Stuck with crappy phones and crappy service

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

I got three Samsung A737 phones back in August (yeah big mistake, I know). These phones are notoriously pieces of junk and they don't even sell them anymore. At one point, I had several friends who also had this model, but over time, everyone sent theirs back and upgraded. I don't know how they were able to do it, but I tried with bad results.

I called yesterday and after the csr tried sending update signals out, she recommended we get the phones replaced, and told me we had one year warranty. I spent so much time on the phone with her, I had to wait until today to call warranty support. I called them today and they had me do all the usual stuff, which I already know like battery pulls and such. After awhile, she informed me that we only had 90 day warranty on the phones since they were refurbs. She said we could still potentially do an early upgrade, and tranferrred me to my third csr.

After I once again explain the mutliple issues we were having with the phones, he put me on hold for several minutes while he talked to his supervisors about offering us different phones. The only thing he could offer me was the online price for a refurb +$75 and we would have to re-up our two year contract. Say what!?

I am not happy at all. These phones are crap! They drop calls, constantly search for a tower, and tons of other little quirks which are commonly known to AT&T. Search any forum for the A737, and you will find nothing but unsatisfied users. I sometimes pay my cell phone bill up to 3 months worth in advance, and this is the thanks I get. Wow!

Squanda.9 · ‎04-24-2008

kb0npw wrote:
I got three Samsung A737 phones back in August (yeah big mistake, I know). These phones are notoriously pieces of junk and they don't even sell them anymore. At one point, I had several friends who also had this model, but over time, everyone sent theirs back and upgraded. I don't know how they were able to do it, but I tried with bad results.

I called yesterday and after the csr tried sending update signals out, she recommended we get the phones replaced, and told me we had one year warranty. I spent so much time on the phone with her, I had to wait until today to call warranty support. I called them today and they had me do all the usual stuff, which I already know like battery pulls and such. After awhile, she informed me that we only had 90 day warranty on the phones since they were refurbs. She said we could still potentially do an early upgrade, and tranferrred me to my third csr.

After I once again explain the mutliple issues we were having with the phones, he put me on hold for several minutes while he talked to his supervisors about offering us different phones. The only thing he could offer me was the online price for a refurb +$75 and we would have to re-up our two year contract. Say what!?

I am not happy at all. These phones are crap! They drop calls, constantly search for a tower, and tons of other little quirks which are commonly known to AT&T. Search any forum for the A737, and you will find nothing but unsatisfied users. I sometimes pay my cell phone bill up to 3 months worth in advance, and this is the thanks I get. Wow!

You do have a 30 day buyers remorse period to try out any phone you have to make sure you like it. You could have returned the samsungs within that 30 days and traded it for a more satisfactory device. ATT also offers an insurance feature for 4.99/month so that if you're out of warranty and need a replacement, you don't have to upgrade or pay full price for a phone.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

You could always try turning off 3G on your phones. I searched for the code on here to post for you but I haven't found the correct solution. You could try using the search bar and see what you can find.

If you can turn off 3G, it will improve your signal and battery life.

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Would this help even though there is no 3G service in our area? They keep talking about bringing 4G to new areas, but we don't even have a 3G tower in our area yet.

The phones also do lots of other weird things, but this is by far the most aggravating problem. There are times when I awaken to find the battery dead because it lost signal and searched all night for a tower, thus burning up the battery.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

Yes, it would help by trying to get the code to switch to 2G. You DID say that your phones are constantly trying to find a signal. I assume you mean switching from E to 3G. With the phones looking for a signal, that surely does use up battery life.

Did you ever have phones before that weren't 3G phones?

