ATT Ripping People off, Be Careful new customers

[sinaouji]

I have had 4 smartphones on my plan for the past 5 years I have been with Att. Since Att came out with the policy that every smartphone requirs a data plan they have been adding data plans for these phones every month automaticly. although i purchased these smartphones BEFORE they come out with this policy or else i wouldnt have has gotten smartphones. I have had to call them every month to get these plans off my account and have them take care of these "usuage charges". They give you these 2 nonsense stories. One your smartphone accesses internet for updates without you having control over it. Now, why hasnt it been doing that for the past 5 years? and why is it that its a 1MB 2$ charge every month, never more or less. The other nonsense they give is that they might have accidently accessed internet. Now its funny to me that these accident started happening for the 4 of us starting the month they added the policy and these accidents happen 1 time a month for the 4 of us only one time and its for 1MB. They tell you you either have to put up with this and pay 4 x 25$-15$ for all your phones every month or block internet on those lines and that way the 30$ im paying for unlimited text-pic-video messaging is useless since you cant recieve any pic messages without internet access. So they will rip you off somehow without you even knowing. Their customer service reps are very rude and wont listen to what have you have to say. I will never recommend ATT to anyone and will let people around me about this rip-off. 

[drumn_bass]

It's $2 every time because it's a flat fee of $2 per MB, so everything from 0 to 1024KB(1MB) is $2. You don't have to pay for data plans 4 x $25 or $15, obviously 4 x $2 is much cheaper so you can stay on "pay per use" but there is no magic, if there is a charge, phone accessed web, one way or an other.

[stclair49]

Data is a feature, not a contractual obligation. They can change any feature requirement's any time they want and not be in violation of your contract. They are giving you the option to either pay $15 or $25 for data usage with a smartphone.

[watsyoname]

yea i have this problem im saving up to cancel my contract and im out of att and wil not suggest it for anyone just because they are rippin me off with data charges

[JFizDaWiz]

to be honest I'm not sure where you're going to go where the won't do the exact same thing.

[watsyoname]

to where data is unlimited DUH

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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watsyoname wrote:
to where data is unlimited DUH

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So you are moving to Sprint? Verizon is following ATT to tiered data in about 10 days, so if you want unlimited data on Verizon it is time to pay your ETF and move fast. After 07/07 form all reports Verizon is moving to tiered pricing that is higher then ATT's

[coolstorybro]

Sprint and Verizon (until july 7th) would be your only option unless you want to get Cricket or a local carrier in your area. Tmobile says they have "unlimited" data but they cap it at 2gb... Good luck and make no regrets!

[Wild Banchi ACE - Professor]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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watsyoname wrote:
to where data is unlimited DUH

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So you are moving to Sprint? Verizon is following ATT to tiered data in about 10 days, so if you want unlimited data on Verizon it is time to pay your ETF and move fast. After 07/07 form all reports Verizon is moving to tiered pricing that is higher then ATT's

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Sprint sounds like his best option, unless he does act fast and puts the brakes on his contract quick enough to head over to Verizon and snatch up one of the very last Unlimited Data plans before the tiered pricing goes into effect. I wonder how the Verizon customers are going to take this new capped data policy - probably not very well.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Wild Banchi wrote:

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wingrider01 wrote:

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watsyoname wrote:
to where data is unlimited DUH

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So you are moving to Sprint? Verizon is following ATT to tiered data in about 10 days, so if you want unlimited data on Verizon it is time to pay your ETF and move fast. After 07/07 form all reports Verizon is moving to tiered pricing that is higher then ATT's

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Sprint sounds like his best option, unless he does act fast and puts the brakes on his contract quick enough to head over to Verizon and snatch up one of the very last Unlimited Data plans before the tiered pricing goes into effect. I wonder how the Verizon customers are going to take this new capped data policy - probably not very well.

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They are not taking it well - have numerous verizon business phones so we are watching the boards fairly closely, only thing I am thankfull for is we just got done renegotiating all of our cell contracts with the carriers, the went into effect on the 20th and run for 4 years.

then again Verizon has stated thy where moving to tiered before and has backed out at the last minute, they may do it again

[Wild Banchi ACE - Professor]

__________________________________________________________________
wingrider01 wrote:
then again Verizon has stated thy where moving to tiered before and has backed out at the last minute, they may do it again
___________________________________________________________________

Something tells me that they aren't going to chicken out this time and keep their "promises" to the cell phone industry as well as their valued customers.

[wadesworld]

Data and Lies from ATT, It seem funny that All new phones that have a 5 mag. camera are all now smart phones. It seem funny that att buying T mobile has caused most of these new changes. I do not know if you have notice but T mobile has a family plan for smart phone it a $30 fee gives you 2 gig of 4 g speed then back you down to edge speeds no overages no 15 dollars extra a line, no lieing to their customers. My God I guess no wonder att wants to buy them so bad.... BTW I used one of their phones no dropped calls been complaining about the same area with ATT  what is the problem  Why can you not talk to upper management at ATT?  Is it because they know everything is being said is a lie and they do not want to fix it.

