vB Easy Archive - Does cingular offer no contract option?

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Does cingular offer no contract option?
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Posted by: chembro84

At an authorized retailer the guy there told me there was such a thing as a "0-year contract" for cingular, the only down side was no mobile to mobile. When I went to a corporate store to ask about it they told me the only no contract option is pre-paid. A google search doesn't answer the question either, some say they do, some say they don't. So does anyone here know? Thanks in advanced!

Posted by: irelynx

M2M requires at least a 1yr contract.

Yes they do have the no contract option. You need to either have/buy your own phone (cingular branded or unlocked) when you go to sign up, or you will have to buy the phone through one of the stores at the retail (no contract) price. Then you are able to go "no contract" with them, you just won't have M2M.

Posted by: chembro84

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelynx

M2M requires at least a 1yr contract.

Yes they do have the no contract option. You need to either have/buy your own phone (cingular branded or unlocked) when you go to sign up, or you will have to buy the phone through one of the stores at the retail (no contract) price. Then you are able to go "no contract" with them, you just won't have M2M.

I ended up calling cingular and they told me the only way to go no contract is with pre-paid, but i gues it's not a big deal to go 1 year anyways.

Posted by: wierdo

Quote:

Originally Posted by chembro84

I ended up calling cingular and they told me the only way to go no contract is with pre-paid, but i gues it's not a big deal to go 1 year anyways.

That's simply not true.

Not signing a contract means you aren't eligible for promotional features. Right now, that is m2m. Many if not most reps aren't aware that there is a no contract option other than gophone. In stores, it's often hard because the salesperson makes little or no commission on it, but if it's slow, they'll probably have no problem doing it. Even though they should do their job in the first place, it's understandable why they'd be less inclined toward making it happen when they could be helping someone else and making more $$.

Posted by: blazer22

Quote:

Originally Posted by wierdo

Not signing a contract means you aren't eligible for promotional features. Right now, that is m2m.

Does that mean you do qualify for the promotional feature at the time of line activation or does it change as you go along? In other words, if I went no contract now would I never get M2M or would it change when the promotional features change?

Posted by: chembro84

Quote:

Originally Posted by wierdo

That's simply not true.

Sweet so I could get the 39.99 plan with 450 roll over and 5000 N&W without m2m and be totally free of a contract? Do you know exactly what this option is called so when i sign up I can ask for it specifically in "cingular talk"

Posted by: blueandwhiteg3

I have a Cingular no contact plan, signed in up in a corporate store no problems. Eventually worked my way to a family plan with no contract. I even have m2m, it seems the family plan added it on for free without contract.

Posted by: sz0wxc

I have a family plan and added a 3rd line with no contract on that line with all the features of the family plan 7 to 7 and mobile to mobile.. was not an issue .. told them I had an old phone that I was going to use and just needed them to send me a SIM and activate the line... they did! it all works no contract on the 3rd line

Posted by: chembro84

Does anyone know what cingular calls this option cause the 2 people i've talked to had no clue about it (like a previous poster said, I'm sure they don't want to sign me up without a contract they wouldn't make as much money that way).

Posted by: daftgem

Quote:

Originally Posted by chembro84

COAM, or customer owned and maintained equipment. If you put it into these terms you should be able to activate it with out a contract. i originally signed up this way. Good luck!

Posted by: chembro84

Quote:

Originally Posted by daftgem

COAM, or customer owned and maintained equipment. If you put it into these terms you should be able to activate it with out a contract. i originally signed up this way. Good luck!

Thank you! Armed with this info now I can go to a corporate store and demand no contract

Posted by: aresthoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by chembro84

Armed with this info now I can go to a corporate store and demand no contract

being armed with information gives you a leg up on those sometimes not-so-informed reps.

Posted by: irelynx

I don't understand how any rep could fool a customer into thinking there's no "no contract" option. It says in fine print next to the price tags for each phone:

V551 (for example)
$249 *no-contract
$100 *1yr contract required
$50 *2yr contract required

It just baffles me as to how the reps could either seriously be clueless, or succeede in playing the customer for a fool.

Posted by: wierdo

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelynx

I don't understand how any rep could fool a customer into thinking there's no "no contract" option. It says in fine print next to the price tags for each phone:

V551 (for example)
$249 *no-contract
$100 *1yr contract required
$50 *2yr contract required

It just baffles me as to how the reps could either seriously be clueless, or succeede in playing the customer for a fool.

They say that to activate new service, you need to sign a contract.

Posted by: irelynx

Quote:

Originally Posted by wierdo

They say that to activate new service, you need to sign a contract.

Ahh i c, so that's how they try to hook the customers into buying into a contract. They really shouldn't feel the need to try to fool customers like that though; to any new customer that unlimited M2M promotion is enough to make them seriously consider signing a contract anyways.

Posted by: ubermensch

I tried to do this today and the sales rep claimed that in order not to sign up with no contract I had to get a reggional plan. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Posted by: damba98

Sounds like more of the same CSR BS to me.

-P

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

I tried to do this today and the sales rep claimed that in order not to sign up with no contract I had to get a reggional plan. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Posted by: cingtd

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

I tried to do this today and the sales rep claimed that in order not to sign up with no contract I had to get a reggional plan. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Considering Cingular no longer sells regional plans, he is sadly mistaken or uninformed. If the store rep insists just remind him to call customer service to confirm.

Posted by: ubermensch

Yeah, the guy told me he had worked there for 8 months and had never seen it done. I insisted it was possible so he went back to talk to his manager. He came back out and gave me the regional line. What can I do to make it happen when the CSRs won't make it happen for me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by damba98

Sounds like more of the same CSR BS to me.

