Comments on: Cingular Online really SUCKS http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/ Internet & Technology Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Anti-Rachel http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/#comment-583358 The Anti-Rachel Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:02:30 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=896#comment-583358 Rachel is why us decent folk can't get good customer service. Being a customer service rep myself, if someone dunked their phone in the toilet and then had the audacity to think her ex-customer self was able to threaten my job, I would promptly re-activate her account on the spot adding all the features, including some that were redundant. Anyways, after reading this entire pitiful thread, I think people are missing a fundamental point that is being made. DO NOT sign contacts people! Period! Anytime you're doing business as an individual and are: a) asked to sign a contact b) forced to let someone auto-draft from your bank account ... you are guaranteed to get screwed. Especially the b) point. If you don't have the gumption to write a check every month then you are too dangerous to be in command of a debit card anyways. Just give up. As for point a), when you go to a restaraunt, do they make you sign a contact saying you will come there and eat $80 worth of food every month whether you're hungry or not, whether the food sucks or not, or whether they treat you like crap? That would be absurd wouldn't it? All the other point-of-purchase retailers put their reputation on the line with every single contact they have with you. If a restaraunt serves you crappy food, they know it might be the last meal they ever serve you. Companies that use contracts aren't bound by these rules, and why should they be? They only need to maintain quality of service up to the point where you sign the contract, then you languish for TWO years (you idiots). Speaking of that, think about it... TWO YEARS. Whats so special about their chinese trinket cell phones (purchased by them for about $12 in bulk) that allows them to lure suckers in for TWO YEARS and thousands of dollars just you can gab on the phone while taking a crap or driving a car? People are pitiful. My advice, get a PRE-PAID cell phone. $20 at Best Buy, and just as long as you use a little discretion (i.e. use your home phone when at home, even if you are inconvenienced with a 10 foot walk across the living room to pick it up) it will cost you much less. PLUS, since the phones are $20 and there's no contacts, they actually work at keeping you as a customer. You can walk away from one of these phones if you receive bad service. Rachel is why us decent folk can’t get good customer service. Being a customer service rep myself, if someone dunked their phone in the toilet and then had the audacity to think her ex-customer self was able to threaten my job, I would promptly re-activate her account on the spot adding all the features, including some that were redundant.

Anyways, after reading this entire pitiful thread, I think people are missing a fundamental point that is being made. DO NOT sign contacts people! Period! Anytime you’re doing business as an individual and are:

a) asked to sign a contact
b) forced to let someone auto-draft from your bank account

… you are guaranteed to get screwed. Especially the b) point. If you don’t have the gumption to write a check every month then you are too dangerous to be in command of a debit card anyways. Just give up.

As for point a), when you go to a restaraunt, do they make you sign a contact saying you will come there and eat $80 worth of food every month whether you’re hungry or not, whether the food sucks or not, or whether they treat you like ****? That would be absurd wouldn’t it? All the other point-of-purchase retailers put their reputation on the line with every single contact they have with you. If a restaraunt serves you crappy food, they know it might be the last meal they ever serve you. Companies that use contracts aren’t bound by these rules, and why should they be? They only need to maintain quality of service up to the point where you sign the contract, then you languish for TWO years (you idiots). Speaking of that, think about it… TWO YEARS. Whats so special about their chinese trinket cell phones (purchased by them for about $12 in bulk) that allows them to lure suckers in for TWO YEARS and thousands of dollars just you can gab on the phone while taking a **** or driving a car? People are pitiful.

My advice, get a PRE-PAID cell phone. $20 at Best Buy, and just as long as you use a little discretion (i.e. use your home phone when at home, even if you are inconvenienced with a 10 foot walk across the living room to pick it up) it will cost you much less. PLUS, since the phones are $20 and there’s no contacts, they actually work at keeping you as a customer. You can walk away from one of these phones if you receive bad service.

]]> By: Tuff http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/#comment-561395 Tuff Tue, 10 Apr 2007 12:31:51 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=896#comment-561395 You all sound like a bunch of babies. I would still like to see this pink sunshine chick, she sounds hot. Rachel would probably talk the whole time we were at it. You all sound like a bunch of babies. I would still like to see this pink sunshine chick, she sounds hot. Rachel would probably talk the whole time we were at it.