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

These things are always looking for a signal. When I talk on mine, I have to stand in front of the window just to keep the call from dropping. The phone will alert me to a voicemail all the time, even though it never rang to begin with. Sometimes I can play that voicemail back, and it can be an hour or two old. When I go to send a text message, it sometimes takes up to 30 seconds to send it. Yet other friends can visit with AT&T service, and have no problems. I know without a doubt, it all goes back to these crappy A737s, but I should have acted quicker in getting them replaced. There was just nothing else I liked style-wise at the time we got these. Now there are plenty of good ones to pick from, but they won't swap me out without charging me an arm and a leg.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

kb0npw wrote:
These things are always looking for a signal. When I talk on mine, I have to stand in front of the window just to keep the call from dropping. The phone will alert me to a voicemail all the time, even though it never rang to begin with. Sometimes I can play that voicemail back, and it can be an hour or two old. When I go to send a text message, it sometimes takes up to 30 seconds to send it. Yet other friends can visit with AT&T service, and have no problems. I know without a doubt, it all goes back to these crappy A737s, but I should have acted quicker in getting them replaced. There was just nothing else I liked style-wise at the time we got these. Now there are plenty of good ones to pick from, but they won't swap me out without charging me an arm and a leg.

No, they probably won't swap them out for different phone since they were refurbs and you got them in August. You only have a 90 day warranty on those. Did you ever try contacting Samsung??? See what they may be able to do?? All phones carry a 1 year manufacturer warranty. It's just a thought.

I know what you mean about selection though. I always had Nokia's but when I upgraded, I opted for an LG Shine...my first LG. I didn't care for the Nokia's ATT had at the time...NOTHING like I had previously. Afterwards, they came out with some nicer phones AFTER my 30 day trial period. I like my Shine now....BTW...on my 3RD SHINE. I returned 2 of them for shutting off issues. Anyway...I SURE hope they have some better phones out there when I'm raedy to upgrade again OR I'll be keeping my Shine til it bites the dust.

You can always check around on ebay but just make sure if you do get any phones, that they are compatible to use with ATT. You may save yourself a few dollars.

Message Edited by Dcookie on 04-23-2009 05:25:36 PM

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

graphite07 · ‎10-16-2007

i had the The Samsung SGH-A727 it was messing up on me. first time dropped calls would dial out froze up. 2nd phone same problems plus charging issue.3rd phone same problems at first phone. i called warranty support again. the supervisor gave me the option of another phone. so i took the sony W580i it was an awesome phone. so just call warranty support tell them the phone is having problems. go thru the steps and after the 3rd warranty support call see if they can offer you another phone.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

graphite07 wrote:
i had the The Samsung SGH-A727 it was messing up on me. first time dropped calls would dial out froze up. 2nd phone same problems plus charging issue.3rd phone same problems at first phone. i called warranty support again. the supervisor gave me the option of another phone. so i took the sony W580i it was an awesome phone. so just call warranty support tell them the phone is having problems. go thru the steps and after the 3rd warranty support call see if they can offer you another phone.

Graphite07...the problem is, the OP purchased the phones in August as REFURBS. There's only a 90 day warranty on them. What about the manufacturer warranty...isn't it 1 year on phones? Do you think Samsung could do anything??

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

graphite07 · ‎10-16-2007

hmm maybe they can.but on REFURB phones you get what you paid for.my wife got and Orange samsung slider phone. right after the the warranty went out the phone started to show signs of trouble. and arguing with AT&T about the phone after warranty has expired will get you no where.maybe he ca nspeak to a supervisor and get the phone replaced with a different model,

i look at it like this why should this customer be stuck with a phone for the next 2 years that does not work properly.

you always have eaby buy a phone outright.i had to do this when AT&T was cingular. my phone messed up this is when cingular had instore tech support the guy screwed my phone up.and cingular would cover it becuase the warranty was out. so i had to buy a phone off ebay. thats why i stuck with Nokia phones never had a problem with them.

Message Edited by graphite07 on 04-24-2009 05:08:04 AM

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Now you see why they have the contracts. It's their way of having you bent over a barrell, with nowhere to go. I will not forget this when it comes time to re-up my contract. Another carrier may start to look pretty good. I have the orange A737 that you mention. My wife and daughter have blue and red ones. From day one they have all had crappy reception, but we just dealt with it. Over time, they have just gotten worse, and we take really good care of our things, so it's not from abuse. All three phones still look practically new.

