Cingular Sucks
 

I'm so pissed at my phone company.

Saturday I was trying to send a text message and my phone said my message service was not set-up. So I called cingular and asked what the deal was. I explained how that messaging was included in my plan, which I've had since 2001(originally unlimited and then "limited" to 300 mgs a month, which also pissed me off). I was then told that they were no longer letting me message because I haven't set up a messaging plan. I told her once again that I did have a plan and that it was for unlimited text messaging and included in my 49.99 package. Then she said that they amended my contract and removed the text messaging portion, and told me that I could add messaging again for $4 a month, for three months then $10 a month thereafter. I then asked why there was such a thing as a contract if they could just change it at will, she said they could I also asked if since they "broke" the contract whether I could cancel my end of the contract and waive the $150.00 cancellation fee, she said no. I said "This is horseshit" and she said "sir you can check the terms on the cingular website", which is the equivelent of F***-off.

I hate you cingular and your crappy signals and most of All your crappy customer service.

sigmanuzk,
One thing I've learned about Cingular is that they CAN accommodate you IF you speak to the right person. I never attempt to deal with their terrible customer service reps. They're basically robots who can do nothing but spew company policy at you. They're not empowered to do ANYTHING.

Go to your local Cingular store (dealership? outlet? whatever it's called) and talk to a manager there. Chances are, he/she can and will help you. I've done that in the past and, although it's inconvenient, I've gotten the results I wanted.

Yup
 

What she said... The folks on the phone have no incentive/wish to really help folks. They have to deal with irate customers on the phone all the time. I sell Cingular here in Oklahoma. They're generally alright to me since I sell their stuff. I've never really heard of anything like that before. It is pretty serious BS and they CAN accomodate you. Just keep going up the ladder until someone gives you what you want.

I'm sorry that you've had crappy service with Cingular. I've had their service for about 3 and a half years and have never had a problem with them - I really like their service. Just like KillarneyRose said, maybe you need to speak with the right person. Also, see if you qualify for updating (upgrading maybe)your contract - maybe the text messaging can be added as part of a new contract.

If they can't help you, then maybe it's time for a new cellular provider. And if changing your phone number is a concern, there's supposed to be a way (beginning in November, if I"m not mistaken) that you can change providers without changing your phone number.

that is correct. they are required by law to let you keep your old number.

I LOVE Cingular. I've never had a problem with them, and neither has anyone else I know who has Cingular. I have friends who have other carriers (Verizon, ATT, Sprint), though, and have had nothing but trouble with all of them.


BTW, I don't understand the appeal of text-messaging. Isn't it quicker to just call the person and talk to them than to type out your message on that little tiny keypad where you have to scroll through 3 letters to get the correct letter? It seems like a huge hassle and waste of time.


You can change providers and still keep your phone number beginning on November 24th. Article about cell phone number portability.

I hate Cingular as well... they're evil.

When I signed up, they told me that I could switch my contract minutes/month at any time with no charge... but when I tried to do that this summer (because my cell phone doesn't WORK here... no signal at all, I have to drive 25 minutes into town to use it - that's a nice cell phone, huh?) they had changed all the good plans, and I could either stick with my old plan (350 anytime minutes, 3500 nights and weekends) for $40, or switch to 150 anytime minutes for like $35.

So while I could have changed my plan for free, it would have totally screwed me in the end - also, I realize now I should have signed up for rollover during the summer, because I was using my phone for maybe an hour a month - but too late for that. I hate them... I think I'm just going to cancel my contract and deal with the crappy fee - as soon as I get a job!

Also, does anyone have the problem with Cingular that they don't get messages for like three days? Sometimes I'll get them right away, but about half my messages I recieve two to three days after the person leaves them. Nice.

Nope, but that happens all the time to my friend who has Verizon.

The appeal of text messaging...
 

Forces my girlfriend to say what she want to say in 150 characters or less. Doesn't interrupt what I'm doing at that time but still provides instant communication.

It can make for interesting conversation when stuck in a boring class or meeting

I have Cingular and I like them---DO NOT LOVE THEM, but like them.
And what better in life is there than

"DRUNK TEXT MESSAGING!!"

Just when you thought all you could do was drunk dial!!

amen and preach it

Thanks for all of your advice. Believe me I once really liked cingular back when they were switching over from PAC-Bell wireless. They had the best plans and really good cs, but in this past year and a half they've gone to the dogs. I'm going to try to get out of my contract and sign with AT&T they're supposed to be the best in CA.

OMG I hate Cingular! I am in CA too, and their coverage sucks.

One word of caution on AT&T--they are the worst of the Cingular-Verizon-AT&T trio. And, in many areas, they do not have their own network, they are piggybacking off Cingular's or someone else's. So if you didn't have good coverage w Cingular, you won't w AT&T.

I have Sprint and I have NO COMPLAINTS. I always have coverage, they are easy to deal with, its a beautiful thing.

Cingular and AT&T share the same towers, so the coverage will in fact be the same.

We recently switched to Cingular, and so far I am not real impressed with the service! My phone cuts off on me all the time when I'm talking to people and itreally ticks me off! The customer service reps on the phone have been snotty, but the few I've dealt with in person were great. I think I liked Verizon better!

I love AT&T- it is different everywhere of course, though.
In KY I hear nothing but complaints about Sprint- if you aren't near a major city, they suck. You can't get service in most of KY- almost 2/3 I think. A friend of ours owns a cell phone store and he is a Bluegrass cellular distributor (not affiliated with anyone) and he said that if you live in Louisville or Lexington Cingular or AT&T are the best carriers, and I have never once had a problem with customer service! :)
Sprint here, just doesn't cut it! And Verizon screws EVERYONE on their bills- we have a corporate account with them and have 15-20 complaints a week from JUST our office- we have 10 area offices so imagine how many they get! The really do PURPOSELY mess up your bill, so BE CAREFUL and read it over well!

I have to repeat what everyone else has said--go IN PERSON. It might be fun and convenient to dial 311 or whatever it is, but those people don't really give a rat's azz about your business. Most reputable providers will do a lot to keep a loyal customer. I had some problems w/ roaming charges--talking to a person on the phone did very little, but going to the AT&T store worked wonders. I even got to see them change my charges right there.

It's all regional. If you talk to someone in CA, they like Sprint. But I know people who have moved to the East Coast, and had problems getting coverage with Sprint. AT&T works better downtown, but Verizon works better uptown. In the South, everyone I know has Nextel. It's all based on you and how you travel and live.

I don't think you need to speak with anyone in person.

I had trouble with TMobile. The idiots signed me up for the wrong plan and charged me a ridiculous amount and were refusing to get it back.

The problem should have been dealt with earlier but they all lied and said they'd look into it and never did. Finally in the middle of my office I started yelling at this lady and really telling her off. I asked to speak with her supervisor who was just as useless. I kept going higher and higher and within 20 minutes someone just did what i had been trying all week to get.

-Rudey
--They are so stupid.

Verizon is the best.