I previously wrote about problems with switching to a Cingular FamilyTalk rate plan. The gist was that because I was a former AT&TWS customer, I had to upgrade my phone, or at least the SIM card, in order to switch to the FamilyTalk plan. A new SIM card would cost $25, but they were willing to sell me a refurbished “upgrade” phone (Nokia 6102) for $0, including a new SIM card.
Today the phone arrived, so I called to activate it. The automated system didn’t recognize my information (possibly due to the AT&TWS issue), so it connected me to a customer service representative. She asked me the SIM card number, which I provided. Unfortunately she entered it for the other phone, not the one I was trying to upgrade, and that process rendered the original SIM card in that phone unusable. So I had to put the new SIM card in that phone, and she said that the fastest way for me to get a replacement SIM card will be to take the new phone to a Cingular store. She appologized profusely and said that the new SIM card would be provided at no charge, since it was her mistake.
Fortunately there is a Cingular store nearby, so I should be able to get the replacement SIM card this afternoon.
I just changed from Cingular because of problems similar to this. I had also been a former at&t custome for years, but my daughters phone died, they replaced it with a phone that was “not compatible” with at&t. They then proceeded to remove text messaging from her plan (without my permission) and said that they were not allowed to add the package back to at&t plans, so she would have to pay the .10 per message or we would all three have to switch, all 3 buy new phones, including the one that I had just paid $50 for, and my bill would only go up $100 a month. Well, I am now a Tmobile customer, and get this. The day that I switched, cingular cut a notice to me saying that due to non-payment (for the remaining balance on my account) they had “disconnected” my service, so now I guess they will try to put it on my credit report, which means that I will have to fight them. And the sad part is that the amount isn’t even equal to an entire months bill. Another reason that I am glad to get rid of them.