They got me, too – User Submission by Amanda M.
July 29th, 2009 | by Tim |I signed up with clearwire to save a little (very little) money over my DSL service. I’d seen friends use it successfully, though it had been 2 years. I should have done more research and thought things through more carefully.
After receiving my equipment, I set it up as directed. The modem displayed 5 bars if placed in a window, but never actually provided any usable internet service. I tried to contact clearwire in the first week. The provide only 2 options – online chat or telephone. The online chat technician suggested speed tests so he could find the problem. My internet connection was too slow to complete the speed test. I tried again, the second technician took my modem number and hung up on me after providing no suggestions. I later spent 30 minutes just trying to load the clearwire.com website to find the phone number. I informed the representative that, after 27 days, I still had no service and wished to cancel the agreement. She said she couldn’t help me, I’d have to call back.
At that point, I canceled my credit card to prevent any further charges (already paid connection fees and had 2 months charged in advance) and filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Further research showed many, many complaints out there, exactly what happened to me, including many BB complaints and a C rating with them. Clearwire tells the BBB that I never contacted them or completed their troubleshooting process and will therefore expect the cancellation fee.
The biggest red flag: their contract includes an agreement not to pursue a class action lawsuit against them. They clearly have no intention of ethical activity.
Amanda M, Lynnwood, WA