-P

Posted by: Mango808

The Rep just told you that and is sticking to that story of needing to sign a contract. If there is no contract during the activation, they will not get anything for it.

My advice is to just go ahead with the National Plan for 1 year and get the M2M. It's only 1 year and apparently Cingular works or else you wouldn't have gone back to them even after having them a few months ago.

Posted by: cingtd

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

Yeah, the guy told me he had worked there for 8 months and had never seen it done. I insisted it was possible so he went back to talk to his manager. He came back out and gave me the regional line. What can I do to make it happen when the CSRs won't make it happen for me?

Worst case, call sales and order without contract. Just remember, you won't be able to purch w/ less than 24 month contract through the Cingular web site.

Posted by: newcronos

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

what is a 'regional line'? cingular's regional plans doesn't exist anymore.

Posted by: cdvax11

Update. Got Cingular Nation GSM activation tonight (on my GAIT phone) with no contract. So don't accept that it can't be done. Corporate store on South Dale Mabry in Tampa. At first, he said I had to have a contract, but I dropped the "Customer Owned and Maintained (COAM) equipment" line to the manager and he folded like a Southern belle's fan. I have the standard $39.99 plan on a month to month basis.

I do have to admit that I didn't mention contract (and niether did he) until he had gone thru the whole activation process. When he told me that I would be asked to confirm accepting a two year contract was when I dropped the bombshell, that I wanted month-to-month. He was able to quickly go back in and change that. I asked for a receipt, just in case.

The sales guy was very nice. To make up for the hassle, he didn't even charge me for the SIM card. Life is good!

Posted by: ubermensch

Just got off the phone with Cingular. Cust Service person said she talked to two managers and a sales rep they can't make a new account without a contract. I canceled my account. Is there any hope?

Posted by: So Cal Blue Rep

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

Just got off the phone with Cingular. Cust Service person said she talked to two managers and a sales rep they can't make a new account without a contract. I canceled my account. Is there any hope?

Customer care are a bunch of ****tards sometimes. Im in the activation department and i have agents calling to activated 0 commitment plans every now and then. Yes it can be done.

Here is the criteria
1.Pay full retail for the phone/sim or bring in your own cell phone/sim
2.Pass our credit check

Here is what you get
1. Any of the nat plans or Ft plans without the M2M and no Rollover
2.No contract, pay month to month
3. 0 commitent accounts are ineligable for upgrades

Im guessing the sales guys dont say anything is maybe they dont get $$ out of it? thats what im guessing.

Posted by: ubermensch

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Cal Blue Rep

No rollover... ouch. And NEVER eligable for upgrade? Even after, say, 3 years of service? If I have to get a contract maybe I should just buy a new phone and sell it?

Posted by: damba98

If you think about it, that doesn't make much sense. I am betting that after some reasonable amount of time you could also get new customer pricing on phones (="upgrade"). Believe me, they do not want to lose your business. It just helps to be properly armed with the right information/buzzwords/etc. The first Cingular contact you make (i.e. nearest corporate store or agent to your house) might not always get you situated. Most recently, I've had better luck dealing with their phone CSRs than any in-person Cingular dealer. Now three years ago it was the opposite. Then I found the CSRs to be decent, but not as helpful as local assistance. YMMV.

-Pedro

p.s. if you look at some other threads dealing with no-contract experiences, you will see that others have indeed successfully migrated to family talk plans, and plans w/ M2M down the line. Just start by using the search terms 'no contract'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubermensch

No rollover... ouch. And NEVER eligable for upgrade? Even after, say, 3 years of service? If I have to get a contract maybe I should just buy a new phone and sell it?

Posted by: cdvax11

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Cal Blue Rep

Are you sure about the no rollover? They didn't mention that to me. I was only told no special promotions, and the only current promotion is m2m.

Why worry about upgrades unlessyou're one of those supertechies who must have the latest, greatest gadget? You can just buy another phone when you need it. The "upgrades" I was offered online were pretty crappy anyway. Frankly, I didn't care for any of the phones offered by Cingular. And I never pay full retail for anything? I like my SE T637 much better and got it unlocked for $90 on eBay.

Posted by: cingtd

No that doesn't sound right. There are no current rate plans that do not have RO since the old $29.99 plans went away. The only limited plans w/out contract don't offer M2M.

Posted by: So Cal Blue Rep

I stand corrected, RO is included but no m2m

Posted by: .7

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Cal Blue Rep

Here is the criteria
1.Pay full retail for the phone/sim or bring in your own cell phone/sim
2.Pass our credit check

Here is what you get
1. Any of the nat plans or Ft plans without the M2M.
2.No contract, pay month to month
3. 0 commitent accounts are ineligable for upgrades

All the above is correct as of 1-4-06. If you go to a store and they will not activate your service its cause they dont get paid enough to deal with it. It can be done though.

This thread has been placed in the FAQ for future reference.

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelynx

The no contract price is just that, the price of the phone if you buy it without signing a contract. Yes, there are month to month plans, they are called pre-paid. The catch is you pay more for the minutes. It's funny that people think they can get the same great rates as contract customers, without a contract!

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdvax11

Update. Got Cingular Nation GSM activation tonight (on my GAIT phone) with no contract. So don't accept that it can't be done. Corporate store on South Dale Mabry in Tampa. At first, he said I had to have a contract, but I dropped the "Customer Owned and Maintained (COAM) equipment" line to the manager and he folded like a Southern belle's fan. I have the standard $39.99 plan on a month to month basis.

I do have to admit that I didn't mention contract (and niether did he) until he had gone thru the whole activation process. When he told me that I would be asked to confirm accepting a two year contract was when I dropped the bombshell, that I wanted month-to-month. He was able to quickly go back in and change that. I asked for a receipt, just in case.

