Getting (or got) a new phone? You MUST read this....

I have been a Cingular customer for many years, and I got a new phone a few
months ago. I've received two bills since the new phone, and just received
a third. It was immediately obvious to me that the subtotal in the base
services section was much higher than the sum of the itemized fees - It just
didn't add up. Additionally, there just happened to be a line item on my
bill that appeared "garbled" by the printer, and was unreadable, and I
suspected that this was the "missing link.". There was no fee for it in the
right column, but the difference was $18.

So I called Cingular for assistance. The agent explained to me that this
was a promotional fee, added to my bill because I had recently bought a new
phone (from a Cingular store, mind you!). PROMOTIONAL FEE???? I asked for
an explanation, and was told that this fee contributes to Cingular's costs
for promoting the phone - Advertising campaigns, signage, etc.

So apparently being a long-term, loyal customer wasn't enough. And
apparently the TWO YEAR commitment that I had to make for something like a
$50 rebate also wasn't enough. And increasing my calling plan wasn't
enough. No. Still, Cingular wants ME to chip in an extra $18 toward THEIR
costs of doing business....

Needless to say, I demanded a refund and got it with little argument. You
see, even the customer support reps are embarrassed by this. Was it a
coincidence that this just happened to be the one line on my bill that was
unreadable?

I still can't believe the audacity.

WATCH YOUR BILLS VERY CLOSELY!!!

---

› See More: Getting (or got) a new phone? You MUST read this....

In article <[email protected]>,
"Kevin Cook" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have been a Cingular customer for many years, and I got a new phone a few
> months ago. I've received two bills since the new phone, and just received
> a third. It was immediately obvious to me that the subtotal in the base
> services section was much higher than the sum of the itemized fees - It just
> didn't add up. Additionally, there just happened to be a line item on my
> bill that appeared "garbled" by the printer, and was unreadable, and I
> suspected that this was the "missing link.". There was no fee for it in the
> right column, but the difference was $18.
>
> So I called Cingular for assistance. The agent explained to me that this
> was a promotional fee, added to my bill because I had recently bought a new
> phone (from a Cingular store, mind you!). PROMOTIONAL FEE???? I asked for
> an explanation, and was told that this fee contributes to Cingular's costs
> for promoting the phone - Advertising campaigns, signage, etc.
>
> So apparently being a long-term, loyal customer wasn't enough. And
> apparently the TWO YEAR commitment that I had to make for something like a
> $50 rebate also wasn't enough. And increasing my calling plan wasn't
> enough. No. Still, Cingular wants ME to chip in an extra $18 toward THEIR
> costs of doing business....
>
> Needless to say, I demanded a refund and got it with little argument. You
> see, even the customer support reps are embarrassed by this. Was it a
> coincidence that this just happened to be the one line on my bill that was
> unreadable?
>
> I still can't believe the audacity.
>
> WATCH YOUR BILLS VERY CLOSELY!!!

Another WHOOPs charge !

"Jack Zwick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> Another WHOOPs charge !

Better tell Mommy to change the Sesame Street tape for you- you need to
learn a new word.

Originally Posted by Kevin Cook

I have been a Cingular customer for many years, and I got a new phone a few
months ago. I've received two bills since the new phone, and just received
a third. It was immediately obvious to me that the subtotal in the base
services section was much higher than the sum of the itemized fees - It just
didn't add up. Additionally, there just happened to be a line item on my
bill that appeared "garbled" by the printer, and was unreadable, and I
suspected that this was the "missing link.". There was no fee for it in the
right column, but the difference was $18.

So I called Cingular for assistance. The agent explained to me that this
was a promotional fee, added to my bill because I had recently bought a new
phone (from a Cingular store, mind you!). PROMOTIONAL FEE???? I asked for
an explanation, and was told that this fee contributes to Cingular's costs
for promoting the phone - Advertising campaigns, signage, etc.

So apparently being a long-term, loyal customer wasn't enough. And
apparently the TWO YEAR commitment that I had to make for something like a
$50 rebate also wasn't enough. And increasing my calling plan wasn't
enough. No. Still, Cingular wants ME to chip in an extra $18 toward THEIR
costs of doing business....

