From: rdp@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (rajeshkumar.d.patel)
Subject: Bad Experince With US Sprint
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 15:34:59 GMT
Keywords:  US Sprint/ Metrics Communication

Fellow Indian,

I like to document the experience I had with US Sprint
recently. It is as follows:

I was at the Chicago O'Hare airport last Thursday, Oct 29.
My parents were going back to India. At the terminal there
was a booth from US Sprint and a small crowd. I thought I will
check it out. So I went there, and I asked for rates for
India. They said it will be $1.23/Min any where in the India.
I thought that rates were pretty good compare to $1.63/Min
and $1.29/Min for a single line where you call most with
MCI. Since, I didn't want my telephone line to be switched,
I asked to set up a separate account and use Sprint as a
secondary carrier to call India with 10333 access code.
After little hesitation they said they can do it. I signed up 
and had make sure that they don't switch my primary carrier.
They wrote on the sign up sheet that secondary carrier only.

Now, on Saturday, Oct 31, there was similar ad on the Indian
TV program, 8-10AM Chicago time. I though I would call US Sprint
customer service to see if they can signed up immediately, because
the folks at O'Hare told me it will take about three weeks to
setup an account. I called Sprint customer service and they
checked my telephone number, and they mentioned that your
telephone service is provided by Metrics Communication and we
could not sign up. I said what? I never signed up with the Metrics
Communication, the frustration began. I asked what could have
happened, and they don't know anything about it. I asked about
ad in the Indian TV program to see if they are aware of such
a promotion. They would not know. Now I realize that customer
service is not informed of all different kind of promotions
going on, and it seemed there are several promotions going on.

I waited few more days and a guy from India, with Sprint, called
with a new promotion, that they have new rate of $1.23/Min for
anywhere in India and 20% discount on top for the number you call
most, but, you have to switch the primary carrier. Obviously,
I didn't want to switch my primary carrier. But I asked him about
the problem I had and he gave me another Sprint customer service
telephone number. I called Sprint customer service and they told
me that we can't service you since your telephone service is
provided by Metrics Communication and that I had to deal with
MC (Metrics Communication).

I called MC customer service and wanted to find out what's going on.
What I found out is that MC is another long distance company based
in Dallas, started three year before. They don't have any equipment,
but they told me that they buy telephone lines from US print and sale
whole to customer (I still don't know what this means). I would think
that MC would lease telephone lines from Sprint at lower rate, Sprint
will still provide telephone service, but billing will be handled by
MC. Since, lease from Sprint is at lower rate MC can charge less to
their customer. However, the customer service will not reliable, for
example the MC customer service is only opened from 7am-7pm, and Sprint
customer service will not deal with you. Another example of bad customer
service is, I have found that by my primary carrier is switched to MC,
which I never wanted. I will have to switch the service back.

The bottom line is, when you sign up with US Sprint for a better deal,
for example $1.23 rate for India, and so forth, most likely, you are
not signing up with US Sprint, but MC or other long distance carrier
never heard of. Obviously, it's always good to get better rate for
India, but make sure whom you are signing up with. The company like
MC and other when they go out they use US Sprint banner, or atleast
they don't say that they are not US Sprint. You need to find out
before you sign up. Make sure you ask, that is the bottom line.

I just wanted to make people aware of could happened. Please share
your experience.

Raj Patel

"Why create troubles of our own
  when others will so willingly
  share theirs?"

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