Horrible experience

I just had a terrible experience with my cell phone company, Cingular. I want to know the best options for new service. I am a speaker/writer and do some travel. I live on a limited income so cost is important to me I would like to know best company, plans, pay as you go vs. contract and so forth. I am not interested in Cingular, by the way, I have tried to work with their customer service and has had no positive effect. Anyone have other suggestions about contacting corporate and so forth with this company. An address or help there would be great. Thanks and I appreciate it.

Can you be more specific about the problems you're having with Cingular?

Long story but 2 Sim cards in less than a year at $30 each and a very rude customer service group who lied to me 2X. They also stated that we did not pay the bill, then told them the check #s that had cleared the bank and they kept changing their story. Even though I had the bank statements and authorization #s. In the end they wanted me to pay $150 per phone in additional fees. The executive ended up telling me he was going to reconnect my service after the sim card and bill dispute. Then he didn't called back, and they responded they just couldn't do it without me paying the $150 per phone additional deposit. Really upset me, especially after telling them the dates, check #s and authorizations of bills that had been paid. We even paid this months bill 2 weeks in advance. I currently have a 0 balance. I would say watch out for them, after some checking tonight I have heard similar horror stories about their customer service. I'll never have them again. I even had a email, which I still have from them, stating that my bill is paid in full. Go figure.

This was just sent to me for example:

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/july/29/40.htm

http://www.demo.com/demoletter/008580.html

http://www.planetfeedback.com/index....opic_id=261140

http://www.planetfeedback.com/index....opic_id=281631

http://www.interesting-people.org/ar.../msg00093.html

http://www.mobiledia.com/news/43369.html

http://akosut.com/log/2005/08/18/my-...ular-customer/

Sorry to hear about the problems you're having, i often read about horror stories like this about every carrier not just Cingular, i guess i've been lucky, i've had serviced with most carriers and have yet to have any major problems (knock on wood)....

Have you asked to talk to a supervisor? better yet i think you might have better luck resolving your issue going to a store and speaking to a store manager, they might be able to direct you to someone that can at least credit your bill for the problems you been having with customer service.

The store manager is the next step. Actually a supervisor on the phone told us the service would be reconnected, but found out that he lied to us when we spoke to another supervisor.

i hated cingular when the bought out at&t it only took me 3 months to get rid of them for some of the same problems you mentioned and every time i turned around there was an other fee added paid my bill in full told them to turn off service and 2 months later i got collection notices saying that i owed $400.00 for leaving contractg early even though my contract with at&t was 3 years old and i never extended the contract just went month to month i will never be nor will i ever recomend cingular to anybody they made me decide never to have a contracted cell phone provider again i will only do prepaid (although i use Boost Mobile's premium plan but i pay it then get the service) i am very happy with it

I recommend a few tips when having to deal with customer service (any industry, any issue):
If it can be avoided, don't call when you are pressed for time, very hungry or otherwise distracted. Be polite, maintain a civil tone and manner (let how you would like to be spoken to be your guide). Certainly you can be firm when necessary, but firm does not equate to harsh or rude. It is fair to say in words you are angry, frustrated, disappointed, etc. w/o being nasty to deal with.
Always take notes of with whom you speak, date, time, issue reported and how resolved, or not. Also, if you are treated poorly, make a note of that with description and/or specifics. If you are told that certain action(s) will be taken, insist on having notes regarding the call attached to your file (electronic note files are time and date stamped and cannot be edited after entering easily) and ask the person to review them for you before ending the call. Be clear about your issue, clarify any misunderstandings. If you get somebody who is inept, indifferent or both, try one or both of the following: hang up and try to get a different CSR; respectfully insist on speaking with a supervisor. Remember...take notes and for heaven's sake, the purpose of taking notes is to be able to refer back to them, so keep them where you can find them again if you have a recurring or pending issue. Don't be afraid to ask "what is (name of company) willing to do to make me a satisfied customer/keep me as a customer?". I have gotten credits, refunds and freebies this way. Remember, stuff happens, so deal with it as best you can...sometimes you have to persevere. Good luck, and good night.

And if all else fails, vote with your pocketbook.

to add to primewoman's comments:

if the company has an online chat version of customer support, this is a super helpful tool. it will take a little longer to complete your conversation, but the benefit of having a written transcript of your conversations is priceless.

case in point:

i had problems with dell. (i know it's not cingular) i was promised a replacement disc for a program that came with my computer by numerous reps, who gave me false case id numbers. i then went to the chat sessions, where i was promised a replacement numerous times. after failing to complete their end of the deal, i received a free microsoft wireless desktop for my trouble and the 2006 version of the software.

this would not have been possible without all of the records of my past conversations.

and when you talk to them, be smart! make them answer your question in a way that makes it a definite answer.

ex 1: question: "are you fixing the problem?" - reply: "i assure you it will be resolved"
ex 2: question: "will you be sending me a replacement?" - answer: "yes, a replacement will be sent"

by not leaving the possibility for an open-ended question, there will be no reason for them to claim confusion.

good luck!