Cingular – Anti-customer satifisfaction
This post was published 3 years 3 months 22 days ago and its content may not be valid anymore.A few days back we shared the news concerning Cingular’s methods of collecting additional profits from customers by using a profitability calculator. Not to be outdone, Cingular will begin to charge customers extra if they continue to use their older [legacy TDMA] mobile handsets.
The biggest U.S. wireless service, said the fee would apply to about 4.7 million subscribers, or about 8 percent, of its 57.3 million customer base unless these users upgrade their phones.
It is part of Cingular’s plan to phase out phones based on older TDMA and analog technology, the technical standard for the first cellphones produced more than 20 years ago
The $4.99 charge would be tacked on to an existing customers current monthly bills in an attempt to convince customers to move towards a single GSM network. Ridiculous!
Here’s an idea Cingular, if TDMA customers are not included in the greater picture, why not offer an incentive for users to switch? Maybe some of these customers continue to use TDMA because the GSM service isn’t quite up to snuff in their neck of the woods?
Educate customers about their options rather than forcing additional fees. A simple letter stating that the network is moving towards the future including the *advantages* of converting would suffice. The ideas could go on and on concerning methods of coercing customers into converting.
I hate corporations :)
I didn’t switch from TDMA for years after it was over because it was a bit of a hassle, my phone worked, and I didn’t want to bother reprogramming a new phone. Also my old plan was better. And I am a huge tech-geek… So educating is probably not sufficent.
Perhaps it would be better if they would transfer the numbers over for you, sell phones that are friendly for the elderly, and let you continue on your current plan instead of signing you up for a new contract. The problem is they can’t resist trying to lock you down and profit from their problems…
Now I’m curious to hear what TDMA handset won your heart over?
I know I waited as long as I could with AT&T wireless, I just had better TDMA reception and call quality in my area, GSM has caught up eventually, but I switched to GSM about 5 years ago. I am suprised cingular still has any TDMA customers anymore. I got forced into GSM when my contract was up and I wanted a new phone.
I do think Cingular is trying to force ATTWS users to get new cingular contracts, I still won’t move over because I’ll lose my 7pm night minutes start time and unlimited incoming free sms. Plus I like the phone I have (moto v551) and hate contracts but in the last two days my three way calling stopped working and now my parent’s samsung phones show the roaming icon even though it displays cingular for the network name as always. (their phones are dual band so that might have something to do with it versus my quad band)
I also heard that cingular contracted customers get a new sim that gives “better coverage” via roaming codes or something more ways for them to screw the old customers into getting them to sign new contracts.
Plus I don’t think there has been a single month yet where they haven’t screwed something up on the bill. ATTWS never did that with me, my bill was always what it was supposed to be.
So I guess my whole rant could be summed up in.. what the fuck is wrong with cingular, or whats not wrong with cingular. I’ve never dealt with a more anti-customer, service company.
Cingular didn’t piss me off as much as Sprint. Those hidden charges ($10 to add a second phone, then another $10 to have that phone ADDED to the bill…) made me switch to Cingular.
If I wasn’t w/ Cincy Bell (local) I’d be ditching Cingular now… I love me no contract phone…
Wow, that sucks.
DO NOT USE THE INTERNET ON YOUR PHONE IF YOU HAVE CINGULAR!!!
I was burned very badly by Cingular. I thought the plan I had was for $19.95 for
unlimited internet usage.
BUT what they don’t tell you untill after the fact is that it’s $0.01 per kilobyte. So it is not really unlimited.
And like a fool I used the internet on my phone alot to the tune of $800.00
I would look for free ringtones and pictures to put on my phone and do demos and read articles.
But in the end I ended up paying for free things @ $0.01 per kilobyte.
I use cricKet wireless now.
Having worked many years for Cingular I can tell you, upper management with that company doesn’t understand the concept of what quality service really is. Yes, it does cost the company a large sum of money to maintain the TDMA network and yes it is beneficial for them to get customers off the TDMA network. I can tell you it has been pointed out by a few people on the low end of the company pyramid that if they actually offer incentives for customers to make the change most probably would. Of course management doesn’t listen and prefers to use the stick over the carrot.
I was just informed that my Cingular services are going to be closed. I have had service for years and have service on a family plan for both of my sons (Both which happen to be in the US military)
I have a razor phone for each of us.
Now they inform me that my account will be closed (after years of service) because I use other “than cingular” towers.
My oldest son just had to replace his phone 2 days ago. $$$$$$
AND did they inform me of this then? NO
good thing I have been paying for insurance all this time (on each phone)
I asked the rep whos decision this was and she replied the ‘higher ups’ I asked to speak to one of these Higher ups and was told that they were not reachable. What, did they have cingular also or another service?
Maybe this new Cingular Law doesnt apply to them.
What is up with this???????
Just looking for answers
cingular is not showing that they really care about what there customers are upset about you can call 611 or the store or even go online and you’ll hear and see all about items for sale but see no place for a complaint or suggestion.I tried for a long time to just get a email address so i could give them information that in the end only helps them and I got a forum of other customers.Did they have my question answered? no! The more I look for an answer the fault I find with cingular and they may never know how to fix any big problem.