Can someone really explain???
What is the $18 charge for the upgrade for? For real not because or any of that crap.
You had me the box and expect me to change the SIM. I can go into the web sight myself and change what phone I have.
BTW Cingular is only 57 Million strong because of the AT&T acquisition not because they recruited that many people. (Can you hear my disdain?)
You had me the box and expect me to change the SIM. I can go into the web sight myself and change what phone I have.
BTW Cingular is only 57 Million strong because of the AT&T acquisition not because they recruited that many people. (Can you hear my disdain?)
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If you are going into any store and the rep just "hands" you a box, you should report that person as that is not how we do things. You can go to the website and change the phone you have if you want to. An upgrade fee covers just that, an upgrade. If you wish not to be charged the $18 upgrade fee you are more than welcome to pay retail price for the phone, put the sim in yourself and get the correct imei on your acct by yourself. I am not sure what phone you upgraded to, but there is quite a difference in the price between what you paid and the retail price. If the $18 is too much for you then I would venture a guess that the above stated price difference would be well above your means.
Thank You for your concerns and please visit us again!...
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Thank You for your concerns and please visit us again!...
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We do, its just in a differnt section of the bill and you dont have to pay for it up front.
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ok, this is how it works, fast doesnt mean free...check out mcdonalds or any other chain resturant...your IMEI and SIM number are known by ever location that you've ever been to...if you went back to that location with a different SIM or IMEI and we hadnt updated it, then your phone would stop functioning, sadly most of this 18 dollar fee is for this update...the reason its so costly..is because we have security checks out the wazzo because of fraud...and so there are a lot of things that makes sure your phone is actually your phone
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fallen552 said:
ok, this is how it works, fast doesnt mean free...check out mcdonalds or any other chain resturant...your IMEI and SIM number are known by ever location that you've ever been to...if you went back to that location with a different SIM or IMEI and we hadnt updated it, then your phone would stop functioning, sadly most of this 18 dollar fee is for this update...the reason its so costly..is because we have security checks out the wazzo because of fraud...and so there are a lot of things that makes sure your phone is actually your phone
Different sim that wasn't updated, yes, you're right. Different IMEI doesn't matter. The network doesn't care what IMEI you have. That's why with GSM you can...
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the IMEI isnt widely used in verification processes true..however it is used as a secondary check for fraud and data issues, as well as IRDB updates...
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Are you done?
Fees help pad the bottom line. They help cover costs of doing business no longer covered by falling monthly revenue.
And your argument is stale.
Verizon is only as big as they are due to a merger.
Sprint is only as big as they are due to a nmerger.
Deal with it.
Fees help pad the bottom line. They help cover costs of doing business no longer covered by falling monthly revenue.
And your argument is stale.
Verizon is only as big as they are due to a merger.
Sprint is only as big as they are due to a nmerger.
Deal with it.
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If you don't like it choose another option or another carrier. This is the good ole USA, you have that freedom.
I also have the freedom to say you are full of B.S. and your arguments indicate you simply are just pissed off and want to be vengeful.
I also have the freedom to say you are full of B.S. and your arguments indicate you simply are just pissed off and want to be vengeful.
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texaswireless said:
I also have the freedom to say you are full of B.S. and your arguments indicate you simply are just pissed off and want to be vengeful.
While I am not of fan of Not_Thrilleds kind of childish approach.. You have got to admit its a little frustrating to consumers getting charged a fee for what some cingular folks are admitting is for no other reason except to pad the bottom line. Kind of like leasing a car and taking it back and reupping and they throw in a 500 dollar "upgrade fee" Most smart consumers would laugh at the dealer as they walk out the door..But car dealerships Don't do that. That is because there are several comparable car manufacturers.
There are basically 3 National...
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There's a flaw in your analogy. Leasing a car isn't at all like purchasing equipment. In a lease you pay a monthly rate for a set number of months, and if you choose to buy it at the end of the lease you pay the balance due.
Cell phone companies let people purchase (own) cell phones for less than what they pay for them in order for service. If they choose not to renew at the end of their contract or renew and get a new phone they still own that original handset.
There are no fees for purchasing a handset at retail.
Furthermore, there are paperwork fees when you buy a car. It's usually about $50.
