Cingular screws over AT&T Free2Go customers after merger

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Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Before Cingular merged with AT&T wireless, subscribers to the
AT&T wireless "Free2Go" prepaid calling plan could keep a
prepaid account active by paying only $10 every 90 days.
This was perfect for my wife, who rarely uses her cell phone
but occasionally finds it useful to have one.

After the merger, I can't add $10 to the account at all, $15
expires in 30 days rather than 90 days, and I have to add at
least $25 to the account to keep it active for 90 days.

In short, after the merger the prepaid account costs 150% more
than it did before the merger.

I see other postings about this, but I don't see anything
which makes it perfectly clear just how badly they've screwed
over occasional users with this change. Outrageous!

Yes, sir, these mega-mergers sure do benefit the consumer! If
you believe that, I've got some nice land in Florida I'd like
to sell you.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

I'm in the same boat (my post below "Pre-Paid Cell In So. Cal). Of
course, Cingular isn't stupid and they know very well the impact of
this draconian price increase. It is calculated to force as many people
OUT of low-cost pre-paid as possible. So, if it seems like Cingular
doesn't want your business anymore, you're right. They don't.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

I would go to http://www.ftc.gov/ and file a complaint.

This certainly is an example of what happens to consumers after a
merger that no one seems to notice.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Ryan" <welziak@snet.net> wrote:

>
>
>I would go to http://www.ftc.gov/ and file a complaint.

And what would this complaint be about?? A private company raising its
prices? Wow! That's like totally unheard of in a capitalist system!
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Jonathan Kamens" <jik@kamens.brookline.ma.us> wrote in message
news:d5g6qh$5b9$1@jik.kamens.brookline.ma.us...
> Before Cingular merged with AT&T wireless, subscribers to the
> AT&T wireless "Free2Go" prepaid calling plan could keep a
> prepaid account active by paying only $10 every 90 days.
> This was perfect for my wife, who rarely uses her cell phone
> but occasionally finds it useful to have one.
>
> After the merger, I can't add $10 to the account at all, $15
> expires in 30 days rather than 90 days, and I have to add at
> least $25 to the account to keep it active for 90 days.
>
> In short, after the merger the prepaid account costs 150% more
> than it did before the merger.
>
> I see other postings about this, but I don't see anything
> which makes it perfectly clear just how badly they've screwed
> over occasional users with this change. Outrageous!
>
> Yes, sir, these mega-mergers sure do benefit the consumer! If
> you believe that, I've got some nice land in Florida I'd like
> to sell you.

Cheapest prepaid cell service for infrequent or emergency calling is Beyond
Wireless at http://www.gobeyondwireless.com/ . All you need is a TDMA phone
thats works on the old ATT network. Only have to use one minute every 60
days to keep phone alive. $10.00 get 80 minutes (0.125/min).

Downsides are local numbers in only seven states, on network coverage is
only old ATT TDMA network and roaming costs 4 times the on network rate. I
have had service since January, 2005 with no problems using the phone around
the country (only used 15 minutes airtime).
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

In article <1115414028.40469a9b71446581c753e6ac01a7fc4d@bub
banews>, googled@blah.com says...

> Cheapest prepaid cell service for infrequent or
> emergency calling is Beyond Wireless at
> http://www.gobeyondwireless.com/ . All you need is a
> TDMA phone thats works on the old ATT network. Only have
> to use one minute every 60 days to keep phone alive.
> $10.00 get 80 minutes (0.125/min).

> Downsides are local numbers in only seven states, on
> network coverage is only old ATT TDMA network and
> roaming costs 4 times the on network rate. I have had
> service since January, 2005 with no problems using the
> phone around the country (only used 15 minutes airtime).

Yes, and since the OP's service was AT&T Wireless in the
first place, he could even use the same phone without having
to get it unlocked. But he might have to get Cingular to
release the ESN so he could sign up with Beyond. I don't
quite know how that all works yet. Probably couldn't keep
the same number though. I don't know how that works either.

There is also CallPlus prepaid, also for the AT&T Wireless
network, so the old phone could be used there as well. It
costs more per minute, but there is a wide choice of local
numbers. The minimum buy right now for CallPlus, through
the Pharos International reseller, is $10 ($.25/minute) for
90 days. Have to make at least one call every 30 days.

All of this is set forth in detail on Dave Markson's most
excellent website:

http://www.cellguru.net

I bought an AT&T-branded Nokia 6360 at a thrift store for
$3, and have ordered a CallPlus starter kit from Pharos for
$11 (includes 60 minutes/90 days). It will be interesting
to see if I can get the phone registered and get up and
running.

