Cingular Customer Service (and the run around)

I have had Cingular since AT&T was merged or bought out by Cingular.
Was I wrong about AT&T? that they had bad customer service. Let me
give you a couple of examples

(1) I ordered a phone from Cingular and recieved the new and it was
supposed to be free and then i get a bill for $120.00 on the next bill.
I called Cingular, i was transfered three time and had to wait on hold
for about 30 to 40 minutes total. The person finally tells me that i
have to send the old phone. So, i said ok i sent the old phone in the
package that Cingular had provided and for the next three months I keep
getting billed for that phone and I kept calling and during this period
i must have spent 25 to 30 hours on the phone with Cingular. They had
to file a lost phone report, while they were investigating to track the
package they disconnected my phone service. I had spoken to at least
three managers and explained the situation to them and they had
promised that my service would not be disconnected and guess what my
service was disconnected. Back to the phone, it was never found so i
had to pay the $120.00 and on top of that i have three lines with
Cingular and they charged me a $75.00 reconnection fee ( $25.00 per
line) I called and talked to three or four different representative
GOD KNOWS where they were and had no clue about this whole situation.
I had to explaine this over and over and over to each representative i
spoke to. I filed a dispute with cingular and Guess what ((( Cingular
sent my account to a COLLECTION AGENCY yes thats right a collection
agency while i am disputing the charges. So, i went ahead and paid it.
I think CINGULAR is the worst company i have dealth with.

This is just one of the issues that i have had with cingular, i will
write more about my issues with cinguar as time permits. If anyone
needs to use the above issue or post it on their website feel free.
Spread the word and let people know what we are dealing with.

---

› See More: Cingular Customer Service (and the run around)

Your story may be true but if it is you didn't handle the situation
well. When sending back a phone you should always use a trackable
service that shows WHO signed for it. When they claim it wasn't returned
and you show them a carrier delivery receipt with an employee's name on
it they shut up real fast. If you have no proof of delivery that's your
problem.


> I have had Cingular since AT&T was merged or bought out by Cingular.
> Was I wrong about AT&T? that they had bad customer service. Let me
> give you a couple of examples
>
> (1) I ordered a phone from Cingular and recieved the new and it was
> supposed to be free and then i get a bill for $120.00 on the next
> bill. I called Cingular, i was transfered three time and had to wait
> on hold for about 30 to 40 minutes total. The person finally tells
> me that i have to send the old phone. So, i said ok i sent the old
> phone in the package that Cingular had provided and for the next
> three months I keep getting billed for that phone and I kept calling
> and during this period i must have spent 25 to 30 hours on the phone
> with Cingular. They had to file a lost phone report, while they were
> investigating to track the package they disconnected my phone
> service. I had spoken to at least three managers and explained the
> situation to them and they had promised that my service would not be
> disconnected and guess what my service was disconnected. Back to the
> phone, it was never found so i had to pay the $120.00 and on top of
> that i have three lines with Cingular and they charged me a $75.00
> reconnection fee ( $25.00 per line) I called and talked to three or
> four different representative GOD KNOWS where they were and had no
> clue about this whole situation. I had to explaine this over and over
> and over to each representative i spoke to. I filed a dispute with
> cingular and Guess what ((( Cingular sent my account to a COLLECTION
> AGENCY yes thats right a collection agency while i am disputing the
> charges. So, i went ahead and paid it. I think CINGULAR is the worst
> company i have dealth with.
>
> This is just one of the issues that i have had with cingular, i will
> write more about my issues with cinguar as time permits. If anyone
> needs to use the above issue or post it on their website feel free.
> Spread the word and let people know what we are dealing with.

Somewhere around 10 Mar 2006 00:25:25 -0800, while reading
alt.cellular.cingular, I think I thought I saw this post from
[email protected]:

>I have had Cingular since AT&T was merged or bought out by Cingular.
>Was I wrong about AT&T? that they had bad customer service. Let me
>give you a couple of examples
>
>(1) I ordered a phone from Cingular and recieved the new and it was
>supposed to be free and then i get a bill for $120.00 on the next bill.
> I called Cingular, i was transfered three time and had to wait on hold
>for about 30 to 40 minutes total. The person finally tells me that i
>have to send the old phone. So, i said ok i sent the old phone in the
>package that Cingular had provided and for the next three months I keep
>getting billed for that phone and I kept calling and during this period
>i must have spent 25 to 30 hours on the phone with Cingular. They had
>to file a lost phone report, while they were investigating to track the
>package they disconnected my phone service. I had spoken to at least
>three managers and explained the situation to them and they had
>promised that my service would not be disconnected and guess what my
>service was disconnected. Back to the phone, it was never found so i
>had to pay the $120.00 and on top of that i have three lines with
>Cingular and they charged me a $75.00 reconnection fee ( $25.00 per
>line) I called and talked to three or four different representative
>GOD KNOWS where they were and had no clue about this whole situation.
>I had to explaine this over and over and over to each representative i
>spoke to. I filed a dispute with cingular and Guess what ((( Cingular
>sent my account to a COLLECTION AGENCY yes thats right a collection
>agency while i am disputing the charges. So, i went ahead and paid it.
> I think CINGULAR is the worst company i have dealth with.
>
>This is just one of the issues that i have had with cingular, i will
>write more about my issues with cinguar as time permits. If anyone
>needs to use the above issue or post it on their website feel free.
>Spread the word and let people know what we are dealing with.

