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I don't get it...

RUFF1415

Jul 7, 2006, 8:17 PM
If service with Cingular is so bad...then how has their churn rate been cut in half since the merge? And how does it continue to drop?

I was happy with AT&T...I'm just as happy with Cingular.
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TheBlueCat

Jul 7, 2006, 10:16 PM
the rate is better with verizon
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MacrossXP

Jul 7, 2006, 11:19 PM
Rate may be better with Verizon but there phones aren't, there plans aren't and now there customer service has been suffering. Last time I walked into a store I waited for 30min just to speak with a rep to tell me a phone wasnt available for purchase after they had 3 of them on demo. There answer is to call and call and call to customer care for anything.

Have you tried to get ringtones on your phone or wallpaper or use anything on it that you dont have to pay Verizon through the roof with? Go right ahead and use Moto phone tools to do anything on a CDMA phone and see what happens. The Razr could be better but at least you can use it the way I want to without the damn Verizon UI on it!

Why is it that Verizons rate plans start at $70 f...
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 12:06 AM
The fact that less people leave Verizon than any other company actually DOES mean the phones and plans are better. If they were worse, wouldn't people leave?
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TinyJ316

Jul 8, 2006, 2:20 AM
not if they're stuck in a contract forever and a day for switching rate plans, or having anything done to their phone.

my friend changed her rate plan within 20 days of signing up with vzw, and they extended her contract that extra month... which is asinine... another friend had internet added to his plan and they extended him 2 years, after he had already completed 15 months!
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 2:28 AM
Sorry but you have no idea what you are talking about. I work there, I know the policies inside and out. The only way "adding internet" could extend a contract 2 years is with an equipment discount for an aircard. Adding any other kind of internet service to a phone wouldn't involve a contract. You and your friends need a clue
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 8, 2006, 9:19 AM
unless its a PROMOTIONAL plan like the $5 text/pix/flix package was.

i've seen it happen quite a few times when that plan was around.
i asked my rep what the deal was he said anything PROMO restarts the contract.
and a few people from the COOS department stated that as well.
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 10:09 AM
Nope, that's a feature and doesn't involve a contract either.

There are only 4 ways to extend your contract:

1. Price plan change, not feature change
2. Equipment upgrade
3. Suspend with out billing
4. Accept renewal credit
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 8, 2006, 10:16 AM
Vatothe0 said:
Nope, that's a feature and doesn't involve a contract either.

There are only 4 ways to extend your contract:

1. Price plan change, not feature change
2. Equipment upgrade
3. Suspend with out billing
4. Accept renewal credit



and promo items. ANY of them.
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 10:20 AM
Nope. "IN" messaging is still a promo, VZ Nav free for a month is a promo, free VCast for a month is a promo as well. None of them affect the contract date because they are all features.

If you change from a 5000 N/W minute promo to unlimited, then yes there is a contract. That's because you can only get that kind of change with a price plan change.
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 8, 2006, 10:28 AM
oh. okay
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marufio

Jul 8, 2006, 2:10 PM
Thats stupid to be extended for so many reasons.
With Cingular if you get a new free phone your contract gets extended thats it i believe. Verizon sure knows how to make money.
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icanbeatali

Jul 8, 2006, 8:30 PM
Yeah right... go change your plan and see what happens... Cingy does it for all the same reasons and possibly even more. Sorry to burst your bubble.
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Crapbag

Jul 9, 2006, 6:26 PM
Thats not true. The only time your contract would be extended is if you were out of contract at the time you tried to change to a new rate plan. while in contract you can move around all you want. the only thing that suffers is you loose some roll over when moving to a lower plan. if you going to say something you should do a little reserch first. it makes you a little discreditable to just shoot stuff out.
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MacrossXP

Jul 9, 2006, 7:00 PM
You are right....you can move your rate plan up or down without an extension of your contract unless its a new plan in which this or that may be better. For example Verizon and cingular had the 19.99 and 14 add a line deal. If you changed your contact to a new rate plan they forced you to sign a new agreement, this was with both companies. You do need to watch whats being added on and off your phone service because any little thing can affect your contract, if you add a line it affects it. I have even ran into morons with Verizon stating you need to extend your contract or else...even had it happen recently when I changed my phone and paid full retail price for it. Another reason why I am leaving!

