Cingular Wireless Security Deposit Ripoff Atlanta Georgia
On January 12, 2005, I had left Cingular for another company due to poor service. Well, it wasn't but a month later I decided I wasn't too happy with who I picked either. I firmly intended to return to Cingular, and figuring on the fact I had paid all of my bills and their cancellation fee, I thought I had it in the bag.
I called Cingular to talk to them about this. Now, previously, I had been with them for about 8 months and had a $300 security deposit, which I received back from them (less the cancellation fee). However, they looked at my prior service record and said they would not take it into consideration, that I would now have to put down ANOTHER $300 deposit. Say what?
I talked to all kinds of people, finally filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Cingular never replied. I really feel like Cingular is trying to rip me off. My phone bills with them were about $135 a MONTH while I was with them, plus I paid their f***ing cancellation charge on top of it.
Cingular, in my opinion, is the biggest bunch of scam artists out there. Most companies take your prior record into consideration...they don't. Cingular sucks. Don't use them.
P.S. - I ended up going with Nextel. They're great!
Robert
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Dave
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
Dumb reponse... get your facts straight!
#4Consumer Comment
Sat, April 23, 2005
That is what security deposits are for. Why would he send in more money for a cancellation fee, when he has a $300.00 security deposit posted already??
Your reply makes no sense.
Chanelle
Anywhere,Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
One Reason instead have them deduct it from your deposit
#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, April 23, 2005
I am sorry to hear about the experiance that you had with Cingular. However as a former employee of the company I can say that one reason you may have been asked to pay another deposit is due to the fact that you broke your contract after on 8 months of service. On top of that you stated that the cancellation fee was DEDUCTED from your original deposit which may have given the company the impression that you did not want to PAY the cancellation fee but instead have them deduct it from your deposit. It is up to the decresion of any wireless service company to require a deposit based on your credit history. It is not MANDATORY for you to pay this. You can choose not to have service with Cingular and NOT pay another deposit. I am just curious as to why you would file a complaint with the BBB against Cingular. The company is just recognizing the fact that you broke a prior contract and does not want to risk another "broken contract."
Robert
Bloomsburg,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
UPDATE: No response to BBB Complaint
#4Author of original report
Wed, March 30, 2005
I reported Cingular to the BBB more than 30 days ago and was just notified by mail that Cingular did not respond to the complaint. This proves my point: They just don't care. So, I guess my next step will be the Georgia State Attorney General. I'll keep you all posted!