The sales guy was very nice. To make up for the hassle, he didn't even charge me for the SIM card. Life is good!

Reminder: you got this plan...
http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/ce....svl=2250800013

NOT the 450 w/rollover and 5000 nights and weekends and unlimited M2M for $39.99!

I like how he sweetened the deal with a free SIM card

Posted by: B-Money

Sometimes when a CSR says he doesn't know about the no contract plans, it could be that he simply hasn't been told. I would be one of those CSR's. True, it doesn't help us get $$, but the plain truth is that it doesn't say anywhere in any documents i've ever read that it is possible. Nor would I even have any clue how to set that up in our computer system. Nowhere have I seen any options to do it. And in the 6 months i've worked for Cingular, I've never seen it done in the store.

So don't just automatically assume that the reps are being devious.

Posted by: gregsmith59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal91302

Customers do get the same rates on month-to-month postpaid as contract postpaid customers, except no M2M is included. Why add to the mis-information?

Posted by: SoCal91302

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregsmith59

Customers do get the same rates on month-to-month postpaid as contract postpaid customers, except no M2M is included. Why add to the mis-information?

So why does the pick-your-plan option exist? And why is there no way to activate this sectret month-to-month plan available in OPUS (the software we use to activate). Please enlighten us.

Posted by: mdrobnak

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal91302

So why does the pick-your-plan option exist? And why is there no way to activate this sectret month-to-month plan available in OPUS (the software we use to activate). Please enlighten us.

Not sure. See this is the problem I had. (Btw, the reason there was a seperate thread was I was unsure this info was still correct. As of today, the 27th, it most certainly is.) I was in a corp. store in Scarsdale, NY, and was told Opus couldn't do anything except 1 or 2 year. This is not correct. I had the runaround - first they told me to call 800-331-0500, and a gentlemen there told me to call the "Credit and Activations" number (an 866 #), and then a polite woman was very surprised to hear from a customer lol. She told me to go to a store, so I did, again. I'm not sure of what the "Retail Sales Consulant" at the Penn Plaza store did, but she got it to work without any issue. Just everyone be aware there is NO way to add Mobile to Mobile without a contract.

Bottom line - T-Mobile branded, unlocked Nokia 6101 on Cingular, working messaging, voicemail, web, voice, etc, all without a problem, except web is called t-zones lol. I'll have to load Opera Mini on it later (unlimited MediaNET plan). Haven't tried tethering yet though. I will need to do so very rarely, but it will be for short SSH sessions only.

-Matt

Posted by: gregsmith59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal91302

So why does the pick-your-plan option exist? And why is there no way to activate this sectret month-to-month plan available in OPUS (the software we use to activate). Please enlighten us.

Ignorance is no reason to be rude.

Prepaid and postpaid are two entirely different things. You're just getting confused by bringing prepaid into the discussion.

Just because you can't do it on OPUS doesn't mean it is not allowed.

There are multiple threads about this option - in fact Tripy had to close one since it was a duplicate. Read the forums and search and you will know it is possible.

Posted by: pdirish1953

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelynx

Trust me, They're clueless......

Posted by: T-Man2

I read this only once already, so maybe the answer is partially there, but: If I were to go into a Cingular store, get ready to buy a phone and pick a contract, and then tell the sales rep I want the COAM 'contract', would I have to go from the $200 for the phone (with 2yr SCA, or Soul Contract Agreement) to its current sale price? I'd imagine I would have to if I dont sign an agreement.

-T

Posted by: tennessee31

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Man2

I read this only once already, so maybe the answer is partially there, but: If I were to go into a Cingular store, get ready to buy a phone and pick a contract, and then tell the sales rep I want the COAM 'contract', would I have to go from the $200 for the phone (with 2yr SCA, or Soul Contract Agreement) to its current sale price? I'd imagine I would have to if I dont sign an agreement.

-T

Yes. You'll end up paying approx. $100 more for the phone.

Posted by: T-Man2

OK, thanks for letting me know.

Posted by: 91-stang

i am shocked people are still arguing over this. i am in the kansas city area, and our cingular stores have had the no contract deal for at least 6 months if not more.

also, correct me if i am wrong, but i believe with most companies, even with a contract you basically "pre-pay" anyways. you pay for the next month, plus any overages/extras from the previous month, not just pay for the previous month.

my bill that i just got on 3-11 shows it as 3/05-4/05...therefore you pre-pay on it.

Posted by: T-Man2

But it is by 30 days and still mostly a month by month thing, you just pay for your next month ahead of time...

Posted by: 1badmf

I was about to do the no contract option, I even set up a whole plan for it, but later I found out about the no M2M and that was a deal killer for me. Everyone I know has cingular. So I ended up cancelling that plan and adding a line at Walmart for a 1 year contract and got a SLVR for my girlfriend. Not a bad deal. Now I use about 30 anytime minutes and 5 billion M2M

Posted by: vedichymn

This may be a stupid question, but I live in Alaska right now, and there's not really any of the big providers up here.

I'm moving to Chicago in 3-4 months, and I'm looking at getting an unlocked Treo 650 that I'd like to get up and running on Cingular in the next month or so, for use on the drive, and to have a Chicago number.

Is it possible to get a SIM card from Cingular on a non-contract basis for an area I don't live in? Are they going to complain that I'm roaming on CellularOne's network up here for the next few months until I get down into the Lower 48?

Additionally, say I do like Cingular's service, would there be any issues getting my wife a phone on Cingular's network, and moving my number over to a familytalk plan with rollover and such (on a contract basis)?

Posted by: Mt. Yukon

Another question, If I have Cingular and Im up for a contract renewel, is there a way to keep my current sim card and phone number and sign up for month to month???