I would strongly suggest the OP, or others in the same boat,
check into the Beyond and CallPlus prepaid plans with the
idea of using the same AT&T Wireless phone.

In fact, the Beyond Wireless deal is SO cheap (assuming you
don't have to buy a new phone), that you start thinking
about whether you really need a local number that's in your
town. If a phone is used strictly for outgoing calls, it
really doesn't matter what its area code is. There's no
roaming or long distance charge as along as you're on the
AT&T Wireless TDMA network anywhere in the country. I'm in
Oklahoma, but for outgoing calls a Dallas number would work
just fine. Hell, I could even have a Beverly Hills number. 🙂
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

George wrote:
>
> I bought an AT&T-branded Nokia 6360 at a thrift store for
> $3, and have ordered a CallPlus starter kit from Pharos for
> $11 (includes 60 minutes/90 days). It will be interesting
> to see if I can get the phone registered and get up and
> running.

That's easy. The hard part is sitting on hold while that truly ghastly music
plays. I liked it at first, but after 20 minutes it got increasingly
annoying. Make sure that the number they assign you is a local number (NO
CHARGE) from whatever phone you want to use to check your voicemail. They
think that everything in one area code is a local number make sure you check
unless you want to spend air minutes or pay "local long distance" charges :-(
Yeah, I know from experience, but I would have had to throw away 100 minutes
to change numbers and just discontinued voicemail.

--
Cheers, Bev
=============================================================
My house isn't a pigsty, it's an Immunity Enhancement Center.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

The Real Bev <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>> I bought an AT&T-branded Nokia 6360 at a thrift store for
>> $3, and have ordered a CallPlus starter kit from Pharos for
>> $11 (includes 60 minutes/90 days). It will be interesting
>> to see if I can get the phone registered and get up and
>> running.
>
>That's easy. The hard part is sitting on hold while that truly ghastly music
>plays. I liked it at first, but after 20 minutes it got increasingly
>annoying.

You'd think by now companies would have wised up to this, and would at
least give you a choice of music or silence or whatever. Oh wait,
these are large corporations. Never mind.

>Make sure that the number they assign you is a local number (NO
>CHARGE) from whatever phone you want to use to check your voicemail. They
>think that everything in one area code is a local number make sure you check
>unless you want to spend air minutes or pay "local long distance" charges :-(
>Yeah, I know from experience, but I would have had to throw away 100 minutes
>to change numbers and just discontinued voicemail.

First thing I did was cancel voicemail. I use the phone only for
emergencies, no reason to have people leaving messages.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Steve wrote:
>
> The Real Bev <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:
> >> I bought an AT&T-branded Nokia 6360 at a thrift store for
> >> $3, and have ordered a CallPlus starter kit from Pharos for
> >> $11 (includes 60 minutes/90 days). It will be interesting
> >> to see if I can get the phone registered and get up and
> >> running.
> >
> >That's easy. The hard part is sitting on hold while that truly ghastly music
> >plays. I liked it at first, but after 20 minutes it got increasingly
> >annoying.
>
> You'd think by now companies would have wised up to this, and would at
> least give you a choice of music or silence or whatever. Oh wait,
> these are large corporations. Never mind.

Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer service.
Seemed almost willfully antagonistic. I should get a speakerphone so I didn't
have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but I don't remember seeing
cordless speakerphones...

> >Make sure that the number they assign you is a local number (NO
> >CHARGE) from whatever phone you want to use to check your voicemail. They
> >think that everything in one area code is a local number make sure you check
> >unless you want to spend air minutes or pay "local long distance" charges :-(
> >Yeah, I know from experience, but I would have had to throw away 100 minutes
> >to change numbers and just discontinued voicemail.
>
> First thing I did was cancel voicemail. I use the phone only for
> emergencies, no reason to have people leaving messages.

The first two calls I got were wrong numbers, so I figured the hell with it.
I can see a use for voicemail, but not if I have to pay 15 cents (outrageous
local LD charges) to hear it.

--
Cheers,
Bev
------------------------------------------------------------------
It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

The Real Bev <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>> You'd think by now companies would have wised up to this, and would at
>> least give you a choice of music or silence or whatever. Oh wait,
>> these are large corporations. Never mind.
>
>Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
>annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer service.
>Seemed almost willfully antagonistic.

Hmmm, maybe it is willfully antagonistic, to stop people from calling.
Otherwise, it's hard to figure why companies go so far outta their way
to piss off their customers.

