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  1. #1
    Turbocane
    Guest

    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <VaG_c.35578$3l3.23104@attbi_s03> on Sun, 05 Sep 2004 15:22:29 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:[email protected]...

    >
    > >> I'm guessing you were using TDMA 800 before, which is being converted

    by
    > >> Cingular to GSM 850 (same band, notwithstanding the different number),

    and
    > >> that your GSM phones don't have the GSM 850 band. Try a good GSM phone

    with
    > >> both 850 and 1900 bands.

    > >
    > >Our GSM phone is the nokia 3595. This is the second model we have tried.

    I
    > >was sure it was TDMA and GSM but may it isn't a good phone?

    >
    > It's GSM only, both 850 and 1900 bands, and is a good phone, so a

    different
    > phone probably won't solve your problem.


    Does this sound right? Now the customer service rep tells me that the FCC
    stopped Cingular from using T-Mobile Towers and ATT towers and that is why
    our signal has deteriorated.

    I asked if this is so as a matter of good faith why don't they let us out
    of our contract.
    She said it is not their fault and they will not let us out of our contract.
    This seems wrong.

    Also she said we cannot have a GSM phone on a Family plan with TDMA phones
    and they have to be separated. However we went in with a broken phone in
    February. It was a Cingular store and they gave us the new phone. It
    wasn't our mistake it was Cingular's mistake.

    And she had the nerve to ask us why we have continued to try to use the
    phones for so long. We were hearing that it was going to get better and it
    hasn't. We were trying to give Cingular a chance. This isn't fair. I
    feel very cheated. And this woman was very condescending and very rude. I
    have never had a rude customer service person before. They didn't know what
    they were talking about but they were not rude. I feel like Cingular is
    taking our money and doesn't care.

    Since the GSM doesn't work at our house either I really really do not want
    to have to sign anymore contracts with Cingular. I filed a complaint with
    the BB that is why she called. Where do I go next?

    When we signed up in 1999 we had a good signal and that is what we contrated
    for. Now we pay them for poor service.

    T

    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






    See More: GSM Extend in CT - more




  2. #2
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:dpv%[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <lmt%c.50749$3l3.50651@attbi_s03> on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 01:36:17 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:[email protected]...

    >
    > >Does this sound right? Now the customer service rep tells me that the

    FCC
    > >stopped Cingular from using T-Mobile Towers and ATT towers and that is

    why
    > >our signal has deteriorated.

    >
    > That's almost certainly untrue, and irrelevant in any event.
    >
    > >I asked if this is so as a matter of good faith why don't they let us

    out
    > >of our contract.
    > >She said it is not their fault and they will not let us out of our

    contract.
    > >This seems wrong.

    >
    > If your service really has deteriorated, and Cingular fails to fix it,

    then
    > you should indeed be able to cancel without penalty.
    >
    > >Also she said we cannot have a GSM phone on a Family plan with TDMA

    phones
    > >and they have to be separated.

    >
    > That's not unreasonable.
    >
    > >However we went in with a broken phone in
    > >February. It was a Cingular store and they gave us the new phone. It
    > >wasn't our mistake it was Cingular's mistake.

    >
    > Fair enough, but you should have gotten it taken care of promptly.


    This was the first time I heard of it. This was the very first time anyone
    told me this. The people at the stores are incompetent and we are supposed
    to suffer?
    >
    > >And she had the nerve to ask us why we have continued to try to use the
    > >phones for so long.

    >
    > That's not unreasonable -- the passage of time has weakened your case.
    >
    > >We were hearing that it was going to get better and it
    > >hasn't.

    >
    > From Cingular? Did you document those promises?


    No unfortunately - we believed them. My neighbor also had those same
    promises. And I have read it on newsgroups.
    >
    > >We were trying to give Cingular a chance.

    >
    > Why do that, and why let it go so long?


    As if they were going to let us cancel anyway.
    >
    > >This isn't fair. I
    > >feel very cheated.

    >
    > Why? You had a good case in the beginning, but let months go by.


    They said the network was in transition etc. it was going to be GREAT.
    Again they lied and we are going to suffer because we believed them.
    >
    > >And this woman was very condescending and very rude.

    >
    > That's inexcusable, but there's still the issue of why you let it go so

    long.
    > I'm sure she's heard lots of made up stories from subscribers. How does

    she
    > know your story isn't made up?


    She could check usage. Compare this time last year to this year. My
    husband became frustrated trying to call me and no longer does or he calls
    the landline. He has an hour commute. In fact she wants to talk to him
    not me and he can't call or he is going to have to come home early to call
    because their customer service hours are lousy.
    >
    > >I
    > >have never had a rude customer service person before.

    >
    > It happens. Unfortunately. When it does, ask to speak to a supervisor,

    or
    > simply call back.
    >
    > >They didn't know what
    > >they were talking about but they were not rude. I feel like Cingular is
    > >taking our money and doesn't care.

    >
    > I think that's a bit extreme under the circumstances.


    Well, since she lied about the towers and says it cancelling the contracts
    without penalty is impossible. She knows our service is not working but
    their is no way to cancel.
    >
    > >Since the GSM doesn't work at our house either I really really do not

    want
    > >to have to sign anymore contracts with Cingular. I filed a complaint

    with
    > >the BB that is why she called. Where do I go next?

    >
    > Add this to your BBB complaint, and see my other suggestions.


    What other suggestions?
    >
    > >When we signed up in 1999 we had a good signal and that is what we

    contrated
    > >for. Now we pay them for poor service.

    >
    > Why?


    They won't let us cancel without penalty.

    T
    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






  3. #3
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <3VA%c.131840$9d6.43512@attbi_s54> on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 10:11:11 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:dpv%[email protected]...


    >> >However we went in with a broken phone in
    >> >February. It was a Cingular store and they gave us the new phone. It
    >> >wasn't our mistake it was Cingular's mistake.

    >>
    >> Fair enough, but you should have gotten it taken care of promptly.

    >
    >This was the first time I heard of it. This was the very first time anyone
    >told me this. The people at the stores are incompetent and we are supposed
    >to suffer?


    Cingular has a clearly stated return (and cancellation) policy of 15 days,
    which you should have observed. If you (say) bought a DVD player, and found
    that it wouldn't work with your TV, the store might well take it back within a
    couple of weeks (i.e., within its return policy), but not after seven months.
    (At that point it would be a matter of warranty repair or replacement, not
    return.)

    >> Why do that, and why let it go so long?

    >
    >As if they were going to let us cancel anyway.


    If your service has really degraded significantly since your last contract
    extension, and isn't corrected by the carrier, then it really has no choice.

    >> Why? You had a good case in the beginning, but let months go by.

    >
    >They said the network was in transition etc. it was going to be GREAT.
    >Again they lied and we are going to suffer because we believed them.


    The network has been in transition and has been improving greatly, so that's
    no evidence of "lies." At most it would be an unfulfilled promise, and then
    only if you were actually promised great reception throughout your residence,
    which is doubtful given that such specific promises are against company
    policy.

    >> I'm sure she's heard lots of made up stories from subscribers. How does she
    >> know your story isn't made up?

    >
    >She could check usage. Compare this time last year to this year.


    That tells her nothing about call quality, and is only inferential at best.

    >>... he is going to have to come home early to call

    >because their customer service hours are lousy.


    Cingular Customer Service is open 9am-10pm Central Mon-Sat. (There is also an
    After Hours number for network problems.)

    >> I think that's a bit extreme under the circumstances.

    >
    >Well, since she lied about the towers


    What makes you think it was an actual "lie" (deliberate falsehood), rather
    than just (say) poor information?

    >and says it cancelling the contracts
    >without penalty is impossible.


    With your particular justifications, which aren't strong.

    >She knows our service is not working but
    >their is no way to cancel.


