Wireless Fraud -- Sprint

[Megan Edwards]

I just saw it again-- that TV ad touting Sprint's "wireless Internet." I don't consider sports scores and stock quotes "the Internet," and it irks me that, yet again, an unsuspecting public is led to believe that true wireless connectivity is a done deal. Grrr!

[Melissa Alexander]

Yes, those ads are truly annoying ... they're even higher on the irritation meter than the Sprint PCS newsletter received in today's mail (husband has the phone service). The entire front page is devoted to extolling the virtues of the amazing Wireless Web, where a customer can monitor stocks, trade those stocks, get sports scores & stats and yes, SHOP !! "whether you're at home or on the road." At least the newsletter admits customers can connect ONLY with the four sources Sprint has selected -- unlike those tv ads, which essentially tell us we can all throw away our pc's ... FTC, where are you ??

[Mark Sedenquist]

Actually I can hardly stand to be in the same room as the TV, (which is a good trick to avoid in the Phoenix One), when those "Wireless Web" Sprint ads appear. The most irritating aspect to me is that they would seem to suggest that all consumers are brain dead.

Sprint coverage in the USA is far from a true coast-to-coast service. I wonder how many folks would really buy such a phone from the advertisements. Probably the worst aspect of this line of advertising is that it provides a false hope in the minds of people who think that such a thing as a wireless web is even possible in 2000.

RW

[Megan Edwards]

I've realized that one of the worst effects of the general belief that there is such a thing as the "wireless Internet" is that even salespeople think it exists. When you go into a store saying something like, "I need to be able to use the Web while I'm on the road," you're likely to get a sales spiel for a WAP phone that will do everything except what you actually need-- true access to the Internet. Wireless e-mail is great, but what if you want to update your own Web site? Or what if you need to download an image, or transfer files by FTP? At best, the salesperson is well-enough informed to tell you the truth, that you can't do those things with a WAP phone. At worst, and I have actually heard one say it, thay assure the unsuspecting buyer that, "Yes! Just buy this phone and you can throw away your laptop!" When the misleading ads are mixed with a poorly trained sales force, WATCH OUT.

[Megan Edwards]

I've realized that one of the worst effects of the general belief that there is such a thing as the "wireless Internet" is that even salespeople think it exists. When you go into a store saying something like, "I need to be able to use the Web while I'm on the road," you're likely to get a sales spiel for a WAP phone that will do everything except what you actually need-- true access to the Internet. Wireless e-mail is great, but what if you want to update your own Web site? Or what if you need to download an image, or transfer files by FTP? At best, the salesperson is well-enough informed to tell you the truth, that you can't do those things with a WAP phone. At worst, and I have actually heard one say it, thay assure the unsuspecting buyer that, "Yes! Just buy this phone and you can throw away your laptop!" When the misleading ads are mixed with a poorly trained sales force, WATCH OUT.

[Tom Hellard]

Q: What is the difference between a computer/electronics salesman and a used car salesman?

A: The used car salesman knows when he is lying!

Caveat emptor

[Megan Edwards]

Bingo!!!! And RTFM! (Before you buy)