> I should get a speakerphone so I didn't
>have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but I don't remember seeing
>cordless speakerphones...

Plenty of those, run a search at Amazon or wherever...
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

I am SO glad about the merger. Before Cingular, I would rarely get any
signals near my home or any rural areas with AT&T. With the superior
Cingular network, signals are plenty strong everywhere.

The best pay-as-you-go service is Tracfone. You can get a free phone
and a year's worth of service and 250 min for around $100. Switch your
number and get additional 100 minutes free.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

In alt.cellular.cingular SteveT <stevejoin@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm in the same boat (my post below "Pre-Paid Cell In So. Cal). Of
> course, Cingular isn't stupid and they know very well the impact of
> this draconian price increase. It is calculated to force as many people
> OUT of low-cost pre-paid as possible. So, if it seems like Cingular
> doesn't want your business anymore, you're right. They don't.

Yeah, pre-paid seems to be the service none of the vendors want to supply
(or at least make it easy to supply), even though *lots* of people want
it. We're ditching Free2Go on 7/15 (when our minutes expire) and going
with Virgin Mobile (we only have a cellphone for very, very, very
occasional use and want to pay as little as possible since we probably use
30 minutes a year on it, if that).

brian
--
If you want to reply to this message by mail, you will
have to change the reply address to beuchaw@beuchaw.net
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

On 6 May 2005 10:47:10 -0700, "Ryan" <welziak@snet.net> wrote:

>
>
>I would go to http://www.ftc.gov/ and file a complaint.
>
>This certainly is an example of what happens to consumers after a
>merger that no one seems to notice.


I doubt that the FTC would force the company to provide service at a
cost that exeeds the revenues from that service.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

In article <427C07E6.54F3E129@myrealbox.com>,
bashley@myrealbox.com says...

> Make sure that the number they assign you is a local
> number (NO CHARGE) from whatever phone you want to use
> to check your voicemail. They think that everything in
> one area code is a local number make sure you check
> unless you want to spend air minutes or pay "local long
> distance" charges :-(

And how do you check on that? Do they have a way to look
that up, or do you have to research it on your own? I don't
think I know how to find out what cellphone numbers are
local to me.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

George wrote:
>
> bashley@myrealbox.com says...
>
> > Make sure that the number they assign you is a local
> > number (NO CHARGE) from whatever phone you want to use
> > to check your voicemail. They think that everything in
> > one area code is a local number make sure you check
> > unless you want to spend air minutes or pay "local long
> > distance" charges :-(
>
> And how do you check on that? Do they have a way to look
> that up, or do you have to research it on your own? I don't
> think I know how to find out what cellphone numbers are
> local to me.

Around here you dial 0 and ask the nice lady if 626 328 is a free call from
626 289. SBC has a web page:
http://localcalling.sbc.com/LCA/DispatchServlet#listing

They used to have this information in the phone book, but I guess the CPR
instructions (yeah, the phone book is the first place I'd check in an
emergency, wouldn't you?) are more important than actual phone information.

--
Cheers,
Bev
=====================================================
It's 95% of the lawyers making the other 5% look bad.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Well, before the merger, I got *0* bars in my neighborhood. Couldn't
make a single call for a whole year. After the merger, I can even make
a call inside a freezer in a S&F.

You get 100 free minutes when you switch numbers from another carrier.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

I had Tracfone couple years ago. Got a free phone and 1 year service
for $74. It's actually 14 months because the phone comes with free
minutes and bonus minutes for activating online, which I used first two
months, before activating the 1 year card.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

The reason is that no one wants to supply this service is because
Wall-Street analysts look at average revenue per line. There is not much
marginal cost to provide prepaid service but it pulls down that critical
ratio.

In other countries where people mostly use prepaid, the carriers are very
profitable selling prepaid mobile services. But the financial parameters
are different there.


>
> Yeah, pre-paid seems to be the service none of the vendors want to supply
> (or at least make it easy to supply), even though *lots* of people want
> it. We're ditching Free2Go on 7/15 (when our minutes expire) and going
> with Virgin Mobile (we only have a cellphone for very, very, very
> occasional use and want to pay as little as possible since we probably use
> 30 minutes a year on it, if that).
>
> brian
> --
> If you want to reply to this message by mail, you will
> have to change the reply address to beuchaw@beuchaw.net
>
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

On Fri, 06 May 2005 17:38:53 -0500, George <gh424NO824SPAM@cox.net>
wrote:

>Yes, and since the OP's service was AT&T Wireless in the
>first place, he could even use the same phone without having
>to get it unlocked. But he might have to get Cingular to
>release the ESN so he could sign up with Beyond. I don't
>quite know how that all works yet. Probably couldn't keep
>the same number though. I don't know how that works either.