[stonewall05]

DEFINITELY NEVER AGREE FOR THEIR UVERSE SERVICE BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE RIP OFF. YOU WILL GET SUCKED INTO A BLACK HOLE OF CUSTOMER NON-SERVICE OBLIVION. DON"T BE FOOLED IF THEY OFFER IT TO YOU!

[wadesworld]

what happen to 10 dollar data plans.  New smart phone have features that will keep them from connecting to the internet.  One is called Flight. The I phone can turn off internet and keep phone service it can also update by Wifi instead of data over ATT internet.  All new smart phones can be program this way.... But then ATT would not be able to charge Smart phone data plans BTW a non smart phone can use as much data as a smart phone. by surfing but. That a cheaper rate.... It seems to me adding the word smart to a phone is just a way to get 15 to 25 dollars more out a customer that does not surf the web but uses his smart phone for doing other things like taking  photo and doing reports they send by computer. Same thing non smart phones do. Seem funny that T mobile has a family plan for smart phones and it 30 dollars a month and include some high speed data and then back all the phones on the plan to the non smart phone speed... there is no overages charges.  If they can do it why cant ATT do this. BTW ATT is buying T mobile because all of thier towers are 4g now....  ATT is ripping off it customer and is disrepecting it older customers. hoping to get us to move to the more expensive plans but instead most of us are moving to other companies... If you are going to switch go to T mobile. BTW the I phone works just fine on their network. BECAUSE IT A GSM phone... 

[drumn_bass]

"Same thing non smart phones do."...

Than you should buy a "non smart phone", no? 

[JasonAsher1]

Actually, no, the phone DOES NOT have to access the Internet for this 1MB/$2 chrge to be added to a phone line; AT&T has, unfortunately decided to play the same game [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]., which os to add these minor fees without customers knowing. That happened to my mom's account on all 4 of her lines for months before I chewed her out for allowing it to happen. She called AT&T, and they removed about $80 worth of these charges retroactively and assured her it shouldn't happen again. Well, the charges came back on every line the next month, so she called again and had them removed again, only this time they assured her that her phones were accessing the Internet. I scoured her bills, and I could not find an instance of any if her phones accessing any data. My brother then bought a Blackberry from a friend, and AT&T slapped him with a data plan that he didn't want or intend to use, so my mom contacted AT&T to have the plan removed and data blocked from his line, but mysteriously the charges never stopped showing up on any of her lines, including the one with blocked data. That is, until I made her call AT&T and mention [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]., the charges have not shown up since. I seriously hope AT&T[Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

And any if you AT&T employees who say this couldn't have happened are either big fat liars, or have no clue what kind of company you work for...

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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JasonAsher1 wrote:

Actually, no, the phone DOES NOT have to access the Internet for this 1MB/$2 chrge to be added to a phone line; AT&T has, unfortunately decided to play the same game [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]., which os to add these minor fees without customers knowing. That happened to my mom's account on all 4 of her lines for months before I chewed her out for allowing it to happen. She called AT&T, and they removed about $80 worth of these charges retroactively and assured her it shouldn't happen again. Well, the charges came back on every line the next month, so she called again and had them removed again, only this time they assured her that her phones were accessing the Internet. I scoured her bills, and I could not find an instance of any if her phones accessing any data. My brother then bought a Blackberry from a friend, and AT&T slapped him with a data plan that he didn't want or intend to use, so my mom contacted AT&T to have the plan removed and data blocked from his line, but mysteriously the charges never stopped showing up on any of her lines, including the one with blocked data. That is, until I made her call AT&T and mention [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]., the charges have not shown up since. I seriously hope AT&T[Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

And any if you AT&T employees who say this couldn't have happened are either big fat liars, or have no clue what kind of company you work for...

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find this quite hard to belivesd since they cannot put a data block on a smartphone, the system automacgilcy removes it, just as it automagicly adds a data plan to the nmber when it detects what is considered a smartpone. Try reading you terms of service for cellular connectivity

As far as teh ATT employees neing called a liar - read the fine print on this link, the key word is highlight and bolded for your understanding

http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/data-plans.jsp

Smartphone Data Plan Requirement: Smartphones require a DataPlus, DataPro, or DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering plan. If you exceed your initial data allowance, you will automatically be charged an additional $10 for each additional 1 GB provided on a DataPro plan or an additional $15 for each additional 200 MB provided on the DataPlus plan. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited. Access to corporate email, company intranet sites and/or business applications requires an Enterprise DataPro plan.