    Your service is working, just not where you want it.

    >> Add this to your BBB complaint, and see my other suggestions.

    >
    >What other suggestions?


    See my prior posts.

    >> Why?

    >
    >They won't let us cancel without penalty.


    They have no choice if (1) your service has really degraded significantly (2)
    since your latest contract extension and (3) the problem isn't corrected.

    Another basic problem in your position is this part of your earlier post:

    The GSM phone now works at our house but barely. It drops service
    all the time and does not work in all places in our house.

    Cellular is essentially an outdoors technology that may or may not work
    indoors -- structures interfere with cellular signals, which is why indoor
    coverage isn't guaranteed. (In my own residence I can only use my cell phone
    in one upstairs room.) That why carriers won't accept
    my-cell-won't-work-in-all-parts-of-my-house in and of itself as sufficient
    justification for termination without penalty -- you need more than that, and
    you need to work within the established time limits.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  4. #4
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:ZUJ%[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <3VA%c.131840$9d6.43512@attbi_s54> on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 10:11:11 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:dpv%[email protected]...

    >
    > >> >However we went in with a broken phone in
    > >> >February. It was a Cingular store and they gave us the new phone. It
    > >> >wasn't our mistake it was Cingular's mistake.
    > >>
    > >> Fair enough, but you should have gotten it taken care of promptly.

    > >
    > >This was the first time I heard of it. This was the very first time

    anyone
    > >told me this. The people at the stores are incompetent and we are

    supposed
    > >to suffer?

    >
    > Cingular has a clearly stated return (and cancellation) policy of 15 days,
    > which you should have observed. If you (say) bought a DVD player, and

    found
    > that it wouldn't work with your TV, the store might well take it back

    within a
    > couple of weeks (i.e., within its return policy), but not after seven

    months.
    > (At that point it would be a matter of warranty repair or replacement, not
    > return.)


    We took one back because it was broken and replaced it. The rep insisted
    the phone had to be put on GSM. We didn't have a choice. We couldn't
    cancel there was the early termination fee. The rep assured us and our
    neigbor that GSM was going to be wonderful and to hang on it would get
    better so we on good faith waited.
    >
    > >> Why do that, and why let it go so long?

    > >
    > >As if they were going to let us cancel anyway.

    >
    > If your service has really degraded significantly since your last contract
    > extension, and isn't corrected by the carrier, then it really has no

    choice.

    Well, she said absolutely unequivocally no. She said that is not going to
    happen. Tonight she said T-Mobile and ATT won't let them use the towers
    anymore. She talked to my husband and was just as rude.
    >
    > >> Why? You had a good case in the beginning, but let months go by.

    > >
    > >They said the network was in transition etc. it was going to be GREAT.
    > >Again they lied and we are going to suffer because we believed them.

    >
    > The network has been in transition and has been improving greatly, so

    that's
    > no evidence of "lies."


    Fair enough perhaps lie was too strong. But what about the bit about the
    towers and the FCC? From what I am reading elsewhere she did not tell the
    truth.

    At most it would be an unfulfilled promise, and then
    > only if you were actually promised great reception throughout your

    residence,
    > which is doubtful given that such specific promises are against company
    > policy.


    An unfulfilled CONTRACT. There is a difference. We are not pals here. We
    pay with taxes etc over a $120 a month. We used to be able to use the phone
    in our house. That is why we have the family plan.
    >
    > >> I'm sure she's heard lots of made up stories from subscribers. How

    does she
    > >> know your story isn't made up?

    > >
    > >She could check usage. Compare this time last year to this year.

    >
    > That tells her nothing about call quality, and is only inferential at

    best.

    She could call my my cell phone.

    >
    > >>... he is going to have to come home early to call

    > >because their customer service hours are lousy.

    >
    > Cingular Customer Service is open 9am-10pm Central Mon-Sat. (There is also

    an
    > After Hours number for network problems.)


    Well, I do not know where you get your info but she told us from 7:30 until
    4:30 central time.
    >
    > >> I think that's a bit extreme under the circumstances.

    > >
    > >Well, since she lied about the towers

    >
    > What makes you think it was an actual "lie" (deliberate falsehood), rather
    > than just (say) poor information?


    Come on. If she is a representative of the company and denying me my
    rights as a consumer she better use the correct information. Where did she
    get the poor information? Is this Cingular policy to hand out poor
    information or is she either making things up or speculating about things
    she has no knowledge about.
    >
    > >and says it cancelling the contracts
    > >without penalty is impossible.

    >
    > With your particular justifications, which aren't strong.


    >
    > >She knows our service is not working but
    > >their is no way to cancel.

    >
    > Your service is working, just not where you want it.


    BUT when we contracted with Cingular it worked in our home. Now it no
    longer works in our home. We did not get 14 days after their equipment
    changed to decide whether or not we wanted to stay with them. Didn't
    Cingular at least owe us that? If the telephone company cuts down the two
    closest poles to our house our phone would still work down the street but
    that isn't what we contracted for.

    >
    > >> Add this to your BBB complaint, and see my other suggestions.

    > >
    > >What other suggestions?

    >
    > See my prior posts.
    >
    > >> Why?

    > >
    > >They won't let us cancel without penalty.

    >
    > They have no choice if (1) your service has really degraded significantly

    (2)
    > since your latest contract extension and (3) the problem isn't corrected.
    >
    > Another basic problem in your position is this part of your earlier post:
    >
    > The GSM phone now works at our house but barely. It drops service
    > all the time and does not work in all places in our house.
    >
    > Cellular is essentially an outdoors technology that may or may not work
    > indoors -- structures interfere with cellular signals, which is why indoor
    > coverage isn't guaranteed. (In my own residence I can only use my cell

    phone
    > in one upstairs room.) That why carriers won't accept
    > my-cell-won't-work-in-all-parts-of-my-house in and of itself as sufficient
    > justification for termination without penalty -- you need more than that,

    and
    > you need to work within the established time limits.


    Well perhaps you should try Verizon. We tried a pre paid to see if it would
    work. It works like a land line. It will cost more but it will be worth
    it. I am in an electric wheelchair. I can't go outside. And I can't go
    upstairs. When we contracted with Cingular we picked them because they
    worked inside our house. I can't drive and during the day it gets lonely.
    My sons could call me and my husband could call me during the day when they
    had a moment. Their technology has ruined this and we are still expected
    to pay them $121 a month? My life has changed. They should be gracious
    and let it go because I am not going to let this go.

    T
    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






  5. #5
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <bqL%c.159687$mD.58318@attbi_s02> on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 22:09:11 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:ZUJ%[email protected]...


    >> Cingular has a clearly stated return (and cancellation) policy of 15 days,
    >> which you should have observed. If you (say) bought a DVD player, and found
    >> that it wouldn't work with your TV, the store might well take it back within a
    >> couple of weeks (i.e., within its return policy), but not after seven months.
    >> (At that point it would be a matter of warranty repair or replacement, not
    >> return.)

    >
    >We took one back because it was broken and replaced it. The rep insisted
    >the phone had to be put on GSM. We didn't have a choice.


    The rep may have pushed GSM, but you did have a choice -- TDMA handsets are
    still available and still supported.

    >We couldn't
    >cancel there was the early termination fee.


    You can only switch from TDMA to GSM with a different rate plan, so a new
    contract was required. Didn't you check the paperwork?

    >The rep assured us and our
    >neigbor that GSM was going to be wonderful and to hang on it would get
    >better so we on good faith waited.


    GSM is good, but that doesn't mean you'll have coverage everywhere in your
    residence. Regardless, why did you take it on faith? Buyers are expected to
    exercise reasonable prudence.

    >> If your service has really degraded significantly since your last contract
    >> extension, and isn't corrected by the carrier, then it really has no
    >> choice.