I am sure each company will be the same ...
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 10, 2006, 7:50 PM
cingular didnt 😛

i had the 79.99 plan 64.99 plus 14.99 and i switched to the 89.99 plan and nothing happened. i even asked the guy if i was extending my contract he said no.
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icanbeatali

Jul 10, 2006, 12:00 AM
I apoligize oh intelligent one. I didn't think that I had to investigate when I experienced in person what I said. Granted I wouldn't be suprised if the people I had delt with at Cingy were trying to f*ck me over, but if that's the case then we have a-whole-nother problem. Everytime I have requested a rate change I have been put under another contract. Well, I should say my mother has been put under another one. I manage her account for her, I am not dumb enough to sign up with them for my personal phone.
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 10, 2006, 7:51 PM
ewwwww good one call your momma bumb 🤣
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makeboardsnotbombs

Jul 10, 2006, 1:20 PM
Cingular will perform an 11 month contract extension if you change your rate plan after having the service for over one year. Now once you have fullfilled your original 24 month contract and are eligable to upgrade they will override the 11 month extension and start a new 24 month from the day of upgrade. They do not tack the 24 months onto the 11 month extension. I also like to watch myself flex in the mirror.
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cmiller828

Jul 12, 2006, 12:03 PM
while in contract you can move around all you want. the only thing that suffers is you loose some roll over when moving to a lower plan.


SOME rollover? I went from the 600 minute plan to the 450 and lost ALL of my rollover. The person at the store said it would be some, when I called customer service they said it would be ALL and the rep had no clue what he was doing.
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barryefau

Jul 10, 2006, 12:43 PM
COOS DEPT???.... haha I don't hardly think so, they don't add features to accounts. SFO'S don't extend your contract. If you change your price plan and it's an unwarranted extension then it will be reversed back... even though you shouldn't have to, sometimes you just need to call to get that fixed. So don't bit(h, take matters into your own hands and get it fixed.. hellO it's called an education people, lets go ahead and get one!
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doublebass6

Jul 10, 2006, 4:21 PM
The COOS dept. Does have the ability to add features upon request. (It's also faster to call them up for feature changes for lazy bums like me 😛 )
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barryefau

Jul 10, 2006, 4:23 PM
yes they do have the ablilty, but you're not suppose to call them for those types of requests.. 🙂 sooo u might wanna learn to do ur job 🤣
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 10, 2006, 7:59 PM
erose DOES go down every once in a while! how about when they cahnged to the new version WE DIDNT GET TRAINED UNTIL 3 weeks after we were using it. so WHO may wanna do their job now.

if your gonna be a smart@$$ atleast be good at it!
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barryefau

Jul 10, 2006, 11:58 PM
lol 🙂 there is no need to be angry.
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 11, 2006, 6:12 PM
😎 okay cool. sorry if i flipped man. ruff day 👀
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barryefau

Jul 11, 2006, 8:34 PM
👿 (evil) days suck 🙂
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RUFF1415

Jul 12, 2006, 1:25 AM
sowhatsowhat10 said:
ruff day 👀


Hmmm?
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 12, 2006, 9:12 AM
🤣

not that type sorry ruff 🤣
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RUFF1415

Jul 12, 2006, 12:49 PM
Haha, s'okay. 🙂
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 12, 2006, 2:09 PM
😎 cool
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doublebass6

Jul 17, 2006, 4:01 PM
We still haven't had any Fastpath training 🤣
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 17, 2006, 7:32 PM
🤣
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doublebass6