[JasonAsher1]

LOL! Clueless, obviously. It doesn't matter what the terms say, AT&T can do anything they want, hence adding a charge for data that wasn't used. YES, data CAN be blocked from any line, smarphone or not. Once this block is placed on the line, it takes a password, that is set at the time the block is placed, to remove it.

The ToS/EULA is for the end user, not the company itself, so if one wants a block, the company can step outside its own ToS.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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JasonAsher1 wrote:
LOL! Clueless, obviously. It doesn't matter what the terms say, AT&T can do anything they want, hence adding a charge for data that wasn't used. YES, data CAN be blocked from any line, smarphone or not. Once this block is placed on the line, it takes a password, that is set at the time the block is placed, to remove it.

The ToS/EULA is for the end user, not the company itself, so if one wants a block, the company can step outside its own ToS.

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I doubt it, you really do not understand conractual proceedures do you? The only thing you have right is the simple fact that the TOS (EULA is software by the way) is what the end user is required to follow, it is what the corporation dictates that the end user will adhere to - data plans for smart phones are not waived, go ahead and put a block on a smartphone (ifyou can) you will still be charged for the data plan, you will just not be able to use it. /rofl it reaquires a password to remove it? Since when, do it all the time on my kids phone by just picking up the phone and calling them - no password required since I am the primary owner of the acocunt.

[Fiercekitty]

"YES, data CAN be blocked from any line, smarphone or not. Once this block is placed on the line, it takes a password, that is set at the time the block is placed, to remove it."


That's called a "purchase block" to keep subscription services from being able to b added.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Fiercekitty wrote:
"YES, data CAN be blocked from any line, smarphone or not. Once this block is placed on the line, it takes a password, that is set at the time the block is placed, to remove it."


That's called a "purchase block" to keep subscription services from being able to b added.

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Last I recall "purchase block" is something different then data block - one curtails (does not completely eliminate it though) the automagic purchase of anything via the cell phone, the other prevents the phone from even connecting to the internet. two seperate and distinct things. Or are you refering to the monthly chargable servce of Parental Controls? That does limit data access but does not remove the requirement of a data plan on a smartphone

If as you claim that  data blocked, on a smartphone, I doubt it removes the basic requirement of a data plan on a smartphone, if it did everyone and their dog would be calling in to have it placed on their smartphone when they don;t want to pay for a data plan

[Fiercekitty]

My reply of a purchase block was to point out that JasonAsher1 was not, in fact, referring to a data block. Soon as he said password, its obvious he was referring to a "purchase block."

You can add a purchase block on any phone..and data still works. Try it out yourself.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Fiercekitty wrote:
My reply of a purchase block was to point out that JasonAsher1 was not, in fact, referring to a data block. Soon as he said password, its obvious he was referring to a "purchase block."

You can add a purchase block on any phone..and data still works. Try it out yourself.

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reread the part quoted - they reference data bing blocked to a smartphone, nothing said about purchasing

JasonAsher1 wrote:
LOL! Clueless, obviously. It doesn't matter what the terms say, AT&T can do anything they want, hence adding a charge for data that wasn't used. YES, data CAN be blocked from any line, smarphone or not. Once this block is placed on the line, it takes a password, that is set at the time the block is placed, to remove it.

The ToS/EULA is for the end user, not the company itself, so if one wants a block, the company can step outside its own ToS.

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[Fiercekitty]

Didn't say anything bout "purchasing"..but the only type of block that requires a password is a purchase block.. Meaning..he is confused as they are not one/the same.

[Anon_CSR]

It sounds like you have a data pay per use rate for a non smart phone. All att "smart" phones now require a data package you do not have a smart phone. Just a phone that gives you a illusion of being a smart phone

[beethaovin1]

I been a AT&T customer ever since they started doing wireless and for the last 2 months, I am being charge a DATA plan,  the just added to my phone lines automatically.  I called the first time, they fixed it and now this month, they claim that once you installed your sim card onto a smart phone.  A data plan adds automatically even if you don't want it.  Your only option is to not use a smart phone.  I used a smart phone in the past and never had any problem with it until last month.  I think the freedom to choose in no longer an issue.  AT&T is making you pay for a data plan no matter if you wanted or not.  I think It should be against the law!  No different from stealing!  I am thinking about dropping them after all these years of loyalty, I guess I been feeding the wrong animal.  Now it wants to eat me!.