Cell phone companies let people purchase (own) cell phones for less than what they pay for them in order for service. If they choose not to renew at the end of their contract or renew and get a new phone they still own that original handset.
There are no fees for purchasing a handset at retail.
Furthermore, there are paperwork fees when you buy a car. It's usually about $50.
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There is a reason wireless retailers fail more than restaurants. Very few people undertand the back end of our business. They think they can compare this industry to many others and ask "but why can't you ..."
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Alright.. "insert precisely similar analogy here " It still does not mitigate the validity of my other points. I understand what a loss leader is, I understand capital expenditures etc etc I know the Cell Business model..
As for you're point about the paperwork fees there are two issue I have with it.. first 18$ tacked onto 300 is quite different than 50$ tacked onto the purchase of a 40K vehicle.. and furthermore you ,the consumer, do not want to fill out all that paperwork, it would be extremely time consuming and probably required by law to be filled out correctly for registration/transfer of title ( which you cannot do without a notary, which by the way actually costs money) etc etc. For me to switch phones? Not that big a deal at a...
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As for you're point about the paperwork fees there are two issue I have with it.. first 18$ tacked onto 300 is quite different than 50$ tacked onto the purchase of a 40K vehicle.. and furthermore you ,the consumer, do not want to fill out all that paperwork, it would be extremely time consuming and probably required by law to be filled out correctly for registration/transfer of title ( which you cannot do without a notary, which by the way actually costs money) etc etc. For me to switch phones? Not that big a deal at a...
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When I perform an upgrade for a customer, guess what I do?
Paperwork.
I have to keep that paperwork on file for seven years, even if you cancel within 30 days. If I don't fill it out correctly, it's not acceptable. If you do it online, you have to call in and accept the terms. That IVR information is also saved and stored.
Come do my job for a few months and then complain about the $18.
Paperwork.
I have to keep that paperwork on file for seven years, even if you cancel within 30 days. If I don't fill it out correctly, it's not acceptable. If you do it online, you have to call in and accept the terms. That IVR information is also saved and stored.
Come do my job for a few months and then complain about the $18.
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lol.. touche, I am sure it does suck working at a store and even worse in a call center.. but you know what? Perhaps if you dislike customer service and it seems like many of Cell company employees do, perhaps its time to find another liine of work.. perhaps something with a tagline of "The toilets are clean boss"
Your attitude tells me why cell phone companies are widely regarded to be the worst to deal with customer service wise.
Your attitude tells me why cell phone companies are widely regarded to be the worst to deal with customer service wise.
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Don't assume I don't like my job. I love my job. I hate taking vacations because it takes me away from my work. What I'm saying is that I deserve the $18 fee for what I do and the service I provide. That's my service, not Cingular's service. It angers me that I see nothing of that fee. It also angers me that people who don't work inside the industry think they know how it works. I deal with consumers every day. It's rare to meet one person a day who actually has a grasp on how things work and why they are that way.
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Well,
T-Mobile is already a national carrier. That is four choices. Second, cellular service pricing has been dropping at huge rates each and every year since the mid 90's. Revenue per customer is falling while network spending and call center spending continues to rise due to the increased customer base. The $18 fee has been around since the inception of Cingular, long before they were the market leader and could "strongarm" anyone.
As I stated in my original reply, it helps cover the costs of doing business. Whether people realize it or not SOMEONE touches your phone when you upgrade. There IS a cost of completing said upgrade. If you want to buy your phone and put in a new sim without signing a new agreement there is upfront ...
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T-Mobile is already a national carrier. That is four choices. Second, cellular service pricing has been dropping at huge rates each and every year since the mid 90's. Revenue per customer is falling while network spending and call center spending continues to rise due to the increased customer base. The $18 fee has been around since the inception of Cingular, long before they were the market leader and could "strongarm" anyone.
As I stated in my original reply, it helps cover the costs of doing business. Whether people realize it or not SOMEONE touches your phone when you upgrade. There IS a cost of completing said upgrade. If you want to buy your phone and put in a new sim without signing a new agreement there is upfront ...
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We sure do have some good rates.. but we also get service that leaves something to be desired.. I would imagine that the number of Dead spots in NYC which is substantial with all networks in the US is far and away greater than the number in say.. Tokyo Japan.. which has even more pop. density.. You get what you pay for.. 😉
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I think only T-Mobile isn't the result of a merger? I could be wrong though
And as for your question why does Cingular charge an $18 upgrade fee?