Posted by: damba98

You don't have to do anything when your contract expires. It's an automatic shift to month-to-month.

enjoy,
Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt. Yukon

Another question, If I have Cingular and Im up for a contract renewel, is there a way to keep my current sim card and phone number and sign up for month to month???

Posted by: Lambert

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91-stang

i am shocked people are still arguing over this. i am in the kansas city area, and our cingular stores have had the no contract deal for at least 6 months if not more.

also, correct me if i am wrong, but i believe with most companies, even with a contract you basically "pre-pay" anyways. you pay for the next month, plus any overages/extras from the previous month, not just pay for the previous month.

my bill that i just got on 3-11 shows it as 3/05-4/05...therefore you pre-pay on it.

In California, we do not have the 0 month option. As of 4/1/2006 we can do national acounts, and my first was from Florida. Guess what?.. there was an option for 0 months.. as well as 11 month verbal.. and some other stuff. We do not have that option in California using the same interface (OPUS) so this battle about if it can be done or not is pointless. Some markets can and some cant.

Posted by: Lambert

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripy

Wrong. It depends on the Market.

Posted by: Uncle Bill

If you are currently on the $.25 flat rate plan, can you upgrade to the $1 a day free M2M plan without getting a new sim? Or do they have to activate a new account?

Posted by: gregsmith59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bill

If you are currently on the $.25 flat rate plan, can you upgrade to the $1 a day free M2M plan without getting a new sim? Or do they have to activate a new account?

I believe you have the option to switch between the two when you recharge your account.

Posted by: Freakshow105

Would a credit check still have to be done?

Posted by: pdirish1953

I'm an agent for Cingular and here's the deal. Cingualr offers two types of pre-paid, no contract terms. One plans offers you similar as post paid contract subscribers. go to Cingualr's site this will give you the correct information. http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/ce..._requestid=6353

There is one plan that gives you unlimite mobile to mobile and that is $69.99 per month. You must put the charges against a credit or debit card.

Posted by: damba98

Granted, you are an agent, but I'm not certain you have read all of the various threads on this topic.

Depending on where someone lives, a no contract, i.e. month-to-month, non-pre-paid/non go-phone option might be available to someone who walks in requesting it. The web site does not always provide such level of detail regarding what precisely Cingular can or cannot do to accomodate a customer. YMMV.

-Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdirish1953

I'm an agent for Cingular and here's the deal. Cingualr offers two types of pre-paid, no contract terms. One plans offers you similar as post paid contract subscribers. go to Cingualr's site this will give you the correct information. http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/ce..._requestid=6353

There is one plan that gives you unlimite mobile to mobile and that is $69.99 per month. You must put the charges against a credit or debit card.

Posted by: rcsheets

I'm still with Cingular Blue and just called 611 and asked about the no-contract option. I talked to Manuel Gonzalez and his supervisor Yvonne, and they said that I absolutely couldn't migrate from Blue to Orange without at least a 1-year agreement. Yvonne called the Credit & Activations department, and they confirmed that it was not possible.

Is the no-commitment option only available to new customers, has it been discontinued, or am I perhaps in the wrong region? For the record, I'm in Columbus, Ohio. Or am I just being given the run-around?

Posted by: Jmyeosf

Does Cingular still offer no contract option? Last I talked to customer service, only option is GoPhone. Anyone could help me out?

Posted by: damba98

Yes, it's still available. But it may be easier to get no contract service in person. The last two friends who I've sent to Cingy were not able to successfully obtain no contract service via the telephone CSRs. They were however able to walk into a corporate store with GSM handsets and get no contract service. Just be persistent, since the in store reps don't make any money off you AFAIK. That's why the first one you speak with might not be so helpful. You could always do them a favor and add something to your account (even something small), or buy an accessory to help them out a little. YMMV.

-Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmyeosf

Does Cingular still offer no contract option? Last I talked to customer service, only option is GoPhone. Anyone could help me out?

Posted by: bocastephen

I just called Business Sales (I have a FAN number), and they said a no-contract (after initially stating it did not exist) plan had to be done at the store. I called the store, and was told a no contract plan had to be done over the phone. More runaround - and being given multiple numbers to call and speak to even more clueless people or machines that won't handle my call correctly is why I cancelled Cingular last year within my 30 days.

The ONLY reason I am considering Cingular is to use a P910A I am going to purchase...otherwise I would stay at Sprint.

Now, the next issue: cancellations. I need M2M, so I am open to a 1yr contract, but I understood the cancellation charge (in Florida) is $10 per month remaining on the contract...now the store told me it's $175 per line. So which is it? $175 or $10 per month remaining on the contract? If it's the latter, I will probably just sign up for the 1yr...if it's the former, I might just stick to Sprint where I have no contract.

Posted by: 91-stang

gophone is no contract....here in the KC area they include free nights/weekends and free m2m. so why is gophone a bad option? is there some catch i do not know? they just want a secured payment option as far as i know....i just stuck out my contract and have no contract now. but i would easily do a no contract if i needed to do it again. i have tons of phones.

ps, i have a blackberry and a v3 razr for sale from cingular.

Posted by: damba98

AFAIK, GoPhone does not have the same roaming ability as post-paid. In other words, you would not get the same coverage. Someone will hopefully verify this.

-Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91-stang

so why is gophone a bad option? is there some catch i do not know?

Posted by: Bostongarden

After reading through this thread, I hope this is on topic...

1) I am a Cingular customer, now going month-to-month as my contract is over.
2) My phone just died.
3) I'm trying to decide what I want for a "keeper," so, in the mean time, to hold me over,
I was thinking of buying a 6030 (refurb) GoPhone for $29.99 at Cingular.com AND then popping in my "regular" sim card.
4) Would this violate any GoPhone rules? Am I obligated to use the GoPhone sim with the GoPhone?
Is it perfectly ok with Congular, contract-wise, such that there would be no penalties and charges, etc.
to use my "regular" sim card with the GoPhone-6030?
Does Cingular care which sim card is on a phone?

