Wireless Phone Service/Question

[Velobambina]

Does anyone know of an advocacy group for customers of wireless phone companies? Someone who can make the company behave ethically? I'm in the midst of a p*&&ing contest with Verizon about something they screwed up. Now they expect me to PAY to have them correct the issue. Any and all guidance is appreciated.

[karen]

Try the Consumerist. They're a blog that specializes in this sort of thing. Email tips@consumerist.com for advice, or you can email an executive at Verizon and copy the Consumerist (and noting in the email) - That tends to get things done a little more smoothly.

You might also search their archives for "executive carpet bomb" - basically emailing a bunch of executives who tend to quickly delegate to someone who can actually get the job done.



I don't work for Consumerist - I'm just a big fan

Edited to add link.

[Trek420]

Does anyone know of an advocacy group for customers of wireless phone companies? Someone who can make the company behave ethically? I'm in the midst of a p*&&ing contest with Verizon about something they screwed up. Now they expect me to PAY to have them correct the issue. Any and all guidance is appreciated.

You say you've called, escalated to a manager and still no results? Contact the FCC, that's Federal Communication uhm I'm not sure what the last C. But I am sure it'll get results and penalizes the telco as they are rated on the number of valid complaints.

Sorry no link yet because I'm off to walk the doggie and then off to continue my 12+ years of work for the other mega telco

[Tuckervill]

I like Clarkhoward.com (he has a radio show). You should be able to find some tips there.

Karen

[Velobambina]

Thanks for the tips, ladies.

When my contract expires, I'm going w/ATT. What a nightmare. The final indignity---the cell phones are just for emergencies and are rarely used.

[slmdunc]

Just my 2 cents... I would STAY AWAY from AT&T. I just left them last week. I've had more trouble and have heard of more trouble from that network (both service and customer service) than any other phone company.

Check out THIS link for some recent TE opinions on AT & T / Cingular.

I am now with TMobile, since I've heard mostly good things from my circle o' peeps. So far so good - of course - it's only been 4 days.

[Trek420]

The final indignity---the cell phones are just for emergencies and are rarely used.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...ntentId=900328

Then just pay as you go, no contract, just use the minutes you need, phones as low as 9.99 ....

slmdunc, thanks for the feedback but right now I have to get back to work and well, just try to help everyone on my line

[Mr. Bloom]

Conversation with Cingular yesterday regarding Silver's phone not working:

Me: Can we get early cancelation since you're not providing the service promised?
Them: No sir, this is probably a problem with the phone, not the service.
Me: OK, then what about last Wednesday when the service was down in Central Indiana for several hours?
Them: That's not unusual.
Me: OH, it's NOT???? So, in your marketing, do you say "reliable service (except for the periods when it's down for several hours)"
Them: No, everyone has that problem.
Me: Oh, isn't that funny that I had Verizon for 17 years and NEVER had that problem?
Them: Sir, Verizon hasn't been in wireless for 17 years...
Me: Oh, so who did I use all those years that I carried a Verizon cell phone?!?!?
Them: Sir, if you had a chronic problem, we would sent out techs to your local towers AND replace your phones before we'd cancel your contract.
Me: You're on notice, I have failed call problems no less than five time/day in areas of good coverage...send out your techs...

Why do I feel nothing will improve???

[Fredwina]

Mr.S Verizon and Verizon Wireless are seperate companies. Wireless is half owned by Vodafone.
Trek, I usually recommend pre-paid to folks who want a phone for 911. some folks seem not to get over the non-roller ("I paid $10 for those minutes, and by golly, they should never expire....)
Following with great interest as I a: don't have a land line, and B. My contract is up next month.

[sandra]

I don't have AT&T. I was considering it. This is what I was told by a friend that works for AT&T. Some of you may want to give it a try.


As far as customer service is concerned, the new CEO, Randall Stephenson, has decreed that AT&T will adopt the BellSouth motto of The Customer Rules, which means that if YOU as a customer of the *new* AT&T have a problem, YOU NEED TO LET HIM KNOW!!!!!
don't just complain about your service or lack thereof --- EMAIL HIM!!!!!
randall.stephenson@att.com

[Irulan]

They all suck.

That being said, I've had ATT-Cingular-ATT for 5+ years now and no complaints.

[OakLeaf]

I'd recommend against T-Mobile, Sprint or any other PCS companies for cyclists. Their coverage is spotty to nonexistent out in the sticks where bicycles thrive. In fact, I insist on a phone with analog service, which is still available in a lot more remote areas than GSM or CDMA digital. That limited me to Verizon and the LG VX-5300.

I was actually a happy Cingular customer for years (pre-merger). Yes, their *611 customer service was atrocious at first, but they improved over time, and more to the point, if I had a problem all I really had to do was go to the local phone store, where the agents were helpful and knowledgeable. The only reason I switched to Verizon was because my phone was four years old, I really wanted a new one (it was that or a new battery, plus the infrared modem connection was pretty unwieldy) and Cingular no longer had analog phones.

[slmdunc]

slmdunc, thanks for the feedback but right now I have to get back to work and well, just try to help everyone on my line

Sorry Trek420! I didn't realize you worked for that company!
I know you work hard to keep your folks happy - I just have had so many problems recently that my frustration has grown to unhealthy levels!

Ahh technology!

[Duck on Wheels]

And now yet another ethics issue regarding cell phone companies. Do they have the right to censor our text messages? I'm not talking about spam here, but messages sent to individuals who have requested them, such as the messages I subscribe to from Amnesty International. Apparently Verizon is asserting the right to censor such messages when they are "unsavory" -- case in point, messages from a group advocating for reproductive rights, including abortion rights.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/092707J.shtml

[Tri Girl]

As far as customer service is concerned, the new CEO, Randall Stephenson, has decreed that AT&T will adopt the BellSouth motto of The Customer Rules, which means that if YOU as a customer of the *new* AT&T have a problem, YOU NEED TO LET HIM KNOW!!!!!
don't just complain about your service or lack thereof --- EMAIL HIM!!!!!
randall.stephenson@att.com

I just e-mailed him. We'll see if the address is legit and if he responds.

Since the changeover we've had sooooo many dropped calls, or "gurguly" calls that it's ridiculous. Plus, more places where the bars don't register. Not so good for cycling alone.

I'll let you know if I hear anything.