I have been fighting this battle since late july 2012. It all started when I canceled my service with T-mobile and paid the termination fee. I had always had bad service so during my contract, I had ordered a signal booster. According to this article and others, http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-4091, I was under the impression that T-mobile would send me a kit/box so that I could return the signal booster.
A couple weeks later, I had not received a box/kit for the signal booster, but received a final bill showing that I still owed T-mobile $325 for the signal booster and threatening collections if I didnt pay. I promptly called T-mobile and a rep told me that he would send the box/kit to my address and put a hold on collections for the rest of the month.
I waited another couple of weeks and never received the box for the signal booster, but again, just the bill and threats of collections. I promptly called and another rep told me I would have to send the signal booster in my own box. I promptly sent the signal booster to the address the rep gave me in Fort Worth, Tx and she told me everything would be taken care of if I sent it that way.
Another couple weeks passed and it was now October/November. Again, I simply got another bill for $325. I called T-mobile and asked why I was being charged. I explained that I had sent the signal booster as they had asked. They asked me to give the tracking number and I gave it. The tracking number showed that the package had indeed, arrived at t-mobile's doorstep in Fort Worth. The rep told me that they had made a mistake, that it was all take care of, and that I wouldnt have to worry. I smiled a little thinking the battle was over.
On December 1, 2012, I received a letter that I had been sent to collections. I called T-mobile and spoke to a supervisor. I explained everything and how I am trying to cooperate. She only said that I hadn't gotten the signal booster back within 60 days. I told her that most of the first 60 days had been eaten up by me waiting for the box/kit I was promised from the rep in the first place.
Moral of the story is to never, ever go with T-mobile. I stop people, friends, and family from going into their store on a daily basis. They are ruining my credit because of the collection activity, and I will definitely contact the BBB over this issue. Also note that everytime I call them, they say that I am no longer a customer, so there is not much that they can do. Does anyone have any tips on how I can stop the collections and get this fixed? I actually care about my credit score and an unlawful charge is not going to help.