Database Info

I'm being harassed by a stranger....

He/She keeps sending me text messages from the same number. I told that person to stop but he/she still insists in persisting.
I'm using AT&T, and AT&T gave me to choices: 1) Pay AT&T 15 dollars a month to block a number and 2) Change my phone number for FREE.
I have reasons not to change my phone number and I can not afford 15 dollars a month for phone calls.
Will any techniques work in stopping this harasser from harassing me?
Or does anyone know a good software (I'll freaking pay for it) that I can use to ****ing deny text messages from this person?
Sometimes I even get phone calls from that number. Also......sometimes he/she attempts to call me as "unknown".
Other than that... if he/she keeps harassing me. I have no choice but to publicize his/her number so I can ruin his/her life for trying to ruin mine.

Cant you complaint to police instead?

I have an idea; change your voicemail to YouMail instead of ATT, then setup a Ditch Caller greeting/action and ditch the call or have them hear the same message all the time.
Free and pretty simple. You just can't answer your calls blind and must have caller id working. If the caller gets wize and calls from a blocked number you can ditch or block those too.

SPB Phone Suite allows call filtering. It can direct numbers on your 'black list' straight to voicemail.
EDIT:
Someone on xda has made a freeware call firewall. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=307178

I had this happening to me last year. The phone company (Orange at the time) were unhelpful so I responded to a text that if they did not stop I would contact the police. The offending text messages duly stopped.

The freeware call firewall sounds great. I´ve never had a problem like this but what can the police say or do?
My first thought was to spam him 10x back with some kind of automatic SMS sending service.

skuliaxe said:
The freeware call firewall sounds great. I´ve never had a problem like this but what can the police say or do?
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Click to collapse
In the UK they can arrest the offender and caution them. If that fails then they are liable to prosecution.
A caution alone will flag up on a criminal records check - which is needed in the UK for some jobs - particularly working with children - which will will prevent you from being employed.
That's all assuming the police have the time or inclination to respond to your complaint.

Hi,
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs3-hrs2.htm
The link may offer some information to you. I dont want to scare you but if it persists you need to get proper professional help for your own personal safety, DO NOT ignore it, any form of stalking whether your a man or woman is a serious matter and I am speaking from experience.

Isnt there an app called "Do not disturb".
I used it once. Do a search on it.

poetryrocksalot said:
I'm using AT&T, and AT&T gave me to choices: 1) Pay AT&T 15 dollars a month to block a number and 2) Change my phone number for FREE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What in the hell? AT&T actually forces you to pay $15 per month (in other words, as much as they charge for unlimited data) to block someone from harassing you? Aren't telecommunication companies supposed to help you or at least offer information to the police in cases of harassment and stalking?
Other people have offer good advice, but I'm going to have to agree with calling the police.

8525Smart said:
What in the hell? AT&T actually forces you to pay $15 per month (in other words, as much as they charge for unlimited data) to block someone from harassing you? Aren't telecommunication companies supposed to help you or at least offer information to the police in cases of harassment and stalking?
Other people have offer good advice, but I'm going to have to agree with calling the police.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you think capitalism is?
Ok guys, I need to know how to extract the messages into text. I would like to upload the messages from my phone to show you what my problem is.

I used a great method, which did not involve sending the information to police, dealing with courts (which causes you to miss work), or paying extra fees for software or from protection from my wireless provider.
I simply recorded (or found on the internet) an audio clip of "*annoying sound bit*this number has been disconnected", I let it repeat twice like the phone companies do. I then placed that for my voicemail greeting.
There is plenty of free software available you can use to blacklist callers. So blacklist the callers phone number and use the disconnected greeting. It will work like a charm because it will go directly to your voicemail. Eventually the text and phone calls will stop.

poetryrocksalot said:
What do you think capitalism is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's with the snarky response? As I recall, 'capitalism' is a system in which the means of production is owned by individuals, and I don't think that inherently requires them to charge a high fee for absolutely everything. Of course, I also know that doesn't mean they won't do it if the consumer lets it.
You know, just forget it. I really don't care if AT&T charges $15 per month to block a number.

I offered a free, viable and immediate solution. So did others.

8525Smart said:
What's with the snarky response? As I recall, 'capitalism' is a system in which the means of production is owned by individuals, and I don't think that inherently requires them to charge a high fee for absolutely everything. Of course, I also know that doesn't mean they won't do it if the consumer lets it.
You know, just forget it. I really don't care if AT&T charges $15 per month to block a number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't trying to be rude. I've been thinking about filing a report the police station. And all the other advices are highly considered too. But of all else, there was nothing that was meant to be rude.
(Please don't be offended, as well. I am not for socialism)

For exporting your sms go to this link and download SMS Export, its a good free app http://www.smsexport.com/
if you export as text its readable.
And as for capitalism , huh, its just as bad as communism, socialism etc..., its just another lie for corporation control of the masses. So three cheers for who gives a f*ckism.
rofl

poetryrocksalot said:
I wasn't trying to be rude. I've been thinking about filing a report the police station. And all the other advices are highly considered too. But of all else, there was nothing that was meant to be rude.
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Click to collapse
No, no, I wasn't upset about that. Whichever advice you chose is wholly your choice and I don't want to interfere. I just thought you might have been making a sarcastic critique about me believing AT&T wouldn't charge for such a thing.
(Please don't be offended, as well. I am not for socialism)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also not a person who hates socialism nor am I necessarily pro-capitalism. I do prefer capitalism, but I don't believe a pure capitalist system works.

