• Report: #823071

Complaint Review: AT&T

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  • Submitted: Sunday, January 15, 2012
  • Last Posting: Tuesday, February 07, 2012
  • Reported By: Trust — San jose California United States of America
AT&T
2600 Camino Ramon Room 4w7 San Ramon California 94583-5000 United States of America

AT&T Advertising Solutions Take advantage of my trust and the fact that I'm a small minority owned business San Ramon , California

*UPDATE by author: Reason for Minority Title


2Author 3Consumer 0Employee/Owner

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As a small woman owned business. I set out to find a reputable advertising company. I was referred to AT&T. I had just opened my business with only a small budget for advertising.

I met with the sales rep for AT&T to discuss a solution. Since I had only a small budget they recommended it would be a waste of money to only buy within my budget. They said you were referred to me because i have helped other start up companies this way to take the worry and stress out of advertising. They set me up with a no profile trial run and said if the advertising don't work out just call me and I'll take care of it. I deeply expresses my concern that the amount of the monthly no obligation trial is unrealistic and if I do not get new business from this I cannot pay this amount. They reassured me that they have done this for several people and it will work and not to worry of it doesn't they will just close my account.

I called AT&T month three stating that i still have not received any calls for the advertising and would like to cancel. To my surprise the sales rep told me that their so sorry but somewhere along the line someone made me a profile and with a profile I cannot cancel.

I asked exactly what is a profile? They said it is a social security number attached to my file. That asked who I gave my social security number to. I replied someone from at&t called me to straighten out some issues with my advertising and that is when they asked me for information.

They then stated well you shouldn't have talked to anyone else about advertising except for me. This is your fault now I cannot help you cancel and you are obligated to original amount. I explained that I thought Everyone from at&t is all connected and playing for the same team. They said its not like that and because I talked to someone there I ruined my no obligation deal.

I made several calls to management, better business bureau and headquarters. They said that they believe me but since I didn't record the sales rep saying what she said that I did not have a leg to stand on and if I took legal action that it would be slander because I can't prove anything and they would sue me to the full extent and I would have to pay all lawyer fees. They told me that I should have recorded our conversations and in the same breath also said if your recording me I wish not to be recorded.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 1/15/2012 9:53:16 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/advertising-agencies/at-t/at-t-advertising-solutions-tak-0234a.htm. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
2Author 3Consumer 0Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals

#1 Consumer Comment

Play That "Gender" Card

AUTHOR: Cory - San Antonio (U.S.A.)

What DOES being a "women" have to do with anything? They would have just as likely screwed ANY "newbie" in business over, male or female. There are plenty of posts on this site FROM MEN who got screwed over by AT&T. But it sounds better to "play the gender card". 
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#2 Consumer Comment

Corey what is your problem

AUTHOR: Terry - (United States of America)

Whats a matter Corey........Hate women ??
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#3 Consumer Comment

No, Really

AUTHOR: Cory - San Antonio (U.S.A.)

I have nothing aganist anyone. It just irks me when someone starts their post with "I'm a small "women or whatever" owned business". Like THAT has ANYTHING to add or contribute to their complaint. No really, HOW MANY posts do you see beginning with "I'm a "MALE OWNED" small business". Would I even think about starting a complaint with such an introduction? H**l no. If I did I'd be laughed out of business. Here's a suggestion from someone who HAS HAD a small business for the last 17 years. UNLESS you're applying for minority status on either a loan or contract lay off the "I'm a small women owned business". People WILL respect you more.
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#4 Update By Author

Reason for Minority Title

AUTHOR: Trust - Fremont (United States of America)

The AT&T sales representative said specifically that she has a special program for minority and women owned business. Turns out that the special she had was a complete scam that AT&T took no responsibility for. I believe the sales representative still works there. Since the employee was not reprimanded it leads me to believe that they work hand in hand. I called lawyers and even the lawyer said there have been many similar situations and no one has ever won a case against AT&T unless they recorded the conversation. Because of all the legalities the exact words from the lawyer were "AT&T representatives can say whatever they want to make the sale truth or not bottom line is do you have them on tape. If not you will not win many people have tried but AT&T have all there basis covered and do not take responsibility for whatever means of sales their sales representative use to get the sale unless the consumer has a recording you have no leg to stand on". My complaint is only to warn others of such unethical business practices. The fact that I am a minority owned business is irrelevant other then the fact the whole scam was based on the sales representatives special for minority and women owned companies.
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