Sounds to me like you don't pay attention very well, which probably explains
your problems.

I spent a lot of time researching phones before buying my last ones from
Cingular. The terms have always been *****ed out on the website, where some
phones have rebates and some have online discounts, some may require the old
phone be sent in, etc.

Rebates are common, and they always work the same. You pay the money in
advance, and later get the rebate. Sounds like you broke that rule, and
thought you didn't need to pay for the phone. Never works that way.

Common sense would dictate that you need to take care in returning the old
phone, and follow directions to the letter. Obviously, if they are simply
going to take your word for it, people would not bother to send it, and
simply say they did. You should have some proof that you at least mailed
the thing.

Sounds like you probably didn't handle things well after this, either, and
you probably think getting irate is the solution to all problems. It isn't.
--
Marty - public.forums (at) gmail (dot) com
No matter how hard you throw a dead fish in the water,
it still won't swim.

I suggest to file complaint with http://www.badbusinessbureau.com , also
read about other complaint about the Cingular (on search simply type
Cingular). I have seen some results. It is an excelent site.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have had Cingular since AT&T was merged or bought out by Cingular.
> Was I wrong about AT&T? that they had bad customer service. Let me
> give you a couple of examples
>
> (1) I ordered a phone from Cingular and recieved the new and it was
> supposed to be free and then i get a bill for $120.00 on the next bill.
> I called Cingular, i was transfered three time and had to wait on hold
> for about 30 to 40 minutes total. The person finally tells me that i
> have to send the old phone. So, i said ok i sent the old phone in the
> package that Cingular had provided and for the next three months I keep
> getting billed for that phone and I kept calling and during this period
> i must have spent 25 to 30 hours on the phone with Cingular. They had
> to file a lost phone report, while they were investigating to track the
> package they disconnected my phone service. I had spoken to at least
> three managers and explained the situation to them and they had
> promised that my service would not be disconnected and guess what my
> service was disconnected. Back to the phone, it was never found so i
> had to pay the $120.00 and on top of that i have three lines with
> Cingular and they charged me a $75.00 reconnection fee ( $25.00 per
> line) I called and talked to three or four different representative
> GOD KNOWS where they were and had no clue about this whole situation.
> I had to explaine this over and over and over to each representative i
> spoke to. I filed a dispute with cingular and Guess what ((( Cingular
> sent my account to a COLLECTION AGENCY yes thats right a collection
> agency while i am disputing the charges. So, i went ahead and paid it.
> I think CINGULAR is the worst company i have dealth with.
>
> This is just one of the issues that i have had with cingular, i will
> write more about my issues with cinguar as time permits. If anyone
> needs to use the above issue or post it on their website feel free.
> Spread the word and let people know what we are dealing with.
>

You shouldnt have to do all this research and check all the details
when you are buying a service. How many people actually read the
CONTRACT and then HOW OF THOSE UNDERSTAND their contracts, we the
consumer need to stop dealing with companies that trick us into buying
products. When you speak to them over the phone they tell you one
thing and when you look at the contract its a whole different story. I
have had enough of Cingular, I will give my business to someone that
has some respect for the consumer. What happened to common sense.
Today's consumer is just a (number) or (dollar sign) thats all it is to
the big business. The company's board members get richer and greedier
NOT by the day, but (by the minute.)

Well, yeah, that's what business is all about - making money for the
shareholders who put their money at risk to build it. You shouldn't
have to check the details? Why not? Hire an attorney if you need help.
We already have one of the most highly regulated markets in the world
where bureaucrats dictate marketing practices and even font size and
colors. Do your homework BEFORE you buy and don't complain about what
you signed if you're too lazy to read it and understand it.


> You shouldnt have to do all this research and check all the details
> when you are buying a service. How many people actually read the
> CONTRACT and then HOW OF THOSE UNDERSTAND their contracts, we the
> consumer need to stop dealing with companies that trick us into buying
> products. When you speak to them over the phone they tell you one
> thing and when you look at the contract its a whole different story.
> I have had enough of Cingular, I will give my business to someone that
> has some respect for the consumer. What happened to common sense.
> Today's consumer is just a (number) or (dollar sign) thats all it is
> to the big business. The company's board members get richer and
> greedier NOT by the day, but (by the minute.)