    >
    >Well, she said absolutely unequivocally no. She said that is not going to
    >happen. Tonight she said T-Mobile and ATT won't let them use the towers
    >anymore. She talked to my husband and was just as rude.


    So talk to someone else. (And please don't rehash old ground here.)

    >> The network has been in transition and has been improving greatly, so that's
    >> no evidence of "lies."

    >
    >Fair enough perhaps lie was too strong. But what about the bit about the
    >towers and the FCC? From what I am reading elsewhere she did not tell the
    >truth.


    She may not have known better, and thus it wouldn't be a "lie," just bad
    information.

    >> At most it would be an unfulfilled promise, and then
    >> only if you were actually promised great reception throughout your residence,
    >> which is doubtful given that such specific promises are against company
    >> policy.

    >
    >An unfulfilled CONTRACT. There is a difference.


    Your CONTRACT doesn't include what the rep might have said, and doesn't
    guarantee coverage throughout your residence. (If it did, we wouldn't be
    having this discussion What specific part of your CONTRACT don't you think
    is being fulfilled?

    >We are not pals here. We
    >pay with taxes etc over a $120 a month. We used to be able to use the phone
    >in our house. That is why we have the family plan.


    As I explained in my earlier response, that's not something you can count on.

    >> That tells her nothing about call quality, and is only inferential at

    >best.
    >
    >She could call my my cell phone.


    That still tells her nothing about the past.

    Because the carrier has no obligation to make service work throughout your
    residence, your only real case is to show that service deteriorated
    significantly, and that it did so during your latest contract term.

    >> Cingular Customer Service is open 9am-10pm Central Mon-Sat. (There is also an
    >> After Hours number for network problems.)

    >
    >Well, I do not know where you get your info


    Cingular website: <http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/contact_us>

    >but she told us from 7:30 until
    >4:30 central time.


    You clearly need to talk to someone else. ;-)

    >> What makes you think it was an actual "lie" (deliberate falsehood), rather
    >> than just (say) poor information?

    >
    >Come on. If she is a representative of the company and denying me my
    >rights as a consumer she better use the correct information.


    She should, but failing to do so doesn't automatically constitute a "lie."

    >Where did she
    >get the poor information? Is this Cingular policy to hand out poor
    >information or is she either making things up or speculating about things
    >she has no knowledge about.


    I'd guess the latter.

    >> Your service is working, just not where you want it.

    >
    >BUT when we contracted with Cingular it worked in our home. Now it no
    >longer works in our home.


    What matters is the start of the current contract.

    >We did not get 14 days after their equipment
    >changed to decide whether or not we wanted to stay with them.


    Actually you did.

    >Didn't
    >Cingular at least owe us that?


    Cingular owes you what you actually contracted for. You of course bear
    responsibility for your own actions.

    >> Cellular is essentially an outdoors technology that may or may not work
    >> indoors -- structures interfere with cellular signals, which is why indoor
    >> coverage isn't guaranteed. (In my own residence I can only use my cell phone
    >> in one upstairs room.) That why carriers won't accept
    >> my-cell-won't-work-in-all-parts-of-my-house in and of itself as sufficient
    >> justification for termination without penalty -- you need more than that, and
    >> you need to work within the established time limits.

    >
    >Well perhaps you should try Verizon.


    I have, and it's much worse than Cingular in my area. There is no one best
    carrier.

    >We tried a pre paid to see if it would
    >work. It works like a land line.


    Why didn't you check sooner?

    >It will cost more but it will be worth
    >it.


    Fair enough -- that's how the market works.

    >I am in an electric wheelchair. I can't go outside. And I can't go
    >upstairs. When we contracted with Cingular we picked them because they
    >worked inside our house.


    Fair enough, but when service deteriorated, you should have dealt with the
    problem in a timely manner.

    >I can't drive and during the day it gets lonely.
    >My sons could call me and my husband could call me during the day when they
    >had a moment.


    Why not use a land line and cordless phone? Surely that would be less
    expensive?

    >Their technology has ruined this


    GSM is greatly improved over TDMA, but won't necessarily be better for
    everyone, and obviously not for you.

    >and we are still expected
    >to pay them $121 a month?


    That was what you agreed to.

    >My life has changed.


    That's unfortunate.

    >They should be gracious
    >and let it go because I am not going to let this go.


    You accept no responsibility for what happened? You blame the carrier and the
    rep for everything? And you think the best way to win is by fighting? With
    all due respect (and sympathy), that's not reasonable. Try being both nice
    and persistent. Take at least some of the responsibility for your own
    actions. Write to the President of the company. Propose a reasonable
    compromise.

    p.s. From all you've posted, I'm thinking your TDMA phone was actually
    working on AMPS in your residence, rather than TDMA, and that the loss of AMPS
    is what caused your problem, not the switch from TDMA to GSM. Old TDMA phones
    also supported AMPS (analog); new GSM phones don't (because AMPS is being
    phased out).

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  6. #6
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:8aM%[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <bqL%c.159687$mD.58318@attbi_s02> on Wed, 08 Sep 2004 22:09:11 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:ZUJ%[email protected]...

    >
    > >> Cingular has a clearly stated return (and cancellation) policy of 15

    days,
    > >> which you should have observed. If you (say) bought a DVD player, and

    found
    > >> that it wouldn't work with your TV, the store might well take it back

    within a
    > >> couple of weeks (i.e., within its return policy), but not after seven

    months.
    > >> (At that point it would be a matter of warranty repair or replacement,

    not
    > >> return.)

    > >
    > >We took one back because it was broken and replaced it. The rep insisted
    > >the phone had to be put on GSM. We didn't have a choice.

    >
    > The rep may have pushed GSM, but you did have a choice -- TDMA handsets

    are
    > still available and still supported.


    Not in Connecticut. You are mistaken. I don't know where you are but In
    Connecticut all new phones have to be on the GSM. That is what they told us
    at the store and that is what they told my neighbor just last week. She has
    four phones and they are not on a family plan.

    >
    > >We couldn't
    > >cancel there was the early termination fee.

    >
    > You can only switch from TDMA to GSM with a different rate plan, so a new
    > contract was required. Didn't you check the paperwork?


    Nope. That isn't what happened here. He said all new phones had to be GSM
    and the phone was put on our family plan. There was no contract. There was
    only an upgrade on the broken phone. >

    > >The rep assured us and our
    > >neigbor that GSM was going to be wonderful and to hang on it would get
    > >better so we on good faith waited.

    >
    > GSM is good, but that doesn't mean you'll have coverage everywhere in your
    > residence. Regardless, why did you take it on faith? Buyers are expected

    to
    > exercise reasonable prudence.


    Perhaps you do not understand. We went into the store with a phone that was
    broken. It was already on the family plan and we were paying $20 a month.
    To cancel the phone so that we did not have to pay the $20 a month there
    would be an early termination fee on the original broken phone. Or we could
    continue to pay the $20 a month and not have a working phone. The Rep
    insisted all new phones in CT have to be on the GSM network. He sent us
    home with a new phone that was a GSM phone. It didn't work. We took it
    back and he gave us the nokia. It still doesn't work like our original TDMA
    that we contracted for but he assured us that the network was going to get
    better. We had no choice. Perhaps the problem here was with the original
    salesperson. Perhaps he didn't know what he was talking about. We had
    never heard of TDMA or GSM. When we first got our phones we did our
    homework. Cingular worked for us. No one told us that the network was
    going to change. Shouldn't we expect the same service? Or at least an
    option to leave if it didn't work? Not false promises.
    >
    > >> If your service has really degraded significantly since your last

    contract
    > >> extension, and isn't corrected by the carrier, then it really has no
    > >> choice.

    > >
    > >Well, she said absolutely unequivocally no. She said that is not going

    to
    > >happen. Tonight she said T-Mobile and ATT won't let them use the towers
    > >anymore. She talked to my husband and was just as rude.

