Cingular rebate rip-off

So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.

The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.

Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.

They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.

---

› See More: Cingular rebate rip-off

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:58:02 -0400, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]>
wrote in <[email protected]>:

>So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate
>in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
>Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit
>card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>
>The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant
>is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the
>letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than
>the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with
>cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount
>that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.
>
>Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

Wow -- that's REALLY HARD!!!

>I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office
>when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few
>dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

More like, Ned is incapable of simple arithmetic, so there's one that
won't get used.

>[SNIP childish bashing]

Absolutely no ripoff.
Just a small tempest in a tiny teapot.
"Move along, folks. Nothing to see here."

--
Best regards, FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS:
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cingular_Wireless_FAQ>

I have received several of these rebate cards and have never had a problem with them. Even at Wal-Mart I tell them to take whatever is available on the card I will pay the difference with another mean (other card or cash). The computer seems to always know what is available for me. I never have to keep track of what is available. Maybe you are using the wrong merchant.

JAW
"Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.

The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.

Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.

They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.

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


>
> More like, Ned is incapable of simple arithmetic, so there's one that
> won't get used.
>
>>[SNIP childish bashing]


And what do you call your last statement? What an ass you are.


> "Move along, folks. Nothing to see here."
>

Of course there isn't- your posts rarely contain anything worthy of note.

"Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in
> the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card. Although the information on
> the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like
> one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>
> The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is
> less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter
> that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance
> left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or
> perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will
> leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.
>
> Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>
> I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office
> when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few
> dollars balance will just give up on using the card.
>
> Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all
> well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T.
> But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They
> have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all
> integrity.
>
> They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits
> by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs
> them in the long term. ------

So pay your Cingular bill with it and use the $50 saved (and not a penny
more <g>) on whatever you want. Seems simple.

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

> As an employee of BellSouth, the new AT&T, I'm sorry to see that you
> have this experience. I myself am waiting for $120.00 in rebates by
> the Cingular Visa Reward Card, and having to use such cards in the
> past I have never encountered the problems that you describe. Ever
> think it's the merchant's fault in causing you this problem?
>
> In God's Grace,
> Ric
>
> On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
> > So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the
> > form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
> > Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it
> > doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
> >
> > The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less
> > than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came
> > with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the
> > card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card.
> > But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant
> > your balance on the Cingular card.
> >
> > Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
> >
> > I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when
> > this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance
> > will just give up on using the card.
> >
> > Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well
> > respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have
> > nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so
> > driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
> >
> > They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by
> > squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in
> > the long term.

I agree with the OP on this one. Obviously, Cingular worked out some
sort of deal with Visa where they paid a heavily discounted price for
those cards. Your $120 rebate cost Cingular much less.

Instead of a much easier and simpler rebate check for us, we get these
debit cards that are a pain in the rear to keep track of. I also assume
that it also means that that going a dollar over (the merchant has no
idea of the balance) will get the card declined. Certainly embarrassing
if you happen to be entertaining friends at a restaurant.

--
To reply by email, remove the word "space"

On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:04:21 -0700, Kurt <[email protected]>
wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
> Ric <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> As an employee of BellSouth, the new AT&T, I'm sorry to see that you
>> have this experience. I myself am waiting for $120.00 in rebates by
>> the Cingular Visa Reward Card, and having to use such cards in the
>> past I have never encountered the problems that you describe. Ever
>> think it's the merchant's fault in causing you this problem?
>>
>> In God's Grace,
>> Ric
>>
>> On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the
>> > form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
>> > Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it
>> > doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>> >
>> > The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less
>> > than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came
>> > with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the
>> > card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card.
>> > But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant
>> > your balance on the Cingular card.
>> >
>> > Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>> >
>> > I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when
>> > this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance
>> > will just give up on using the card.
>> >
>> > Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well
>> > respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have
>> > nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so
>> > driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
>> >
>> > They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by
>> > squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in
>> > the long term.
>
>I agree with the OP on this one. Obviously, Cingular worked out some
>sort of deal with Visa where they paid a heavily discounted price for
>those cards. Your $120 rebate cost Cingular much less.
>
>Instead of a much easier and simpler rebate check for us, we get these
>debit cards that are a pain in the rear to keep track of. I also assume
>that it also means that that going a dollar over (the merchant has no
>idea of the balance) will get the card declined. Certainly embarrassing
>if you happen to be entertaining friends at a restaurant.


It's worse than that if you get a card for referring someone. When my
son gave up on Sprint (near Culver City, L.A., Ca; and switched to
Cingular, wwe both got cards.

Mine was only good at a Cingular store, and not good to pay towards
my bill, as I had combined billing.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:04:21 -0700, Kurt <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>

> It's worse than that if you get a card for referring someone. When my
> son gave up on Sprint (near Culver City, L.A., Ca; and switched to
> Cingular, wwe both got cards.
>
> Mine was only good at a Cingular store, and not good to pay towards
> my bill, as I had combined billing.


My son and I both got $25.00 cards when he referred me to Cingular. Mine
can only be used for Cingular merchandise, but I used it 2 days ago with no
problems at all. Special buy on the cell phone cases in-store - 2 for
$20.00 of the ones that were originally $29.99 each. Fantastic buy, so I got
two of them for my daughter, and I can use the remaining few dollars for
ring-tone card purchase if I want to.

I tried using the card a few times and it never worked. By the time I
got around to calling them it had expired.

They were counting on me to let it expire and I supported their sales
model. Too bad for me. I'm usually pretty good about those things.
I've never missed out on a mail-in rebate.

Cingular was able to take another $50 as profit but in the end it
could cost them a customer. I have no brand loyalty.