>Do your homework BEFORE you buy and don't complain about what
>you signed if you're too lazy to read it and understand it.


Hey, as someone who has *****ed about Cingular for
years, AND re-sign up (best service in my area) AND
knowing the piss poor customer serv <heheheHAHAHA> ice
they have, I'll take them out of the picture.

Listen up, kidd. I got the time to teach ya, & I bet
you learn some, 2. Ready..? write this down..

<U can quote me>

"..never sign anything you do not read/understand.."

Only an IDIOT signs up for a 1-2 year hitch without
reading the fine print. Sheit, I don't sign a B/day
card without reading it 1st. Hope this helps..

No need to thank me..


JJT

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I filed a dispute with cingular and Guess what ((( Cingular
> sent my account to a COLLECTION AGENCY yes thats right a collection
> agency while i am disputing the charges. So, i went ahead and paid it.

File a small claims action for the amount you paid but didn't owe (include
all late fees and reconnection fees). They won't go to court to defend
their mistake. They will call you and agree to send you a check. Insist
that they refund the filing fee as well. And don't dismiss the case until
you have the check in your hand. If they don't contact you to settle, go to
court and receive your default judgement.

I went through something similar. The guy said "It isn't that I don't want
to refund you, it's just that I CAN'T.'
I replied that I understood, so I would simply file a small-claims action.
Next thing you know, his supervisor approved the refund.

Usually a legal letter or threat of small claims action is all you need to
do in getting retribution from cell carriers as long as you've got a halfway
good reason in doing so. No multi million dollar company is going to fight a
petty claim over a few hundred bucks.

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

> I went through something similar. The guy said "It isn't that I don't
> want to refund you, it's just that I CAN'T.'
> I replied that I understood, so I would simply file a small-claims action.
> Next thing you know, his supervisor approved the refund.

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

> Do your homework BEFORE you buy and don't complain about what you signed
> if you're too lazy to read it and understand it.
>
>

That comment bespeaks contempt of the consumer.

The reason that there are so many laws regulating various lines of business
is because of their history of befuddling, cheating and lying to customers.
Fact is that crooks have long exploited consumers' lack of knowledge and
have hoodwinked them. Used car dealers are a good example. I understand
that there is currently a glut of "Katrina Cars" offered at lots all across
America--and that they have had their titles cleaned up by having been
registered subsequently in two states prior to being offered for sale in a
third state. Some states do not require that the cars' "junker" status be
listed on their titles.

So, how're ya' going to "do your homework" on something like that,
Einstein???

We wouldn't need all that regulation if companies were more honest . . .

"Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> No- actually it is the opposite. Expecting everything to be laid out for
> a child to understand bespeaks contempt for the consumer- we are not all
> dumb sheep and shouldn't be expected to have much tolerance for those who
> are too lazy to do some homework.
>

This has nothing to do with anyone being "lazy." The policies change so
often that even people in the wireless industry can't always keep up.

Maybe all YOU have to do is to keep abreast of the cellular plans, but most
of us have lives--and we have other things to do besides wondering what trap
we will fall into next.

Regulation is necessary--across virtually all lines of business--because
unscrupulous business people have used their superior capital, superior
knowledge and superior resources to exploit consumers. And, while
competition often serves to reduce such exploitation, it doesn't always
work. Try reading the numerous posts on this and every other wireless
newsgroup and you will easily see that many people have complained of
unethical business practices or outright trickery--and WE ARE NOT ALL
"LAZY!"

Ask the Better Business Bureau if all it takes is for consumers to stop
being "lazy," and just "do their homework," to make all incidents of
unethical business practices disappear . . .

You are clueless.

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

> The best prevention from becoming a victim is to read, read again and
> open one's eyes. Assume everything is a scam until you're sure it's not.
> Caveat Emptor!

So you DO admit that consumers are often presented with scams? Tell me, how
does one "read, read again" when one calls one's carrier to make a change to
one's plan, or to add or drop a line, and then finds out that the "change"
was interpreted by the CSR as another two-year extension? WHEN was the
customer advised of this? WHEN did the CSR fax or email a new contract to
the customer to execute and return?

There are hundreds of similar stories out there--and all you do is to blame
the victim! You'd probably tell the woman that got raped that she had no
business going out of her home that day!

What kind of a world would it be if everyone thought like you?