8525Smart said:
No, no, I wasn't upset about that. Whichever advice you chose is wholly your choice and I don't want to interfere. I just thought you might have been making a sarcastic critique about me believing AT&T wouldn't charge for such a thing.
I am also not a person who hates socialism nor am I necessarily pro-capitalism. I do prefer capitalism, but I don't believe a pure capitalist system works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgive me, it's the internet and it's hard to shape speech without true presence. Also, someone made a thread about the over-use of lol on the "Off-Topic" forum, which sort of caused me to refrain from adding a lol.
I am going to download the SMS export soon and show you guys the text (probably by October 1st).
Also, she has told me that she would stop once. She stopped for 1 week then suddenly spammed me again.
About 1-2 days ago she said she would stop again. But she claimed that she cried because of this. And she hasn't texted me so far.
One reason I don't want to file police report and take court action against this person is that if this is a real "teenager" girl as she claims to be, and that if she is from my perspective *insecure and need a friend* but also a real person, than I feel obligated not to hurt this person.
Also, if you guys are wondering, I think she got my number from a demo T-Mobile Touch Pro2 that I used to call my number. I forgot to purge the out-coming-call's list.

poetryrocksalot said:
Forgive me, it's the internet and it's hard to shape speech without true presence. Also, someone made a thread about the over-use of lol on the "Off-Topic" forum, which sort of caused me to refrain from adding a lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldnt realy pay attention to someone who tells you how to express yourself the way they want you to express yourself, the net is a free place( for now anyway) lol so enjoy lolling as long as you want to lol and dont forget to rofl too, lol, lol, lol

I would nuke em...spam them with a thousand text messages and see if they do it again....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=3749481&postcount=1

T-Mo Reps Reply to "When is 2.3.3 GB being released" (Complete joke)

So I did a live chat with a t-mo rep earlier and just for kicks I asked when the GB update was rolling out. Haha what a joke her reply was look at the pic!! This just confirms that T-Mo reps know nothing in the light of software releases. Contact Google?! Really!? Ha, this update is between T-Mo and LG. Google has nothing to do with it!! Silly T-Mo reps!! Sorry, vent over.

I just try to ignore the fact 2.3 exist and been out for months.

Haha, you should have said "unless youre rooted and already running 2.3, then google can't even keep up" lol I like to talk smack on the online chats lol its fun to get such a robotic response. And you have so much time to laugh about it while theyre trying to figure out a response lol
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

Sure, that was a dumb answer, but what did you expect? Frontline T-Mobile employees aren't given a date for the release...The best I've been able to get from LG was "summer".
There is so much testing and QA that goes into the software updates, that if they gave someone a date, and for some reason it had to be pushed back, all hell would break loose. And if they do release on time, but don't iron out all the bugs, then all hell breaks loose.
If you want GB now, root it and have fun. Otherwise, just wait for it to come. More than likely, no one will know an exact date until the week it starts rolling out.

diazjohn said:
Sure, that was a dumb answer, but what did you expect? Frontline T-Mobile employees aren't given a date for the release...The best I've been able to get from LG was "summer".
There is so much testing and QA that goes into the software updates, that if they gave someone a date, and for some reason it had to be pushed back, all hell would break loose. And if they do release on time, but don't iron out all the bugs, then all hell breaks loose.
If you want GB now, root it and have fun. Otherwise, just wait for it to come. More than likely, no one will know an exact date until the week it starts rolling out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything you said I already know. I just wanted to ask for kicks. This person from T-Mo I spoke with was supposedly in the "Android department"

I spoke with a T-Mobile rep the other day and he told me the rumors are "End of June"...so we'll see...

A lot of times, people will blame the company for not giving their employee's information. Such as employee's not knowing the release date, not knowing the phone was even released, product changes, service changes, etc.
I worked in a call center for 10yrs in management. Be rest assured, the company misses informing the employees a lot less than the employee's not reading their emails. In tech support, I would send out 3 emails within 30min, detailing an outage. But for hours, I would have reps coming up to me: "I'm getting a lot of calls about <x> area, there may be an outage."
Man, I wanted to slap them. lol. This happened more times than I can even recall. The only way around this was to: Pin big notes on cubicle walls, do an email blast, place an outage board in multiple locations in the center, and do screen pops. We had to do ALL of these things.. and we'd still have that 1 guy... "Is there a new product out?" ughh... man.
So I wouldn't be so quick to judge TMO.. The problem is your fellow human beings who are lazy.. not doing their jobs.. just collecting a paycheck. Over 95% of the time, it was the employee not paying attention, reading, etc. Then, I would say to an employee.. "Lemme see your email box." lol. thousands of unread messages. lol. Unfiltered, not filed, etc.
Trust me.. it's not the company as much we think it is.

