Before I get started on AT&T, this morning I called Blue Cross of Texas to try to cancel my insurance effective May 31. The person who answered the phone . . obviously NOT in Texas. I could not understand him and he could not understand me. I asked to speak to a supervisor and that person was just as bad. I said “Nevermind . . I’ll call my agent and let him handle it.”
Then, it was time to call AT&T. We have had AT&T cell phone service for probably 20 or more years. This saga all started because when we bought new phones two years ago, we went with a 1 GB data plan (shared). They told us “If you ever need more data, you can pay for the next higher rate for one month and then come back to this plan if you would like.” So, we used all our data, for the first time ever, and needed more. When Vince called them, the plan we have is no longer offered so if we leave this plan, we can’t come back to it. The next higher plan is $25/month more than our current plan. We are not committing to paying $25/month more from now on because we needed more data this month.
We began investigating and decided we would just switch to StraightTalk or Consumer Cellular. A blog reader (several now, in fact) have recommended Consumer Cellular.
This morning I called AT&T to see how to unlock our phones. The first time I called, I got a person who I could not understand. I said “May I speak to your supervisor?” She said “I can help you!” I said “I cannot understand you.” She said “I understand you fine. What is your question?” I said “I need to speak to your supervisor.” She said “Not until you tell me why I cannot help you!” Fine . . I hung up and called back.
I got someone I could understand. I told her we needed to unlock our phones. She said “Why?” I told her we were out of data . . went through the whole story. She said “We have other plans.” I told her “We do not want to pay more because we can go with StraightTalk or Consumer Cellular and pay less for more!” She then began to tell me that we could get 3 GB of data and not pay any more than we’ve been paying for 1 GB. I said “You need to talk to my husband.”
To make a long story short, she assured us that we would not be paying any more . . exactly the same, in fact, and we would have this new service. Turn off your phone, turn it back on and you will have data again. Vince kept asking her “Are you sure I won’t be charged more because I talked to someone over the weekend and there were no comparable plans for the same or less that I’m paying now?” She was sure.
After Vince hung up, I told him . . I am not comfortable with all that so I called AT&T back. No . . We have been paying about $70 and with this new plan, we’re going to be paying $113.
They finally gave us to “Customer Loyalty” who was able to put us back to our old plan. I am leaving either this weekend or early next week for MO so we don’t have time to do all this before I leave but we will definitely be switching from AT&T the minute I get back from MO.
How bad can customer support get? I think we’re going to go with Consumer Cellular. Their customer support, at least for now, are in the U.S.
Pam says
And consumer cellular is awesome they recently upped our data at no additional charge.
Valerie Zagami says
Totally agree with Consumer Cellular, had it for 4 years and have never been so happy and had great service that works everywhere!!
Tony Bogusz says
I have Consumer Cellular and have been very happy with them. I should tell you, however, they do not run their own network. They are “resellers” and I am on AT&T through them !!! (I should add, “with no major issues”.) If you do Consumer Cellular via AT&T, you will need new Consumer Cellular SIM cards for your phones (usually free or at a very low cost when you set up service with CC at a Target Store), but unlocking should not be necessary. I believe Consumer Cellular also offers Verizon as an alternate carrier, but unlocking your current phones won’t work with their network. You’ll need new phones. The two carriers’ technologies are very different and highly incompatible. My wife, son, and I share 3GB of data on our CC plan and have unlimited voice and messaging. It’s just a bit over $80 with taxes and fees monthly for all 3. We’re satisfied customers. The value for the price is good.
Rosalie says
We are on T-Mobile and pay $50 for both phones with unlimited everything
That includes taxes and fees. It is for seniors. But of course they may not have good service in your area.
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t know if T-Mobile uses AT&T towers but where we live only AT&T will work. Both Straight Talk and Consumer Cellular use the AT&T towers (or Verizon towers).
Wanda Jordan says
Always ask to be transferred America or USA. Ten you get someone you can understand an believe them. I feel your pain I’ve been on phone last week with at&t for over six hours myself. They just aren’t what they used to be .
Judy Laquidara says
I did ask to speak to someone in the U.S. and that woman would not do it. Six hours . . I will give them about one hour of my time and if they can’t solve my problem and I have a choice, I’m done with them.
Karen says
I feel your pain. I’ve been struggling with AT&T for the past week. We had three accounts with them – internet, cell phones and direct tv. They combined the accounts into two. I made a payment and it was posted to the wrong account – giving me a credit in one account and a debit in the other. When I called I was told (by someone I had to struggle to understand) that she posted the overage to the other account – but that still left me owing on that account. I don’t have the faintest idea what she was talking about and I get daily emails that my account is past due. I’ve been thinking about switching to Consumer Cellular for a while now; my only concern is coverage when we’re in the country. I’ll be waiting to hear how it works for you.
Joyce J says
We have had Consumer Cellular for about 5 years and no problems at all. Reasonable rates.
cassews says
We have AT&T and when our contract is up we are going over to Consumer Cellular. I am so tired of our bill for the tv going up every month (so it seems),our internet which we are supposed to have unlimited on this plan slows down at 20 GB of usage. So something else has to be better with the dollar amounts,internet and tv.
Marti says
Check out Cricket also. They use ATT towers and a whole lot cheaper.
Lynn D in NC says
I’m pretty sure TING also is a bulk buyer/ reseller of service from AT&T and I believe they are even cheaper than Consumer Cellular.
Judy Laquidara says
Consumer Cellular is actually less. CS offers unlimited texts and minutes and 2 GB of data for $42 whereas up to 1,000 minutes and tests, with 2 GB with TING is $55.
Joyce says
I just left AT&T for both my land line and my cell phone. My cable company now offers both services, too, and since I can bundle it all in and save money. Of course, between the fee for them to come add the phone line, and paying the taxes up front for a new cell phone (my really old phone doesn’t work with their company), and a new case for the phone, and needing a new wireless router, I should start seeing the savings in about September…ugh.
Toni Macomb says
Love Consumer Cellular. We live on a small peninsula and when we first bought, in 2006, Verizon was the only service that worked here. And even then we sometimes had to walk out to the middle of the road. Verizon became too expensive. People started talking about CC and I switched 6 years ago. Love them!
dezertsuz says
Everything I read about CC sounds good. I doubt I could use my iPhone 5 with it, though, and I’m not ready or willing to buy a new phone. Plus it would save me only about $15 a month on two lines, and I’m happy with what I have right this minute. When I decide it’s time to upgrade the phone, I may come back to this idea. I do NOT like dealing with AT&T or Verizon. Boost has been super easy and is a Sprint network.
Marsha says
My husband died last year. I literally spent hours on the phone with ATT trying to change the account to my name. You would think it would be easy. No
Kay L Ford-Sollimo says
I had an old flip phone (Verizon) and decided to join the 21st century about 14 months ago and switch to a smart phone. A visit to Target got me a Motorola (Android) for $132.00 and the tech guy transferred all of my contacts over and set me up with Consumer Cellular. I am a totally happy customer.
Dar says
I wonder if we own Android phones and are currently with AT&T, if we can still use the same phones with Consumer Cellular. I noticed our bill has gone up $10 beginning this month for 2 phones and only 300 mg data shared! We pay $89.00 for this privilege!. Also, I do not really want to change my phone number, which would be a big headache for sure.