Today I went into a local Sprint Store on my way to work to pay my bill.
I walked in and noticed it was a new location and didn't have a kiosk set up which is how I generally pay my bill because I don't want to wait in line.
Well this store, being new, was pretty empty and I asked the lady if they take payments. She says sure, but only cash. Great! That's how I pay I tell her.
She then proceeds to tell me that there is a $1.50 fee. I was like you charge a fee to take a cash payment? She says, yes to use the system.
Now don't get me wrong, I get the idea of charging a processing fee (not that I agree with it) when you pay with a credit card through an automated system or online.
BUUUUTTTTTTT, paying by cash in the Sprint Sto...
(continues)
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dj89Mar 24, 2011, 4:12 PM
Most wireless stores charge this fee.
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dj89Mar 24, 2011, 5:07 PM
Yup. Sometimes even higher than $1.50.
Not saying it's right, but it's what some do.
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you were paying cash in an indirect store then, the fee is used to keep the APC machine running. Corp stores wont charge this fee.
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epikMar 24, 2011, 7:10 PM
Definitely sounds like an indirect. Many of them use the same third party company, regardless of carrier, and they always have the same fee.
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I work for a partner store and we charge $5 to take a payment. It sucks, yes. But it costs us $2 to use the payment system everytime we take a payment. We used to waive it because we have a corp store 1/4 mile away, but our store loses about $1,000/mo if we don't.
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How do you know if a store is an indirect or partner store?
There was no other markings on the store that showed anything other than the Sprint name, and I located it through the Sprint website.
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Check the signage on the door or window. In my area, the indirect's have their company name there (sometimes it's not very distinctive). If it's in a mall, I've never noticed it.
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epikMar 24, 2011, 8:53 PM
Aside from what Legion125 said, ask the people inside. But in any case, an indirect would have words like "partner" or "retailer" or "authorized" in heir signage.
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in the store locator at sprint.com, if it says Sprint Store, its corporate....if it says Sprint by Wireless Lifestyle or some other name, its not corporate.
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Epik in the Sprint forum? You get around!
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Paying to pay a bill is one of the most evil, greedy business practices. A real business, one that appreciates it' customers business doesn't make it a hassle to pay them.
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I just dial 611 and follow the prompts to make a payment. Going to a physical place to pay a bill is way, way too old fashioned for me. I'm not an old person, I do things the modern way.
And btw, there is no charge to pay through the automated system.
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There is no charge to pay any where, in any form, if it is directly with Sprint. This person clearly went to a third party store.
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The store more clearly showed it was not a direct Sprint store!
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I agree there. The thinking is that a customer should be able to walk in and get the same experience. But the fact is there are difference...the payment thing being one, also if you bought a phone there a corporate store could not exchange it. I personally feel like they should have to put their name next to Sprints somewhere..but alas, i am not in charge ☹️
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