Cingular's "shady" customer service

[scionguy]

Well my mom's phone got stolen and she didn't tell me till a few days later. Got the bill and the phone went into MEXICO before I got a chance to cancel it. +$170 spent over there.

Ok first when I call to disable the phone they do it no problem and tlel me I can get a new sim card in the store. When I went in the guy said umm no cuz I have an AT&T phone, well great, I have to pay for service and can't even use my phone.

Today I finally saw the bill and called them up to try and get it taken off. They of course said no because I should've reported it as soon as I knew it was stolen. Well I would have except the phone was in Cali with my mom.

She talks to supervisor and they say no. Then I mention the part about my contract expiring soon. Also that I can't even use the number if I wanted to. NOW she talks to the resolution center and says they will do a one-time deal where they'll refund the charges IF I extend my contract.

Well great except that I'll be extending the contract on a phone I can't even use also! As they don't sell AT&T phones and I'd need an AT&T SIM card. So she talks to them again and comes back and says sorry no can do.

So to recap, no they can't refund charges from a stolen cell phone. But they can refund charges on a stolen cell phone if you extend the contract. ESPECIALLY if you're stupid enough to extend the contract on a number you can't even use! Should be illegal to do that IMO.

 

[Pepsi90919]

 

[AnyMal]

I must've missed the "shady" and "illegal" part. It's your mom's fault for not excersising common sense.

 

[realsup]

Why doesn't your mom pay the illigel charges since she did not report the phone stolen. Problem solved.

 

[newParadigm]

Originally posted by: scionguy
Well my mom's phone got stolen and she didn't tell me till a few days later. Got the bill and the phone went into MEXICO before I got a chance to cancel it. +$170 spent over there.

Ok first when I call to disable the phone they do it no problem and tlel me I can get a new sim card in the store. When I went in the guy said umm no cuz I have an AT&T phone, well great, I have to pay for service and can't even use my phone.

Today I finally saw the bill and called them up to try and get it taken off. They of course said no because I should've reported it as soon as I knew it was stolen. Well I would have except the phone was in Cali with my mom.

She talks to supervisor and they say no. Then I mention the part about my contract expiring soon. Also that I can't even use the number if I wanted to. NOW she talks to the resolution center and says they will do a one-time deal where they'll refund the charges IF I extend my contract.

Well great except that I'll be extending the contract on a phone I can't even use also! As they don't sell AT&T phones and I'd need an AT&T SIM card. So she talks to them again and comes back and says sorry no can do.

So to recap, no they can't refund charges from a stolen cell phone. But they can refund charges on a stolen cell phone if you extend the contract. ESPECIALLY if you're stupid enough to extend the contract on a number you can't even use! Should be illegal to do that IMO.

Theyed probobly let you etend the contract on a new CIngular number, and then u could have had ur att&t phone unlocked

 

[BeauJangles]

IMO Cingular gets a bad rap, but they really didn't do anything wrong here. You should have reported the phone stolen more promptly.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
IMO Cingular gets a bad rap, but they really didn't do anything wrong here. You should have reported the phone stolen more promptly.

He couldn't have reported it more promptly because his mom didn't tell him until a few days later.

 

[maddogchen]

Cingular sucks if you are a former AT&T customer.

 

[Wuffsunie]

I'd try calling back and seeing if they could wipe the charges in exchange for contract extension + new phone. What they'd likely do is credit your extended contract the $170 in charges.

 

[scionguy]

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I must've missed the "shady" and "illegal" part. It's your mom's fault for not excersising common sense.

I hope this happens to you, seriously.

Also it doesn't seem like you read English well so go back to wherever you came from and learn English till you understand the shady part

 

[scionguy]

Originally posted by: realsup
Why doesn't your mom pay the illigel charges since she did not report the phone stolen. Problem solved.

I hope this happens to you, seriously.

Also it doesn't seem like you read English well so go back to wherever you came from and learn English till you understand the shady part

 

[scionguy]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
IMO Cingular gets a bad rap, but they really didn't do anything wrong here. You should have reported the phone stolen more promptly.

I hope this happens to you, seriously.

Also it doesn't seem like you read English well so go back to wherever you came from and learn English till you understand the shady part

 

[AznMaverick]

my friend was trying to renew his contract but they disconnected his line...haha.

 

[AFSCrazy]

Not really shady or illegal. Although it's not your fault, your mother should've reported the phone stolen earlier. You have to look at it from Cingular's perspective, their service was used and they want payment. If anything it's nice of them to offer you a deal like that, at least then it's a win-win situation.

 

[MrCodeDude]

What is so shady? Why didn't you report the phone stolen immediately? You said your mom didn't tell you until a few days later and that you didn't report it until the bill came (which means you procrastinated a while too).

They have no obligation to refund your money; but they are saying that if you renew your contract, they'll be nice.

 

[scionguy]

I reported it as soon as she told me, otherwise the bill would have been like $1000+

What's so shady? They offered to extend the contract on a stolen AT&T phone! A contract for a phone I can't even use because they wouldn't even sell me a SIM card to use with my old AT&T phone after I reported my mom's phone stolen.

ENGLISH people ENGLISH!

 

[Reckoner]

Originally posted by: scionguy
I reported it as soon as she told me, otherwise the bill would have been like $1000+

What's so shady? They offered to extend the contract on a stolen AT&T phone! A contract for a phone I can't even use because they wouldn't even sell me a SIM card to use with my old AT&T phone after I reported my mom's phone stolen.

