Cingular Store - Linda White ripoff failed to send refund by mail, store closed, owner disappeared Woodstock Virginia
On January 17,2005 my son who is in college and an existing Cingular customer purchased a new cell phone from this store, which was actually a booth in the Wal-Marts at the same physical address.
He paid by check (which cleared) and on his receipt it states 30 days return policy, full refund! On January 29,2005 he returned the phone to the same store and the same sales rep., Linda White. She gave him a return receipt and said his refund ($94.49) would be mailed to him within 8 weeks.
After not receiving his refund I called the Cingular Store and the number was no longer in service. I then called Wal-Marts, spoke with the manager Kenny who told me the Cingular booth closed the end of February 2005 and stated the same girl also owns a Cingular store in Winchester Virginia but that that store had closed also.
I then called Cingular's Customer service and was told that Cingular has nothing to do with Cingular stores! Even though I told the customer service lady the store closed, she responded, "You can only get a refund from the store where it was purchased" I responded, "but the store is closed, we've been scammed!" She replied, "sound like you have.
I have contacted numerous Cingular Stores in the Woodstock and Winchester area and no one seems to know where Linda White is or who she is. I emailed Cingular's President, Stan Sigman last week and received an auto response that I would be contacted in 2 business days. Well it's now 6 business days and still no response.
We are at a loss as to our next move in resolving this matter. Help please. Lesson learned: Buy your cell phone from your wireless carriers customer service department and not a retail store because the 1 thing I did learn, Cingular stores open and close in a short period of time with no forwarding information.
Patrice
Exmore, Virginia
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
P
Exmore,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Great news!
#3Author of original report
Mon, June 06, 2005
Great news! As I stated in my original report, I emailed Cingular's President Stan Sigman and today I actually received a call from his office in Arkansas. Long story short, my account has been credited the full amount of $94.49. It took awhile to get someone who could or would do something about this crime by Linda White but it's over now and the consumer prevailed. Good PR Cingular!
J
Anytown,California,
U.S.A.
Kiosk stores are not cingular stores
#3Consumer Comment
Sat, May 28, 2005
Cingular in this case is correct. The store was a cingular authorized agent (kiosk store as they are sometimes called). They are not affilated with cingular except to sell phones and service.
They purchase the phones from cingular and get I believe like between 140.00 to 180.00 per activation. I always go to an actual cingular store, ask them when you walk in if they are an authorized agent or look for the signs when you walk in that say Cingular authorized agent.
If they are an agent don't deal with them because what can happen is exactly what happened to you. Contact your states attorney general to see if anything can be done but don't expect too much help from cingular unfortunately.