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  1. #1
    Todd H.
    Guest

    I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    she couldn't take off, blah blah.

    But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.

    And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    get the commission."

    And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    it right?

    Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    comment on having witnessed similar practices?

    Best Regards,
    --
    Todd H.
    http://www.toddh.net/



    See More: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features




  2. #2
    Cavity Search
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    I got a Samsung 807 from the Cingular store in Burbank. I was told a bunch
    of extras came with it, a car charger, pouch of MY choice, and a bluetooth
    headset.

    The car charger was nice, and the bluetooth headset, while $30 on Amazon,
    was somehow $60 here.

    My choice of pouch was made for me. He through down a universal pouch that
    didn't fit the phone, and by 'didn't fit' I mean the phone would flop around
    inside it. He said that was the only pouch made for it.

    The bluetooth headset was nice, and worked fairly well, but THAT should have
    been my choice. After all, it's going inside my ear. The ear is just one
    orifice among many that folks should have some say over.

    The rebates meant the extras were 'free', except for tax, but I waited to
    send them in, just in case, but the phone was still $50 over what I was
    told. Seems they try to sneek things like this in there.

    I put up with this clowning because I wanted the phone, and knew I could
    return it.

    Which I did. The Samsung 800 series phones are pure crap. They're pretty,
    have lots of bling, but the reception is pathetic. Next to my old Samsung
    S307, which is so far the very best phone I've ever had, the 807 wasn't
    worth the box it came in. I even hooked an external antenna to it, and
    still got lousy reception.

    This is supposed to be a high end phone. Both Cingular and Samsung dropped
    the ball on this one. Samsung designed this dud, chose not to include
    things like a pouch, and didn't make sure Cingular would have them handy.
    Cingular dropped the ball by carrying this phone. They either knew it was a
    dud, or failed to test it. They also refused to carry an acceptable pouch,
    nor do they offer insurance.

    It's almost like they both want to anger customers.

    Anyway, after returning the phone, I found they left on my 2 year contract
    for it. I spoke to three different people, and when I went in to buy
    another phone, the guy selling it to me took off the bogus contract.

    By the way, I got the Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) and so far it's been a
    great phone. I was very turned off by it at first, just because it looks
    so, um, Audiovoxy, but the reception is outstanding, and it's got plenty of
    goodies to keep me busy. We'll see how I feel about it in a couple weeks.

    CS

    "Todd H." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    >
    > I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    > at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    > activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    > nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    > bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    > I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    > service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    > told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    > she couldn't take off, blah blah.
    >
    > But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    > it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    > service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.
    >
    > And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    > corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    > new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    > service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    > Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    > have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    > reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    > but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    > get the commission."
    >
    > And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    > it right?
    >
    > Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    > comment on having witnessed similar practices?
    >
    > Best Regards,
    > --
    > Todd H.
    > http://www.toddh.net/






  3. #3
    www.ttdown.com
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:00:38 -0700, "Cavity Search"
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >It's almost like they both want to anger customers.
    >
    >Anyway, after returning the phone, I found they left on my 2 year contract
    >for it. I spoke to three different people, and when I went in to buy
    >another phone, the guy selling it to me took off the bogus contract.
    >
    >By the way, I got the Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) and so far it's been a
    >great phone. I was very turned off by it at first, just because it looks
    >so, um, Audiovoxy, but the reception is outstanding, and it's got plenty of
    >goodies to keep me busy. We'll see how I feel about it in a couple weeks.
    >
    >CS



    Good luck, I thought you were only allowed one phone return.



  4. #4
    oh..the hard 1's first...
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features



    In ALL fairness, such practice does not happen AFAIK
    when one signs up DIRECTLY with Cingular. Stores
    (Corp owned or not) will push everything they can.

    D/Cingular may try to sell them, but could not afford
    the headaches if they tried to auto-bill extra fees..

    I also find, once ya get THRU to the right C/S
    people at Cingular..things get done. Don't know
    about the stores. I guess D/Cingular just wants
    you signed up, where the store NEEDS you signed
    to be able to sell you extras. Works in MY industry.


    JJTj




    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Don't go away MAD, here's a SASE for you to fill out telling
    me how tasty my dust is, and an order blank for re-fills....