ENGLISH people ENGLISH!

If you had that kind've attitude when you spoke to Cingular, I'm surprised they even offered that so-called shady deal in the first place.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: scionguy

Originally posted by: AnyMal
I must've missed the "shady" and "illegal" part. It's your mom's fault for not excersising common sense.

I hope this happens to you, seriously.

Also it doesn't seem like you read English well so go back to wherever you came from and learn English till you understand the shady part

It's not going to happen to me because I excersise commonn sense. Your mom should pay up, it's her fault. Don't blame Cingular for your own problems. Hope they nail you with that bill.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: scionguy
I reported it as soon as she told me, otherwise the bill would have been like $1000+

What's so shady? They offered to extend the contract on a stolen AT&T phone! A contract for a phone I can't even use because they wouldn't even sell me a SIM card to use with my old AT&T phone after I reported my mom's phone stolen.

ENGLISH people ENGLISH!

Hey brainiac! Stop bitching about other people's English while your own comprehension is lacking. They didnt offer you to extend a contract on the stolen phone. They did you a favor by offering to waive the charges if you agree to a new contract with Cingular, since ATT has been long phased out in case you didn't notice. Don't like their offer? Pay up and shut-up.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: scionguy
I reported it as soon as she told me, otherwise the bill would have been like $1000+

What's so shady? They offered to extend the contract on a stolen AT&T phone! A contract for a phone I can't even use because they wouldn't even sell me a SIM card to use with my old AT&T phone after I reported my mom's phone stolen.

ENGLISH people ENGLISH!

Hey brainiac! Stop bitching about other people's English while your own comprehension is lacking. They didnt offer you to extend a contract on the stolen phone. They did you a favor by offering to waive the charges if you agree to a new contract with Cingular, since ATT has been long phased out in case you didn't notice. Don't like their offer? Pay up and shut-up.

You have no idea what they offered him. So don't talk like you know. For all you know what he said is correct.

 

[eminemrh25]

Ok, You said that you're mom is stuck with the charges unless she decides to extend her contract..

You must not have understood them correctly. When you called them, they DEACTIVATED your Stolen SIM Card. They are saying if you extend your contract, they will waive the fees.

You wouldn't need an AT&T SIM Card, They'd send you out a new Cingular one, or you'd go to the Cingular Store and pick up a new one. Then use whatever phone you have, or buy a new one that is compatible with Cingular...

To tell you the honest truth, it is the subscriber's responsiblity to report a stolen phone.

What I would do, is call them. Extend your contract only if they reverse the charges and get you a new SIM card and phone and waive whatever activation fees they may have. Most of the time, they may say no, but if you have an expensive plan (Ie $50+ a month) they will gladly send you a new one out. My uncle got his Cingular phone stolen, they reversed the $300 bill that had been run up, gave him a new SIM and Phone.

 

[suse920]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: AnyMal

Originally posted by: scionguy
I reported it as soon as she told me, otherwise the bill would have been like $1000+

What's so shady? They offered to extend the contract on a stolen AT&T phone! A contract for a phone I can't even use because they wouldn't even sell me a SIM card to use with my old AT&T phone after I reported my mom's phone stolen.

ENGLISH people ENGLISH!

Hey brainiac! Stop bitching about other people's English while your own comprehension is lacking. They didnt offer you to extend a contract on the stolen phone. They did you a favor by offering to waive the charges if you agree to a new contract with Cingular, since ATT has been long phased out in case you didn't notice. Don't like their offer? Pay up and shut-up.

You have no idea what they offered him. So don't talk like you know. For all you know what he said is correct.

Seeing that what he is saying would be impossible to ever happen i think we have a better idea of the offer than you think ....

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: eminemrh25
Ok, You said that you're mom is stuck with the charges unless she decides to extend her contract..

You must not have understood them correctly. When you called them, they DEACTIVATED your Stolen SIM Card. They are saying if you extend your contract, they will waive the fees.

You wouldn't need an AT&T SIM Card, They'd send you out a new Cingular one, or you'd go to the Cingular Store and pick up a new one. Then use whatever phone you have, or buy a new one that is compatible with Cingular...

To tell you the honest truth, it is the subscriber's responsiblity to report a stolen phone.

What I would do, is call them. Extend your contract only if they reverse the charges and get you a new SIM card and phone and waive whatever activation fees they may have. Most of the time, they may say no, but if you have an expensive plan (Ie $50+ a month) they will gladly send you a new one out. My uncle got his Cingular phone stolen, they reversed the $300 bill that had been run up, gave him a new SIM and Phone.

would he might have to unlock his current phone to get it work with a cingular sim card

 

[scionguy]

Fact is they offered to refund the charges IF I extended my contract. Which is a ATT&T contract that has THREE phones on it.

I told them sure but I have an AT&T contract and would need an AT&T phone for it or pony up an AT&T SIM card. The lady then speaks with account resolution and says they can't do it. IF they wanted me to switch all three phones over to Cingular then, hey say so and offer me new Cingular phones like I would get if I upgraded to Cingular anyways!

My contract is up next month. I pay about $120 with taxes on my account every month. I'll call them again tomorrow and see what happens.

All phone companies are the same when there's a problem. Had Verizon before and now have AT&T for over fours years and now this.

Funny thing is that when you spend your credit card too much or in weird places they place a hold on it and call me to confirm. Cell phone companies couldn't give a crap.

Some of y'all are complete dicks and well that's why you'll stay a keyboard commando. Thanks to those of you who can make suggestions.