The answer: Because they can. People pay it.
And as for your question why does Cingular charge an $18 upgrade fee?
The answer: Because they can. People pay it.
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T-mobile is only here because they bought voicestream and i think some other small companies.
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They charge an 18 dollar fee to upgrade your phone? is that with a contract re-up?
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Verizon wireless's merger was how long ago? you just cant deal that they add more NEW customers over cingy, and im not talkin resales either! every company has an upgrade fee also deal with it
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hmm.. well first off I said nothing about VZW - I personally thinnk they are horrendous. as a matter of fact I have gotten 6 people to make the switch from VZW to Cingy.. and I was looking for clarification on when this upgrade fee is charged- I remember switching from ATT to Cingy being charged the silly fee but I don't recall getting it any other time.. and I have had a lot of phones. That was my question. Can a cingular service rep please tell me when the 18$"upgrade" fee is applicable?
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trex212121 said:
Verizon wireless's merger was how long ago? you just cant deal that they add more NEW customers over cingy, and im not talkin resales either! every company has an upgrade fee also deal with it
🙄 Why do people like to just generally state "every company..." w/o actually even knowing? What other company has an upgrade fee?
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Icyhot said:
Nextel for one, $36.....how's that $18 fee looking now???
Wow. When did Nextel become ALL carriers? It seems like they might want to fix their merger with SprintPCS before acquiring every other company.
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Hold on. You said "What other company charges an upgrade fee". I replied with Nextel. Now you change your stance to "When did Nextel become ALL carriers". You said name one, and I did. Verizon does as well. I'm sure if Cingular, Verizon and Nextel charge an upgrade fee, all carriers presumably do.
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Alright!! Everyone switch to Alltel and save $18...I think Cingular's network is $18 better than Alltel's network....
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I never said that alltel's network was better. Just that they don't have an upgrade fee.
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And I never said every carrier had one. Just pointed out the ones I am aware of. To be honest, if NONE of them but Cingular charged one, I would not switch. I like Cingular too much.
$18 every 2 years = about 2.5 pennies a day. If that breaks me, I need a new job...
$18 every 2 years = about 2.5 pennies a day. If that breaks me, I need a new job...
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As usual the Cingular puds are in there with no answer other than the stand because it is to do this or that or what ever. Man just $18 to the phone.
It's a friking cost of doing business to make the what 1 minute of changes that need to be done. I love the iemi comment. Doesn't that follow the SIM? I never called them when I changed my last phone that aq Cingular rep gave me.
You CSR's crack me up with your stellar knowledge.
It's a friking cost of doing business to make the what 1 minute of changes that need to be done. I love the iemi comment. Doesn't that follow the SIM? I never called them when I changed my last phone that aq Cingular rep gave me.
You CSR's crack me up with your stellar knowledge.
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So how come you won't man up and reply to me? I answered your question yet you decide to rip everyone else?
Get a life man.
Get a life man.
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Icyhot said:
Hold on. You said "What other company charges an upgrade fee". I replied with Nextel. Now you change your stance to "When did Nextel become ALL carriers". You said name one, and I did. Verizon does as well. I'm sure if Cingular, Verizon and Nextel charge an upgrade fee, all carriers presumably do.
Do you know what you do when you assume? 😛 Anyway, T-Mobile doesn't, either.
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I do know what you do when you assume, but if you would be so kind as to show me where I said "assume"........
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The $18 upgrade fee is applicable any time you would upgrade your phone. Even when you upgrade your phone through customer care, through the web on cingular.com, anywhere you upgrade the phone there is an upgrade fee. That's simply what it is ... another fee they charge because they can.
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yeah verizon does it to, not saying that to agree with the practice i think it is bs for both companies. I guess you get out of paying the activation fee that a new customer pays but they still get some out of you. I remember about 5 years ago we used to charge more for equipment on upgrades and less on new acts, that seemed to make people even more pissed so the upgrade fee helped that for the most part. Ne2 helps in this area for verizon, but yeah upgrade fees are bs, you are paying them money so you may have the privelage to resign a contract...doesn't seem right.
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