Jul 18, 2006, 9:54 AM
Lazy Reps, I'll tell ya 😛

I think we're getting a new one soon though! But for now, it's just easier to use the old system and play with Fastpath when customers have time to kill
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 10, 2006, 7:56 PM
barryefau said:
COOS DEPT???.... haha I don't hardly think so, they don't add features to accounts. SFO'S don't extend your contract. If you change your price plan and it's an unwarranted extension then it will be reversed back... even though you shouldn't have to, sometimes you just need to call to get that fixed. So don't bit(h, take matters into your own hands and get it fixed.. hellO it's called an education people, lets go ahead and get one!

and you need more education COOS does add features! and i'd believe them over anyone ANY day.

how'd you put it? lets see if i can be as dumb as you: "So don't bit(h, take matters into your own hands and get it fixed.. hellO it's called an education people, lets g...
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temp_name

Jul 8, 2006, 3:09 AM
If this were the true reason why people are sticking with Verizon why are they going to start prorating ETFs? To lose more customers???
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 8, 2006, 2:28 AM
Don't forget those people who don't do the math (like the previous post).

Waiting until January to leave when you are paying $100 a month for phones that you barely use?!

Just cancel, pay the ETF and go elsewhere.

You'll pay $350 to leave now, or $700 to stay through January. You don't even have to pay the ETF right then, they'll bill you.

It's customers like that who help the cell phone company's make money.

Plans and phones have nothing to do with this kind of thinking. It's either stupidity, laziness, ignorance, or a mix of all three.
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 2:31 AM
I'd rather they wait until January though. Helps my bonus. They'll show us! Wait 7 months, then leave! hahaahhaha

Thanks for the new rims....
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TinyJ316

Jul 8, 2006, 2:35 AM
wow... you're one of THOSE people...

🙄
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 2:48 AM
Clearly you drive an 85 Civic with 2 hubcaps that don't even match and a spare tire that's going bald.

As for my car, I'm not going to post a picture, but let's just say it looks A LOT like...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/SuperMario421/w ... »

You may resume hating...
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 8, 2006, 2:56 AM
HATE, HATE, HATE

Just kidding.

Like they say on the radio here

"Don't be a player hater, be a congratulater. And if you can, be a participator"
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TinyJ316

Jul 8, 2006, 2:57 AM
i don't give a damn what kind of car you drive. i drive a 2001 pontiac aztek, and it gets me from point a to point b. it may not turn heads, but it gets the job done...

and you missed my point entirely... if you're more concerned about not being forthright with people about their options, and want to make them pay more money to stay in a contract that they don't want to be in, then you sir are a wretched human being.

money is tight these days, and people will appreciate you more if you put things out on the table in ways they can understand...most importantly, their pocketbooks...

if you tell them that leaving a contract early will save them 500 bucks in the long run, they might be more inclined to do business with you again, just...
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 3:06 AM
Only a moron would sit and try to convice someone to disconnect their account right away. If you can't figure out on your own that it's cheaper, it's a stupidity tax. I try to tell people how to save money all the time and they argue with me about it so I give them one chance and then let them dig a deeper hole. I've offered half off overages as a customer courtesy and been told that's not good enough and to get a supervisor. Supervisor said it's valid and has to be paid in full or the account is suspended.

"Upping your plan $20 will save you over $200 in overages every month." "I'm not raising my bill!!! blah blah blah"

I'm done with it
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TinyJ316

Jul 8, 2006, 3:10 AM
thats an entirely different situation than ETFs based on a merger, or breaking contract.

if a person is on a 39.99 500 minute plan, and they use 1000 minutes a month, and aren't listening when you tell them to move up a plan to save them money, then yes, they deserve to pay it.

but when you're dealing with merger/buyout ETFs, the customer should be told and told again. because while it might be a little more work for you, the customer will appreciate it in the long run.
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jcoberg10

Jul 8, 2006, 12:21 PM
so if there ETF's are $350 Vs. $700 for service through january what are they gonna do for service through january???? yea that's right try $1,285 to cancel and then resign up with someone esle, activation, New equipment vs. $700 just to keep service and deal with it. What's cheaper now?
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TinyJ316

Jul 8, 2006, 1:28 PM
$1,285?!?!

number one, ETF is only $200, max. activation is $36 max. so unless they're paying $1049 for a new device, your numbers are wayyy off.

lets say that person switches over to sprint, and into the blade. and they go into a store to do it. they would get hit with $200 from whoever they're leaving for ETF, $36 from sprint for activation, and $150 for the phone tops on a 2 year, after rebates. that equals $386. unless you're figuring in the cost of monthly service into your equation...