    ...ok....NOW you can go......
    -------------------------------------------------------------



  5. #5
    Tiffany
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features


    "Todd H." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    >
    > I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    > at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    > activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    > nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    > bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    > I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    > service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    > told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    > she couldn't take off, blah blah.
    >
    > But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    > it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    > service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.
    >
    > And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    > corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    > new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    > service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    > Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    > have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    > reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    > but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    > get the commission."
    >
    > And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    > it right?
    >
    > Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    > comment on having witnessed similar practices?
    >
    > Best Regards,
    > --
    > Todd H.
    >


    Todd, I had my roadside plan removed. I don't know about cell phone
    companies, but a friend of mine works for a landline company and says its
    normal practice for them to automatically review accounts and ADD services
    that aren't necessary. Always review your bills.





  6. #6
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    Tiffany wrote:
    > "Todd H." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
    >> I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    >> at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    >> activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    >> nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    >> bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    >> I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    >> service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    >> told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    >> she couldn't take off, blah blah.
    >>
    >> But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    >> it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    >> service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.
    >>
    >> And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    >> corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    >> new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    >> service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    >> Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    >> have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    >> reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    >> but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    >> get the commission."
    >>
    >> And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    >> it right?
    >>
    >> Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    >> comment on having witnessed similar practices?
    >>
    >> Best Regards,
    >> --
    >> Todd H.
    >>

    >
    > Todd, I had my roadside plan removed. I don't know about cell phone
    > companies, but a friend of mine works for a landline company and says its
    > normal practice for them to automatically review accounts and ADD services
    > that aren't necessary. Always review your bills.
    >
    >


    I don't have a problem with any company giving me extra services I don't
    ask for, so long as it doesn't increase my bottom line. If their "gift"
    does increase my bottom line, it's called fraud and they won't like me
    much after my first contact.


    --
    jer
    email reply - I am not a 'ten'



  7. #7
    Cavity Search
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    "oh..the hard 1's first..." <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    >
    >
    > In ALL fairness, such practice does not happen AFAIK
    > when one signs up DIRECTLY with Cingular. Stores
    > (Corp owned or not) will push everything they can.
    >
    > D/Cingular may try to sell them, but could not afford
    > the headaches if they tried to auto-bill extra fees..
    >
    > I also find, once ya get THRU to the right C/S
    > people at Cingular..things get done. Don't know
    > about the stores. I guess D/Cingular just wants
    > you signed up, where the store NEEDS you signed
    > to be able to sell you extras. Works in MY industry.


    I called the store a few times for various reasons, and a couple times I
    asked about the contract issue. I was told I had to call Cingular and have
    them remove it, as they couldn't possibly do such an impossible task. I
    suppose the guy who did it was motivated by me standing in front of him. heh

    I should have ordered it on line, but I didn't have time to wait for a phone
    in the mail, and I like being able to return it without a lot of hassle.
    Oh, and if there is a hassle, I like the ability to raise my voice in front
    of a bunch of strangers and embarass the hassler. Kinda hard to do that
    through the mail.

    CS





  8. #8
    Cavity Search
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    "www.ttdown.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:00:38 -0700, "Cavity Search"
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>It's almost like they both want to anger customers.
    >>
    >>Anyway, after returning the phone, I found they left on my 2 year contract
    >>for it. I spoke to three different people, and when I went in to buy
    >>another phone, the guy selling it to me took off the bogus contract.
    >>
    >>By the way, I got the Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) and so far it's been a
    >>great phone. I was very turned off by it at first, just because it looks
    >>so, um, Audiovoxy, but the reception is outstanding, and it's got plenty
    >>of
    >>goodies to keep me busy. We'll see how I feel about it in a couple weeks.
    >>
    >>CS

    >
    >
    > Good luck, I thought you were only allowed one phone return.


    That crossed my mind as well, however, I haven't seen or heard anything that
    would prevent me from returning as many phones as I want.

    Then again, the lovely thing about credit cards is the ability to dispute a
    charge. This is perhaps the single most consumer friendly method of
    fighting ripoffs. I could force Cingular to justify the charge, not to me,
    but to the credit card company, who, as another big business, isn't going to
    be impressed or intimidated by a bunch of gum flapping and unenforceable
    terms.

    This is a hassle that Cingular, and most businesses, don't need or want.
    It's easier and cheaper for them just to take the phone back.