]]> By: JON http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/#comment-490992 JON Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:47:24 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=896#comment-490992 I've had some bad CS from Cingular and excessive billing statements. AND when I try to correct my over billing its still EXCESSIVE compare to what it should be 200+ compare to the original $80. I would also like to note that Cingular's Blackberry tether Internet plan for 74.99 is as bad as Dialup in speed and for simple websites(dell.com, ibm.com, wellsfargo.com) the internet DOESNT WORK. Suppously I'm at 115.2KBps but it REALLY be about 10KBps. My personal favorite memory is when i paid my bill at the cingular store with a credit card and the next billing statement stated that i own them a 0.01, a penny, from the last month. They denied that they did anything wrong, or that it doesnt make SENSE, lucky i found the recipe. Lets go over again whats wrong with Cingular Wireless... - Poor Customer Support(45 minute waits for 2 minute answers) - Excessive Billing(lawsuit waiting to happen) - Internet tether is fraudulently stating internet speeds(lawsuit waiting to happen) - Cingular is in DENIAL of any wrong doing( emotional problems lol) BTW, T-mobile has unlimited full internet on their Sidekicks for only $30 bucks a month with optional minutes. Cinuglar its $50 for Blackberry plus a mandated calling plan, easily combine cost of $120. Don't go with Cinuglar. I rather have a few dropped calls, which happens to every network. I said my peace. I’ve had some bad CS from Cingular and excessive billing statements. AND when I try to correct my over billing its still EXCESSIVE compare to what it should be 200+ compare to the original $80. I would also like to note that Cingular’s Blackberry tether Internet plan for 74.99 is as bad as Dialup in speed and for simple websites(dell.com, ibm.com, wellsfargo.com) the internet DOESNT WORK. Suppously I’m at 115.2KBps but it REALLY be about 10KBps. My personal favorite memory is when i paid my bill at the cingular store with a credit card and the next billing statement stated that i own them a 0.01, a penny, from the last month. They denied that they did anything wrong, or that it doesnt make SENSE, lucky i found the recipe.

Lets go over again whats wrong with Cingular Wireless…
- Poor Customer Support(45 minute waits for 2 minute answers)
- Excessive Billing(lawsuit waiting to happen)
- Internet tether is fraudulently stating internet speeds(lawsuit waiting to happen)
- Cingular is in DENIAL of any wrong doing( emotional problems lol)

BTW, T-mobile has unlimited full internet on their Sidekicks for only $30 bucks a month with optional minutes. Cinuglar its $50 for Blackberry plus a mandated calling plan, easily combine cost of $120.

Don’t go with Cinuglar. I rather have a few dropped calls, which happens to every network. I said my peace.