🙄
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kumaclimber

Jul 8, 2006, 7:06 PM
I didn't know you could get a jag xk8 body kit for a ford pinto
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 8:43 PM
XKR actually...

The kit came with everything. Didn't even need a Pinto to start with...
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kumaclimber

Jul 11, 2006, 6:00 PM
nice to bad a pinto would be more reliable 🤣
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icanbeatali

Jul 8, 2006, 8:51 PM
go lick your balls.... who gives a flying f*ck what car you have. you should die a slow and painful death and let the intelligent people have good conversation in here.
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Vatothe0

Jul 8, 2006, 8:53 PM
Ok. If the adults are going to have a conversation though, you're going to need to leave the room.
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 8, 2006, 2:40 AM
Don't get me wrong, I have only had 1 or 2 people make that conclusion about thier service and actually do it (besides myself and my parents when we left VZW for Sprint and never looked back).

I like getting paid and it's not my fault if someone is too compulsive to think twice about what they are buying. It was my job to sell the service, not hand hold the customer through a sales transaction that honestly is not that confusing when you stop and think.

But that's what sales is all about, getting all you can from your customer. I never cheated anyone that I sold to and I told them everything about what was in the contract. I had the longest contract explanation of any of the other reps at my store, and the fewest complaints (only 1 ...
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MacrossXP

Jul 9, 2006, 7:04 PM
I have 5 lines with them! 2 our my personal lines and the other 3 are extended family that I had to add on just to use the service. I work for the industry so dont start throwing your words around when you dont have a clue...ignorance or stupidity on your case.

I was involved with the V710 lawsuit and paid full retail for the V3m bc I will get back over 300 for my v710. Thats why I am sticking with them to Jan!
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 9, 2006, 7:16 PM
Ok, thats cool. I personally can't stand Verizon. I was there when they had that POS T720, so I know all about getting a horrible phone from them and having them tell you it's great.

By the way, I am also in the industry, have been for about 3 years now. When I say something about cell phones it is because I have experience or research to back that up.

Now it you had put in the bit about you getting money back because of the V710, then I would have worded my post differently.

Don't get mad at me for what I said. I was replying to a post and all of the info that was in that post.

Oh well, no worries. I got away from Verizon a long time ago and you will soon enough. Lets all just be happy that we can someday say that we H...
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MacrossXP

Jul 10, 2006, 10:20 PM
I apologize for getting after you about the earlier post that was uncalled for and not deserved.

I love how the technology is growing by leaps and bounds. I have been in the industry for about 3-4 years now. I have had Verizon for 6 years now with 5 years being combined with 4 other people just to make it worth while. I use my Cingular 8125 for business use and my new V3m for personal. I know both sides of the spectrum and from where I live in the US Verizon has controlled the industry for a while but not any more....sick of the "verizon UI", tired of the you have to pay for everything and get nothing out of it service. Only just recently Verizon lowered there retail price for phones from being outragious to almost reasonable...example $...
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duckbutter

Jul 11, 2006, 3:50 PM
Please tell me you have other reasons for hating verizon than just the 720. I completely agree that phone was garbage, but I have loved every other phone that I have before and after that turd. Thats cool if there are other reasons that is your opinion, just hoping you weren't basing it on one phone.
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 11, 2006, 4:04 PM
Not only that phone. I would drop calls all the time at my house, but t-mobile and sprint work at my house fine.

I told them at 3 different stores that my phone wasn't working right. They would give me some be about not understanding how to work my phone. Going as far as to say that I didn't know how to dial a number.

I would call customer service about the dropped calls and they would tell me that I didn't know what I was talking about. Even when I told them that other companies worked fine they still said that I was doing something wrong.