I understand that my "regular" sim card will certainly work in the GoPhone-6030. My question is not whether the sim will work.
My question is whether this is "ok" contract wise with Cingular.

Thanks!!

Posted by: damba98

No worries, no penalties. You current SIM will work just fine. Just plug and play with your gophone until you are ready to spend more $$ on a new phone for the long haul

.

have fun,
Pedro

Posted by: Anole

This was a very interesting and entertaining thread to read.
Thanks to all who participated.
Of course, every piece of info has an expiration date, so it's always good to ask what is in effect today.

Here's a great case in point:

Quote:

Originally Posted by from 09-15-2005

There are no current rate plans that do not have RO since the old $29.99 plans went away.

I believe that you cannot get the $29.95 plan any more.
However, I have it, and it includes 250/5000, night/weekends, roam & long distance.
Seemed a perfect plan at the time, and I'm damned careful to not lose it!

Posted by: DWC1

I have read all pages of this thread and the answer still seems to be totally inconclusive. Can a FAN customer in the Washington DC/Baltimore market activate a zero month commitment account with COAM?

Posted by: ekb55

Waiting for a reply to the previous post myself! I'm the the Balt Wash area also.

Posted by: locojones

I'll lend my experience to the matter. I was looking forward to migrating to an Orange account and activating a new phone that I was planning to buy (not from Cingular). After having read this thread, I called Cingular and went through quite a few customer service representatives, nearly all of whom told me that such a zero-contract COAM option simply didn't exist and, to even activate a device that I purchased, required a minimum 11-month contract.

However, I found one incredibly helpful representative with whom I spent 45 minutes on the phone. He ended up calling 3 other departments, and eventually came the conclusion that yes, indeed it was possible to activate a new phone and remain off contract, merely paying as I had, month-to-month post-paid. He mentioned that he couldn't do it over the phone, however, that I would have to go in-store to have it done, and that every manager of a corporate store knew the procedure. And, in the event they didn't know the procedure, he was going to add detailed notes to my account regarding our discussion.

Elated, I purchased a new phone from a third party vendor and took it to my local store to have it activated. They steadfastly refused to help me unless I signed a minimum 11-month contract. The manager said he didn't know what I was talking about, and that if such an option existed, it had to be done over the phone. The run-around....great.

I called Cingular again, several times, and each time was stonewalled with the same answer -- it can't be done. Finally, I was transferred to god-knows-where, where a guy (I'm sure he was some conflict resolver or solutions specialist or retention specialist or whatever) insisted that a no-contract option was not available. When confronted with the notes on my account, he told me that I was lied to. He then tried to tell me that the representative must have been talking about the Go Phone plan, and didn't have an answer when I told him that we quite clearly discussed the National Rollover 450 plan, where under a no-contract option all I give up are the promotional mobile to mobile minutes.

And when I asked him if it were possible, according to this thread, that they enter 11 month contract for purposes of the billing system and then zero it out manually afterward to keep me on month-to-month billing, he said he'd lose his job if he did that. And when I told him that, because he acknowledged he could do that, it obviously was possible, but he refused to answer anymore.

I'm just tired of Cingular's run-around. People who work there and post here say it's not only possible but that they've done it. But, aside from that one fateful Cingular phone guy, I've gotten nothing but inconsistent stories in return.

So which is it?

And if anyone who works there knows, what is the Corporate Headquarters address so I can write a complaint. I'd like to make them honor their representations, the evidence of which has been left on my file.

Thanks!

Posted by: hatoncat

I tried to setup a customer in West market with no-contract a couple of weeks ago. The corp store said it couldn't be done, had to be at least a one year contract.

Tracking back, I think the change happened when they rolled out the GoPhone PYP offerings, which are meant to serve as the no-contract option instead.

Posted by: damba98

Ugh. That really stinks ;(. The worst part about Cingular is that there is such inconsistent information being distributed regarding what the individual stores and phone reps can and cannot do. The COR store closet to my friend refused under any circumstance to give him new Cingular service w/o the minimum 1 year that you've described when he brough in his own handset. OTOH, calling probably a half dozen times on the phone (and a lot of patience) got him a no-contract option with his previously bought Nokia 3120b. This was only a few months ago. Go figure.

I have a question too regarding the wording being used in this case. Is the device really being 'activated', since we know that unlocked GSM phones and phones already locked to Cingular already work simply by inserting the active SIM card(?) Isn't in reality the new service being activated and not the device per se(?)

In any case I hope you get what you need.

best,
Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by locojones

I'll lend my experience to the matter. I was looking forward to migrating to an Orange account and activating a new phone that I was planning to buy (not from Cingular). After having read this thread, I called Cingular and went through quite a few customer service representatives, nearly all of whom told me that such a zero-contract COAM option simply didn't exist and, to even activate a device that I purchased, required a minimum 11-month contract.

Posted by: raz01r

Early this year I changed my plan to a Family Plan, and got a new phone for the 2nd line over the phone. I returned the phone an later called back to makesure they had me on a month to month and it worked!!!

Posted by: raaj

Ok, I got a franchise Cingular store, 2 corporate stores and a corporate phone sales rep (called 1-888-333-6651 and was then handed off to 1-800-342-3212 which needs an extension to reach a rep) saying that they could give me the no contract option. The deal breaker however was that I have a 703 area code phone number and I live in area code 561 now. It seems OPUS does not let them port a number from a different area code. I was told to contact the corporate customer service number at 1-800-331-0500 and that they could definitely sort out the issue.