I thought of trying to talk with a supervisor, but didn't know if it would help or not. I told the csr I spoke with that I wasn't looking for a freebie, and that I would gladly pay the online price for three refurbs. The ones we had in mind would have cost us about $100, but they said they wanted the extra $75 per phone also, so it would end up costing us $300 to get these replaced with refurbs.

And like I said, every single friend who has had these A737s have all sent them back. How they got it accomplished, I do not know. There is no way that AT&T cannot know the crappy history of this phone model.

I'm still digging trying to find the engineering code in order to try turning off 3G. It is worth a shot to see if that will at least keep it from losing signal all the time and dropping calls.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

kb0npw...check THIS post by luckyboyboys on page 2 of this thread. But ALSO check page 3. I didn't WANT to post this for you due to the fact that I don't really see it as being a solution since the next poster on Page 3, says that it is only a temporary fix. Well, thought I'd post it here anyway and MAYBE this will help you in some way.

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

wilcre · ‎06-01-2004

kb0npw wrote:
Would this help even though there is no 3G service in our area? They keep talking about bringing 4G to new areas, but we don't even have a 3G tower in our area yet.
The phones also do lots of other weird things, but this is by far the most aggravating problem. There are times when I awaken to find the battery dead because it lost signal and searched all night for a tower, thus burning up the battery.

4G is supposed to be released on the 700 Mhz spectrum that ATTM bought in the alst spectrum aution that went on in late 2007, as of yet they have not even fully inmplemented 3G yet, so the release of 4G wont be for sometime as of yet unfortunately, that and also the fact that there are no phones to support the 4G network yet that have been released.

AT&T's return policy has changed effective 10/07/12. You have 14 days to return the device & cxl without a ETF. Policy info HERE.

Where is Justin Timberlake when you need him?. I need him to billed me a bridge to get a cross all these tears from complainers.This post is protected under the laws of the United States & other Countries. Unauthorized duplication, Distribution may result in civil liability & criminal prosecution.The OP gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of: The mods, Fellow forumites, Canada, The United States Of America, Mexico, USVI & Europe. As well as James Bond.

When the going gets rough, hide in a pillow fort and pretend you don't exist.

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Thanks for the link Dcookie. I just tried it. Time will tell I guess. I haven't noticed any signal strength change so far.I always only have 1 or 2 bars here at the house, and sometimes just the antenna symbol with no bars. After I made the change I turned the phone off and back on again. I don't know if that matters or not. I guess I need to do my research on which mode I put it back to if this doesn't work well. There are only three options on the menu. 1) Change Conn_state 2) Change to WCDMA and 3) Change to GSM

I would love to find out how to do some other tweaks to the phone also. Maybe I'll dig around more on synchole and other sites to see what I can find out.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

kb0npw wrote:
Thanks for the link Dcookie. I just tried it. Time will tell I guess. I haven't noticed any signal strength change so far.I always only have 1 or 2 bars here at the house, and sometimes just the antenna symbol with no bars. After I made the change I turned the phone off and back on again. I don't know if that matters or not. I guess I need to do my research on which mode I put it back to if this doesn't work well. There are only three options on the menu. 1) Change Conn_state 2) Change to WCDMA and 3) Change to GSM

I would love to find out how to do some other tweaks to the phone also. Maybe I'll dig around more on synchole and other sites to see what I can find out.

Believe me...sometimes I only have a tower icon here at my house, as well. Same as you! I NEVER had that with ANY of my other ATT phones but then again, none of them were 3G. Curiously enough, my husband has a Nokia 6126, which ATT doesn't even carry anymore...NOT a 3G phone, and his signal is as bad as mine!! If I didn't use data by downloading ringtones and using my Opera Mini, I'd turn my 3G off!!

Let us know how it goes with your phones.

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

kdfederer · ‎07-20-2008

Many people have turned off their 3G because that signal is not as strong, especially if you are in a fringe 3G area.