I live in Phoenix, not near any big buildings or mountains and probably about 20 miles from the open desert. There should be covereage there. All of the VZ stores said so.

My mom, dad, a...
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MacrossXP

Jul 11, 2006, 6:16 PM
I never said the V710 was bad...infact that phone is actually better in some areas then the V3m. I have reasons why I am leaving Verizon but the V710 wasn't one of them.

I have a 512mb and 256 tf card that I could play full length movies on the v710 with after compression..just tired of the verizon bs that I have to deal with over and over again..and they aren't the only ones I am sure.
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GetMeOuttaHere

Jul 10, 2006, 1:02 PM
1st of all, whe I call cingular to talk about my phone bill, I am usually on hold for about 20 minutes at a time, and usually get transferred about 4 times until I am connected with a customer service rep who can ACTUALLY HELP.

I am a Verizon rep, and the statement that our answer to EVERYTHING is to "call and call and call" is incorrect. No one in my store uses that for an answer. Not EVER. So Do not accuse all reps of something based on your one bad experience.
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MacrossXP

Jul 10, 2006, 10:08 PM
When you stand in line for 45min waiting for someone to help you because there is a 3 person wait...over and over again ITS TRUE! 1 bad experience? Chalk it up to EVERY TIME you walk into the place! I would rather not deal with customer care once so ever but there are times you need to...I cringe if I have an issue for the simple fact that its not an enjoyable experience...

and whats a Verizon rep using cingular anyways? Tells you something right there!
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MacrossXP

Jul 10, 2006, 10:25 PM
I am not saying there that Verizon is the only 1 and Cingular or Sprint or whomever is much better but no company should be better then the people they serve no matter who they are! Customers drive the industry but it seems that the bottom line drives the companies..thats unfortunate!
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thatguy_overthere

Jul 11, 2006, 4:00 AM
At my store (Sprint) there is usually a 30 to 45 minute wait to see someone. But that's because there might be 15 to 20 people in line. And that's with 6 reps on the floor ( we have only 6 work stations). We're the only store within 15 miles and on 3 sides of us are some of the fastest growing parts of the city (phoenix)

Having to wait that long because of a bunch of people isn't bad.

Having to wait because of 3 people shows a lack of motivation to help. By the way, I have also experienced this at the 3 or 4 different VZW stores that I had dealings with when I was with them.

Can't really say about Cingular, they haven't been here as long.

Verizon rep using Cingular. Wow. I had to use t-mobile for 2 months when I started ...
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GetMeOuttaHere

Jul 12, 2006, 1:20 PM
"Verizon rep using Cingular. Wow. I had to use t-mobile for 2 months when I started at Sprint, but that's because it WAS cheaper to keep that for 2 months than to cancel it."


i have cingular because I am waiting for my contract to end. Right now it is cheaper to stay with cingular because of a government discount I am getting, and too expensive to break my contract. Verizon will be my chosen carrier by october.
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GetMeOuttaHere

Jul 12, 2006, 1:17 PM
In response:

We keep our store staffed enough that we have no 45 minute waits. If thoses happen, they are a result of bad management and even worse staffing. As far as myself having cingular at the current point in time, I am waiting for my contract to end. I do not have the $$ to break contract early and set up my dealer line as of yet. I could have sworn I partially explained that. Perhaps in your ranting and raving, you overlooked that part of my message. Have a nice day. 😁
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RUFF1415

Jul 8, 2006, 12:00 AM
That's very true, but Cingular has been inching up on Verizon's industry low churn rate since the merge. Cingular has the second lowest churn rate in the industry.

I just don't see how that pans out if supposedly so many people experienced problems with their AT&T service after the merge.

It sounds like a case of consumer greed to me.
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sowhatsowhat10

Jul 8, 2006, 9:27 AM
RUFF1415 said:

"It sounds like a case of consumer greed to me."

when i saw that i thought of the peoples court.


at&t customers are mad but cingular say's..................it sounds like a case of........................................... ..................customer.......greed. (dant dant, dant danant).

court is now in session.
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RUFF1415

Jul 8, 2006, 12:19 PM
Actually, a former AT&T Wireless customer says it sounds like a case of consumer greed.