]]> By: Rachel http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/#comment-481047 Rachel Wed, 07 Mar 2007 23:14:54 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=896#comment-481047 Please, take my advice and GET OUT NOW! I had AWFUL service, so I cancelled. *First Phone Call* I spoke with this sickly sweet girl named Candy (what an appropriate name). I explained to Candy that my service was horrible and that I wasn't getting voicemails or phone calls when I was in Jacksonville or Birmingham and seeing as I am there most of the time, that wasn't going to work. I explained the whole someone trying to get in touch with me because they were having a baby and needed me to drive them to the hospital story... she said I could return the phone, no problemo. I was skeptical, and she didn't seem to be playing with a full deck, so I called customer service about an hour later *Second Phone Call* I spoke with Vonnie, who had a had this deep, overly sexual voice. Maybe before Cingular customer service he had been a phone sex operator. Anyhow, I asked him to read back what Candy (I bet she spells it 'Candi,' she seemed like one of those)had noted on my account. He did and reiterated the fact that I would not be charged a dime. He just told me to go bring the phone to the Cingular store. So, after switching to Verizon (which is a million times better, I might add) I head to the store. And if you've ever been to a Cingular store (this one, being the epitome of the Cingular store experience) and dealt with those people, you know what kind of torture it is.. *Store Visit* I go in the store and of course there is a wait and some of the "customer service" agents sitting around doing nothing. After watching some poor old man get suckered into buying the latest and greatest phone because his phone had stopped working and knowing that he will never use 75% of the features that phone has on it, it was my turn... I get this little ray of sunshine named Julie. Let's just say customer service is not her forte... I'm not really sure what is, but since I try to see the good in everyone, I will assume there's something positive about this woman tucked away somewhere. Anyhow, I tell her I have cancelled my service, and that's when the claws came out. She grabbed the phone from me and dismantles it. She shows me this little red dot and claims that the phone had 'water damage.' I have had a phone take a bath before, and I would have known if my phone had been submerged in water. How am I to know she didn't lick her finger and touch the damn little dot herself? (Trust me, I wouldn't put it past these people). So after explaining that no, I had no idea that dot was there and no, I was not aware my phone went for a swim (that dot could have been red from day one, I wouldn't have known), I was told I couldn't get my money back, but that I was "one lucky little girl for not being charged anything." Julie is lucky she still has a job after calling me "one lucky little girl." But it's fine, as long as I never have to deal with you people again... my Verizon phone rings (it's my Daddy) and as I get up and walk at the door, free of the Cingular bondage, I tell him what FANTASTIC service I am getting with Verizon and how wonderful my phone is... *Three Months Later* I get online, pay some bills, and check my account balance... overdrawn by 80 bucks. After having a minor panic attack, I call Suntrust to find out what a mysterious $233 charge on my account is... my jaw hits the floor when they tell me Cingular. At this point, I am madder than hell, but have to wait 'til the next day to call them. I call and speak to Erica, a nice woman, kind of plain, probably lives alone with 15 cats and likes to cross stitch trite sayings on pillows, of which she has about 100. She tells me she will call the Cingular store and get back with me. I am doubtful I will ever hear from Erica again, but I let it go. I call this morning and speak with Yvette (which happens to be the name of the claims adjuster who was fired for not handling my car accident case in a timely manner... just my luck). Oh, let me tell you, Yvette is a real GEM. She tells me that the charge is for 'liquefied damages.' Kinda obscure, don't you think? Well I did, so I asked her to explain to me in detail what these charges were for, exactly... she then tells me that 'liquefied damages' mean that the phone CAME INTO CONTACT WITH LIQUID. Well, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. I decided that explaining what liquefied damages really means would be a lost cause and resorted to beating my head against a wall, which is probably more productive. Next, I ask her to remove my bank account information from their computer system. She tells me that's not allowed, which bought her a front and center ticket to hell hath no fury like Rachel. I explained to her that I supplied Cingular that information and she WILL remove it at my request or I will have her job by 5 p.m. today (it had some colorful language and embellishments that I will refrain from repeating, after all, I am a lady). Well, apparently she heard that little message loud and clear and took my account information off. She said that someone would call me back today about the matter (they better). I asked her for copies of all information about my account, and she told me I had to have a subpoena to obtain such records (odd, that I can't have records on my OWN account?) Whatever happened to the customer comes first? Or is right for that matter... I imagine that in hell the only cell phone service provider is Cingular, which makes hell an even more frightening concept than I ever imagined... How does one little person stand up for herself against the mass conglomerate (dare I say monopoly?) that is Cingular, AT&T, and Bellsouth? I suppose I will await my phone call from the always delightful Erica. Please, take my advice and GET OUT NOW! I had AWFUL service, so I cancelled.
*First Phone Call*
I spoke with this sickly sweet girl named Candy (what an appropriate name). I explained to Candy that my service was horrible and that I wasn’t getting voicemails or phone calls when I was in Jacksonville or Birmingham and seeing as I am there most of the time, that wasn’t going to work. I explained the whole someone trying to get in touch with me because they were having a baby and needed me to drive them to the hospital story… she said I could return the phone, no problemo. I was skeptical, and she didn’t seem to be playing with a full deck, so I called customer service about an hour later
*Second Phone Call*
I spoke with Vonnie, who had a had this deep, overly sexual voice. Maybe before Cingular customer service he had been a phone *** operator. Anyhow, I asked him to read back what Candy (I bet she spells it ‘Candi,’ she seemed like one of those)had noted on my account. He did and reiterated the fact that I would not be charged a dime. He just told me to go bring the phone to the Cingular store. So, after switching to Verizon (which is a million times better, I might add) I head to the store. And if you’ve ever been to a Cingular store (this one, being the epitome of the Cingular store experience) and dealt with those people, you know what kind of torture it is..
*Store Visit*
I go in the store and of course there is a wait and some of the "customer service" agents sitting around doing nothing. After watching some poor old man get suckered into buying the latest and greatest phone because his phone had stopped working and knowing that he will never use 75% of the features that phone has on it, it was my turn… I get this little ray of sunshine named Julie. Let’s just say customer service is not her forte… I’m not really sure what is, but since I try to see the good in everyone, I will assume there’s something positive about this woman tucked away somewhere. Anyhow, I tell her I have cancelled my service, and that’s when the claws came out. She grabbed the phone from me and dismantles it. She shows me this little red dot and claims that the phone had ‘water damage.’ I have had a phone take a bath before, and I would have known if my phone had been submerged in water. How am I to know she didn’t lick her finger and touch the damn little dot herself? (Trust me, I wouldn’t put it past these people). So after explaining that no, I had no idea that dot was there and no, I was not aware my phone went for a swim (that dot could have been red from day one, I wouldn’t have known), I was told I couldn’t get my money back, but that I was "one lucky little girl for not being charged anything." Julie is lucky she still has a job after calling me "one lucky little girl." But it’s fine, as long as I never have to deal with you people again… my Verizon phone rings (it’s my Daddy) and as I get up and walk at the door, free of the Cingular bondage, I tell him what FANTASTIC service I am getting with Verizon and how wonderful my phone is…
*Three Months Later*
I get online, pay some bills, and check my account balance… overdrawn by 80 bucks. After having a minor panic attack, I call Suntrust to find out what a mysterious $233 charge on my account is… my jaw hits the floor when they tell me Cingular. At this point, I am madder than hell, but have to wait ’til the next day to call them. I call and speak to Erica, a nice woman, kind of plain, probably lives alone with 15 cats and likes to cross stitch trite sayings on pillows, of which she has about 100. She tells me she will call the Cingular store and get back with me. I am doubtful I will ever hear from Erica again, but I let it go. I call this morning and speak with Yvette (which happens to be the name of the claims adjuster who was fired for not handling my car accident case in a timely manner… just my luck). Oh, let me tell you, Yvette is a real GEM. She tells me that the charge is for ‘liquefied damages.’ Kinda obscure, don’t you think? Well I did, so I asked her to explain to me in detail what these charges were for, exactly… she then tells me that ‘liquefied damages’ mean that the phone CAME INTO CONTACT WITH LIQUID. Well, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I decided that explaining what liquefied damages really means would be a lost cause and resorted to beating my head against a wall, which is probably more productive. Next, I ask her to remove my bank account information from their computer system. She tells me that’s not allowed, which bought her a front and center ticket to hell hath no fury like Rachel. I explained to her that I supplied Cingular that information and she WILL remove it at my request or I will have her job by 5 p.m. today (it had some colorful language and embellishments that I will refrain from repeating, after all, I am a lady). Well, apparently she heard that little message loud and clear and took my account information off. She said that someone would call me back today about the matter (they better). I asked her for copies of all information about my account, and she told me I had to have a subpoena to obtain such records (odd, that I can’t have records on my OWN account?)