    >
    > So talk to someone else. (And please don't rehash old ground here.)


    Sorry. This was a new incidence of rudeness. He came home early because
    she wanted to talk to him because the phones are in his name.
    >
    > >> The network has been in transition and has been improving greatly, so

    that's
    > >> no evidence of "lies."

    > >
    > >Fair enough perhaps lie was too strong. But what about the bit about the
    > >towers and the FCC? From what I am reading elsewhere she did not tell

    the
    > >truth.

    >
    > She may not have known better, and thus it wouldn't be a "lie," just bad
    > information.
    >
    > >> At most it would be an unfulfilled promise, and then
    > >> only if you were actually promised great reception throughout your

    residence,
    > >> which is doubtful given that such specific promises are against company
    > >> policy.

    > >
    > >An unfulfilled CONTRACT. There is a difference.

    >
    > Your CONTRACT doesn't include what the rep might have said, and doesn't
    > guarantee coverage throughout your residence. (If it did, we wouldn't be
    > having this discussion What specific part of your CONTRACT don't you

    think
    > is being fulfilled?
    >
    > >We are not pals here. We
    > >pay with taxes etc over a $120 a month. We used to be able to use the

    phone
    > >in our house. That is why we have the family plan.

    >
    > As I explained in my earlier response, that's not something you can count

    on.
    >
    > >> That tells her nothing about call quality, and is only inferential at

    > >best.
    > >
    > >She could call my my cell phone.

    >
    > That still tells her nothing about the past.


    But there are known holes with the GSM. There is a report in Consumer
    Reports. When I read that report I finally understood what had happened to
    us. My neighbor is complaining too. It isn't working for us up here. What
    would be the purpose of us banding together? She is in real estate and it
    is bad for her business.

    >
    > Because the carrier has no obligation to make service work throughout your
    > residence, your only real case is to show that service deteriorated
    > significantly, and that it did so during your latest contract term.
    >
    > >> Cingular Customer Service is open 9am-10pm Central Mon-Sat. (There is

    also an
    > >> After Hours number for network problems.)

    > >
    > >Well, I do not know where you get your info

    >
    > Cingular website: <http://www.cingular.com/customer_service/contact_us>
    >
    > >but she told us from 7:30 until
    > >4:30 central time.

    >
    > You clearly need to talk to someone else. ;-)


    She called me because I made a complaint with the better business bureau.
    And she was at least the third person we have talked to on the phone.
    >
    > >> What makes you think it was an actual "lie" (deliberate falsehood),

    rather
    > >> than just (say) poor information?

    > >
    > >Come on. If she is a representative of the company and denying me my
    > >rights as a consumer she better use the correct information.

    >
    > She should, but failing to do so doesn't automatically constitute a "lie."
    >
    > >Where did she
    > >get the poor information? Is this Cingular policy to hand out poor
    > >information or is she either making things up or speculating about things
    > >she has no knowledge about.

    >
    > I'd guess the latter.
    >
    > >> Your service is working, just not where you want it.

    > >
    > >BUT when we contracted with Cingular it worked in our home. Now it no
    > >longer works in our home.

    >
    > What matters is the start of the current contract.
    >
    > >We did not get 14 days after their equipment
    > >changed to decide whether or not we wanted to stay with them.

    >
    > Actually you did.


    No we didn't. No one told us why the TDMA was degrading. No one sent out
    notices that it was changing. Our phones just got worse and worse. The
    only place my phone did not work before was in the middle of my house in the
    hallway. Now if people call me or I call them there is no where I can go
    that we can talk. See we have two problems - The TDMA phones and the GSM
    phone. Perhaps you don't remember or understand?
    >
    > >Didn't
    > >Cingular at least owe us that?

    >
    > Cingular owes you what you actually contracted for. You of course bear
    > responsibility for your own actions.
    >
    > >> Cellular is essentially an outdoors technology that may or may not work
    > >> indoors -- structures interfere with cellular signals, which is why

    indoor
    > >> coverage isn't guaranteed. (In my own residence I can only use my cell

    phone
    > >> in one upstairs room.) That why carriers won't accept
    > >> my-cell-won't-work-in-all-parts-of-my-house in and of itself as

    sufficient
    > >> justification for termination without penalty -- you need more than

    that, and
    > >> you need to work within the established time limits.

    > >
    > >Well perhaps you should try Verizon.

    >
    > I have, and it's much worse than Cingular in my area. There is no one

    best
    > carrier.


    It may be different. Our first clue was when someone was at our house with
    a Verizon phone in the Spring. Sprint also works here but not as well.
    >
    > >We tried a pre paid to see if it would
    > >work. It works like a land line.

    >
    > Why didn't you check sooner?


    Because Cingular was telling us to hang on it was going to get better! And
    when we started our family plan in 1999 Cingular worked here.
    >
    > >It will cost more but it will be worth
    > >it.

    >
    > Fair enough -- that's how the market works.
    >
    > >I am in an electric wheelchair. I can't go outside. And I can't go
    > >upstairs. When we contracted with Cingular we picked them because they
    > >worked inside our house.

    >
    > Fair enough, but when service deteriorated, you should have dealt with the
    > problem in a timely manner.


    Well we did we asked about it and they said it was going to get better. I
    don't know what else we could have done. We trusted Cingular. It did not
    get better and now we are the ones at fault.
    >
    > >I can't drive and during the day it gets lonely.
    > >My sons could call me and my husband could call me during the day when

    they
    > >had a moment.

    >
    > Why not use a land line and cordless phone? Surely that would be less
    > expensive?


    Not as inexpensive as a family plan. Four or even three people would be
    more expensive. That is what family plans are all about. We only have
    400 d/t minutes and 4500 n/w minutes. It is an old contract.
    >
    > >Their technology has ruined this

    >
    > GSM is greatly improved over TDMA, but won't necessarily be better for
    > everyone, and obviously not for you.
    >
    > >and we are still expected
    > >to pay them $121 a month?

    >
    > That was what you agreed to.


    AGH! no it isn't.
    >
    > >My life has changed.

    >
    > That's unfortunate.
    >
    > >They should be gracious
    > >and let it go because I am not going to let this go.

    >
    > You accept no responsibility for what happened?


    I didn't change the network. What responsibility do I have? I really don't
    understand. We called we asked, we went to stores, we asked what was wrong
    and were told it was going to get better.

    You blame the carrier and the
    > rep for everything? And you think the best way to win is by fighting?

    With
    > all due respect (and sympathy), that's not reasonable. Try being both

    nice
    > and persistent. Take at least some of the responsibility for your own
    > actions. Write to the President of the company. Propose a reasonable
    > compromise.


    I was nice. We have talked to so many people. Barbara in Little Rock is
    rude and interrupts. She was not very professional. She was the first one
    we ever talked to who was rude. I think she was in the president's office.
    When my husband called back it was the president's office that answered. I
    don't know what compromise is available except to let us out of our
    contract. Our TDMA phones do not work - GSM doesn't work. We have
    supported them for 5 years. We waited patiently for the network to work.
    We were nice and all these months later we are still being nice. We have
    one phone that can go this month, two phones next month and then the one a
    year from February. This is business they do not care about people they
    care about profits. Otherwise they would admit that their service through
    no fault of ours has changed and no longer works in our house and they would
    be kind enough to let us go. They could consider it a public service for
    the alternately abled - give themselves a pat on the back for what is a
    paltry sum to them. It would be great PR.

    >
    > p.s. From all you've posted, I'm thinking your TDMA phone was actually
    > working on AMPS in your residence, rather than TDMA, and that the loss of

    AMPS
    > is what caused your problem, not the switch from TDMA to GSM. Old TDMA

    phones
    > also supported AMPS (analog); new GSM phones don't (because AMPS is being
    > phased out).


