Plaidophile

Hey kids, do you know what time it is?

That's right, it's T-Mobile Customer Service Runaround Time! For that added twist, they're not even pretending to not be outsourced to India this time.

T-Mobile CSR (Waheeda):

we checked your account and noted that the Sidekick feature for $20.00 per month has been added to your account with effect from the 25th of July 2006. Hence you will be able to use the Sidekick feature only from the 25th of July. Until then, you should be able to use the Sidekick for making and receiving calls, and text messaging.

fluffy:

Unfortunately, that is not the case - because the device itself has not yet been registered, it refuses to make any calls other than 611 and 911.

Is there any reason the Sidekick data service can't be activated immediately? When I changed my plan to remove T-Zones and add Sidekick, you wasted no time in deactivating T-Zones, so now I have no data service at all.

T-Mobile CSR (Anu):

You mentioned that you are not able to make calls. Do you get any error when you dial? Or are you getting 'waiting for activation' message on the screen? If yes, please turn your phone off and turn it back again. If you still see 'waiting for activation' message, press both Menu (top left corner key) and 'L' keys at the same time. This activation message should disappear.

I noticed that you are changing your rate plan effective July 25, 2006. This could be the reason that your Sidekick data plan is also activated at that time.

fluffy:

Thank you, that worked. Unfortunately this still doesn't allow me to use any of the services or synchronize my calendar/phonebook with my PC, and so the Sidekick is actually less useful than my old phone until the data service is activated.

[excerpt regarding the rate plan change]

That may be the case but my T-Zones disappeared right away when I made that change as part of changing a rate plan. It seems strange to tie one sort of data service to the billing cycle but to allow instant changes of the other sort.

What will those zany folks come up with next? Find out on the next exciting fun-filled episode of: T-Mobile Customer Service Runaround!

T-Mobile CSR (Anthony):

We want to thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile my name is Anthony and we will be able to assist you. We read that you are unable to register the Sidekick. We apologize that you are experiencing troubles with your device and we can definitely help you. We understand this can be frustrating not getting the Sidekick service.

We made a check on the network and there was something we needed to provision. This has been done so now you can get it registered.

Just remove the battery and reinsert it to get the new signal. Remember that all information will be deleted if you remove the battery. Perform this in an area where you know you have good signal and wait for the registration screen to appear and put your username and password.

KICK. ASS.

I'm online with it now.

We want to thank you for taking the time to contact T-Mobile my name is Anthony and we will be able to assist you. We read that you are unable to register the Sidekick. We apologize that you are experiencing troubles with your device and we can definitely help you. We understand this can be frustrating not getting the Sidekick service.

We made a check on the network and there was something we needed to provision. This has been done so now you can get it registered.

Jeez, that looked like a conversation with the Borg. ;p

Whoo, gotta love them crazy customer service reps. I got one the other day who I could barely understand at all while I was trying to get my wireless router to work, so I just hung up and called again, and got someone else. Felt kinda bad for the guy, but the lady after him was very helpful.

So apparently this is the #1 Google hit on 'Sidekick 3 activation,' hence the occasional "lol nerds" posts from people who apparently came looking for information and decided they didn't like to get it. Maybe I should require registration again?