has anyone talked to luca chase who got a sensation and NEW DATE FOR UPDATE(maybe)

so i am extremely mad at Tmobile right now. I got a call from their executive office and i was speaking to luca or lusha or somthing like that. basically she told me i was unable to be given a sensation. I then told her that i would be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau because the people who did on XDA were given Sensations. she then told me she handled all of the Better Business claims and that no one had been given a sensation. but i know for a fact that people on here have been given one. So my question to the community is who offered you a sensation when you called the executive office? i am going to call and ask to speak to them.
Also she told me that at 2:24 today T-mobile received a message saying a software update would come sometime next week. I then asked if it would be gingerbread or just a bug fix. Her response, " Do you know what a software update is? that pissed me of to no end. our conversation ended when she asked me for 20 dollars for a new G2x. i told her she was out of her ****ing mind and told her to be ready for my better business complaint
Then I called corporate so i could file a complaint on lucha or whatever her name was. the lady who answered told me that isn't possible so i asked for the name of the person i was speaking to and she hung up on me. I kept calling back and i kept getting redirected to the desk of luca chase (still not sure how to say or spell her name) and that just royally pissed me off.
i am so mad right now. All i can do is file a complaint. i never expected to be treated this badly.

slowpig38 said:
so i am extremely mad at Tmobile right now. I got a call from their executive office and i was speaking to luca or lusha or somthing like that. basically she told me i was unable to be given a sensation. I then told her that i would be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau because the people who did on XDA were given Sensations. she then told me she handled all of the Better Business claims and that no one had been given a sensation. but i know for a fact that people on here have been given one. So my question to the community is who offered you a sensation when you called the executive office? i am going to call and ask to speak to them.
Also she told me that at 2:24 today T-mobile received a message saying a software update would come sometime next week. I then asked if it would be gingerbread or just a bug fix. Her response, " Do you know what a software update is? that pissed me of to no end. our conversation ended when she asked me for 20 dollars for a new G2x. i told her she was out of her ****ing mind and told her to be ready for my better business complaint
Then I called corporate so i could file a complaint on lucha or whatever her name was. the lady who answered told me that isn't possible so i asked for the name of the person i was speaking to and she hung up on me. I kept calling back and i kept getting redirected to the desk of luca chase (still not sure how to say or spell her name) and that just royally pissed me off.
i am so mad right now. All i can do is file a complaint. i never expected to be treated this badly.
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This is the problem I see with all the whiners and complainers on this forum. There's a way to communicate, if you lose your cool then you'll get screwed.
Especially in America, people think they're "entitled" to get what they want because of supposed laws or it's in writing, but I tell you this, unless you know the laws to the "T" and you're willing to invest your time, energy, money and so on and so forth, you'll just make it more inconvenient for others, because then the company, even if they're in the wrong, will implement protocols to make it harder for others that come in with the same complaint just because some shmuck didn't know how to communicate without threatening the company.
I'm putting this out because all these complaints will do more harm to us consumers, by making Tmobile or anyother company that feels they're being attacked put up a wall of defenses that will make it less forthcoming for us to do pleasant business with the company, because now we're all looked upon as the enemy.

i only lost my cool after she made it clear that she wouldnt give me a sensation. this was my 3rd time talking to her.

I have a friend that works as a manager at T-mobile who exchanges my phone for a new one everytime a new one I like comes out ... you should also get a friend that manages a store @ tmo ... winning

Seems like a lot of work for one person to handle all of these claims!
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising / Sales Issues 1734
Billing / Collection Issues 9544
Delivery Issues 393
Guarantee / Warranty Issues 478
Other 460
Problems with Product / Service 13784
Total Closed Complaints 26393

Thanks for dragging XDA's name into the mud while *****ing about tmo not giving you **** for free...
Sent from my LG G2x

+1 yeah, no crap. Whiner. Just because others have done it and succeeded and you failed doesn't entitle you to run around and ruin it for everybody else.

well
jacob808 said:
This is the problem I see with all the whiners and complainers on this forum. There's a way to communicate, if you lose your cool then you'll get screwed.
Especially in America, people think they're "entitled" to get what they want because of supposed laws or it's in writing, but I tell you this, unless you know the laws to the "T" and you're willing to invest your time, energy, money and so on and so forth, you'll just make it more inconvenient for others, because then the company, even if they're in the wrong, will implement protocols to make it harder for others that come in with the same complaint just because some shmuck didn't know how to communicate without threatening the company.
I'm putting this out because all these complaints will do more harm to us consumers, by making Tmobile or anyother company that feels they're being attacked put up a wall of defenses that will make it less forthcoming for us to do pleasant business with the company, because now we're all looked upon as the enemy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While i agree that the poster did not handle this right at all. i am fed up with my paycheck being **** paying for all the entitlement programs in this country. BUT we are entitiled to a working phone or a refund. not sure why people want the sensation i have no care for it. the use of entitlment here is not correct since he is entitled to a working phone .
and your last paragraph. the reason people are so pissed off is because of the lack of communication and forthcoming(still believe its out of stock d/t sales)
they already put up the great wall of china and posted it with lies and misleading attempts to get people to hang on to the phone past the 2 weeks.
in no way am i saying that the OP was in the right. but you sounded just as bad.
now lets start spreading this next week date. comeone we need at least 20 threads on it

No $#it man "he got it why can't I" you would probably sell everyone out!!
Faux123 for Dev!!!

