone, will you??

*tosses a bone in the air :D*
Kidding

[atomiix]

you know even if i had 10 phones break on me, through running normal software or even modified i would like the company to replace, even if it was my fault... thats what u pay insurance for and thats what makes great customer service. Think about it... how many people know more about the phones then someone that modifies them? not your average user, i referred about 15 people just because sprint is so good with me breaking my phone anyway i did( twice but w/e), not just a new phone but every little thing(a new box, battery, phone, 2x stylus, etc...). no need to grow up its a normal thing to worm someone about a HORRIBLE service provider, i've had sprint for a couple months no complaints, well maybe my bill once but i just shot them an email about my bill being $300, next day they gave me an extra $500. if u switch to sprint get the sero account and you may want to do it fast because no one knows how much longer that type of plan is going to be available....

:D

[pudgedaddy]

you know even if i had 10 phones break on me, through running normal software or even modified i would like the company to replace, even if it was my fault... thats what u pay insurance for and thats what makes great customer service. Think about it... how many people know more about the phones then someone that modifies them? not your average user, i referred about 15 people just because sprint is so good with me breaking my phone anyway i did( twice but w/e), not just a new phone but every little thing(a new box, battery, phone, 2x stylus, etc...). no need to grow up its a normal thing to worm someone about a HORRIBLE service provider, i've had sprint for a couple months no complaints, well maybe my bill once but i just shot them an email about my bill being $300, next day they gave me an extra $500. if u switch to sprint get the sero account and you may want to do it fast because no one knows how much longer that type of plan is going to be available....

:D

Yea but the key element of your situation that makes it different from the person that made this thread is that you have INSURANCE! things are a whole heckofalot different when you have insurance. When you don't, you stand a chance at ending up like this poor guy! The only thing about insurance i absolutely despise is you always get a reburb.

[Mikey]

I have to disagree...If i had a company and sold you a phone. If you modify the rom in any way, warranty is void.
I think even with insurance it gets voided. (I may be wrong)

[pudgedaddy]

I have to disagree...If i had a company and sold you a phone. If you modify the rom in any way, warranty is void.
I think even with insurance it gets voided. (I may be wrong)

No because most insurance plans cover damage ... which cover both physical and software.firmware damage.....

[Mikey]

No because most insurance plans cover damage ... which cover both physical and software.firmware damage.....

original and modified firmware?

[pudgedaddy]

original and modified firmware?

Yes! Heck even if it didnt and the insurance covered only physical damage. I'd beat the heck out of the phone so it wouldnt turn on to find out which firmware or ROM was installed. I mean if you think about it , the phone companies make a buttload of money gettin $5 ( or more) a month for monthly insurance charges,,,, then the customer still has to fork out a deductible when they use the insurance. So trust me, I'd love to offer insurance. Lastly most insurance policies limit the nunber of exchanges to 2 or 3 per year. so it would insure that they couldn't abuse the insurance plan

[johnnylavah]

it sucks about the issues you are experiencing, but do you think this is the right forum (no pun intended) for this issue? in my opinion, you will have better luck discussing this issue with mid - senior level management at T-Mobile USA; not with a bunch of people looking to modify their mobile devices.

[pudgedaddy]

it sucks about the issues you are experiencing, but do you think this is the right forum (no pun intended) for this issue? in my opinion, you will have better luck discussing this issue with mid - senior level management at T-Mobile USA; not with a bunch of people looking to modify their mobile devices.

I agree. The mods should close this thread

[SpringfieldXD45C]

I have no other place to vent, and to be honest, I was hoping to get a former T-mobile employee (or someone) who would send me a PM or leave a post with a bit of a tip in it.

If nothing else, I'm outraged and I need to vent (something wrong with that??) It's only natural.

By the way, this has nothing to do with insurance... this is still warranty!! And how do you figure flashing the ROM voids the warranty?? It changes no physical part of the phone... and as long as you can flash the factory ROM back onto it, (thus making the phone still useable) what harm was done?