These people are ridiculous.
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Portlander16

Jul 8, 2006, 12:56 AM
😈 Thats because Verizon locks you in contract after contract want to change your plan contract extension, want to upgrade your phone contract extension, bla bla bla, need help with your phone you need a new one so lets add another contract on top of that soon its a 4 to 5 year contract.
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jcoberg10

Jul 8, 2006, 12:24 PM
the longest you can be in contract is 24 months PERIOD! and they offer a 90 day grace that you can even take new promo's with out contract. at any time you can change within your promo to a different plan no contract.
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mekong77

Jul 8, 2006, 2:17 PM
🙄 🙄 🙄

This has to be the dumbest post I have heard all year. I haven't even posted on this site since back in February, but this one begged for me to comment...

There have been a lot of people in various forums recently complining about incorrect information being given to people who don't know much about wireless, but come on here to try and get clarification...

I am a first amendment advocate and I'm all for free speech, but if you are going to comment, at least TRY to be accurate...

For anyone who is not that familiar with the industry, you will NEVER have to sign a contract with ANY carrier for more than 24 months (Verizon offerers 36 month contracts in some cases for additional equipment or calling plan di...
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SkillciaX

Jul 8, 2006, 3:18 PM
What constitutes a contract renewal even being up for argument explains a whole lot that the company is shady... A customer should never be confused about what will and will not extend a contract.

Regardless.. the only thing that should extend a contract is upgrading your phone, or switching to a promotional plan.

However... companys extend your contract..

a. switching your plan/features after the 1st intial 3 months of your contract.
b. upgrading your phone.

Other than that.. I don't believe there is anything else that would extend a contract.
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burger_with_fries81

Jul 10, 2006, 9:37 AM


What constitutes a contract renewal even being up for argument explains a whole lot that the company is shady... A customer should never be confused about what will and will not extend a contract.



It's all in writing in at least one form, sometimes two (contract and often a customer service summary). If a customer is doing something to their account that might extend their agreement, perhaps they should ASK the carrier if making such a change would extend their contract hmmm?
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icanbeatali

Jul 8, 2006, 8:44 PM
well said.... almost brought a tear to my eye.

my favorite people are the people that get in here and complain about new contracts for upgrading their phones. I guess people expect wireless companies to be non-profit organizations. They are "service providers"... not the comsumers b*tch.

I think that all stupid people should be eaten by a bear, or at least play in traffic at rush hour.
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SkillciaX

Jul 9, 2006, 8:52 AM
"They are "service providers"... not the comsumers b*tch."

yeah no kidding... Customers just don't understand that activation fees, and contracts are standard for everyone! The come up here at work and they're like "what I have to pay an activation fee" When they have a cell phone in their hand... Or people will come up and say crazy things like "I heard cingular will eat up the remaining contract if I switch to them"

um... excuse me... If any carrier just ate up a remaining contract... Then you wouldn't of had to sign a contract in the first place! No carrier is going to take a $175+ cancellation fee hit for someone that could very well leave them too, and expect not to pay them a cancellation fee.
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Crapbag

Jul 9, 2006, 6:41 PM
I've heard this as well and constantly debunking this rumor. the etf is there simply to cover the cost of the equipment that you got at a discounted rate for using our service. a two year contract is a companies way of recovering that cost.
I think a lot of this confusion comes from the fact that cingular doesn't extend contracts unless you are getting new equipment at contract price or changing your rate plan after a contract has expired. at no time during your contract will cingular penalize you for changing your plan or features.
Of course there would be a contract extention when you do an upgrade. its a providers way of recovering there lost cash!
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icanbeatali

Jul 10, 2006, 12:12 AM
its not just phone costs. it costs carriers tons of money to add customers... its there to make sure that "all" the money they invested in a customer will be returned... not just equipment.
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