Cingular Wireless ripoff, dishonest, liars, threatening Johnson City Tennessee

After making two more phone calls back to the Ocean Springs, MS call center and total of over 50 minutes of my minutes used, I finally found out my account has been credited back all but the activation fee and the 1 day of service. And the Relief Mgr, Rebecca Odom still wouldnt return my phone call, but a very nice csr rep handled it. (I quess there is a first for everything) Even tho I disagree with having to pay the activation fee of $18.00, I did just to be thru with this nightmare of over 3 months. I just cant wait until May 25, 2006 when I am out of contract with the New Cingular and Verizon here I come!!!

In reply the the rebuttal from Cingular, I had the receipt where the phone was returned immediately and confirmation from where a Cingular rep signed for it.Cingular still owes me a refund for the car charger, but I am working on that with a different dept. (amazing the number of depts you go thru)

I followed ALL of the procedures Cingular required, but how are we the consumers suppose to know who to talk to when the csr's and the relief mangers wouldnt give you any other contacts. They even refused me the address for the corporate office for Cingular, said that information was not to be disclosed. Excuse me???

I just count the days when my contract is up and one thing Cingular management should keep in mind.

One unhappy customer will tell 100 people how awful their company is compared to one happy customer that only tells a couple of people. They need to do the calculation and work on customer service because they have failed with a big fat "F" in this area.

This is cingulars return policy from their web site

Return Policy Print this page
Cingular provides a 30-day return/exchange period of devices (phones, PDAs, and other wireless communications instruments) and accessories. One exchange of a device is allowed per wireless service activation or upgrade, and one exchange of an accessory per purchase. The 30-day period for customers migrating or porting-in begins on the day the port is complete. Customers purchasing via Cingular.com should send returns to the Cingular warehouse at:

ATC Logistics & Electronics
Attn: Returns Department
13550 Independence Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76177

Cingular will waive early termination fees for service terminated within the return period, provided that the device(s) associated with such service are returned within the return period. Gift and ringtone cards are not refundable. In the event a customer returns their device and cancels service within applicable timeframe, all other charges will apply, but monthly service charges shall be re-rated and assessed based on the usage and the number of days that the customer had service. Cingular will refund your activation fee, if any, if you terminate within three (3) days of activating the service.

If you cancel your service contract after 30 days but before the date your contract expires, an early termination fee will be charged. Fees vary by state. For complete details, refer to your terms and conditions.

All devices and accessories must be returned to the original place of purchase. Devices purchased at a Company-owned retail store can be returned at any other Company-owned retail store with an original receipt.

Customers that upgrade or purchase through an agent or national retailer should return back to that location for return details.

To receive a full refund for the return of a device or accessory, merchandise must be in like-new condition with no visible damage. Customers returning a device shall not be entitled to receive any rebate associated with such device. A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) fee for voice-centric devices and fifty-dollar ($50.00) fee for data-centric devices shall be charged for any device returned without all accessory components (such as manuals, packaging, battery, charger, ear bud, etc.).

Purchase price of the device and accessories will be used to determine the refund amount. Exchanges for other device/accessory with different retail prices than the initial device/accessory will require payment for the difference for a higher priced item or result in a credit for a lower priced item.

If the customer wishes to keep the device but not the service, Customer shall have the option to keep the device at the no commitment price. Phones delivered pursuant to insurance claims cannot be returned or exchanged under our Return Policy, but Equipment Warranty rules may apply. This policy does not cover warranty return rules or defective products from the manufacturer.

Refunds will be issued based on the method of payment. Refunds for check purchase will have a 10-business-day waiting period before a check or cash refund.

Terms Applicable to Cingular Region GSM Plans:
Wireless service is subject to credit approval. An early termination fee of $240 prorated over the length of the service agreement applies to subscriptions in the following states: AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, NY and parts of IN and NJ. A non-prorated $150 early termination fee applies in all other areas.

If phone is returned within 3 days, activation fee will be refunded. If phone is returned within 30 days in like-new condition with all components, early termination fee will be waived. All other charges apply. Minutes will be depleted according to usage in the following order: night and weekend minutes, mobile to mobile minutes and anytime minutes.

What that means if you returned the phone to cingular and cancelled it within 30 days than no early termination fee would apply. Sounds like to me you did because you said the very next day after activation. Don't talk to a manager in the care centers ask for the escalation department.

Did they say they received the phone back and if so when was it received. You can get this information if you sent it thru ups, fedex, or usps off the tracking number. Confront them with the information from their own web site and ask (don't demand) that the early termination fee be waived. Tell them that you will pay for the service you used when the phone was active but that is as much as you will pay.