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View Full Version : Russell Cellular an authorized Verizon dealer


Barkay
11-21-2013, 07:54 PM
In my 20 years as a cell phone user I can honestly say this was the worst experience in getting a phone. Took my mother in to reactivate her account and get her a new phone, a simple process, right? Well not when the staff at the above named store (located on CR 466 near Wal-Mart) seemed to care less about getting her what she needed and wants - a simple cell phone. At 88 years old she has no interest in a smart phone or text plans, translation no big sale. She simply wants a cell phone with buttons big enough to see when she dials a call.

They made it seem like too much trouble to reactivate her account (although we could have re activated the account by phone and now wished we had!), so they encouraged us to add her to our account and to pick out a suitable flip phone. 45 minutes later, exasperated from the experience and just wanting to get out of there, we took the bag and left. The salesperson said let me grab your accessories and you'll be set. It wasn't until we arrived home and took a close look at the paperwork that we realized that "accessories" is sales person code word for selling unwanted/unneeded merchandise.

$14.99 for a 2 pack of screensaver sheets (who needs those for a flip phone)- call it unwanted and unneeded. $14.99 for a storage pouch - if you wanted such they are available for under 5 bucks anywhere- call it unwanted and unneeded.
$29.99 for a car charger, again available for under 10 bucks in thousands of places- given that mom has NO CAR, the car charger seems TOTALLY unnecessary.

So, caveat emptor, and NEVER assume anything in a cell phone store. The sales person never once asked if mom wanted any "accessories" and he certainly had no clue what she wanted or needed. His only end game was high profit items to boost the sale of a cheap flip phone.

Rest assured that we will NEVER use Russell Cellular on 466 near Wal-Mart again and suggest that if you do, pay close attention when they say "let me grab your accessories" - you may end up with $60 in items you don't want or need.

blueeagle65
11-21-2013, 10:23 PM
There is a 'real' Verizon Wireless store at the corner of 27/441 and Rolling Acres Rd. staffed by Verizon employees. Always nice and ready to assist one and all.

sgiamp1
11-22-2013, 06:11 AM
Are you sure you got charged for the screen protectors, charger and case. I've purchased a couple of phones recently and all of those items were included in the price. Like you, at the end of the transaction, the representative put them in the bag after we were done with the paperwork and getting ready to leave. If you did get charged for those items, I'd certainly address is with Michael Hawes, the manager.

I only ask because we've used that store many times and are very happy with the service we have received. Actually the reason we continue to go back is because they are always willing to help. (When we upgrade, we usually have a number of functions that we're not familiar with so we drop in to ask for assistance.)