    CS





  9. #9
    Dave
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    When I added to two lines for a family plan I got slammed with roadside
    assistance on boeth new lines. Even though they bill in advance they
    said it would take TWO billing cycles to remove the charge. The rep said
    they could only remove the current month's charge. The pre-billed second
    month could not be removed until I was actually in the month.

    Todd H. wrote:
    > I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    > at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    > activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    > nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    > bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    > I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    > service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    > told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    > she couldn't take off, blah blah.
    >
    > But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    > it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    > service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.
    >
    > And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    > corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    > new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    > service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    > Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    > have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    > reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    > but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    > get the commission."
    >
    > And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    > it right?
    >
    > Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    > comment on having witnessed similar practices?
    >
    > Best Regards,
    > --
    > Todd H.
    > http://www.toddh.net/




  10. #10
    Jackzwick
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    In article <[email protected]>,
    "Cavity Search" <[email protected]> wrote:

    > "www.ttdown.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:00:38 -0700, "Cavity Search"
    > > <[email protected]> wrote:
    > >
    > >>It's almost like they both want to anger customers.
    > >>
    > >>Anyway, after returning the phone, I found they left on my 2 year contract
    > >>for it. I spoke to three different people, and when I went in to buy
    > >>another phone, the guy selling it to me took off the bogus contract.
    > >>
    > >>By the way, I got the Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) and so far it's been a
    > >>great phone. I was very turned off by it at first, just because it looks
    > >>so, um, Audiovoxy, but the reception is outstanding, and it's got plenty
    > >>of
    > >>goodies to keep me busy. We'll see how I feel about it in a couple weeks.
    > >>
    > >>CS

    > >
    > >
    > > Good luck, I thought you were only allowed one phone return.

    >
    > That crossed my mind as well, however, I haven't seen or heard anything that
    > would prevent me from returning as many phones as I want.
    >


    > CS




    Try this:

    Cingular provides a 30-day return/exchange period of devices (phones,
    PDAs, and other wireless communications instruments) and accessories.
    One exchange of a device is allowed per wireless service activation or
    upgrade, and one exchange of an accessory per purchase. The 30-day
    period for customers migrating or porting-in begins on the day the port
    is complete. Customers purchasing via Cingular.com should send returns
    to the Cingular warehouse at:

    Cingular Wireless
    Attn: Returns Center
    13550 Independence Parkway
    Fort Worth, Texas 76177


    Do not return your device after 30 days of purchase. If you return your
    device after 30 days of purchase, you will not be entitled to a refund
    and your device will not be returned to you.



  11. #11
    Cavity Search
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    "Jackzwick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>,
    > "Cavity Search" <[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >> "www.ttdown.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    >> news:[email protected]...
    >> > On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:00:38 -0700, "Cavity Search"
    >> > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> >
    >> >>It's almost like they both want to anger customers.
    >> >>
    >> >>Anyway, after returning the phone, I found they left on my 2 year
    >> >>contract
    >> >>for it. I spoke to three different people, and when I went in to buy
    >> >>another phone, the guy selling it to me took off the bogus contract.
    >> >>
    >> >>By the way, I got the Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) and so far it's been
    >> >>a
    >> >>great phone. I was very turned off by it at first, just because it
    >> >>looks
    >> >>so, um, Audiovoxy, but the reception is outstanding, and it's got
    >> >>plenty
    >> >>of
    >> >>goodies to keep me busy. We'll see how I feel about it in a couple
    >> >>weeks.
    >> >>
    >> >>CS
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > Good luck, I thought you were only allowed one phone return.

    >>
    >> That crossed my mind as well, however, I haven't seen or heard anything
    >> that
    >> would prevent me from returning as many phones as I want.
    >>

    >
    >> CS

    >
    >
    >
    > Try this:
    >
    > Cingular provides a 30-day return/exchange period of devices (phones,
    > PDAs, and other wireless communications instruments) and accessories.
    > One exchange of a device is allowed per wireless service activation or
    > upgrade, and one exchange of an accessory per purchase.<snip>


    This falls under the 'unenforceable terms' issue I wrote of earlier.

    How is it unenforceable? It is ambiguous, and even the staff at Cingular
    don't fully understand it.

    If you buy a new phone to replace your old one, then return it and go back
    to your old phone, is it still an upgrade? Perhaps, if you agreed to let
    them switch out your old SIM for a new one.