    Could be, it is a tri-mode phone. Our TDMA phones are all nokia 5165s.

    T

    n
    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






  7. #7
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <gVN%c.60320$3l3.56386@attbi_s03> on Thu, 09 Sep 2004 00:58:52 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:8aM%[email protected]...


    >> The rep may have pushed GSM, but you did have a choice -- TDMA handsets are
    >> still available and still supported.

    >
    >Not in Connecticut. You are mistaken. I don't know where you are but In
    >Connecticut all new phones have to be on the GSM. That is what they told us
    >at the store


    What kind of store? A real Cingular company store, or a branded Cingular
    dealer? Cingular isn't responsible for the latter, only the former.

    >and that is what they told my neighbor just last week. She has
    >four phones and they are not on a family plan.


    Given its push to GSM, Cingular may not be willing to sell you a new TDMA
    phone (or TDMA rate plan), but TDMA phones are still readily available (e.g.,
    from on-line dealers, on eBay), and I'm pretty sure that Cingular would
    activate one, at least as a replacement for an existing TDMA phone.

    >> You can only switch from TDMA to GSM with a different rate plan, so a new
    >> contract was required. Didn't you check the paperwork?

    >
    >Nope. That isn't what happened here. He said all new phones had to be GSM
    >and the phone was put on our family plan. There was no contract. There was
    >only an upgrade on the broken phone. >


    You need to check your rate plan(s)! AFAIK, you can't have TDMA and GSM
    phones on the same rate plan. And there must be a contract, even if you
    didn't get any actual paper, or there wouldn't be an Early Termination Fee.

    >> GSM is good, but that doesn't mean you'll have coverage everywhere in your
    >> residence. Regardless, why did you take it on faith? Buyers are expected to
    >> exercise reasonable prudence.

    >
    >Perhaps you do not understand.


    That's certainly possible. How about starting over with your original
    contract date and term, the dates and terms of any contract extensions, and
    the date and term of your current contract?

    >We went into the store with a phone that was
    >broken. It was already on the family plan and we were paying $20 a month.
    >To cancel the phone so that we did not have to pay the $20 a month there
    >would be an early termination fee on the original broken phone.


    Phones don't have ETF, only services (lines).

    >Or we could
    >continue to pay the $20 a month and not have a working phone.


    Or you could get your own TDMA phone, and have it activated without any
    contract extension.

    >The Rep
    >insisted all new phones in CT have to be on the GSM network.


    The key word there is "new" (rather than "replacement").

    >He sent us
    >home with a new phone that was a GSM phone. It didn't work. We took it
    >back and he gave us the nokia. It still doesn't work like our original TDMA
    >that we contracted for


    You didn't contract for any given phone. You contracted for service.

    >but he assured us that the network was going to get
    >better.


    It probably has, just not in your residence.

    >We had no choice.


    You did have a choice. You were not obligated to switch to GSM or to pay for
    TDMA that wasn't working. You let yourself get pressured into doing things
    that you shouldn't have done. I think that's unfortunate, but it's quite
    legitimate in this country. (Think about that when you vote in November.)

    >Perhaps the problem here was with the original
    >salesperson. Perhaps he didn't know what he was talking about. We had
    >never heard of TDMA or GSM. When we first got our phones we did our
    >homework. Cingular worked for us. No one told us that the network was
    >going to change.


    It's been widely reported in the press, and on the Cingular website.

    >Shouldn't we expect the same service?


    Not necessarily.

    >Or at least an
    >option to leave if it didn't work?


    Under the UCC you do have the right to leave without penalty if (1) the
    service got substantially worse (2) during a contract term and (3) the problem
    isn't fixed by the carrier. You haven't yet said if all three apply, which
    makes me think they don't, thus undermining your case.

    >Not false promises.


    Did the rep really promise that you would get service throughout your
    residence (which hasn't happened), or just that it would get better (which
    probably has happened)?

    >> So talk to someone else. (And please don't rehash old ground here.)

    >
    >Sorry. This was a new incidence of rudeness. He came home early because
    >she wanted to talk to him because the phones are in his name.


    So talk to someone else.

    >> That still tells her nothing about the past.

    >
    >But there are known holes with the GSM.


    There are holes with all cellular services -- it's the (unfortunate) nature of
    the beast.

    >There is a report in Consumer
    >Reports. When I read that report I finally understood what had happened to
    >us.


    No offense, but I don't think so.

    >My neighbor is complaining too. It isn't working for us up here. ...


    I assume that's true. If so, you had recourse. The apparent problem is that
    you've weakened your case by letting so much time go by.

    >> You clearly need to talk to someone else. ;-)

    >
    >She called me because I made a complaint with the better business bureau.
    >And she was at least the third person we have talked to on the phone.


    Whatever -- you clearly need to talk to someone else (and three calls isn't
    very many).

    >... No one told us why the TDMA was degrading. No one sent out
    >notices that it was changing.


    How is that relevant?

    >Our phones just got worse and worse.


    Probably worse just at one particular point in time.

    >The
    >only place my phone did not work before was in the middle of my house in the
    >hallway. Now if people call me or I call them there is no where I can go
    >that we can talk. See we have two problems - The TDMA phones and the GSM
    >phone. Perhaps you don't remember or understand?


    I've been doing my best to follow you, but there's been so much conflicting,
    incomplete, and inconsistent information. For example:

    * You say you've been a customer for 6 years, and don't have a contract, but
    are facing an Early Termination Fee, so you must have agreed to a contract
    extension within the past 2 years.

    * You first said the new phone was an upgrade, but now the old phone was
    broken -- which is it?

    * You haven't answered many of the questions I've asked. Why not?

    I suggest you start over and give us the straight story with all the details,
    including the date and term of your last contract extension, the exact rate
    plan(s) you are on, and the date of service deterioration.

    >> Why didn't you check sooner?

    >
    >Because Cingular was telling us to hang on it was going to get better!


    No offense, but it's getting harder and harder to see that as a good reason.

    >And
    >when we started our family plan in 1999 Cingular worked here.


    Irrelevant, since that can't possibly be your current plan. If you agreed to
    a contract extension after service got worse, then, and with all due respect,
    you only have yourself to blame, no matter what anyone said at Cingular.

    >> Fair enough, but when service deteriorated, you should have dealt with the
    >> problem in a timely manner.

    >
    >Well we did we asked about it and they said it was going to get better. I
    >don't know what else we could have done. We trusted Cingular. It did not
    >get better and now we are the ones at fault.


    I sincerely mean no offense, but that sounds hopelessly naive (if not
    disingenuous).

    >> Why not use a land line and cordless phone? Surely that would be less
    >> expensive?

    >
    >Not as inexpensive as a family plan. Four or even three people would be
    >more expensive. That is what family plans are all about. We only have
    >400 d/t minutes and 4500 n/w minutes. It is an old contract.


    Whatever -- it still looks more expensive than a landline to me.

    >> That was what you agreed to.

    >
    >AGH! no it isn't.


    Sorry, but it is.

    >> You accept no responsibility for what happened?

    >
    >I didn't change the network. What responsibility do I have?


    To return unsatisfactory equipment within the return period. To terminate
    unsatisfactory service within the grace period. To exercise reasonable care
    and prudence.

    >I really don't
    >understand. We called we asked, we went to stores, we asked what was wrong
    >and were told it was going to get better.


    Sorry, but I'm not persuaded that you exercised reasonable care and prudence.

    >> You blame the carrier and the
    >> rep for everything? And you think the best way to win is by fighting? With
    >> all due respect (and sympathy), that's not reasonable. Try being both nice
    >> and persistent. Take at least some of the responsibility for your own
    >> actions. Write to the President of the company. Propose a reasonable
    >> compromise.