Ever hear the saying one bad apple spoils it for the bunch. Well you're the bad apple. You don't get something by demanding it. I really don't think anyone who called really called to get one. We just wanted a phone that works.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

TJBunch1228 said:
Thanks for dragging XDA's name into the mud while *****ing about tmo not giving you **** for free...
Sent from my LG G2x
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POW!!!!
G2x with CM7 and faux kernel. NONSENSE!!!!

This won't lead to nothing. On that note, thread closed.

Secondary Strategy for Verizon Bootloader Unlock

Ok I am just going to throw it out there. Please just hold the waves of "can't" and "not gonna work" negativity is just a waste. There are ways to get your voice heard that have worked for me in the past and here is my suggestion. The more the merrier!
Problem is Verizon put a encrypted bootloader on the Samsung Galaxy S3. The bigger problem and the angle we should have is they sold it to us with out letting us know their difference. News of the other S3's sold around the world painted a clear image of what we were getting into... "The same phone." Samsung had used their brand to deliver one device between all networks. Yes there were some cpu changes due to networks but that was noted everywhere. Verizon always note differences in how great there network is and the plus's in their service over others but nothing on the one change they had done to the Galaxy S3 vs the entire world. Obviously because its a negative. Their sales model was we are selling the Galaxy S3 and since we thought we were getting the same product we ordered it. Thats pretty big. Complaining here on xda I think is a waste.., the petition... I did sign btw but unfortunetly is just noise to Verizon. Everyone has to call with the general attitude of being frustrated like they have not been honestly sold a product and that trust was broken.
Don't get mad, don't start going threatening to jump ship... say that this really has broken our trust, don't mention technical info or just lightly because they are not going to have a clue. Say that they made no mention anywhere nor any employee informed you that their device was locked down vs any other and that they do a great job of letting you know market, network, and service differences but didn't lift a finger to let you know about the phone difference being a negative. Lastly listen to what they say as frustrating as it may be and say you want to find a way to rectify this what ever it takes.
Don't make calling your daily task, but just call when you have time... IE ride into work, ride home. Talk to the cust rep and when that fizzles ask for a super. Hang up call again then explain the same frustration and how you even more frustrated with the crappy response the previous rep and that its not acceptable. Just keep asking who you can talk to. If half there customer support traffic is from the locked bootloader and misleading sales thats going to send a pretty good message plus everything else thats going on with news online.
Lastly you could even email them, the more the better. The whole deal here is the message needs to be going to THE MAN... Big Red. Not the message being found out by the man reading it in off of some blog. The additional traffic to their general daily cycle work will send a strong concern message but with the same message of being misleading sales starts to make it a big deal. If this goes mainstream that can be very threatening. There is no guarantee it will work but the more headlines of frustrated and upset customers is really bad for them. No business wants to be linked to upset mis-informed customers...That is a trust issue in the Verizon Name.
Side note: This refocused energy may also help the DEV work with less noise and clutter. Everyone wants to help which is cool but so many none useful comments. If it was that easy these guys would have already done it. Lets let them reverse engineer things while we use our energy usefully to stir things up on the other end.