    The words "exchange" and "return" can have very different meanings. Did I
    return the old Samsung, or did I exchange it for my money? Common usage of
    the term would apply anyway. An "exchange" is clearly meant to be
    'returning phone to be replaced with another', while a "return" is certainly
    'giving back the product, getting your money back, and pretending the
    purchase never happened'.

    So I can exchange a device and/or accessory only once, but no mention is
    made of a limit on returns.

    Of course, this nitpicking means little coming from a newsgroup poster, and
    even less from a guy actually trying to return a phone, but I bet it would
    mean a whole lot more coming from Visa or Mastercard.

    This is much like the back of a ticket you get when you pay for parking. On
    the back it says they aren't responsible for vandalism, fire, theft, blah
    blah blah, and by using their service you waive any and all damages. Yeah
    right. This might do a fine job if discouraging some folks, but a lawyer
    will chew that thing up in no time. You are paying for a service, of course
    they're responsible for providing it.

    Frankly, the point is close to moot. The sales reps at Cingular are, how do
    I put this kindly, somewhat uninformed on any issue not related to pushy
    sales. Don't take my word for it, call any store and ask them if they have
    a Cingular 3125 in stock. Three out of four times, they'll have to put you
    on hold, rummage around for a bit, then come back and let you know.

    This phone just came out a few days ago, and it's not like they have
    hundreds of models in stock. It should be fairly obvious whether they have
    a certain phone in stock, and anybody who's attention wavers from trying to
    flimflam you into some strange and expensive service should know this off
    the top of their head.

    That's just one example. You can get several different answers to the same
    question just by asking over the phone. Heck, just for kicks, ask a Yes or
    No question, and see if you get a third.

    The guy who rang up my current phone told me I had 30 days to return it, and
    he knew full well I just did so with another phone. I also had three
    accessories with the previous phone, and they took them all without
    complaint, although there was an ugly face made when I told him I used the
    headset. That'll teach him to touch stuff that goes in folks' ears. heh

    Anyway, here's my suggestions for avoiding the whole deal:

    Don't return the phone to the same guy who sold it to you.
    Don't exchange anything. Get your money back.
    If you want another phone, come back later or the next day.
    Don't let them talk you into upgrading your SIM right away. If the new
    phone doesn't work out, you want to still use your old phone, which may not
    work with the new SIM.
    If you don't like the answer to your question, come back and ask somebody
    else. Kids have been doing this to their parents for eons, and often enough
    it works. Use the phone, and if you hear an answer you like, get his/her
    name and meet them at the store.
    If you want to try a number of phones, start with the cheaper ones.

    These guys work on commission. They might care deeply for Cingular's
    shareholders, but a good sale effects their next paycheck, and it's hard to
    beat that kind of motivation.

    CS





  12. #12
    Jer
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    Cavity Search wrote:

    >
    > This is much like the back of a ticket you get when you pay for parking. On
    > the back it says they aren't responsible for vandalism, fire, theft, blah
    > blah blah, and by using their service you waive any and all damages. Yeah
    > right. This might do a fine job if discouraging some folks, but a lawyer
    > will chew that thing up in no time. You are paying for a service, of course
    > they're responsible for providing it.


    I think this may differ depending on which state the parking lot is in.
    Around here, even without any fine print on the back, unless one pays
    for security services in addition to parking services, one is SOL for
    collecting any damage/loss claim for vandalism to one's vehicle - that's
    what a individual insurance policy is for - not the property owners.
    Any signage stipulating the typical "at your own risk" clause means what
    it says.


    --
    jer
    email reply - I am not a 'ten'



  13. #13
    SMS
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    Todd H. wrote:

    > And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    > it right?
    >
    > Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    > comment on having witnessed similar practices?


    It's a very common practice, and Cingular's not the only one that's
    guilty of it. If you've ever made the mistake of ordering something off
    a TV offer (i.e. Time-Life) you'll often end up being sent extra
    products that you explicitly declined.

    There's no downside for the salesperson to do this sort of thing. Many
    people won't ever notice the extra charge, and for those that do, the
    company will reverse the charge.



  14. #14
    Jackzwick
    Guest

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

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

    > I think this may differ depending on which state the parking lot is in.
    > Around here, even without any fine print on the back, unless one pays
    > for security services in addition to parking services, one is SOL for
    > collecting any damage/loss claim for vandalism to one's vehicle - that's
    > what a individual insurance policy is for - not the property owners.
    > Any signage stipulating the typical "at your own risk" clause means what
    > it says.