If 3G is not strong in your home area, try setting network to 2G only.

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

Dcookie wrote:
graphite07 wrote:
i had the The Samsung SGH-A727 it was messing up on me. first time dropped calls would dial out froze up. 2nd phone same problems plus charging issue.3rd phone same problems at first phone. i called warranty support again. the supervisor gave me the option of another phone. so i took the sony W580i it was an awesome phone. so just call warranty support tell them the phone is having problems. go thru the steps and after the 3rd warranty support call see if they can offer you another phone.

Graphite07...the problem is, the OP purchased the phones in August as REFURBS. There's only a 90 day warranty on them. What about the manufacturer warranty...isn't it 1 year on phones? Do you think Samsung could do anything??

It never hurts to try the "beg, plead, and cajole" routine, but it's unlikely that Samsung will do anything either - the 90 day warranty on refurbs *is* the manufacturer's warranty.

To the OP: If turning off the 3G network access doesn't help, when your friends with at&t service (who don't have any issues) visit you the next time, try swapping your SIM cards. Does the Samsung function properly with a different SIM? If so, then I'd visit your local Corporate at&t store and insist they replace your SIM cards.

If the problem remains with your phone while using a SIM that you know gives your friend good service in his phone in the exact same physical location, then the issue really does seem to be with the Samsung.

Message Edited by hme83 on 04-24-2009 07:04:38 PM

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Well, so far turning off 3G has not helped. I still have terrible reception, and most of the time it is either 1 bar or just the antenna icon here in the house. I wish I would have done something about these phones earlier.

I will try the sim card trick to see if that makes any difference. I doubt it since all three of our A737s are bad on reception, amongst other issues with them.

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

Yes, I'm with you in thinking the SIM is probably a long shot - but it won't hurt to give it a try. A change in SIMs does often seem to help some of these issues and since the phones were all purchased at the same time/place (?), it's possible if it is a SIM issue that it could exist with all three SIMs.

Since your friends don't have any issues with their at&t service while in your home, it's not a network issue; so the SIM is the only other thing to rule out before having to accept that it really is the model. Do you have the same issues in other areas - or is it just in your home? Some makes/models do have stronger reception than others - if the phones are fine elsewhere, maybe your home is in a weaker signal area.

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Just as an example, I was at fire training a couple of weeks ago, and a friend was showing me his new Samsung Eternity. The training room is in the basement of the building. He had signal and I did not. These 737s have terrible reception. The closest tower is only 3 miles away, so one would think I should have great coverage.

Another friend also just upgraded and got an Eternity. I am anxious to get him out here and compare signals, and also try the sim swapping idea.

PhoneScoop · ‎01-13-2009

To the OP what the csr offered you was what you qualify for. With your phone being out of warranty by date, possibly no insurance & you already used your standard discounted upgrade the only way they can upgrade you is the exception upgrade whereas you can get the standard 2 yr pricing plus $75. The only thing its at customer service pricing and they can't price match. yeah you can talk to a supervisor or manger but unfortunately they'll only offer you what you qualify for.

Also another thing is AT&T as well as any provider of cell service can't guarantee service indoors or while mobile. They can only guarantee service outdoors in a good coverage area. Yes you can lock your phone into 2G but that'll cause worse problems than have having it on 3G. Your phone being a 3G model is automatically programmed to search for 3G & if no 3G service switches to 2G which is either EDGE; edge; or plain GSM. Customer Care as well as tech support never recommend locking the phone into 2G mode because it may require a new SIM when going back to3G mode or may lock up & not be able to go back to 3G. It's happened before.

you can't blame any of the CSRs we all know they just do their job & he/ she gave you what replacement options you qualify for. Since the exception pricing is still a discount on the phones since you're not paying full retail pricing it does require a 2yr contract renewal & an $18 upgrade fee will be charged as well. As far as assistance the manager may be able to authorize the upgrades done w/ 2yr pricing plus $75 & waive the upgrade fees but they won't budge on any further concession possibly!!!