Boss428man said:
Ok I am just going to throw it out there. Please just hold the waves of "can't" and "not gonna work" negativity is just a waste. There are ways to get your voice heard that have worked for me in the past and here is my suggestion. The more the merrier!
Problem is Verizon put a encrypted bootloader on the Samsung Galaxy S3. The bigger problem and the angle we should have is they sold it to us with out letting us know their difference. News of the other S3's sold around the world painted a clear image of what we were getting into... "The same phone." Samsung had used their brand to deliver one device between all networks. Yes there were some cpu changes due to networks but that was noted everywhere. Verizon always note differences in how great there network is and the plus's in their service over others but nothing on the one change they had done to the Galaxy S3 vs the entire world. Obviously because its a negative. Their sales model was we are selling the Galaxy S3 and since we thought we were getting the same product we ordered it. Thats pretty big. Complaining here on xda I think is a waste.., the petition... I did sign btw but unfortunetly is just noise to Verizon. Everyone has to call with the general attitude of being frustrated like they have not been honestly sold a product and that trust was broken.
Don't get mad, don't start going threatening to jump ship... say that this really has broken our trust, don't mention technical info or just lightly because they are not going to have a clue. Say that they made no mention anywhere nor any employee informed you that their device was locked down vs any other and that they do a great job of letting you know market, network, and service differences but didn't lift a finger to let you know about the phone difference being a negative. Lastly listen to what they say as frustrating as it may be and say you want to find a way to rectify this what ever it takes.
Don't make calling your daily task, but just call when you have time... IE ride into work, ride home. Talk to the cust rep and when that fizzles ask for a super. Hang up call again then explain the same frustration and how you even more frustrated with the crappy response the previous rep and that its not acceptable. Just keep asking who you can talk to. If half there customer support traffic is from the locked bootloader and misleading sales thats going to send a pretty good message plus everything else thats going on with news online.
Lastly you could even email them, the more the better. The whole deal here is the message needs to be going to THE MAN... Big Red. Not the message being found out by the man reading it in off of some blog. The additional traffic to their general daily cycle work will send a strong concern message but with the same message of being misleading sales starts to make it a big deal. If this goes mainstream that can be very threatening. There is no guarantee it will work but the more headlines of frustrated and upset customers is really bad for them. No business wants to be linked to upset mis-informed customers...That is a trust issue in the Verizon Name.
Side note: This refocused energy may also help the DEV work with less noise and clutter. Everyone wants to help which is cool but so many none useful comments. If it was that easy these guys would have already done it. Lets let them reverse engineer things while we use our energy usefully to stir things up on the other end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such a great post :good:
I totally agree and I think this will catch their attention way more than anything we can do online. I'm in.

Wont do anything different. They'll tell you the same thing they told me after I filed a BBB complaint against thrm for my X2. "Your totally right our phones blow, so let me early upgrade you or do ypu want to terminate your contract for X amount of money?"

mike86325 said:
Such a great post :good:
I totally agree and I think this will catch their attention way more than anything we can do online. I'm in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the kind words, Its the same angle I talk to Verizon about on the 28th the day that they said the Unlimited Data was gone.. I told them that I found out from everyone but them and how they didn't inform me in any way.
We need to get more people on the non informed purchase angle. They make no mention online or anywhere. Sure Pocketnow and like sites do but they are not selling us the phone. Their image is even worse now that Corp and Tech release 2 different statements.
I really hope this gets unlocked easily because I really like the phone really nice feel to it.

This is a good approach. As someone who pitches in with customer service/support for a tech company, it's often the "nice" people who get better responses, and the quantity of requests can have a bigger affect.... way more than one angry person ranting and raving that you can just write off and ignore.
Also, it's still a person at the other end of the line. They probably are not aware of the situation or don't like it either, but it's their job. It's the people at the top that usually push down these horrible policies, the bean counters and such that don't have to deal with the angry public.

I work at a major utility. Please remember that if you call be nice to the customer service representative you are taking to. They are only the messenger, please remember that. They are not allowed too much latitude with what they can do for you. The reason for your call is logged and reviewed by the management of the company so if you call constantly and take up customer service minutes over the locked bootloader you WILL have an impact on daily business and cause management of the company to fix the problem. Calling customer service works.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

Boss428man said:
Ok I am just going to throw it out there. Please just hold the waves of "can't" and "not gonna work" negativity is just a waste. There are ways to get your voice heard that have worked for me in the past and here is my suggestion. The more the merrier!
Problem is Verizon put a encrypted bootloader on the Samsung Galaxy S3. The bigger problem and the angle we should have is they sold it to us with out letting us know their difference. News of the other S3's sold around the world painted a clear image of what we were getting into... "The same phone." Samsung had used their brand to deliver one device between all networks. Yes there were some cpu changes due to networks but that was noted everywhere. Verizon always note differences in how great there network is and the plus's in their service over others but nothing on the one change they had done to the Galaxy S3 vs the entire world. Obviously because its a negative. Their sales model was we are selling the Galaxy S3 and since we thought we were getting the same product we ordered it. Thats pretty big. Complaining here on xda I think is a waste.., the petition... I did sign btw but unfortunetly is just noise to Verizon. Everyone has to call with the general attitude of being frustrated like they have not been honestly sold a product and that trust was broken.
Don't get mad, don't start going threatening to jump ship... say that this really has broken our trust, don't mention technical info or just lightly because they are not going to have a clue. Say that they made no mention anywhere nor any employee informed you that their device was locked down vs any other and that they do a great job of letting you know market, network, and service differences but didn't lift a finger to let you know about the phone difference being a negative. Lastly listen to what they say as frustrating as it may be and say you want to find a way to rectify this what ever it takes.
Don't make calling your daily task, but just call when you have time... IE ride into work, ride home. Talk to the cust rep and when that fizzles ask for a super. Hang up call again then explain the same frustration and how you even more frustrated with the crappy response the previous rep and that its not acceptable. Just keep asking who you can talk to. If half there customer support traffic is from the locked bootloader and misleading sales thats going to send a pretty good message plus everything else thats going on with news online.
Lastly you could even email them, the more the better. The whole deal here is the message needs to be going to THE MAN... Big Red. Not the message being found out by the man reading it in off of some blog. The additional traffic to their general daily cycle work will send a strong concern message but with the same message of being misleading sales starts to make it a big deal. If this goes mainstream that can be very threatening. There is no guarantee it will work but the more headlines of frustrated and upset customers is really bad for them. No business wants to be linked to upset mis-informed customers...That is a trust issue in the Verizon Name.
Side note: This refocused energy may also help the DEV work with less noise and clutter. Everyone wants to help which is cool but so many none useful comments. If it was that easy these guys would have already done it. Lets let them reverse engineer things while we use our energy usefully to stir things up on the other end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel for you guys. I really do. We've tried everything with the One X but to no avail. Good luck with your attempts. These carriers need to remember who gives them their money.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app