Whatever happened to the customer comes first?
Or is right for that matter…

I imagine that in hell the only cell phone service provider is Cingular, which makes hell an even more frightening concept than I ever imagined…

How does one little person stand up for herself against the mass conglomerate (dare I say monopoly?) that is Cingular, AT&T, and Bellsouth?

I suppose I will await my phone call from the always delightful Erica.

]]> By: William, Oh William http://elliottback.com/wp/cingular-online-really-sucks/#comment-426106 William, Oh William Sun, 11 Feb 2007 02:59:41 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=896#comment-426106 Howdey Folks- I am a new CSR for Cingular at the new call center in Albuq., and since I have three call centers under my belt- this should be- after I get it all in my head- a breeze- more or less, to be a top CSR helping folks resolve their issues. The reality is, that yes, the training is short and not sufficient, given the amount of info they need us all to have, and yes, corporate america is only after the dollar,; but the good news is- that if we as consumers want to have a better experience, guess what- we get to change our internal points of reference. Think with me- this life is not about the Dollar- no it's not. What life is about is learning, many things, by which to enjoy and be supportive of, ourselves and others in life. Anyone wants to chat viz IM- add me to your IM service using awareness21@yahoo.com. If we connect, and we determine we want to chat more, I will give my phone and ISP email which I use more than I do yahoo. Good day Y'all, William Howdey Folks- I am a new CSR for Cingular at the new call center in Albuq., and since I have three call centers under my belt- this should be- after I get it all in my head- a breeze- more or less, to be a top CSR helping folks resolve their issues. The reality is, that yes, the training is short and not sufficient, given the amount of info they need us all to have, and yes, corporate america is only after the dollar,; but the good news is- that if we as consumers want to have a better experience, guess what- we get to change our internal points of reference. Think with me- this life is not about the Dollar- no it’s not. What life is about is learning, many things, by which to enjoy and be supportive of, ourselves and others in life. Anyone wants to chat viz IM- add me to your IM service using awareness21@yahoo.com. If we connect, and we determine we want to chat more, I will give my phone and ISP email which I use more than I do yahoo. Good day Y’all,
William

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