Next time I buy a phone, any rebate will be considered worth $0 unless
it comes in the form of a check.


-rev



On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
> So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
> Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>
> The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.
>
> Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>
> I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.
>
> Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
>
> They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.

Well, I still have never had a problem with these cards before. When I
get my cards I'll post back my experience on using them.

In God's Grace,
Ric

On Apr 24, 11:04 am, Kurt <[email protected]> wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
>
>
>
>
>
> Ric <[email protected]> wrote:
> > As an employee of BellSouth, the new AT&T, I'm sorry to see that you
> > have this experience. I myself am waiting for $120.00 in rebates by
> > the Cingular Visa Reward Card, and having to use such cards in the
> > past I have never encountered the problems that you describe. Ever
> > think it's the merchant's fault in causing you this problem?
>
> > In God's Grace,
> > Ric
>
> > On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the
> > > form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
> > > Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it
> > > doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>
> > > The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less
> > > than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came
> > > with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the
> > > card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card.
> > > But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant
> > > your balance on the Cingular card.
>
> > > Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>
> > > I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when
> > > this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance
> > > will just give up on using the card.
>
> > > Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well
> > > respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have
> > > nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so
> > > driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
>
> > > They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by
> > > squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in
> > > the long term.
>
> I agree with the OP on this one. Obviously, Cingular worked out some
> sort of deal with Visa where they paid a heavily discounted price for
> those cards. Your $120 rebate cost Cingular much less.
>
> Instead of a much easier and simpler rebate check for us, we get these
> debit cards that are a pain in the rear to keep track of. I also assume
> that it also means that that going a dollar over (the merchant has no
> idea of the balance) will get the card declined. Certainly embarrassing
> if you happen to be entertaining friends at a restaurant.
>
> --
> To reply by email, remove the word "space"- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

That does not sound like one of those Visa cards.

In God's Grace,
Ric

On Apr 24, 12:22 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:04:21 -0700, Kurt <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >In article <[email protected]>,
> > Ric <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> As an employee of BellSouth, the new AT&T, I'm sorry to see that you
> >> have this experience. I myself am waiting for $120.00 in rebates by
> >> the Cingular Visa Reward Card, and having to use such cards in the
> >> past I have never encountered the problems that you describe. Ever
> >> think it's the merchant's fault in causing you this problem?
>
> >> In God's Grace,
> >> Ric
>
> >> On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> > So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the
> >> > form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
> >> > Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it
> >> > doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>
> >> > The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less
> >> > than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came
> >> > with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the
> >> > card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card.
> >> > But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant
> >> > your balance on the Cingular card.
>
> >> > Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>
> >> > I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when
> >> > this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance
> >> > will just give up on using the card.
>
> >> > Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well
> >> > respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have
> >> > nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so
> >> > driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
>
> >> > They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by
> >> > squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in
> >> > the long term.
>
> >I agree with the OP on this one. Obviously, Cingular worked out some
> >sort of deal with Visa where they paid a heavily discounted price for
> >those cards. Your $120 rebate cost Cingular much less.
>
> >Instead of a much easier and simpler rebate check for us, we get these
> >debit cards that are a pain in the rear to keep track of. I also assume
> >that it also means that that going a dollar over (the merchant has no
> >idea of the balance) will get the card declined. Certainly embarrassing
> >if you happen to be entertaining friends at a restaurant.
>
> It's worse than that if you get a card for referring someone. When my
> son gave up on Sprint (near Culver City, L.A., Ca; and switched to
> Cingular, wwe both got cards.
>
> Mine was only good at a Cingular store, and not good to pay towards
> my bill, as I had combined billing.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I have used 3 rebate cards down to the penny! You do need to be aware of your remaining balance when you shop! I have made purchases and told the merchant to use 10.65 from the cingular card and to apply the balance to another debit card with NO problem.

It is a convenience card so you don't have to go to the bank and cash a stupid check.
"Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.

The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.

Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.

They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.

It is easy to check the balance online.

Sometimes we have to think outside of the BOX.

"The Reverend Natural Light" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I tried using the card a few times and it never worked. By the time I
> got around to calling them it had expired.
>
> They were counting on me to let it expire and I supported their sales
> model. Too bad for me. I'm usually pretty good about those things.
> I've never missed out on a mail-in rebate.
>
> Cingular was able to take another $50 as profit but in the end it
> could cost them a customer. I have no brand loyalty.
>
> Next time I buy a phone, any rebate will be considered worth $0 unless
> it comes in the form of a check.
>
>
> -rev
>
>
>
> On Apr 23, 5:58 pm, "Ned Hamilton" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the
>> form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
>> Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it
>> doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.
>>
>> The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less
>> than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came
>> with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the
>> card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another
>> card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the
>> merchant your balance on the Cingular card.
>>
>> Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.
>>
>> I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office
>> when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars
>> balance will just give up on using the card.
>>
>> Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well
>> respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I
>> have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become
>> so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.
>>
>> They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by
>> squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them
>> in the long term.
>
>

On Apr 27, 11:59 am, "Ann" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> It is a convenience card so you don't have to go to the bank and cash a stupid check.
>

I'd rather drop off a convenience check at the bank so I don't have to
use a stupid card.


-rev

In article <[email protected]>,
The Reverend Natural Light <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Apr 27, 11:59 am, "Ann" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > It is a convenience card so you don't have to go to the bank and cash a
> > stupid check.
> >
>
> I'd rather drop off a convenience check at the bank so I don't have to
> use a stupid card.
>
>

Yes, the notion of a "convenience" card is more line with the
Ticketmaster "convenience" charge.

Convenient for who? LOL

--
To reply by email, remove the word "space"