Anonymous
map-marker Charlottesville, Virginia

When I tried to cancel my service I was told I would have to pay lots of cancellation fees.

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Felt like I had been mislead and the cancellation fees were understated. They may have been in the "contract" but if so weren't explained and were probably in fine print. It was cheaper to keep the service for another 4 months than pay all the fees. We aren't talking about a lot of money but don't like being mislead.
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User's recommendation: Make sure all of the cancelation fees are fully explained.

Gb Ljl
map-marker Walnut Creek, California

Scammers - beware

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I had this service back 2010 back when I had a landline. I canceled it years ago. Suddenly, in June 2019, I get a bill from them. I email them back and tell them I haven't had this service years so take me "off your list." I get another email from a Kristina Pingree stating: "On 11/30/2010 you contacted Pioneer Telephone to add your new phone number of xxxxxxxxxx to your Pioneer Telephone account. You have not contacted us to close your account. A call was made prompting a bill. I have cancelled your Pioneer Telephone account, however you are still responsible for that invoice as this is the only indication we have had from you that you wanted to cancel." I canceled this service years ago but that's besides the point. If I've had the service since 2010, how come I'm not getting a bill for the first time in years in 2019? If I've had this service all this time, why haven't I been getting billed every month since 2010? And how were they able to call a number that I haven't had in years? I'll tell you how. Because it's a scam. This is as scummy as it gets. I guess since most people don't have landlines anymore, these piece of *** shysters are just going through old accounts hoping people won't notice and give them money. It's for $3.01 but I'm not giving these *** a penny. I guess if you can scam three bucks out of enough people, you can pull in some bank. And you thought AT&T was scummy. I opened a BBB complaint. They decided to "credit my account" as if they're doing me a favor by taking back the money they tried to scam from me. Avoid these scammers like the plague.
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Reason of review:
Scammers

Preferred solution: To be taken off their list of people they try to scam

Susette H Run

Continuing great experience

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Nothing happened. I've just had great service from Pioneer Telephone since before 2010 and I wanted to counteract all the negative reviews here. Even when I moved and was having a hassle setting up AT&T for local service and Pioneer for long distance with my new number, Pioneer helped me through it. Thanks Pioneer!
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Pros:
  • Long distance service and customer assistance
Reason of review:
Fair pricing
Anonymous

Pioneer suckd

No internet, charge boo-coo money for what, it’s a joke, quite collecting our money and FIX your problem, IT’S A JOKE!!
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Welford Pep

PIONEER SUCKS!

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woke up this morn... no internet. reset my router and modem, no internet. called customer service, they said they did updates over night but the problem is on my end. called em again after double checking my setup... they said half of their customers were effected and without internet but would be fixed soon. 12hrs later... no internet. called em again and they tried walking me through this... IM AN I.T. GUY BY THE WAY, BUT I DIDNT MENTION IT TO THE LADY... Im convinced my 11 year old son knows more than her. i hung up to keep from hurting anyones feelings. ill try again 2morro. still no internet!
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous

Pioneer Telephone - Internet Service Review

Pioneer Telephone - Internet Service Review

Terrible internet service. My husband and I started with Pioneer for a month's ago. And we have the gamer package. And all it does is buffer. And it's expensive. I posted on facebook that my service sucks compared to Cox communications. Wasnt veing aggressive or anything. They replied saying someone will get in touch.

I finally had to send my number in to get someone to talk to me. And the only thing they were worried about was that i didn't follow guidelines on commenting with aggressive behavior.

ALL I SAID WAS THAT MY SERVICE SUCKS COMPARED TO COX. THAT'S IT.

I took screen shots of it all.

Do not go through this company.

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Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

Advertised speeds are virtually a lie. I have run the Pioneer speed check and I get one result and then I run the Verizon FIOS speed check and the speed is horrible.

Recently received notice I was getting at no charge 75MB service. Sped check said 32 MB upload and 83.3 download.

It is a screwed up service. It was not this way until Pioneer purchased the system from Verizon.