manchild83 said:
I work at a major utility. Please remember that if you call be nice to the customer service representative you are taking to. They are only the messenger, please remember that. They are not allowed too much latitude with what they can do for you. The reason for your call is logged and reviewed by the management of the company so if you call constantly and take up customer service minutes over the locked bootloader you WILL have an impact on daily business and cause management of the company to fix the problem. Calling customer service works.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the comment and good to hear your advise!

Ok now we really have been miss sold. The answers I have recieved from support are well making there position worse they said that not only the bricking of devices but that these open devices would take down their data networks do to use. If that is the case why release the "Developer Edition". Everything will break lose anyway. We all pre-ordered thinking we got a unlocked Galaxy S3 and now with out any word of additional editions they try and fix things...?

Where was an unlocked phone advertised or even realistically expected?
It sucks but VZW is so big and doesn't care at all, and won't suffer much from it.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy SIII (SGH-i747)

yes it was expected since EVER model that has been released thats att tmo sprint international korean and us cellular ALL are unlocked.

Thats it it wasn't printed that it was locked it was advertised just like the other Galaxy s3's... They were sell you the same Galaxy S3 with the same experience you would expect unless other wise noted... which it wasn't... They should just offer to unlock our phones and void the warranty. Simple fix and essentially the same thing they have done with the Developer Edition and it would save them some returns..

[Q] (not) Unique Situation - Have 2 Galaxy S3 Verizon and Need Guidance

Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark

I really should say I'm surprised but in reality I'm not. Your right when you say they don't care because I've experienced it for myself and with my gf over the phone and my mom for that matter. The sad part is they are getting way too big for even themselves and like most companies don't have very good customer service. I'm unlocked as well and have never had issues with voice calls on this phone, only my first phone with a weird rom. It's not there business to ask you if you've installed a custom rom or not. I wouldn't even of answered the question myself.
Personally i would dump verizon if they treated me like that. I was in the store yesterday with my gf and she is a looooong time VZW customer. I'm taking 14 plus years and she went to best buy to get a phone because VZW doesn't know how to take care of customers at all.
It's a sad trend but the bigger the company the worse the customer service is
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