Since such "emergency phones" are seldom turned on for incoming calls,
I can't see that as a dealbreaker.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Bill <billrubin@prodigy.net> wrote:
>With the old Free2Go service and $10 refill cards, you could get
>a year of service and 160 minutes for $40. For many people that
>was more than enough.

Can still get that with CallPlus, been using them for years.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

On Fri, 06 May 2005 18:03:12 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:

>Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
>annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer service.
>Seemed almost willfully antagonistic. I should get a speakerphone so I didn't
>have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but I don't remember seeing
>cordless speakerphones...


They say the memory is the first thing to go...

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90137152&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=90137152&Type=PE&Category=Elec&Gad=0&dcaid=17379

or http://tinyurl.com/b5n9x
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

Bob Ward wrote:
>
> On Fri, 06 May 2005 18:03:12 -0700, The Real Bev
> <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>
> >Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
> >annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer service.
> >Seemed almost willfully antagonistic. I should get a speakerphone so I didn't
> >have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but I don't remember seeing
> >cordless speakerphones...
>
> They say the memory is the first thing to go...
>
> http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90137152&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=90137152&Type=PE&Category=Elec&Gad=0&dcaid=17379
>
> or http://tinyurl.com/b5n9x

....at yard sales 🙂 That looks nice. Maybe I'll see something like that
tomorrow.

--
Cheers,
Bev
=====================================================
It's 95% of the lawyers making the other 5% look bad.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

The Real Bev <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote in
news:427C13D0.542915FA@myrealbox.com:

> Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
> annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer
> service. Seemed almost willfully antagonistic. I should get a
> speakerphone so I didn't have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but
> I don't remember seeing cordless speakerphones...

You're obviously kidding, or haven't left the house in a decade.

Vtech (to name just one) has several lines of phones with a 'base unit' and
up to X (depending on model) 'satellite units'. The base unit being a
speaker phone, the satellites being handhelds, though on most of their
product lines, these handhelds all individually have speakerphone
abilities. In looking at their webpage, I see 13 current models with
speakerphone in the handset(s). By 'satellite unit' I mean you plug the
base into power and phone line, but the 'satellites' you just plug into
power. So, basically...cordless speakerphone.

--
Minister of All Things Digital & Electronic, and Holder of Past Knowledge
stile99@email.com. Cabal# 24601-fnord | Sleep is irrelevant.
I speak for no one but myself, and |Caffeine will be assimilated.
no one else speaks for me. O- | Decaf is futile.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

In article <427C4D2D.39D6447@myrealbox.com>,
bashley@myrealbox.com says...

> Around here you dial 0 and ask the nice lady if 626 328
> is a free call from 626 289.

I've never been through the CallPlus activation process, and
don't know how it works. I assumed they would suggest a
number, and I would have to say yes or no. Well, maybe I
can put them on hold and call the operator.

I also assumed that the number would have one of the old
AT&T Wireless prefixes. If so, that might simplify things.

> SBC has a web page:

> http://localcalling.sbc.com/LCA/DispatchServlet#listing

Yeah, but it doesn't cover wireless, or my A/C 918:

> This site provides information only for calls
> originating from non-wireless prefixes serviced by SBC
> in California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and
> Wisconsin.
 
Archived from groups: misc.consumers,alt.cellular,alt.cellular.cingular (More info?)

"Bob Ward" <bobward@verizon.net> wrote in message
news😱q5o71tipq7r7n4h1dkfgmhm73k3kmhp0s@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 06 May 2005 18:03:12 -0700, The Real Bev
> <bashley@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>
>>Worst ever was CompUSA -- They played over and over again that already
>>annoying commercial that mocked the poor sap on hold for customer service.
>>Seemed almost willfully antagonistic. I should get a speakerphone so I
>>didn't
>>have to sit there holding the stupid phone, but I don't remember seeing
>>cordless speakerphones...
>
>
> They say the memory is the first thing to go...
>
> http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90137152&SearchEngine=Froogle&SearchTerm=90137152&Type=PE&Category=Elec&Gad=0&dcaid=17379
>
> or http://tinyurl.com/b5n9x

Memory is the second thing to go!!!

bamp
 
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