Anonymous

Worst place to get a phone

There phone insurance is a scam, i purchased a samsung s4 mini used it for two years or better and one day i dropped it and it broke. Luckly when i got i we also got insurance on it and we could get a new phone for eighty one dollars. i go in to get the phone and they don't carry it so i have to get a newer model. When i got the insurance originally they said the phone i get will meet the same ''specifications" as my old one. So after paying extra on my phone bill for over 2 years they give a phone called KYOCERA. i didn't insure a KYOCERA, this phone is the most user unfridely phone i have ever used and pioneer tells me this phone is better then my old one but it is not. The phone can't connect to wifi which we also get through pioneer. When we call the custom service they don't know what they are talking about so no wifi, second the phone just turns off by it self no update or anything just turns off, even when it is on all it does is freeze up and lag. When i went to the store they can't replace it and they want to charger me to get it fixed. When asked how much it will cost to get it fixed you get a response like "well we have to send it in" or "uhhhhhh idnno " don't go to this place.
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Cortland, New York

No return calls

2 wks. ago,i called pioneer to switch to their 9.99 mo. service. i was told additional equipment would be sent. it hasn't nor are they returning numerous phone calls. good company to avoid. there is not even a menu on their 800no. to choose the department you wish to speak with. i am going to file a complaint with the fcc. enough complaints might shut them down. i hope many people do the same. i hope this time i have 100 words. going to give up soon.evidently not-no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no nono
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Atlanta, Georgia

Pioneer Telephone Technical Support Review

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their new phone service sucks. They're only open 9 to 5 and their tech support people are idiots. I ported my number to them a week ago and still don't have dial tone. they are Backwoods phone company
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous

Extremely rude Sales Consultant Cold Calling

On the 2nd of September 2015, approximately 9:40 a.m. one of our engineers received a cold call from your telemarketers, looking for our formal staff “Sam Luke” who left the company several years ago. We are not doing any business with your company but I am very sorry to inform you from that call, your telemarketer was very rude to our engineer. Despite being told that we do not give out information of what she requested “name of the highest position of the company”, she started to lie that Pioneer Business System is our Customer. We had a customer database where the engineer actually screened through after her claims, and then she was being informed politely that we do not have a customer named Pioneer Business System. But she refused to end the conversation, instead she started shouting to our engineer. Herewith conversation direct quoted from your shouting telemarketer as per our engineer:- “Do you understand me? I just need a name! I’m your Customer! This is totally unacceptable.” “I don’t want to talk to you, put me to someone else, you are wasting my time.” “You don’t know what I’m talking about.” …“I’m your Customer! Just do exactly what I said, I want to speak to your manager.” “I don’t want to leave my contacts, I want a name! Give me a name!” I understand your telemarketer is desperate for sales, but honestly don’t know if your company have somehow employ and train your staffs to be rude and lie if they need to, or if she was having a bad day; this is not a way to treat potential customers. I hope you will take notice of this misfortune.
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Reason of review:
rude sales call
1 comment
Guest

Ive just received a similar call from Abbey Northway. Asking for the MD by name saying she spoke to him last week.

I dont believe she had, Im his secretary.

When i asked the simply what the call was about, she said work on telecoms line, which we have not had.

She asked "i dont know why you are arguing with me".

I put her on hold and left her on hold....

Some advise to Pioneer, if you are touting for business a) dont lie, b) dont be agressive.

Anonymous
map-marker Chicago, Illinois

Hidden costs for local service line maintenance

Having had Pioneer long distance for years, I was thinking about adding local service well. Talking to the service rep about potential line problems, I was told that they would charge $100 for AT&T to check the outside line up to the junction box. It's $100 regardless of whether they find a problem or not If the problem is deemed to be inside the house, good luck because AT&T won't touch that, so I would have find a local contractor. Who knows what that might cost. Pioneer offers no monthly line maintenance plans. On top of this, their local service isn't cheaper than AT&T, so I guess local service stays at AT&T, until I decide to drop the land line altogether.
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
1 comment
Guest

Thank you for your comment. I was unaware of the line service charge.

I too have been a long distance pioneer subscriber for years and was contemplating their local service.

I have had multiple issues over the years with AT&T and their billing that just adds to the bill every month with no explanation. Looks like the only option is to get rid of the landline.

Evee Igq
map-marker Pittsburg, California

Billed by Pioneer weeks after no longer even having a landline

Updated by user Dec 18, 2014

Pioneer refused to remove the erroneous billing, so I contacted my credit card company and filed the complaint, along with the proof that the phone line had been disconnected before those calls were supposedly made. I was told by the credit card company that Pioneer did not refute my claim of fraud, and therefore the charge was reversed.

I never heard from Pioneer at all. After 7 years thinking they were great, I was astounded at their nasty attitude and terrible customer service over this *** little issue!

Updated by user Sep 03, 2014

PS - I called customer service, explained their mistake, he just kept repeating that they had received records of those calls made on that phone line. I kept insisting that the land line had been disconnected and that phone number ported to an internet service, and I could prove that, but he insisted that since I did not cancel the account until August 1 that all calls were deemed to be my calls. He said it was from the phone line that had been ported over to an internet line, and he insisted it was still an active land line!