I called the said number only to be told a CSR that there were no "no-contract" options, and that I need to get a minimum of 1-year contract even though I bought my own phone.

I am so

right now !!

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by raz01r

Early this year I changed my plan to a Family Plan, and got a new phone for the 2nd line over the phone. I returned the phone an later called back to makesure they had me on a month to month and it worked!!!

Are you sure BOTH lines are month to month? If you added a new line they may have added a contract term only to the second line.

Posted by: raz01r

Yes , they are both month to month. I checked online and it gives the upgrade option for both numbers.

Posted by: raz01r

I just remembered. When I called to return the phone I told the CSR that I wanted to return the phone I got for my 2nd line, but I didn't want to cancel the line, so she asked to include a note inside the box saying to keep the line open that I'm just returning the equipment. Later I called to makesure they received the phone and that they had my second line on a month to month.

Posted by: mochachip

i have a month to month right now on the old cingular plans...600 minutes, $49.99/mo.....last year i switched from a moto v551 to a nokia 6620 and my plan remained even though i was out of contract

Posted by: gerardcon

I don't see what the big deal is for signing a contract. I mean how often do you change cell providers? And if you don't like the service you have the 30 day trial period to test it out. Plus you get a free phone that you get to keep wich is usually more expensive than cancelling the contract. For example I got my slvr for free and a 50 gift card for comp usa when I signed the 2 year contract. Back then the slvr was like a 350 or 400 dollar phone. And how much do you pay for cancelling a contract???

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardcon

I don't see what the big deal is for signing a contract. I mean how often do you change cell providers? And if you don't like the service you have the 30 day trial period to test it out. Plus you get a free phone that you get to keep wich is usually more expensive than cancelling the contract. For example I got my slvr for free and a 50 gift card for comp usa when I signed the 2 year contract. Back then the slvr was like a 350 or 400 dollar phone. And how much do you pay for cancelling a contract???

I have no interest in obtaining any phone from Cingular due to the way they flash them and hobble original functionality which sometimes also degrades service. I'm happy to bring my own unlocked phone and take care of equipment myself do I don't need any discounted equipment in exchange for a 24 month locked contract. Also in my opinion signing a 24 month contract with any wireless provider is far too long of a contractual commitment. It's great that you get 30 days to try it out but what happens when 6 months later you are no longer satisfied with the quality of service? You are stuck with contract for 1.5 more years. It all comes down to leverage. If I'm happy with the service today then I'm happy to continue to pay. But if the network services degrade I want the option to walk away on my time table. I would rather put money into buying my own equipment than keeping a reserve fund for and ETF. I don't think I'm really saving any money but it's the only leverage consumers can have against a huge carrier.

Posted by: wierdo

There is a 1 year contract option. Nobody forces you to go 2 year...yet.

Posted by: lars32

Yeah, I called customer service many times already, no one can get me the month-to-month. However, you can do the one year contract instead of the two-year listed on the website.

Posted by: Urban Strata

I'm planning to switch to Cingular from T-Mobile this weekend (for the 3G network). I prefer to use unlocked Pocket PC phones, and so don't need to pick up a new phone with the service.

Based on reading this thread and other FAQs, my understanding is that I should be able to walk into Cingular tomorrow and, referring to COAM, request a basic, no-contract voice plan with the $19.99 Smartphone Unlimited plan, and walk out with a SIM and unlimited data for my Pocket PC phone.

Am I understanding all the right? Thanks.

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Strata

I'm planning to switch to Cingular from T-Mobile this weekend (for the 3G network). I prefer to use unlocked Pocket PC phones, and so don't need to pick up a new phone with the service.

Based on reading this thread and other FAQs, my understanding is that I should be able to walk into Cingular tomorrow and, referring to COAM, request a basic, no-contract voice plan with the $19.99 Smartphone Unlimited plan, and walk out with a SIM and unlimited data for my Pocket PC phone.

Am I understanding all the right? Thanks.

No that is not correct. Granted this is a very long thread so read it all. Cingular will only offer an 11 month minimum contract under COAM now. The only no contract option is with Gophone prepaid service.

I have activated 2 extra lines of service this way recently and althought the reps initially told me they could do it their system will no longer allow it no matter who you speak to.

Posted by: Urban Strata

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWC1

Got it -- thanks for the clarification, DWC1.

Posted by: AG8000

Not allowing this is just one more of Cingular's anti-customer policies. I know that Alltel will not force you into a contract. I think this will hurt Cingular and help other carriers.

Posted by: budamonk

My friend is willing to sell me his 8125. If I buy it from him, can I activate it with the no contract option?

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by budamonk

My friend is willing to sell me his 8125. If I buy it from him, can I activate it with the no contract option?

No. Please read this thread. The minimum commitment is now 11 months.

Posted by: Jahlight

What if your contract term is up? You should then be able to continue month to month right?

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahlight

What if your contract term is up? You should then be able to continue month to month right?

Yes of course you can.

Posted by: mdrobnak

Yes, unfortunately, the minimum contract is now 11 months, as has been stated. I made the stupid mistake of leaving for Verizon, and when I came back, I couldn't get the same deal I originally had, which was a non-promo plan with no contract. Oh well, I was pretty happy with them except for Data, and now that 3G is coming into focus better, I'm happy with that too. :-)

-Matt

Posted by: robzila

Ok guys, I need some assistance from someone who is knowledgable about these issues. Here is the situation: I have a 6620 that I activated and pay month to month (39.99/1000 anytime /w rollover and 19.99 Media Net Unlimited). I've had this for almost 2 years now. I am wondering what my options are to increase my available minutes, as well as add-ons (M2M, Nights & weekends, etc.). I dont want to lose my pricing on my Data Plan as I understand the pricing is now considerably higher. Thanks for any help and suggestions!