mrbonine said:
Hi:
I started writing a thread the other day but stopped as it was full of drama and detail not important. This is what happened (when there is drama I will insert [D] with no detail so the context is maintained a bit.
I was minding my own business when one day last week my Samsung Galaxy G3 (I535) suddenly lost the ability to make/receive calls. I was on 4.1.2 and rooted, bootloader unlocked via ODIN. I thought I had loaded software that caused the problem. Couldn't resolve. Called Verizon [D] [D] to level 2, no problem, let me check a few things, OK, cool, do you have 2nd SIM? Yes! OK, it must be the phone, let's get you a replacement.. (Saturday, Phone arrives Tues).
New phone, powers up, no updates, authentication nightmare. Will not auth. Call Verizon...just wait a while?...OK.
Some hours later, authenticated. Very odd problems: charge isn't indicated on several chargers, then it is, then it isn't, charger independent? Keyboard exhibits over 1000 ms delay on press; unusable. Several other odd problems. Confused, I look online: Verizon Galaxy G3 4.4.2 update slow. First two hits happen to be Verizon's own "self-support" boards. All my symptoms and more. Lot's of Verizon's taking customers through the swamp looking for snipe. Reboot, Sim pull/insert, Factory Reset. Called Verizon back, hold times 4x previous call. Getting to Level 2 very difficult, CS rep actually states: "I know most of our phones and I haven't heard this set of problems". I refered him to Verizon's web site, grudingly sends me to Level 2. Extremely long hold time, and upon answer that group is not busy at all but relaxing talking together. Guy is grumpy, "Let me check something", back without hold in about 10 mins. "What ROM did you flash on the phone!?" first thing he said to me.
I've never flashed a ROM on any phone, for the record. I told him I knew what was and didn't do that. He insisted that he "couldn't read the software on the phone" [D] [D]!
I maintained polite, and focused on a solution, but he would not hear of that. I also offered to do a Factory Reset at least twice. "The Custom ROM will still be there after Factory Reset!" Perhaps, but then that would prove what I did and didn't do, maybe? Finally, I told him that I was very tired, and we weren't solving anything. Could I have an problem ticket number or incident number for reference. "We don't use those anymore". "You can have my employee ID and my phone number." Sorry if this is not PC, but it felt like a rapist giving his victim his contact information, should victim want to be in touch. I said, no, I'll just call back.
Immediately upon termination the new phone (replacement) displayed "Safe Mode" no apps, and the inabilty to unselect "screen mirroring" a new feature to me, but now turned on. I pull the SIM and factory reset, even though I had loaded many apps back (Inclulding Towelroot, which I had found and implemented). Although no idication of root before, the phone showed rooted and customer or modified, I don't remember the fields. Next day called back, long holds, CS OK, everyone had read Level 2 notes. Sent me up to Level 2. Long hold time, over 30 minutes. Cold response. I asked why the replacement of a non-functioning device had branched into, after receiving said device, two separate issues, to me it was one, getting my service back. Cold, "what do you want us to do?" Not knowing, I said, "I don't know, I just want the phone to work". Finally he went to talk to the boss, came back at 0 deg. Kelvin, through clenched teeth: You can take your phone to Best Buy, they will flash it back (I presumed to 4.1.2), after factory reboot and confirm no....[D] Thanks, I terminated.
At this point I had no working phone for several days, and I felt very upset about the entire situation, especially how I'd been treated by the last two guys. The first after the replacement was so out of line he should have been sanctioned, and an appology directed at me by manager, unless....
This is what they intended to happen. Because the OTA updates hadn't taken, perhaps, they disabled the G3 connection on the device (and it was unprovisioned on their server), knew this would lead to the likely steps above, and were so intent on getting me under their control with 4.4.2 (which I knew nothing about, in terms of root, etc), they had manipulated me to 4.4.2? I am a long time customer with unlimited data, a withdrawn discount, and paying over $200 for two lines with shared limited minutes and txt. No contract.
Whatever the case I still have my 4.1.2 G3 (no voice) and the 4.4.2 replacement. Obviously, I cannot consider staying at Verizon (likely what they want, apparently). Which do I keep? How do I prep the other for return to them? Know any good class action attorney? Obviously, Verizon is too big to care about me and, like so many huge corporations, no one dares attempt to regulate them.
Thanks for any advice. For infomormation on any technical steps to support the above paragraph, please simply refer me to the thread or post and I'll take it from there. I am not super technical, and had to re-do the original ODIN process about 3 times before it took, so any existing process instructions targeted at the Stupid User level would be appropriate and very much appreciated.
Sorry this is so long, I honestly left out a few calls because it just dawned on me, after I called V back today to figure out next steps, the guy listened (read the notes), said I was very poorly handled, I deserved better, would go talk to manager, be right back, 20 minutes later, manager still busy, can he call me back? Sure, gave info. Not a single call or attempt. That was the "It's not us, it's you response" but made to sound the other way round. Apparently they want me to walk away with a useless device, and since it's old and I'm not under contract, but love the phone, I can't understand why they would destroy my property and tell me to f-off, other than they feel like it.
If this sounds like paranoia, you might be surprised what big companies will do to you if they can. And so far, I'm the only one harmed, since they probably expected me to stop days ago. In any event, I have to send back a phone to them and hopefully keep one that works somewhere else. Please help me with the steps I need to take.
If you like history, or want to see how the big guys got a stranglehold on the US after the Civil War, then were forced back into decency by Teddy Roosevelt, W. Wilson, and FDR check out the Roosevelt 7 part documentrary recently appearing on PBS. I'm up to Episode 4, and already knew much of the story, but the detailed focus on their private and public lives and how they matured and developed is moving, enlightening, and awe-inspiring.
Thank You in Advance,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

ShapesBlue said:
Speaking of verizon and apps. My gf when she was on the phone was told by a rep that she had updated an app the previous day through Google play. Talk about sketchy! Yea I remember when the verizon app requested root permissions on my phone, that was it for verizon apps for me
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
Wow, that takes things to a whole new level....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

ShapesBlue said:
Your telling me. She's not rooted or unlocked though but that's still messed up. She got her shiny new S5 yesterday, looks nice
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app

XdrummerXboy said:
Hmm.. I wonder how they knew that then
Nice! I wanted the S5 or Note4, but I'll be hanging onto the S3 for another year. I can't justify buying one when I have a baby on the way
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear that. I have mine until June next year. Not quite sure what I'm doing just yet. The Super power saving mode is quite a nice feature. It basically disables all apps but the essential ones. The battery life then goes way over a day plus on the S5
From my Wicked S3 on SOKP