I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

kb0npw wrote:
Thanks for the link Dcookie. I just tried it. Time will tell I guess. I haven't noticed any signal strength change so far.I always only have 1 or 2 bars here at the house, and sometimes just the antenna symbol with no bars. After I made the change I turned the phone off and back on again. I don't know if that matters or not. I guess I need to do my research on which mode I put it back to if this doesn't work well. There are only three options on the menu. 1) Change Conn_state 2) Change to WCDMA and 3) Change to GSM

I would love to find out how to do some other tweaks to the phone also. Maybe I'll dig around more on synchole and other sites to see what I can find out.

Well, you're welcome for the link and you would want to choose option #3...change to GSM, which I assume that is what you did.

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

Yes, I chose option 3, but it didn't help. I have had it that way for a couple days now, and it didn't do any good. Last night while watching TV, the phone once ran the battery down while searching for towers. I laid it on my desk and it had all three battery bars. Two hours later, it was beeping with a low battery warning, and as I picked it up, it was warm to the touch, so I knew it had been pinging non-stop trying to lock on to a tower. Whenever we talk on these things, we have to stand in front of the window, and even then it's choppy. This is crazy, considering the cell tower is so close, I would be able to see it from here if it weren't for trees in the way.

If I decide to turn the phone back to 3G, which option would I need from that menu?

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

kb0npw wrote:
Yes, I chose option 3, but it didn't help. I have had it that way for a couple days now, and it didn't do any good. Last night while watching TV, the phone once ran the battery down while searching for towers. I laid it on my desk and it had all three battery bars. Two hours later, it was beeping with a low battery warning, and as I picked it up, it was warm to the touch, so I knew it had been pinging non-stop trying to lock on to a tower. Whenever we talk on these things, we have to stand in front of the window, and even then it's choppy. This is crazy, considering the cell tower is so close, I would be able to see it from here if it weren't for trees in the way.

If I decide to turn the phone back to 3G, which option would I need from that menu?

Not sure about that...the original poster of that fix also said it was a temporary one. So not sure if it would automatically switch back to 3g on it's own or not. Hopefully someone else will have an answer for you.

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

hme83 · ‎11-01-2005

I would try 1) Change conn. state . That sounds like it would be the automatic switching between GSM/3G based on which network is available. Option 2 sounds like 3G only.

=^..^=
There must be a happy medium somewhere between being totally informed and blissfully unaware.

- Doug Larson

kb0npw · ‎06-11-2003

I did a little Googling, and found out that WCDMA is the common 3G mode, so I guess that is what the phone is normally on. I took a look at the Conn-state option, but I'm not sure what it does. It brings up another screen that shows a bunch of items, one of which is a setting involving a thermistor. As an electronics nut, I know a thermistor is sometimes used in a circuit to turn something on or off as temperature rises or falls.

Ron_Miami · ‎04-22-2003

Dcookie wrote:
kb0npw...check THIS post by luckyboyboys on page 2 of this thread. But ALSO check page 3. I didn't WANT to post this for you due to the fact that I don't really see it as being a solution since the next poster on Page 3, says that it is only a temporary fix. Well, thought I'd post it here anyway and MAYBE this will help you in some way.

That link appears to be broken.

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

Ron_Miami wrote:
Dcookie wrote:
kb0npw...check THIS post by luckyboyboys on page 2 of this thread. But ALSO check page 3. I didn't WANT to post this for you due to the fact that I don't really see it as being a solution since the next poster on Page 3, says that it is only a temporary fix. Well, thought I'd post it here anyway and MAYBE this will help you in some way.

That link appears to be broken.

Ron_Miami, I can still get to the link. What do you mean that "it appears to be broken"?

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

Ron_Miami · ‎04-22-2003

Weird. Is this the thread?

Dcookie · ‎01-30-2008

Ron_Miami wrote:
Weird. Is this the thread?

Yes it is. Can you get to it now?

Hangin' with my Peeps!!

Stuck with crappy phones and crappy service

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