I see nothing in the warranty about flashing the ROM as being grounds for voiding.

[johnnylavah]

I have no other place to vent, and to be honest, I was hoping to get a former T-mobile employee (or someone) who would send me a PM or leave a post with a bit of a tip in it.

If nothing else, I'm outraged and I need to vent (something wrong with that??) It's only natural.

By the way, this has nothing to do with insurance... this is still warranty!! And how do you figure flashing the ROM voids the warranty?? It changes no physical part of the phone... and as long as you can flash the factory ROM back onto it, (thus making the phone still useable) what harm was done?

I see nothing in the warranty about flashing the ROM as being grounds for voiding.


there are a lot of tmobile employees that hang around the T-Mobile Forum on HowardForums...you might have better luck there...

http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52

goodluck!

[superminipoo]

t-mobile customer service does sux bunghole, but its cheap so i keep it.

[Profezza]

Tmo is not just the only cell provider to get the JD Power 5 Star 7 times in customer satisfaction, but the only company in any industry they track to get that. I picked them for the price, and the GSM technology. I ask a lot of them, and they have yet to fail me. Although one of my many calls did lead to a retarded op, he was the exception, not the rule. I've had plenty of carriers, but every other one was smug and acted like they were doing me a favor by taking my money, while giving me usually incorrect assistance.

Sorry if I sound like a toadie, I'm just a geek that isnt easily impressed... actually impressed so far.

[SpringfieldXD45C]

Tmo is not just the only cell provider to get the JD Power 5 Star 7 times in customer satisfaction, but the only company in any industry they track to get that. I picked them for the price, and the GSM technology. I ask a lot of them, and they have yet to fail me. Although one of my many calls did lead to a retarded op, he was the exception, not the rule. I've had plenty of carriers, but every other one was smug and acted like they were doing me a favor by taking my money, while giving me usually incorrect assistance.

Sorry if I sound like a toadie, I'm just a geek that isnt easily impressed... actually impressed so far.


You don't sound like a toadie at all... All of my friends say the same thing about Tmo, which is why I went to them. But the fact is, I'm now 6 months in and almost half a dozen phones, and I've STILL got problems.

I'm sure (seriously sure, no sarcasm) that their customer support is great when you don't have serious problems with your phone like I do. But the fact remains that they're not doing a damn thing to REALLY fix the problem... they're just sending me refurbed phones with even more problems.

Here's another gripe I have... When you qualify for a multiple exchange.. in other words, when you have so many problems with a particular model that you qualify for an alternate model... why is the "comparable" model to the Wing the Dash?? Why is that the ONLY option? What about a Blackberry? What about an MDA? The Dash is significantly cheaper than the Wing.

Shouldn't alternate model be of equal or greater value? It's not like the thing works fine and I just woke up one morning and decided I didn't like it anymore... the thing is a piece of junk, and it's now the 4th piece of junk in a row. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not getting what I paid for. They're not holding up their end of the deal. They're advertising a phone that does A, B, and C... yet it doesn't do A or B. So they send you a new one that does A, but not B or C.

I mean, am I the ONLY person that sees this as totally unfair?? They should at least give me options here. I'm not being a crybaby about this at all: This is about MONEY. Not JD Power awards, not what kind of service YOU get, but what kind of service I get. I'm not paying your bills, so I really don't give a damn what kind of service you get (no offense). I'm holding up my end of the deal here, I pay my bill on time every month, religiously... for service I can't even use. I think it's disgusting.

For the entire month of February, I didn't use so much as 1 minute of internet time, even though I'm paying $20.00/month for unlimited usage. Why? Because the 2 wings that I had for the month of February didn't like the internet. When I asked them to credit my account for that $20.00, they refused. Am I the only one that sees a problem with this??