"Jeremy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%GARf.42254$CI6.35779@trnddc07...
> "Scott" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> No- actually it is the opposite. Expecting everything to be laid out for
>> a child to understand bespeaks contempt for the consumer- we are not all
>> dumb sheep and shouldn't be expected to have much tolerance for those who
>> are too lazy to do some homework.
>>
>
> This has nothing to do with anyone being "lazy." The policies change so
> often that even people in the wireless industry can't always keep up.
>
> Maybe all YOU have to do is to keep abreast of the cellular plans, but
> most of us have lives--and we have other things to do besides wondering
> what trap we will fall into next.
>
> Regulation is necessary--across virtually all lines of business--because
> unscrupulous business people have used their superior capital, superior
> knowledge and superior resources to exploit consumers. And, while
> competition often serves to reduce such exploitation, it doesn't always
> work. Try reading the numerous posts on this and every other wireless
> newsgroup and you will easily see that many people have complained of
> unethical business practices or outright trickery--and WE ARE NOT ALL
> "LAZY!"
>
> Ask the Better Business Bureau if all it takes is for consumers to stop
> being "lazy," and just "do their homework," to make all incidents of
> unethical business practices disappear . . .
>
> You are clueless.
>
Please go on to Sprint and quit bothering us here. You keep promising to
leave, just shut up and go!!
...
bamp

> "BruceR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>
>> The best prevention from becoming a victim is to read, read again
>> and open one's eyes. Assume everything is a scam until you're sure
>> it's not. Caveat Emptor!
>
> So you DO admit that consumers are often presented with scams? Tell
> me, how does one "read, read again" when one calls one's carrier to
> make a change to one's plan, or to add or drop a line, and then finds
> out that the "change" was interpreted by the CSR as another two-year
> extension? WHEN was the customer advised of this? WHEN did the CSR
> fax or email a new contract to the customer to execute and return?
>
> There are hundreds of similar stories out there--and all you do is to
> blame the victim! You'd probably tell the woman that got raped that
> she had no business going out of her home that day!
>
> What kind of a world would it be if everyone thought like you?

I never claimed otherwise. Sure there's a lot of scams out there. All
the regulation in the world won't prevent them. I ALWAYS review any
changes made with a CSR and, if they want a new contract, yes, I ask
them to fax it to me and I ask them to note in the record that I've
asked them to do so.

I certainly would NOT blame a rape victim for "going out" as you
improperly surmise in your specious argument that attempts to equate
contract law with violent crime, but I do blame a consumer who doesn't
do his homework and at least reads, ask questions and understands what
they're signing. I practice what I preach and guess what? I've never
had a consumer contract problem that I couldn't settle over the phone -
in my favor.

The fact of the matter is that most people just "sign here" when told
to do so. Most don't even read their motgages or deeds when buying a
property. I do. And I've found errors or terms not previously disclosed
that I've had removed. Same with car leases. Most are so happy to get
the car they blindly sign anything. I read - I negotiate - I don't get
burned. I'm a busy guy too but I make the time to know what I'm getting
myself into. I'm not "better" than anybody else for doing that but you
won't find me whining on newsgroup about getting burned by "the man."

Somewhere around Tue, 14 Mar 2006 01:08:08 GMT, while reading
alt.cellular.cingular, I think I thought I saw this post from "BruceR"
<[email protected]>:
>> "Jeremy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:RihRf.16012$wH5.2784@trnddc02...
>>> "BruceR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>>> Do your homework BEFORE you buy and don't complain about what you
>>>> signed if you're too lazy to read it and understand it.
>>>>
>>> That comment bespeaks contempt of the consumer.
>>
>> No- actually it is the opposite. Expecting everything to be laid out
>> for a child to understand bespeaks contempt for the consumer- we are
>> not all dumb sheep and shouldn't be expected to have much tolerance
>> for those who are too lazy to do some homework.
>>
>Well said. However, he is correct that I do have contempt for those
>consumers who have plenty of time to whine AFTER the sale but no time to
>learn about what they're buying or agreeing to BEFORE they sign. The
>best prevention from becoming a victim is to read, read again and open
>one's eyes. Assume everything is a scam until you're sure it's not.
>Caveat Emptor!
>
Right on! and the first person you should ask questions of is yourself;
like, if there's a rebate, ask yourself why don't they just reduce the price
instead of all that trouble for a rebate (answer, because lots of people
either forget to send it in, don't bother, or do it wrong). If they are
counting on people not to get the rebate, make sure you understand how to
make sure you get it if you need it. Or, if you don't, make sure you can
afford to buy it without getting the rebate, and consider the rebate to be a
gift if you get it.

If it's very cheap, ask yourself what is the catch. Is it really a free
lunch? Usually not. To get the free stuff, you usually have to put in a
lot of time waiting and watching for it.

Then the only thing to worry about is whether whatever you're buying is
worth it.

--
Marty - public.forums (at) gmail (dot) com
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...
well, I have others." - Groucho Marx