    >
    >I was nice. We have talked to so many people. Barbara in Little Rock is
    >rude and interrupts. She was not very professional. She was the first one
    >we ever talked to who was rude. I think she was in the president's office.
    >When my husband called back it was the president's office that answered. I
    >don't know what compromise is available except to let us out of our
    >contract.


    One (of many) possibilities: Offer to at least split the Early Termination
    Fee. After all, you did get a big discount on a new phone.

    >Our TDMA phones do not work - GSM doesn't work.


    You've said it does work, just not well for you as it used to.

    >We have
    >supported them for 5 years.


    No, you've been buying service for 5 years.

    >We waited patiently for the network to work.


    No offense, but it sounds more like you simply let things slide, and are now
    upset and trying to blame the carrier for your own failure to cancel without
    penalty.

    >We were nice and all these months later we are still being nice.


    Again, why did you wait so long? That you did so is your responsibility, not
    that of the carrier.

    >We have
    >one phone that can go this month, two phones next month and then the one a
    >year from February.


    Then why all the angst?

    >This is business they do not care about people they
    >care about profits.


    As they should.

    >Otherwise they would admit that their service through
    >no fault of ours has changed and no longer works in our house and they would
    >be kind enough to let us go.


    They probably would have been kind enough to let you go if you had exercised
    your rights, rather than letting so much time slide by.

    >They could consider it a public service for
    >the alternately abled - give themselves a pat on the back for what is a
    >paltry sum to them. It would be great PR.


    That's pretty nasty, and doesn't make your case more persuasive. You need
    facts in your favor, not emotion.

    Your real problem isn't the phone or the switch to GSM -- it's the degradation
    in service, since you're complaining about your TDMA service as well. I don't
    think you have a terribly good case on the GSM phone, since you could have
    returned it without penalty, but instead let seven months go by. So it comes
    down to your TDMA phones that are nearly expired. I suggest you switch to the
    cheapest possible rate plan, pay off the remaining TDMA terms, bite the bullet
    on the GSM phone you shouldn't have kept but did, and be done with it. No
    offense, but I really don't see that you have much to complain about.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  8. #8
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <T3X%c.405439$%_6.69210@attbi_s01> on Thu, 09 Sep 2004 11:24:36 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:O3Q%[email protected]...


    >> What kind of store? A real Cingular company store, or a branded Cingular
    >> dealer? Cingular isn't responsible for the latter, only the former.

    >
    >A real store -


    A real Cingular store (with real Cingular employees)? Note that independent
    resellers can look just like Cingular, right down to signs, display boards,
    branded handsets, even shirts -- it can be hard to tell the difference unless
    you ask.

    >there are only three in our area that one can take a phone to
    >that doesn't work or to get an upgrade.


    Independent resellers also handle phone issues.

    >> Given its push to GSM, Cingular may not be willing to sell you a new TDMA
    >> phone (or TDMA rate plan), but TDMA phones are still readily available (e.g.,
    >> from on-line dealers, on eBay), and I'm pretty sure that Cingular would
    >> activate one, at least as a replacement for an existing TDMA phone.

    >
    >Wrong - all new phones activated have to be GSM.


    I stand by what I wrote.

    >> You need to check your rate plan(s)! AFAIK, you can't have TDMA and GSM
    >> phones on the same rate plan. And there must be a contract, even if you
    >> didn't get any actual paper, or there wouldn't be an Early Termination Fee.

    >
    >Well, Gee it is too bad the guy who sold us the phone at the authorized
    >Cingular store did not know that! We took in the phone - he gave us a
    >phone. The only choices were GSM phones.


    Check your rate plan. If you don't yet have a written copy, get it, or at
    least check it on the Cingular website.

    >I didn't take it on faith. It worked and now it does not work. Why is this
    >so hard to understand?


    It's not hard to understand. What's hard to understand is why you think the
    company is responsible for your apparent failure to exercise reasonable
    prudence.

    >> That's certainly possible. How about starting over with your original
    >> contract date and term, the dates and terms of any contract extensions, and
    >> the date and term of your current contract?

    >
    >We had a family plan with four phones.


    Date and term? Or were you month-to-month? (You go month-to-month after the
    initial term expires if you don't extend the service agreement with something
    like a new subsidized handset.)

    >I think it was in January that I
    >noticed the phone did not work as well anymore. I blamed the weather, the
    >age of the phone, my new computer.


    The weather? Your new computer? Really?

    If only 1 of the 4 phones exhibited a problem, then it was likely a phone
    problem. If all 4 exhibited the same problem, then you should have known
    something was wrong with the service.

    >In February we took one of the 4 phones
    >in because the buttons were stuck and the phone wouldn't work. I think that
    >was the first time we started to ask about the degradation is service and
    >were told to be patient. We do not have a plan contract.


    You absolutely do have a plan contract (service agreement) -- that's the only
    way Cingular can bill you. You don't have a phone contract -- you own the
    phone outright.

    >We have contracts
    >on the phones.


    No, you have service agreement minimum terms in exchange for the subsidies on
    those phones -- that's how it works. You're not paying for the phones each
    month, you're paying for the service, and service fees recover the phone
    subsidies.

    >When we get a new phone we sign a contract for two years.


    The contract is a service agreement extension.

    >But the contract really says nothing about the plan.


    The contract is the plan, and there is definitely a plan.

    >I was told in
    >September of 2002 that Cingular did want customers to be stuck with a plan
    >so written contracts that detailed everything aren't available. You may
    >not believe this but it is true.


    What I believe (actually know) is that it's nonsense. You should know that
    too, and have insisted on it -- you are always entitled to a written copy of
    any contract (service agreement). The person may not want to go through the
    hassle, and try to discourage you, but is required to do so by law if you
    insist.

    >Your area of the country may be different.


    Nope.

    >> Phones don't have ETF, only services (lines).

    >
    >WRONG.


    Sorry, but you are misinformed. You own the phone outright, so there can't be
    a contract on the phone.

    >> Or you could get your own TDMA phone, and have it activated without any
    >> contract extension.

    >
    >WRONG.


    I stand by what I wrote.

    >> The key word there is "new" (rather than "replacement").

    >
    >At the time we did not know that one could buy a used phone.


    Why not? You can also buy a new phone at other places (for more money).
    There are lots of ads for this.

    >And he (at the
    >Cingular store) said ALL phones activated in CT had to be on the GSM
    >network.


    I think you had a 'failure to communicate' -- what he said was probably true
    with respect to new phones and to upgrade phones, as compared to simple
    replacement of a defective phone. It may also be true that he didn't even
    have a replacement TDMA phone to sell you, meaning that you would have to get
    one someplace else. (He's not obligated to tell you that you could buy one
    someplace else -- that's called reasonable prudence on the part of the buyer.)

    >When the Second GSM phone did not work we asked him if there
    >wasn't someone possible way to go back to phones like we had and he said no.


    Correct -- you've already made the mistake, and by then it's too late to go
    back.

    >He told us to wait once the network was fixed it would be wonderful.


    Throughout your residence? Or did you accept a vague generalization?
    Again, reasonable prudence.

    >> You didn't contract for any given phone. You contracted for service.

    >
    >Wrong.


    Sorry, but you are misinformed. You bought the phone outright, so there is no
    contract on the phone.

    >This isn't true either. There are a lot more holes now. There are a lot
    >of places where there is not service. My nieghbor travels around the state.


    It may not be great, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't improved, and it
    almost certainly has improved.

    >> You did have a choice. You were not obligated to switch to GSM or to pay for
    >> TDMA that wasn't working. You let yourself get pressured into doing things
    >> that you shouldn't have done. I think that's unfortunate, but it's quite
    >> legitimate in this country. (Think about that when you vote in November.)

    >
    >What?


    Consumer protection laws and regulations, and which parties and candidates are
    actually for and against them.