You're right about the costumer service being rude.  I talked to a "Jordan"  and he will not even give me his full name.  He knows they are stealing from people and has to protect himself.  I didn't even finish saying what I wanted to say, He hanged up on me.  I was very upset, thus I came here and let off some steam.  I know AT&T will loose a lot of old customers and scare off new ones because they are being greedy.  You be better off with a Cricket phone, at lease you know exactly what you are getting every month.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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beethaovin1 wrote:

I been a AT&T customer ever since they started doing wireless and for the last 2 months, I am being charge a DATA plan,  the just added to my phone lines automatically.  I called the first time, they fixed it and now this month, they claim that once you installed your sim card onto a smart phone.  A data plan adds automatically even if you don't want it.  Your only option is to not use a smart phone.  I used a smart phone in the past and never had any problem with it until last month.  I think the freedom to choose in no longer an issue.  AT&T is making you pay for a data plan no matter if you wanted or not.  I think It should be against the law!  No different from stealing!  I am thinking about dropping them after all these years of loyalty, I guess I been feeding the wrong animal.  Now it wants to eat me!.

You're right about the costumer service being rude.  I talked to a "Jordan"  and he will not even give me his full name.  He knows they are stealing from people and has to protect himself.  I didn't even finish saying what I wanted to say, He hanged up on me.  I was very upset, thus I came here and let off some steam.  I know AT&T will loose a lot of old customers and scare off new ones because they are being greedy.  You be better off with a Cricket phone, at lease you know exactly what you are getting every month.

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mandatory data required becase effective a couple of years ago, if you had a smartphoe on the account before it became mandatroy your excemption was in effect as long as you kept the device that had the exemption active on the account. If you removed it, upgraded or swaped sims the excemption was removed. All smartphones on the top 3 providers require data plans. sorry but you are not being ripped off, your terms of service and requirements spell it out in detail and the simple fact that you agree they can add the data plan if they detect you are not within compliance of the terms.

You can uderstand exactly what you get with any cell phone provider - from cricket, to verison, to sprint, to att by simpleing reading the policies that you agree to. Sorry no one is ripping you off. The requirment has been in effect for a couple of years, and att has turned in the lowest churn rate of the top 3 providers and the highest growth factor in new and returning customers, so pretty much shows that they are doing something right.

[bonkysmom]

I pay 45 dollars, the complete cost of my phone plan and I get all the internet access I need or want for the entire month. With AT&T I paid over 90 dollars a month and didn't have a data plan, no internet at all!!! What would you choose? 45 dollars with no extras, including taxes? Or, stay with AT&T, get a 50 dollar plan without internet and the taxes are 20 bucks? And then somehow, when you add to that a deactived phone for 12 dollars a month, how does the 50 plus 20 plus 12 add up to over 90 dollars a month? I don't know how ATT adds but that adds up to 82 dollars not over 90 dollars. Just the last month of service I paid 109 dollars for the month. ??? And you say I should stay with ATT and that it would cost me the same for a data plan anywhere else? ATT is seriously behind the times if they actually think they are at all cost effective. Like I said, nothing adds up and ATT, I'm so glad I left. I'm still burning up from the riduculous costs I incurred that no one, not even the manager could help me with. And why is that? Because I ended my contract and was paying the last of the bill. They kept my account open for three months when I rolled over my service because I didn't call them personally to close the account. Wow, real smart. Yes of course I want to pay for a phone account that I am not using. Why is that? Oh, because I have a deactived phone that is now out of contract and I also want to pay for the deactived phone too, even though I don't use that either. Really? Like I said, either ATT has the major stupid pill or they just love taking that last dollar from you. I think they like to take every bit of money they can get out of you because everyone is leaving them. I suppose its a last ditch effort to make some money.

[MicCheck]

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bonkysmom wrote:

I pay 45 dollars, the complete cost of my phone plan and I get all the internet access I need or want for the entire month. With AT&T I paid over 90 dollars a month and didn't have a data plan, no internet at all!!! What would you choose? 45 dollars with no extras, including taxes? Or, stay with AT&T, get a 50 dollar plan without internet and the taxes are 20 bucks? And then somehow, when you add to that a deactived phone for 12 dollars a month, how does the 50 plus 20 plus 12 add up to over 90 dollars a month? I don't know how ATT adds but that adds up to 82 dollars not over 90 dollars. Just the last month of service I paid 109 dollars for the month. ??? And you say I should stay with ATT and that it would cost me the same for a data plan anywhere else? ATT is seriously behind the times if they actually think they are at all cost effective. Like I said, nothing adds up and ATT, I'm so glad I left. I'm still burning up from the riduculous costs I incurred that no one, not even the manager could help me with. And why is that? Because I ended my contract and was paying the last of the bill. They kept my account open for three months when I rolled over my service because I didn't call them personally to close the account. Wow, real smart. Yes of course I want to pay for a phone account that I am not using. Why is that? Oh, because I have a deactived phone that is now out of contract and I also want to pay for the deactived phone too, even though I don't use that either. Really? Like I said, either ATT has the major stupid pill or they just love taking that last dollar from you. I think they like to take every bit of money they can get out of you because everyone is leaving them. I suppose its a last ditch effort to make some money.

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How is AT&T supposed to know you want to disconnect that line unless you tell them. NO company is adept at mind reaading.