Also, I am considering upgrading my phone in the very near future. When I do what all is involved other than swapping out SIM cards? THanks again!

Rob

Posted by: pdirish1953

[QUOTE=robzila]Ok guys, I need some assistance from someone who is knowledgable about these issues. Here is the situation: I have a 6620 that I activated and pay month to month (39.99/1000 anytime /w rollover and 19.99 Media Net Unlimited). I've had this for almost 2 years now. I am wondering what my options are to increase my available minutes, as well as add-ons (M2M, Nights & weekends, etc.). I dont want to lose my pricing on my Data Plan as I understand the pricing is now considerably higher. Thanks for any help and suggestions!

Rob, Are you using all of the 1000 minutes? In the past Cingular offered add on features such as unlimited night and weekedends and mobile to mobile for $9.99 for each service. Now they bundle that with current plans. if you where to add those services you would be looking at a bill of $50 a month plus your media net fee of $20. Now you have a $80 bill before taxes and fees. Look at a current bill and perhaps you can determine how many minutes of your usage are after 9pm or on weekends. In addition how many of your calls are to another Cingular phone?
Recommendation, change your rate plan to 900 nation plan which is $60.00 a month it includes mobile to mobile and night and weekends. Keep your media net package if it fits your usage. The only thing your losing is 100 minutes. If you are not using all of your current 1000 minutes and have a bank of minutes stored up you really aren't losing anyting.

Cingular is offering up a new batch of 3G hardware and will allow you to do a lot more. These devices will require you to get a new SIM Card. so make sure you back up your current SIM card phone book to the Nokia. Once you get a new SIM Card, you can insert it in the Nokia and transfer your phone book to the new SIM Card.

Hopes this helps you.

Posted by: sabarth10

I am an old AT&T customer still using TDMA. It's now finally time for a new phone so I bought a Nokia 6682 for me and an SEw300i for my wife on EBay.

My current plans are:
$29.99 - 250, plus 100 additional, 1000 nights and weekends
$19.99 - 60, 500 nights and weekends. (wifes phone used very sparingly)

I understand these are very old plans and not available anymore.
I went to a store with my new phones to get SIMS and was told I'd have to commit to at least 1yr. I called CS and was told the same thing. The reason is that they have to treat it like a new account since I'm on "the old billing system". I conveyed that I don't care about the issues they have with their billing system; I'm an existing customer and simply want new equipment which I already have. I was passed to a "Customer Relations" rep. Again the explaination about needing to be converted to their new billing system. The best she could offer me was 2 new plans of $29.99 w/200 and 5000 nights and weekends, and $19.99 w/60 and no nights and weekends. No M2M or RO.

My issue with all this is the "old billing system" and the "new billing system". Aren't I a customer? What's the difference to me if they have an issue with their system. I'm choosing to stay, don't want any free equipment, and just want a current plan on my phone.

Now when I try to access my account online it gives me a message about things not being available during their transition to the new billing system. So, now they can change me over since it suits them?

Posted by: pdirish1953

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabarth10

I am an old AT&T customer still using TDMA. It's now finally time for a new phone so I bought a Nokia 6682 for me and an SEw300i for my wife on EBay.

My current plans are:
$29.99 - 250, plus 100 additional, 1000 nights and weekends
$19.99 - 60, 500 nights and weekends. (wifes phone used very sparingly)

I understand these are very old plans and not available anymore.
I went to a store with my new phones to get SIMS and was told I'd have to commit to at least 1yr. I called CS and was told the same thing. The reason is that they have to treat it like a new account since I'm on "the old billing system". I conveyed that I don't care about the issues they have with their billing system; I'm an existing customer and simply want new equipment which I already have. I was passed to a "Customer Relations" rep. Again the explaination about needing to be converted to their new billing system. The best she could offer me was 2 new plans of $29.99 w/200 and 5000 nights and weekends, and $19.99 w/60 and no nights and weekends. No M2M or RO.

There's one constant in life, "Change"
First of all,it's not that you are on an old billing system, you were on an AT&T(former Blue system). In order to have continuity, Cingular adopted their existing billing system which means there was probably an operational savings.
Unfortunately for you it the change doesn't always work the way we'd like it to.
Not sure why you are complaining about the rate plans you got, seems from your discription you are lost 150 minutes on one plan and gained 4000 night and weekend minutes. Did you use all of your 350 minutes? Not sure of your definition of Sparingly either. Does your spouse use all of the 60 minutes the plan allows? If you answered no, then what did you loose?
Another thing you could have done was put your wifes phone on a prepayed plan, the best is to do $100 card up front and is good for one year, That would average $8.35 a month or 80 minutes a month. You did say "uses sparingly" That's a savings each month no matter how you spin it.

You might have available to you a share talk plan for both lines for $59.99 month which includes 550 anytime minutes, 5000 night and weekend minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile and RO. (might be market specific). Where do you live? The difference is $10 additonal per month over your current pricing,(if available) but you gain 140 anytime minutes, m2m, RO and 1000 night and weekend minutes over your old plans.
As for purchasing your phones on Ebay, you could push the fact that you did not take a concession price for a new phone and purchased the phones outright. So why the year of terms?
For the carriere, it just means there is a 12 month chance you won't move to another carrier lowering their churn rate.
The point you are trying to get across is a common one and unfortunately for us, there are multiple carriers in a market and if we don't like what one is doing we can always go to another. The question you must ask yourself, " Is the grass greener on the otherside?

I'm sure this wasn't all you wanted to hear, but it's becoming the norm across all carriers. See if the family share plan 550 is available in your market. if so, you and the carrier may have a happy medium.
Good luck!