Needless to say, I demanded a refund and got it with little argument. You
see, even the customer support reps are embarrassed by this. Was it a
coincidence that this just happened to be the one line on my bill that was
unreadable?

I still can't believe the audacity.

WATCH YOUR BILLS VERY CLOSELY!!!

Aside from the obvious mistake Cingular made on your bill, if I understand you, you are saying you should be exempt from the $18 fee? Is this correct?

I guess you think that you should receive special treatment and shouldn't have to pay the fee, despite the fact EVERY other Cingular customer has to pay it. But you're special and you should receive royal treatment. How dare Cingular require you to pay a fee that every other customer pays?

Because obviously Cingular incurs no costs when processing your upgrade. Obviously the cell phone towers get put for free. And despite all that I'm sure no other cell phone company would charge you an activation fee.

Damn Cingular, they're so unreasonable.

In article <[email protected]>,
scott14661 <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> Aside from the obvious mistake Cingular made on your bill, if I
> understand you, you are saying you should be exempt from the $18 fee?
> Is this correct?
>
> I guess you think that you should receive special treatment and
> shouldn't have to pay the fee, despite the fact EVERY other Cingular
> customer has to pay it. But you're special and you should receive
> royal treatment. How dare Cingular require you to pay a fee that every
> other customer pays?

Since this is a new, unannounced fee, anyone hit with it has FULL
grounds for voiding their contract. PERIOD.

Originally Posted by Jack Zwick

In article <[email protected]>,
scott14661 <[email protected]> wrote:

>
> Aside from the obvious mistake Cingular made on your bill, if I
> understand you, you are saying you should be exempt from the $18 fee?
> Is this correct?
>
> I guess you think that you should receive special treatment and
> shouldn't have to pay the fee, despite the fact EVERY other Cingular
> customer has to pay it. But you're special and you should receive
> royal treatment. How dare Cingular require you to pay a fee that every
> other customer pays?

Since this is a new, unannounced fee, anyone hit with it has FULL
grounds for voiding their contract. PERIOD.

What do you mean unannounced fee? When you renew your contract with Cingular it's states so on the contract. In my particular market, and I believe most if not all now have the customer accept the contract over the phone electronically. It states "You agree to the service activation charge", and basically reads the customer the contract. Then it clearly states at the end, "To accept these terms, press 1"

How much more announced can you get?

whoa take it easy!!! just cuz he called to get the refund doesnt mean he's better than the rest of the cingular customers or that he should be exempt, you do realize that some reps do not tell you EVERYTHING when doing a change in your contract, and that messes people up all the time, i think he was all good in demanding his money back. and this wouldnt void your contract, thats ridiculous, but anytime there is a change on your contract you have a buyers remorse perios to revert back to the original status of your contract, which in most markets is 30 days.

Originally Posted by scott14661

What do you mean unannounced fee? When you renew your contract with Cingular it's states so on the contract. In my particular market, and I believe most if not all now have the customer accept the contract over the phone electronically. It states "You agree to the service activation charge", and basically reads the customer the contract. Then it clearly states at the end, "To accept these terms, press 1"

How much more announced can you get?

and he said he renewed his contract in a store so obviously it wasnt over the phone so he couldnt "press 1 to accept"

also, i never heard of this promotional payment and i sell cingular phones, the only 18 dollar fee i can think of is the migration fee for ATT customers getting new phones and a new rate plan under cingulars terms and conditions, so maybe something just went nuts your bill

> Yes, they are. Advertising is a direct cost of doing business and
> gets credited to a corporate entity as operating expenses - which gets
> deducted from their sales to result in the profit that is taxed. This
> is supposed to be factored into their rates, but Cingular is 'double
> dipping' - factoring it as part of their rate (COGS - Cost of Goods
> Sold) and then charging for it again as a "Promotional Fee" - thereby
> getting it as both a revenue stream and a deduction on their corporate
> taxes.

Actually, any reputable company will keep expenses, such as advertising,
separate from cost of goods sold. Also, in the double entry accounting
system, in which cost of goods sold is normally a part of, expenses
(which include accounts like 'advertising expense' and 'cost of goods
sold') do not increase the total profit when one item is debited to one
expense account instead of another expense account. Is the SEC aware
that you're doing Cingular's books like that?