    >> It's been widely reported in the press, and on the Cingular website.

    >
    >Well, I am not a Cingular guru like you.


    It doesn't take a guru -- you found it out when you visited the store, and
    that should have prompted you to do some checking.

    >> Under the UCC you do have the right to leave without penalty if (1) the
    >> service got substantially worse (2) during a contract term and (3) the problem
    >> isn't fixed by the carrier. You haven't yet said if all three apply, which
    >> makes me think they don't, thus undermining your case.

    >
    >They all apply. ...


    Then exercise your rights. That's up to you, not the carrier. It's not going
    to happen unless you insist (and unless you actually have a strong case).

    >> >There is a report in Consumer
    >> >Reports. When I read that report I finally understood what had happened to
    >> >us.

    >>
    >> No offense, but I don't think so.

    >
    >Check it out for yourself. [SNIP]


    I'm quite familiar with the Consumer Reports story (on coverage in general,
    and which is already badly out of date). I was commenting on your claim. The
    story in Consumer Reports has no real bearing on your particular experience.

    >> I assume that's true. If so, you had recourse. The apparent problem is that
    >> you've weakened your case by letting so much time go by.

    >
    >But see we have asked questions about the service it isn't getting better as
    >we were told.


    Do you always believe everything you are told, no matter how vague?

    >> Whatever -- you clearly need to talk to someone else (and three calls isn't
    >> very many).

    >
    >I am not counting the many times we went back with the GSM phone or when my
    >neighbor called. This is ridiculous. We are supposed to spend our lives
    >chasing Cingular?


    No, you are supposed to exercise reasonable prudence.

    >> Probably worse just at one particular point in time.

    >
    >Are you calling me a liar?


    No.

    Are you now professing to be an expert in cellular?

    >> I've been doing my best to follow you, but there's been so much conflicting,
    >> incomplete, and inconsistent information. For example:
    >>
    >> * You say you've been a customer for 6 years, and don't have a contract, but
    >> are facing an Early Termination Fee, so you must have agreed to a contract
    >> extension within the past 2 years.

    >
    >Everytime we buy a new phone we sign a contract.


    You sign a service plan extension in return for the subsidy you're getting on
    the phone. You do know that you're not paying full price on the phone, that
    you get the discount in return for a service plan extension, and that you can
    pay full price and not have a service plan extension? Or aren't you reading
    those materials you're signing? And getting things in writing?

    >> * You first said the new phone was an upgrade, but now the old phone was
    >> broken -- which is it?

    >
    >The old phone was broken and was eligible upgrade because of the age of the
    >phone.


    [sigh] It's only "eligible" because the old subsidy has been paid off. The
    upgrade is a new subsidy, so there you go again with a new service agreement
    extension. If you had taken phone insurance, you could have gotten a
    replacement for free without any service agreement extension. You could also
    have bought a replacement phone someplace else. But by getting an "upgrade"
    rather than repair or replacement, you made the commitment to switch to GSM.
    That's something you did, not the company, not the salesperson.

    >> * You haven't answered many of the questions I've asked. Why not?

    >
    >What questions?


    You've left out many important details, and have failed to answer many of the
    things I've asked; e.g.,

    Did the rep really promise that you would get service throughout your
    residence (which hasn't happened), or just that it would get better (which
    probably has happened)?

    >> I suggest you start over and give us the straight story with all the details,
    >> including the date and term of your last contract extension, the exact rate
    >> plan(s) you are on, and the date of service deterioration.

    >
    >I don't know the name of the plan there was no contract.


    There absolutely is a contract, and you should always know the name of
    whatever plan you're on.

    >It says Family H
    >400R/5000 and it expires 10/25/04 (but that is the expiration on my
    >husband's phone) on the Website -


    Progress -- that's good. And that's the expiration on the service plan, not
    the phone.

    >Okay, we were patient and that works against us.


    No -- you failed to exercise reasonable prudence.

    >We should have said "make
    >it work now" but in reality there would not be any difference.


    There would definitely have been a difference -- you always have 15 days to
    terminate without penalty.

    >> I sincerely mean no offense, but that sounds hopelessly naive (if not
    >> disingenuous).

    >
    >Okay - we were stupid. We should have said - "Fix it now!" They said be
    >patient towers were being added. We should have said, "Put the Tower up
    >now!" What could we have done. You are the "expert" tell me.


    You should have said, "It doesn't work well enough for me. Take it back."
    Simple. Effective.

    >> To return unsatisfactory equipment within the return period. To terminate
    >> unsatisfactory service within the grace period. To exercise reasonable care
    >> and prudence.

    >
    >The service degraded after the grace period was over.


    You said the degradation started in January, but you didn't get the new phone
    until February.

    >> One (of many) possibilities: Offer to at least split the Early Termination
    >> Fee. After all, you did get a big discount on a new phone.

    >
    >No one has made us an offer.


    I said you make an offer, not hope for one.

    >> Then why all the angst?

    >
    >We want to talk on the phone!


    Then deal with the problem in a timely manner instead of letting months go by.

    >It has been months and months since we have
    >been able to.


    That was your choice, not anything the company did.

    >And since I read the report on Consumer Reports - I finally
    >understood what was happening.


    The story in Consumer Reports (on coverage in general, and which is already
    badly out of date) is not directly relevant to your experience, which is a
    degradation in existing service.

    >It may not get better.


    It may not get better in your residence, but GSM coverage has in fact been
    improving rapidly.

    >We have been
    >trying to get this worked out for over a month.


    You shouldn't have started trying months ago when the problem started.

    >My son went back to college
    >I would like to talk to him. We want to get our moneys worth.


    Again, you should have dealt with this months ago. If you bought a dress, and
    it didn't fit well when you get it home, but then you kept it for seven
    months, do you think the store is still obligated to take it back? Really?

    >> They probably would have been kind enough to let you go if you had exercised
    >> your rights, rather than letting so much time slide by.

    >
    >Aghhh!


    Indeed. We all make mistakes. Hopefully we learn from them.

    >> That's pretty nasty, and doesn't make your case more persuasive. You need
    >> facts in your favor, not emotion.

    >
    >Why is that nasty? ...


    Because you imply that you're entitled to special treatment because of your
    disability.

    >>... No
    >> offense, but I really don't see that you have much to complain about.


    >If the person would not have told us to sit tight and wait for this great
    >new network we would have returned the phone.


    That person is a salesperson trying to keep you as a customer, not your
    personal advisor. You didn't understand that? You don't make your own
    choices? You always do what salespeople tell you to do?

    >But actually we would have
    >still have to pay ETF for the phone that it replaced until this October or
    >contine to pay $20 a month until October. It was broken. It did not work.


    The ETF applies to the service agreement, not the phone.

    >What I think happens is Cingular should tell their representatives to be
    >realistic and not promise things that may not be true.


    What I think is that your expectations are unrealistic.

    >I also think they
    >should have pro-rated termination fees.


    1. Nobody (that I know of) has pro-rata ETF in cellular.

    2. You knew (or should have known) that when you signed up.

    3. You are only obligated for the lesser of the ETF or the remaining service
    fees, whichever is smaller. (That should be obvious.)

    4. The service agreement extension and ETF are to compensate for the phone
    discount (subsidy), which is optional.

    5. The discount on the phone was apparently worth more to you than the ETF,
    so it's a bit late to complain about the ETF now.

    6. Since you broke the phone you are responsible for it not working (as
    compared to warranty).

    7. You apparently failed to get phone insurance, so must bear the cost
    yourself. Again, that was your choice.

    8. When you went for an "upgrade" deal (discounted price) rather than paying
    full price for repair or replacement, you again agreed to a service agreement
    extension with ETF in return for the discount.

    9. If you switch to Verizon, you're going to run into these same issues.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  9. #9
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <T3X%c.405439$%_6.69210@attbi_s01> on Thu, 09 Sep 2004 11:24:36 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:O3Q%[email protected]...