Posted by: sabarth10

Thanks pdirish1953

I know the contract is for THEM to guarantee that you will stay a customer for at least a year. And, in the grand scheme there is a zero chance that I will go to another carrier. I've currently been Out of Contract for about 4 years now (been a customer for over 11 years). I don't use all my 350 minutes and don't use much of the night and weekend minutes at all (maybe 20-30?). The 200 they've offered me is probably sufficient. And yes, I am considering switching my wife to prepaid since she only uses maybe 10-20min/mo.

It's really just the point to me. I've been out of contract for about 4 years - why do they feel the need to lock me in a new contract for less than I have now? Especially since I don't need any equipment deals. It doesn't make sense. I have an issue with being locked in at this time because my financial status is volatile. I have a new child, my wife's salary is now gone since she is home with the baby, and my job security is close to non-existent. I could be out of a job within a year. If I have to bail out of cell service altogether I don't want to have to pay an ETF. Maybe under extreme circumstances they'd waive the ETF since I've been a customer for sooooo long?

Posted by: icerabbit

Sabarth, under the circumstances, maybe both going prepaid would be an option?

I don't think you will be able to avoid the new 1-2yr contract. I know some people who have been through a similar thing and they were forced into a new contract.

With the same or another provider, you should be able to keep your numbers.

Posted by: FL1134

I would also recommend prepaid for you situation, at least initially.

Posted by: A42887

I've read, and am still not clear. Call me dense, I know. Simply, does COAM even require a 11 month contract now? What 'is' a 11 month contract anyways? Are you compensated in any way over just taking the one year discount on some of their equipment?

Posted by: DWC1

Quote:

Originally Posted by A42887

I've read, and am still not clear. Call me dense, I know. Simply, does COAM even require a 11 month contract now? What 'is' a 11 month contract anyways? Are you compensated in any way over just taking the one year discount on some of their equipment?

Yes COAM now requires and 11 month contract. You don't get anything extra but you do get the N&W and M2M. I think M2M was excluded before on the no contract month to month.

Posted by: robzila

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWC1

Yes COAM now requires and 11 month contract. You don't get anything extra but you do get the N&W and M2M. I think M2M was excluded before on the no contract month to month.

You are correct concerning the M2M being excluded. I just managed to get a 2nd tier CSR to add M2M to my COAM service a couple of weeks ago. I am not under contract, and have been using the Nationwide 1000 Anytime for about 2 years...I was hoping that i just got lucky, but your explanation explains why I can have it now when I couldnt previously.

Posted by: fresar

bottom line, can i still have a 0 year contract with cingular

Posted by: A42887

No You Can Not

Posted by: mripguru

Quote:

Originally Posted by irelynx

Yes, but I don't think they make any/very little commission on such sales so they'd rather either push the customer away or try and get them to sign a 2 year contract.

Posted by: sungyoo

Am I allowed to sign up for a discounted business contract with an 11 month contract, then?

Posted by: CormasterMPX220

The only reason for the contract is to pay for the price of the phone as far as I"m concerend, so I figure you buy a phone off ebay, take it in, pay for the SIM card and activation and your set.

Posted by: hatoncat

That may be "as far as you're concerned"... but it is not AT&T policy. You are required to have a one or two year contract to start new postpay service. Otherwise, you're stuck with GoPhone. And that's as far as AT&T is concerned...

Posted by: Bentai

Yeah pretty much. Got my fiancee Cingular/ATT service, and they could not offer anything less than a 1 year contract. The sales rep did say after the contract was up she could move into a month-to-month if she didn't mind losing the unlimited mobile-to-mobile.

Posted by: robzila

she shouldnt lose the M2M...

Posted by: Bentai

Well I'll admit it's been a while since the contract was signed, maybe she can go month to month and keep it. I was just happy I actually found a salesman willing to work with us instead of blowing smoke. Pity he either quit or transferred elsewhere, I tried to send friends and family to him by name.

Posted by: damba98

Been there, done that

.

It's not a maybe- you do not lose the M2M, actually. If coverage is adequate and you don't plan on moving, a 1 year (or a contract in general) is nothing to worry about IMO.

-Pedro

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentai

Well I'll admit it's been a while since the contract was signed, maybe she can go month to month and keep it. I was just happy I actually found a salesman willing to work with us instead of blowing smoke. Pity he either quit or transferred elsewhere, I tried to send friends and family to him by name.

Posted by: Sikskillz84

not really sure...

Posted by: lars32

question: has anything changed post merger into AT&T?

Posted by: hatoncat

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars32

question: has anything changed post merger into AT&T?

No, not really. GoPhone PYP remains the only post-pay no-contract option.

Posted by: Wutpickel

mm... i don't care about promotion (for phones) really. the phone i want i have to get somewhere else (nokia 6210).
but i would like to keep my plan which has m2m, 400 min. for $39. the only thing i like to add is navigation feature later. is there a plan which includes this? and how much will it cost?

Posted by: eswierk

I'm thinking of switching from Sprint to AT&T. I already own a quad-band GSM phone that I use overseas. I don't need a new phone.

Is there any way to sign up for a regular post-paid (not GoPhone) plan with no contract?

Posted by: Cronaldo

Quote:

Originally Posted by eswierk

I'm thinking of switching from Sprint to AT&T. I already own a quad-band GSM phone that I use overseas. I don't need a new phone.

Is there any way to sign up for a regular post-paid (not GoPhone) plan with no contract?

Yes you just go in and tell them what plan you want and that your going to port your number (If you want to port). Just tell them you don't want a contract because you already have a phone. Also remember at the end to ask for a contract print out saying that you don't have one or ask them to show you, your number with no contract on their screen. I did 2 weeks ago with no problem Good Luck!