Et tu Verizon
Thanks for the info. I did have the MyVerizon app installed, I believe. I don't remember it requesting root, but I sometimes click through those things without paying too much attention (since I'm fairly careful about what goes on the phone); the reason I install software requiring root is to access it (circular, I know) so, they are doing what they must to run. I appreciate the suggestions about other call centers, etc. I do have the contact information from the single most helpful and polite (funny how that goes together) person I talked to through this debacle. I'll drop him a quick note, but really, since they never even bothered to call back, it's clear to me that they want me to leave. Paying over $200 per month to be treated like crap is not something I could ever do. They are big, very profitable, and don't care about anything but extracting cash from people under contract, or too complacent to leave (I'm in the 2nd category until now). Being in a codependent relationship with Verizon is not only self-defeating, but irrational. Until we have some politicians owned by the people instead of corporations we have no chance of reigning these folks in. Sure, they employ lot's of people, but an army of good people working against the best interest of everyone is not good, it's an uncontrollable menace: just look at the banks that gambled with people's homes, lost their bets, then collateralized them when the bottom fell out of their own septic tank of greed. The entire world economy hit an air pocket, but we're still letting the same greed intoxicated pilots fly. My only regret is believing their lies as long as I did. I deserve better, and it's won't be particularly hard to find it. Since the 4.4.3 G3 (nor the 4.1.2 for that matter) are particularly compatible with the GSM carriers, and Samsung is the lookout for the felonious Verizon, I'll probably get a Nexus 5. I think the G5 is better for several reasons, but that's too bad. All of the tech and marketing in the world will not make me "grateful" to manufacturers or carriers that somehow feel controlling how you use the equipment you buy from them is somehow acceptable. The money Verizon cares about is the corporate contracts, since they can manage that process much better, the revenue is less volatile, and they don't have to take calls from subscribers, wasting the money that could be spent on acquisitions, and expanding their market oligarchy. Public utilities create natural monopolies. There are not 2 sets of power lines, or water lines, or sewers running into your home. And the idea that competition from fiber will for improvements from Comcast is false, prices may move, but service will not get better. Only when barriers of entry are low can new competitors help drive down the price of entrenched utilities. We could all create our own mobile system on meshes of unlicensed 5.0 Gig or other spectrum, but it would be very costly to do that and linking this metropolitan radio webs would be tricky. But probably, someone is already working on that. Ask a HAM radio enthusiast about how they handle phone calls over shortwave. They have licenses, yes, but the technology to connect 2-way voice wireless signals to PSTN phone calls has been around for many years. Big corporations exact huge profits and drag down anyone that needs the services, the trick is to find creative ways around them, most importantly by thinking outside of the feature/function cage they've placed around us. Soon, you'll be able to buy just the cable channels you want, perhaps. I have hundreds and I generally watch less than 10.
The accusation flung at me by the enraged employee is little more that hot air. It reflects a corporate culture of mendacity and blame. My fault was to allow him to take control of the conversation, for a millisecond. Whatever I've done to the software on the phone (which, as you noted, was not a ROM change) it's still my phone and not theirs. They don't even provide the "insurance" to replace the failed device, a third party does. I didn't stop my phone from working to get a new phone. Had the replacement worked as well or better as the one it replaced I would have been happy. Now, I'm going over a week with no phone and they will never get paid for that week. The longer it takes to resolve, the less on my final bill, which will be coming up soon. When folks have experiences like this it's best to communicate the problem to the FCC (as if they cared) and their state PUC. Not that they will do anything about it, but it's important to remember they have a duty to regulate whether this group of appointees cares or not. The only thing that affects Verizon is withdrawing my monthly gratuity and when that happens because of abuse, manipulation, and possible fraud, the regulators need to be informed, if only so they can't say they didn't know.
Thanks for the reminder that they have no business asking questions about rooted phones or ROMS. That lingering guilt that one may have done something Daddy Verizon doesn't approve of is there, for sure, but since what I was accused of I didn't do, it was easier to just say, no, I didn't do that.....when I offered to factory reset TWICE during the call and he pretended not to hear me I realized it was all just a manipulative game played by a bully. No, no lunch money for you today, dude. I think they actually hire volatile people and use them as scarecrows. If Verizon didn't want their customers to be exposed to abuse, they'd fire these guys. The second guy was so cold, trying to do the right thing, but hating it. If you've ever been to a time-share presentation and not purchased one, you are familiar with this game. It's not only wrong, but it reflects how truly manipulative and immoral the employers are, they are paying the guy to be insulting, intimidating, and thuggish. So many large companies act this way, it's amazing we let them get away with it. The only way to stop it is to stop paying them and tell them why. I worked in a small hardware store in a small town 30+ years ago. Even when customers were trying some trick, like returning something they didn't buy from us, or a more elaborate ruse (I'll bring the old stuff back tomorrow......), I just explained how it worked and enforced the process; I never shouted, "You are so busted...." These were customers, some making honest errors, some trying to take advantage, but there were none I didn't want to come back again, because it would be bad for business and likely make an enemy. After I leave Verizon I will never give them another dime ever, and I think they honestly don't believe that.
XdrummerXboy said:
I don't really have any info to help you, so I apologize for that.
But out of curiosity, do you have the MyVerizon app (or whatever the name is) installed?
At one point the app requested root permission, which is EXTREMELY sketchy in my opinion. I wonder if you grant it, or even deny it (if they can detect the denial) if they ASSUMED that you installed a custom ROM, because a lot of those that root also install custom ROMs.
Maybe just try at a different time of day to maybe get a call center in a different state or country?
That is extremely unprofessional on their part though...
Sent from my SCH-I535 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse