Complaint Review: Cingular Wireless

Using Cingular Prepaid wireless since 2001.

My instruction book states I have 14 days from the expiration date of the prepaid time to reinstall more time and have the remaining time rollover. I purchased a Prepaid card 12 days prior to expiration date. I called to install it 5 days prior to expiration date, and was told their system was down, to call back the next day. I was leaving on a trip, and the Cell would not work in that area so waited 3 days until I returned to contact them again.

When I tried to call them, the auto answer asked for a prompt of English, or Spanish, then just rang without any answer. I called again on the expiration date several times, with the same results, no answer!! On one day after the expiration I called and finally got Customer Service. They installed my new time, but refused to rollover my $114.00 of prior time. I related the many times I tried to contact them, prior to the expiration. They said they had no record of any contact, and had not had any complaints of the phone not working.

I referred to the 14 day parameter in my instruction book. They told me that policy had changed in 2003, and it was my responsibility to keep up with the new parameters.

I spoke to a Manager and she gave virtually the same answers, all with a very cold and accusatory attitude. They ripped me off at the tune of $114.00. I am really angry as I feel it was their fault. They refuse to accept any fault.

I am going to a different Cell provider, I will be notifying all friends, Better Business Bureau, and Attorney General's Office, of this consumer Ripoff by Cingular Wireless. Their Service was terrible anyway!! I couldn't receive a signal anytime I was out of my calling area, when you usually need it.

Dennise
Bothell, Washington
U.S.A.