    Not necessarily. The owner must show that they make a good faith effort
    to minimize hazards. For instance, a supermarket may say they can not be
    held responsible for damage to your car by shopping carts. Howver a jury
    may quickly find they didn't make a good faith effort to minimize
    hazards, if there are always 40 loose carts in the parking lot.



  15. #15

    Re: Fraud ... Beware of this shady Cingular sales practice re: features

    Todd,

    Unfortunately this is not unusual, as many of us have been you've a
    victim of fraud at the hands of Cingular. Do a search of this board and
    then head over the T-Mobile and Verizon newsgroups and you'll discover
    a sad truth, the US cell phone industry is corrupt. You may be
    thinking, oh but all big corruptions are corrupt, not like this. Cell
    phone companies, encourage their sales clerks to engage in unethical,
    often illegal practices (last time I checked fraud was illegal),
    they're billing is structured so that the hidden fees (i.e. taxes and
    other items not disclosed upon contract signing) eat you alive, and can
    amount to as much as half of your entire cell phone bill when certain
    services are added. They care nothing about providing post-sales
    support and they want complete control of the phone handsets your
    purchase from them....

    In my estimation they are the worst example of corruption in a private
    sector services industry and they need to restructure the way the
    handle customer service, employee training, advertising,
    policies...Generally speaking, they need to be destroyed and rebuilt.

    If you're like most of us, you just want a cell phone that works and
    you want a fair plan... Here's what you can do. Write a letter to
    Cingular, state that you are requesting a settlement, state the amount
    of money you feel you are entitled (including a bullet point list of
    damages) and add in any relative damages you feel are a result of
    Cingular's error (make only request you feel a judge would find
    reasonable), explain the situation and detail and state that you are
    giving Cingular sixty days to respond to this request of settlement or
    you will seek mediation.

    Under contract you must seek mediation before you can take Cingular to
    court, but chances are for anything under a few grand they will just
    settle before it goes to that Address your letter to

    Cingular Wireless LLC
    att: Joaquin R. Carbonell III
    5565 Glenridge Connector
    Atlanta, GA 30342

    Mr. Carbonelll is an Executive Vice President and he's Cingular's
    General Counsel. He won't actually see your letter because one of his
    paralegals will quickly forward your request to the accounting
    department so they can cut you a check. Cingular is a corrupt company,
    so they have deal with these kind of request all the time from
    customers who make them be responsible. it's cheaper for them to pay
    out settlements than to be ethical ans since you were treated unfairly
    you have ever right to claim it.

    if you want to complain to the top you can also write to the company
    President, same address as above just change the att: to Stanley T.
    Sigman. My advice is to just request the settlement. Cingular is well
    aware of their practices.


    Todd H. wrote:
    > I added a line to my family talk plan 2 months ago at the end of July
    > at a corporate owned Cingular store in the Chicagoland area. Upon
    > activation, there was some bundling of the Roadside Assistance
    > nonsense on there for a month that I got taken off after the first
    > bill was printed. I did that, and everything looked great. I figured
    > I was done with the usual new line "cancelling stupid promotional
    > service" nonsense. No problem so far, just the usual bs. I was
    > told about roadside assistance and that it was supposedly something
    > she couldn't take off, blah blah.
    >
    > But good thing I checked _this_ month's bill that just arrived. In
    > it, there were ads of course pushing the hell out of the voicedial
    > service. Seems that Cingular wants to sell it.
    >
    > And, interestingly enough, on the line I activated at one of the
    > corporate owned Cingular stores at the end of July, I magically see a
    > new charge-- a month and a half worth of charges for the Voicedial
    > service. Prorated to Aug 25--a full month after I even stopped in the
    > Cingular store. I asked the Cingular cust svc agent how this might
    > have occurred because I told her that I was very diligent about
    > reviewing services when I get new phones. She said "I hate to say it
    > but it's not unheard of for salespeople to add services to a line to
    > get the commission."
    >
    > And voicedial I'm guessing has a nice juicy commission associated with
    > it right?
    >
    > Anyone have similar stories? Or any former employees might want to
    > comment on having witnessed similar practices?
    >
    > Best Regards,
    > --
    > Todd H.
    > http://www.toddh.net/





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