    >
    > >> What kind of store? A real Cingular company store, or a branded

    Cingular
    > >> dealer? Cingular isn't responsible for the latter, only the former.

    > >
    > >A real store -

    >
    > A real Cingular store (with real Cingular employees)? Note that

    independent
    > resellers can look just like Cingular, right down to signs, display

    boards,
    > branded handsets, even shirts -- it can be hard to tell the difference

    unless
    > you ask.


    Cingular Wireless
    3298 Berlin Tnpk

    Newington, CT 06111, USA

    Phone: (860) 594-4110
    Fax: (860) 667-8802

    Hours: MON-FRI 9:00-8:00 ,SAT 9:00-6:00 ,SUN 11:00-5:00

    Services:

    Equipment Upgrade
    Prepaid
    Process Insurance Claims


    This is the store. I am done discussing this with you. I am not an idiot.
    You call them and you ask them if you are so sure of your information. If
    you give people information you really should check your facts.

    T






  10. #10
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <OPl0d.68063$3l3.58254@attbi_s03> on Fri, 10 Sep 2004 17:50:39 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >... I am done discussing this with you.


    Good -- me too.

    >I am not an idiot.


    I didn't say or even imply that.

    >You call them and you ask them if you are so sure of your information. If
    >you give people information you really should check your facts.


    My facts are checked thoroughly.

    If you ask people for information you really should have an open mind.
    You might well learn some useful things. Just a thought. Have a nice day.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  11. #11
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <OPl0d.68063$3l3.58254@attbi_s03> on Fri, 10 Sep 2004 17:50:39 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >... I am done discussing this with you.

    >
    > Good -- me too.
    >
    > >I am not an idiot.

    >
    > I didn't say or even imply that.

    You most certainly did by challenging practically every word I said and by
    insisting I did not know what kind of a store I went to.
    >
    > >You call them and you ask them if you are so sure of your information.

    If
    > >you give people information you really should check your facts.

    >
    > My facts are checked thoroughly.


    Good excuse. Don't want to make the call huh? You aren't going to
    believe me and you just make up an excuse. That is the easy way out.

    >
    > If you ask people for information you really should have an open mind.
    > You might well learn some useful things. Just a thought. Have a nice

    day.

    And you need some classes in humility. Or perhaps social image and
    awareness. You don't "help" people by taking the side of the company in
    every instance. You don't help people by alluding they are idiots or lying
    or by insisting they are overreacting or naive.

    When I first came into this group I wondered why there were so many
    derogatory posts aimed at you because you originated the newsgroup. I am
    the owner of a group, the co-administrator on another and a moderator on
    another so I understand about trolls and people who come to disrupt groups.
    But now I understand. You are very close minded about Cingular.


    This should be alt.I love Cingular and big business and screw the little
    person.

    T
    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






  12. #12
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <uxp0d.169236$mD.85356@attbi_s02> on Fri, 10 Sep 2004 22:04:10 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news:[email protected]...


    >> My facts are checked thoroughly.

    >
    >Good excuse. Don't want to make the call huh? You aren't going to
    >believe me and you just make up an excuse. That is the easy way out.


    I've already made the call -- to Cingular Customer Service, not the store,
    something you should have done as well.

    >> If you ask people for information you really should have an open mind.
    >> You might well learn some useful things. Just a thought. Have a nice
    >> day.

    >
    >And you need some classes in humility.


    Because I'm not chanting, "Yeah, baby!" Again, I think you have unrealistic
    and unreasonable expectations.

    >Or perhaps social image and
    >awareness.


    Thanks for the insult.

    >You don't "help" people by taking the side of the company in
    >every instance.


    I don't. The problem is that in this case your side is pretty weak.

    >You don't help people by alluding they are idiots or lying


    Sorry you feel that way, but I really haven't done that.

    >or by insisting they are overreacting or naive.


    Guilty as charged, because that's what I think.

    >When I first came into this group I wondered why there were so many
    >derogatory posts aimed at you because you originated the newsgroup. I am
    >the owner of a group, the co-administrator on another and a moderator on
    >another so I understand about trolls and people who come to disrupt groups.
    >But now I understand. You are very close minded about Cingular.


    Just because I'm not chanting, "Yeah, baby!" Notwithstanding all the time
    I've spent trying to actually help you (until it became clear that you weren't
    really after help here). How nice. Not.

    >This should be alt.I love Cingular and big business and screw the little
    >person.


    You screwed yourself (no offense intended). It's a shame you can't see and/or
    admit that. For your own sake. You're just venting, and I have little
    patience for that.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  13. #13
    Turbocane
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more


    "John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news[email protected]...
    > [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
    >
    > In <uxp0d.169236$mD.85356@attbi_s02> on Fri, 10 Sep 2004 22:04:10 GMT,
    > "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    > >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > >news:[email protected]...

    >
    > >> My facts are checked thoroughly.

    > >
    > >Good excuse. Don't want to make the call huh? You aren't going to
    > >believe me and you just make up an excuse. That is the easy way out.

    >
    > I've already made the call -- to Cingular Customer Service, not the store,
    > something you should have done as well.
    >
    > >> If you ask people for information you really should have an open mind.
    > >> You might well learn some useful things. Just a thought. Have a nice
    > >> day.

    > >
    > >And you need some classes in humility.

    >
    > Because I'm not chanting, "Yeah, baby!" Again, I think you have

    unrealistic
    > and unreasonable expectations.
    >
    > >Or perhaps social image and
    > >awareness.

    >
    > Thanks for the insult.
    >
    > >You don't "help" people by taking the side of the company in
    > >every instance.

    >
    > I don't. The problem is that in this case your side is pretty weak.
    >
    > >You don't help people by alluding they are idiots or lying

    >
    > Sorry you feel that way, but I really haven't done that.
    >
    > >or by insisting they are overreacting or naive.

    >
    > Guilty as charged, because that's what I think.
    >
    > >When I first came into this group I wondered why there were so many
    > >derogatory posts aimed at you because you originated the newsgroup. I am
    > >the owner of a group, the co-administrator on another and a moderator on
    > >another so I understand about trolls and people who come to disrupt

    groups.
    > >But now I understand. You are very close minded about Cingular.

    >
    > Just because I'm not chanting, "Yeah, baby!" Notwithstanding all the time
    > I've spent trying to actually help you (until it became clear that you

    weren't
    > really after help here). How nice. Not.
    >
    > >This should be alt.I love Cingular and big business and screw the little
    > >person.

    >
    > You screwed yourself (no offense intended). It's a shame you can't see

    and/or
    > admit that. For your own sake. You're just venting, and I have little
    > patience for that.


    I beg to differ. Take a good look at yourself John.

    T

    >
    > --
    > Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    > John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>






  14. #14
    John Navas
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

    In <QXu0d.414068$%_6.120586@attbi_s01> on Sat, 11 Sep 2004 04:13:36 GMT,
    "Turbocane" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >"John Navas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >news[email protected]...


    >> You screwed yourself (no offense intended). It's a shame you can't see and/or
    >> admit that. For your own sake. You're just venting, and I have little patience for that.

    >
    >I beg to differ. Take a good look at yourself John.


    1. I'm not the one venting.

    2. I don't experience such problems because I pay attention to my service and
    service agreements.

    3. I wasted considerable time and effort trying to help you.

    --
    Best regards, HELP FOR CINGULAR GSM & SONY ERICSSON PHONES:
    John Navas <http://navasgrp.home.att.net/#Cingular>



  15. #15
    RJ
    Guest

    Re: GSM Extend in CT - more

    On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 01:03:16 GMT, John Navas
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Notwithstanding all the time
    >I've spent trying to actually help you


    Some help.

    RJ



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