It seems to me like the rest of this board (well, MOST of it) has a "Suck it up, pal" attitude towards this, simply because YOU don't have any problems with them. Ever think that maybe someday you MIGHT have a problem? Better yet, ever think that there are other people here who have similar problems and are glad to finally have someone to relate to?

I'll concur that we are most definitely the exception to the rule, but that doesn't give them the right to screw us.

[superminipoo]

i be pissed too if they did that to me also springfield. T-Mobile does suck at serious problems like that. they're trying to save money just like the rest of us. it just sux it had to happened to u tho. sorry ur having bad experiences with ur dash, if only u can get a brand spanking new 1 that works right. but T-Mobile is a cheap skate, so am i.....

wing sux dude, dont get it. try to get a new dash over wing. oh ya u cant. T-Mobile sux. hey just keep nagging them about it to get u a new 1 and not refurb. oh ya u tryed that....well...keep nagging them.

[Profezza]

...their customer support is great when you don't have serious problems with your phone like I do. ...

Having been through 3 Dashes, getting ready for my fourth, I have some idea, although our experiences have been different in several ways. And the support experience varies with every call, to me. I also got in a nasty 3-way dance with wirefly/inphonic and T-Mobile, so I have talked to them quite a bit.

... why is the "comparable" model to the Wing the Dash?? Why is that the ONLY option? What about a Blackberry? What about an MDA? The Dash is significantly cheaper than the Wing....

The dash is the "comparable model" most likely because it is a) Windows Mobile, and b) readily available in new and refurb lots c) (possibly) research has shown them that people seem to like it better and migrate from one to another WM phone best. (with the lowest support costs.)

Can't say why the BBerry Pearl, with the same price as a dash, isn't comparable too. I am sure it is sturdier. Perhaps you could have had that or a Shadow, but had to do it when you switched models before. No telling. Are refurb MDAs even around anymore?

Keep in mind this is nerdy speculation by me. Based on my past experience with T-Mo, I might even keep asking them until I got a real answer from them, but it would take a long time to cut through the corporate layers of babble.

At this point, with the wing's reputation, it is a poor seller and some places non-stock, or cheaper than a dash. I wouldn't take one, for example, which suggests a current worth below MSRP. Actually, I am surprised its still on the official site, considering the competitors offerings. I suppose its just filler until the TMo 3g phones arrive later this year.

...Shouldn't alternate model be of equal or greater value? ...

I would think so. Or at least the cost you no more than the difference between current prices, at the most strict of businesses. This is where polite escalation and a healthy dose of empathy, sincere or not, makes a difference. Keep asking for what you want, and ask them how you can help them make it happen.

... I'm not paying your bills, so I really don't give a damn what kind of service you get (no offense)...

I am not offended. However, you might remember, you didn't appeal with a an issue like, "I'm having a hard time with T-Mo, does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve my chances of getting what I want?" Instead, you exclaimed something like "T-MO is teh SUXOR, can I get an Amen?!?!" No, I am sorry, if everyone else has had generally positive experiences, we aren't going to go, "Amen". That would just be silly.

Additionally, if you really don't give a damn about how others are doing, or evoke a demeanor as if you do, why should anyone else do that for you? I'll loan a friend $20 bucks, but not a stranger because we relate to each other, and support each other's aspirations. If you don't do that with the people here slightly, expecting it back would be ludicrous.

...When I asked them to credit my account for that $20.00, they refused. Am I the only one that sees a problem with this??...

The only advice I can give you is for the future. And this is approximately what they said to me -- if ANYTHING is wrong, or I am not satisfied in ANY WAY call them ASAP. If they cant fix it instantly, they will the timestamp of the problem, and refund as needed. But if I miss the date of the billing cutoff, by a minute, I am SOL (for the billed period). And, now, I do exactly that, If my home key even clicks funny, they get a 611 from me.