Original review Sep 03, 2014
I have had Pioneer as my long distance provider for the past 7 years and had been very happy with them. On July 17th 2014 I had my two land lines disconnected, and instead went with an internet phone line. I had a lot of issues with ATT and UVERSE regarding their billing, and was focused on that for the next couple of weeks. Then I contacted Pioneer on August 1 to let them know that since I no longer had a land line, I would no longer need their services. On Sept. 2 I received a bill (automatically paid by my credit card, which I will dispute) in the amount of $2.39, for two one minute calls, one on July 26 at 10:10 pm and one on August 1 at 1:28 am. Both calls were supposedly placed from my LANDLINE, which NO LONGER EXISTED! Also, I would never have called ANYONE at those hours! I am speaking with my credit card company to refute that charge.
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Loss:
$2
Reason of review:
fraudulent billing

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous
map-marker Stamford, Connecticut

Turned off phone with no warning.

My phone was cut off and we learned about it from customers who thought I was out of business. I've been a customer with Pioneer for at least 10 years. There was a late bill for $25 maybe 4 -5 weeks. Instead of a call or a letter or email, anything, I had to hear from a few customers that my phone wasn't working. Sometimes there's an oversight, not at this company Tom and Nick in "customer service" response was it was automatic, either pay or it won't be turned on. Shouldn't they have asked me to pay first? I'm happy to pay 100% late fee if I had to, just let me know the problem first. I have a business and sometimes the small bills are paid last, sorry, I hope the $25 I owe them doesn't put them out of business!
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3 comments
Guest

Pioneer has the lowest rates in the telecom business. You agreed to the terms and service when you signed up.

Do you think they are looking at each account one by one ? NO ! It is all automated, an email goes out telling you that you are late, an automated call is made reminding that you are late and service will be terminated. Then when no payment is made, the account is shut off for lack of payment.

In this way, the bad debt is kept low and Pioneer can keep the rates low.

This is not welfare where the paying customers subsidize the non-paying customers. Pay your bill! You got multiple notices and ignored them.

How do I know ? I've been a customer for years !

Guest

Pioneer always sends email notices when your late and it's in the terms & conditions that you agreed to when you signed up.

Stop whining and take responsibility for being late.

Guest

They expect you to use common sense, if you are behind on your phone bills you don't get service, why not grow up and admit this is YOUR fault. You have no right running a business if you cannot manage your finances. I bet if someone owed your business $25 you would do the same thing.

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Anonymous
map-marker Lebanon, Virginia

Bogus Late Fees

Pioneer telephone billed me late fees even though the payment was submitted timely. I paid what was owed, but did not pay the bogus late fee. They continued to bill me the late fee, and I switched long distance carriers. Now they are billing late fees on the fake late fee. They are basically a criminal enterprise making their money charging false late fees. They continue sending bills even though our relationship has been terminated. I have written to the company to no avail. I am advising anyone to stay away from Pioneer telephone. They are a company to be avoided. They are unreasonable, and pay no attention to the customer.
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Tameko Wlz
map-marker Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Bait and Switch

I was a long distance customer of Pioneer Telephone for more than 12 years. Recently they solicited my landline service. I called to inquire, and the rates quoted were at least $12/month lower than I was paying AT&T, so I authorized the switch and called AT&T to begin the process. A few weeks later I get a bill for 3 times expected. When I called Pioneer, the thugs now managing the company told me it wasn't their problem that I hadn't asked enough questions to catch them in their lie. The operator admitted folks were pretty pissed, but no matter to them. Sounds like they were bought out and new management is milking the established customers. Three calls, all nasty, so I'm dumping Pioneer Telephone completely.
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Loss:
$73
1 comment
Guest

100% False - this is a competitor slander comment.

Pioneer has been in business since 1994 - 20 years !

Look at the BB complaints ? 3 or 4 out of millions of customers.

FCC complaints ? NONE

Public Commission coomplains: NONE

Hiromi Luh
map-marker Derry, Pennsylvania

Billing complaint misleading advertising ripoff

We had long distance service from Pioneer since 2005, With advertising of "as low as" $6.90/month for local service, we added that. We got no notification of service start, but a bill for $31.21 for the first month plus half the next month less than a week after service start. This is 25% greater than we were paying before. We immediately cancelled service and restarted Verizon. Pioneer says we have to pay for service for the full month and a half for the week or less we had it because we cancelled on the first day of the billing period. So we paid 31.29 for about 6 days (if that) or less service. They claim the contract says this is the way it is done. We never got notification of service or contract terms. The said since we had LD service, we had a contract from 2005, but with LD service there is no monthly charge and there could be no relevant contract terms from that since they didn't offer local service at that time.Avoid this company!
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Loss:
$32

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