Can anybody help me? Trying to convert to a business account

[G8RinArizona]

I am trying to convert my 5-line family plan to a small business account because AT&T's archaic billing system makes them the only major wireless provider that doesn't permit consumer accounts to have one phone with a CA area code and 4 with an AZ area code on the same family plan.

I have a tax ID for my business, but when I called the National Business Support line, I was transferred to the wrong department two times and a third time I called in, I was disconnected (I presume the agent messed up in her attempt to transfer me). Why is this so difficult? Am I able to just go to a store and make this change, because it seems apparent that the phone representatives are not competent enough to complete the task.

Thank you.

Matt

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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G8RinArizona wrote:

I am trying to convert my 5-line family plan to a small business account because AT&T's archaic billing system makes them the only major wireless provider that doesn't permit consumer accounts to have one phone with a CA area code and 4 with an AZ area code on the same family plan.

I have a tax ID for my business, but when I called the National Business Support line, I was transferred to the wrong department two times and a third time I called in, I was disconnected (I presume the agent messed up in her attempt to transfer me). Why is this so difficult? Am I able to just go to a store and make this change, because it seems apparent that the phone representatives are not competent enough to complete the task.

Thank you.

Matt

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I would just go to a corporate store and see what they can do.

Good Luck!

[mikewho]

I tried to do the exact same thing and it was such a hassle. After trying for a few weeks I gave up and took my lines to Verizon. With them it was a breeze and no headaches whatsoever.

[G8RinArizona]

Just to update, I went to two corporate stores yesterday. The first one was pretty clueless, but at the second store, I had two great reps that were very patient, took the time to make some phone calls, and managed to get everything set up as I wanted it. I am happy again!

[Millz34]

That's awesome you found your solution. In my experience residential and business does not mix in same environment in a call center and you did right by following the advice to go to a corporate store.

[emotpix]

I did this about 2 years ago and the Premier Business site and service are TERRIBLE.  Every time I have to call (which thankfully isn't often) it's at least 20-30 min of time wasted and quite often they tell me I have to call another dept.  They are so bad it's laughable except when you consider it's your time being wasted.  Also, if after you convert to the business plan and any of your people have to go to an AT&T store that's an even bigger nightmare because they'll need three different pieces of info and also need you to give permission to allow the store to do anything.  AND, if it's not a corporate owned store, they often can't do anything. I cannot wait until most of our phones are up on contract.  Our next iphone upgrades will be VERIZON iphones.  

PS: I've even tried giving feedback to supervisors, and wasted time filling out surveys.  Nothing changes and I shudder to think of some poor admin asst who has to deal with 100s of phones.  My guess is it takes lots of prescription medication to look at that phone bill or deal with the crappy customer service.