> Imagine if your local hospital added their advertising fees onto your
> bill. or if the gas station added an advertising surcharge every time
> you filled up your tank. Just because you're to stupid to realize
> you're being taken doesn't mean the rest of us are - I too argued this
> and received a rebate from Cingular, basically because they don't have
> a leg to stand on.
>
> BTW, this reply cost me .43 in bandwidth and time to educate you, so
> I'll be sending a bill for Knowledge Transfer to you.

Unsolicited goods are services are legally considered gifts. Notice it
says UNsoliticed.

> That's fair, isn't it?

If you don't like the charge, don't take the new phone. It's that simple.

> subdude

> also, i never heard of this promotional payment and i sell cingular
> phones, the only 18 dollar fee i can think of is the migration fee for
> ATT customers getting new phones and a new rate plan under cingulars
> terms and conditions, so maybe something just went nuts your bill

Do you sell Cingular phones as a corporate employee or authorized dealer?

I tried to get a new Cingular phone through an authorized dealer, but
was turned away because he said I have to go directly through Cingular.

TH

Originally Posted by Vidguy11

and he said he renewed his contract in a store so obviously it wasnt over the phone so he couldnt "press 1 to accept"

It doesn't matter. Late last year Cingular rolled out a new way of accepting contracts in stores. After we have reviewed the contract with the customer the customer must use *862 to activate the phone and accept service terms.

Even if the rep failed to inform the customer of the $18 fee, It was printed on the contract, and mentioned when accepting the terms through *862. My point is the customer was aware of the fee, but felt that he should be exempt.

Originally Posted by Vidguy11

also, i never heard of this promotional payment and i sell cingular phones, the only 18 dollar fee i can think of is the migration fee for ATT customers getting new phones and a new rate plan under cingulars terms and conditions, so maybe something just went nuts your bill

Let me get this straight, you work for Cingular and have never heard of an $18 Upgrade Charge. There is no such thing as a migration fee. The fee that is charged to AT&T customers is an upgrade fee, because they are upgrading their AT&T phone to a Cingular phone.

It's not a promotional fee, it's an upgrade fee. Maybe your market doesn't charge upgrade fees, though I find that hard to believe, or you're not very educated.

scott14661 wrote:
> Vidguy11 Wrote:
>
>>also, i never heard of this promotional payment and i sell cingular
>>phones, the only 18 dollar fee i can think of is the migration fee for
>>ATT customers getting new phones and a new rate plan under cingulars
>>terms and conditions, so maybe something just went nuts your bill
>
>
> Let me get this straight, you work for Cingular and have never heard of
> an $18 Upgrade Charge. There is no such thing as a migration fee. The
> fee that is charged to AT&T customers is an upgrade fee, because they
> are upgrading their AT&T phone to a Cingular phone.
>
> It's not a promotional fee, it's an upgrade fee. Maybe your market
> doesn't charge upgrade fees, though I find that hard to believe, or
> you're not very educated.

He's probably part of an "authorized dealer" which doesn't do upgrades
for existing Cingular customers. They probably just call it a migration
fee because they don't know it's also charged to existing customers,
which AT&T Wireless are now existing customers of Cingular.

TH

Originally Posted by Tropical Haven

scott14661 wrote:
> Vidguy11 Wrote:
>
>>also, i never heard of this promotional payment and i sell cingular
>>phones, the only 18 dollar fee i can think of is the migration fee for
>>ATT customers getting new phones and a new rate plan under cingulars
>>terms and conditions, so maybe something just went nuts your bill
>
>
> Let me get this straight, you work for Cingular and have never heard of
> an $18 Upgrade Charge. There is no such thing as a migration fee. The
> fee that is charged to AT&T customers is an upgrade fee, because they
> are upgrading their AT&T phone to a Cingular phone.
>
> It's not a promotional fee, it's an upgrade fee. Maybe your market
> doesn't charge upgrade fees, though I find that hard to believe, or
> you're not very educated.

He's probably part of an "authorized dealer" which doesn't do upgrades
for existing Cingular customers. They probably just call it a migration
fee because they don't know it's also charged to existing customers,
which AT&T Wireless are now existing customers of Cingular.

TH

Very good point, I had never thought of that. I work for an authorized dealer and we proess upgrades. I guess I thought all stores did upgrades.