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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 5:01 pm
  #3  
tonypct
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Southwest CT
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Originally Posted by ContinentalFan
I have been a customer of Cingular (nee AT&T Wireless) for about 12 years. I have to phones with them and spend about $400/month. I have decided I will get one of those smart phones--a Blackberry or something like that. I settled on a Treo 750: they're new, they have everything, I have colleagues in Europe who love it, I like it. Since I bought two phones with Cingular in March, I am not entitled to an upgrade.

So, for new customers, they get to pay $499.99, with a $100 rebate and a two year contact. Since I have a two-year contact on an existing phone, I get to pay $649.99 (I think I get a rebate, but am not sure). The $150 difference is exactly the charge for me to exit my existing contract.

I have never thought about switching to another carrier until today. I plan to switch one phone--the one that runs a bill of $350; the other phone is used for personal calls. I don't understand why Cingular doesn't give a better deal to its existing customers.

At the moment, no other companies offer the Treo 750. That's not a big deal to me. I need to find a smart device that is GSM capable, has Windows, and can do e-mail. So, I guess I am now left with research Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint/Nextel. This Forum is a great help in my search.
I would definitely call Cingular customer service again and this time, escalate the call to a Manager. Let him/her know everything you said in this post, especially the fact that you've been a customer for 12 years and that you pay about $400 per month. That makes you a very special customer in their eyes. If the Manager is not willing to give you the new customer deal, then escalate the call one level up. You'll be speaking to an Area Manager. And if that doesn't work, write a letter to the CEO, Stan Sigman in Atlanta. Make sure you tell them all that you will be looking into a competitior if you do not get satisfaction.

I know it sounds like a hassle, but Cingular does not want to lose a customer like you. Good luck and please keep us posted as to the outcome.
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