However, even with things documented it can be a pain in the ass. After multiple calls to multiple supervisors, and two supervisors' supervisors, I managed to get the second one to see that I had really done my part and finally correct an error on their part from three months prior (with a credit to account), so if you stay diligent and make a "buddy" things can always improve.

It seems to me like the rest of this board (well, MOST of it) has a "Suck it up, pal" attitude...

I think a lot of them feel this is a place for hacking, deving or modding their HTCs, and talking about it. Based on the name of the site, I'd guess they are right. The Internet is a very big place, and people have suggested other spots where you might find a more automatically sympathetic ear. I don't wish you away, but it seems that the wavelengths don't quite match up at the moment.

As far as sucking it up, it depends on what you really want. A phone? A gadget that is fun? An organizer? Your dignity when facing off against a big evil corporation? This is real life, you have to buy shitloads of insurance, read all the fine print, and you will still get burned sometimes. I'm not just talking about any phone carrier. So, as one regular guy to another, I have to say, "Suck it up - Somewhat" Choose your battles, and then fight smartly to achieve what you want. If you aren't through with T-Mo, get sharper for the next fight. If all you want to do is convince someone here of your truth just remember it isn't the only by-god truth ...and that time spent won't help you get your phone fixed. Unless, I suppose, it has given you determination or insight...

[QUOTE=SpringfieldXD45C;2080652]I'll concur that we are most definitely the exception to the rule, but that doesn't give them the right to screw us.[QUOTE=SpringfieldXD45C;2080652]

Best of luck. Keep calling and remember what catches more flies. If you get stuck with yet another dash, come back and mod it.:)

[SpringfieldXD45C]

Well, I am getting stuck with another Dash, it should be arriving today. By the way, that was an awesome post. It was well thought out and a lot of work went into it.

Therefore, I feel confident in asking you this: Is there a step-by-step procedure for modding these things? Because it feels like I'm "missing" something. I follow all instructions, but something always seems to go kaput.

[Profezza]

Thank you, I hope it helped! I thought it was dreadfully long. I hope it entertains you well, I will love mine unconditionally until the second I can afford an Xperia1 ;)

There are lots of ways to mod them, and the trickiest, but most rewarding is flashing it with a newer, spiffier ROM. Well, installing Opera is probably more rewarding, but not as interesting.

But if you are going to do a ROM flash expect something to go wrong, and try to familiarize yourself with all the mistakes everyone else has made, so you can catch and correct early on. Most mistakes are listed over and over on the forum. Take out your SD card. Turn off ANY auto-locker you've installed. Have a full charge. Those are the simplest ones to overlook. Don't try and do it in a hurry, or from an unstable PC.

Expect to have to soft-reset a few times, and after anytime you mod anything with graphics in the OS screens. :(

There is a backup program, Sprite backup, that will make an image of your OS and then restore all or part of it, that can be bought or, uh...probably... found... I have found it more worth my while to install the apps again manually, but it can be used to do a limited retrieval, like SMS threads and who-gets-what-ringtone.

I just found this guy's video of the flashing process (http://www.jamerican.net/?page_id=57) in another thread. The write up is solid, too, with really good links. Since that video was filmed, however, Kavana and others have really packaged all the applications to flash with (the lockers, unlockers, and other fiddly bits) along with a 90% automatic batch file and zipped it all together. Any current ROM from him or Rick comes like this. If it doesnt auto-execute, just ignore the applications themselves and look for the .bat in thier folder. There is one part where you are supposed to press a button at a certain time on the phone, but it is a bit forgiving it seems, and if I mess up, I just press it again.

Keep in mind, after a flashing, there will be lots of menu tweaks, so all the same things (and more) will be there, but not in exactly the same places. This is more from the version tweaks of Windows Mobile than the cookers. And you will have to add/adjust the proxy, data, MMS and a zillion other settings. I haven't seen an auto-config for TMo yet that gets it quite right. TMo's official instructions are in my sig.