Cingular raising PPU SMS pricing 1/21/07 - Waiving ETF?

[CA]

I know this is a little off-topic, but if you are unhappy about the ridiculous charges that traditional landlines bring with them...get VOIP if you have a high-speed connection. I switched to VOIP about 8 months ago and couldn't be happier...Unlimited Calling in the U.S.,Canada, P.R, and all the features one could want....$199 for two years! I ditched Qwest because I was sick of their price gauging and couldn't be happier!!!!
Sorry for the off-topic post!

Ta da!!

2007: Google Talk Phone Calls, Offline Google Docs

Google launched many applications in the last 2 years, but most of them had too few features (Google Talk) or they were under-promoted (Google Docs & Spreadsheets).

In 2007, things will change. David Girouard, VP and General Manager at Google Enterprise, told Internetnews.com that Google Talk will include many new features and will become a true VoIP client. "Girouard said that Google Talk, which currently allows users to make VoIP calls among themselves, will be beefed up to integrate with traditional phone systems as well as VoIP offerings from other vendors."

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/200...s-offline.html

From the rooter to the tooter...DID's & termination-wireless & VOIP(WiFi) and a little free texting just to piss everybody off!

[Opi]

Cingular is a horrible company, I worked for them, and Ive come to this conclusion

[bobolito]

For people looking for information about the Pay-Per-Use price increase, the last two posts add nothing of relevance to the topic. If you have nothing on topic to add to this thread, please open a new thread for it, or simply refrain from posting. Thanks!

[WeeToddDidd]

Here is the response from customer service pertaining to my last bill.

"After reading your e-mail I have reviewed your account and found that
our records indicate that you will retain the same features and cost of
your AT&T Wireless plan. This recent change in text messaging cost will
not impact your billing. However, should you ever change your plan
and/or upgrade your equipment, you will be subject to the charges
associated with Cingular's features and plans."

[Mazzel]

For people looking for information about the Pay-Per-Use price increase, the last two posts add nothing of relevance to the topic. If you have nothing on topic to add to this thread, please open a new thread for it, or simply refrain from posting. Thanks!

I think that all these threads should be closed. Its obvious and apparent that there never will be an amicable solution to this problem. One side will continue to argue and the other will throw their opinion out. Cingular has already layed down their gauntlet. The point of continued posting what?

[ItismejsONFIRE]

I think that all these threads should be closed. Its obvious and apparent that there never will be an amicable solution to this problem. One side will continue to argue and the other will throw their opinion out. Cingular has already layed down their gauntlet. The point of continued posting what?

I'm going through arbitration. I hope others will do the same.

[david7700]

The whole point is that : "Customers should have a CHOICE!". Noone wants to be stuck into a year or two contract, especially when it's with a company such as Cingular which will raise its rates 50% for PPU txt messages which are already overpriced compared with other companies such as T-Mobile .. It's too bad there are not more success stories on here and instead we have people WORKING for Cingular trying to say that [Cingular/ATT/Yahoo!/SBC/Ameritech ] is a good company who works in the best interest for thier customers and are not trying to screw the average person who won't notice the $0.05 or 50% increase for each txt message.

[chnky18]

The whole point is that : "Customers should have a CHOICE!". Noone wants to be stuck into a year or two contract, especially when it's with a company such as Cingular which will raise its rates 50% for PPU txt messages which are already overpriced compared with other companies such as T-Mobile .. It's too bad there are not more success stories on here and instead we have people WORKING for Cingular trying to say that [Cingular/ATT/Yahoo!/SBC/Ameritech ] is a good company who works in the best interest for thier customers and are not trying to screw the average person who won't notice the $0.05 or 50% increase for each txt message.

***Disclaimer****While I am one of those that left cingy over this without ETF...it was merely to get a SERO plan with Sprint.

You say other companies....Tmobile is the only one that hasnt raised from .10 to .15 so dont say companies.

[ctk74]

***Disclaimer****While I am one of those that left cingy over this without ETF...it was merely to get a SERO plan with Sprint.

You say other companies....Tmobile is the only one that hasnt raised from .10 to .15 so dont say companies.

Verizon is still .10/.10 for now. How long remains to be seen.

[TxTwin]

I was having a dispute with someone on here, not realizing I work for Cingular. I guess our posts were deleted. The change does not allow you to leave ETF free. Pay Per Use text messaging is an optional service. Cingular is not forcing anyone to text message. Text messaging was a way to send a quick note to someone in where one of the parties were either, at work, school, or just unable to speak on the phone. Not saying that I agree/disagree with it, but if you send that many where that 5 cents makes a difference, then you should be on a package.

Excuse me, but my "brochure" which is referenced in the famous TOS regarding the change of services and ETF actually lists the pricing of the messages as 10c...right in the block of the price plan. To me, that means the 10c/message IS part of the plan, and a change to that is a change in my services invoking the "get out of jail free" card. Now, just to be clear, this is MY interpretation, and is not truly relevant to me as I am "joyfully" off contract and ready to jump when I see the right offer on another provider. So far, however, the R/O keeps me at Cingular....but more and more of my friends and family are going over to the dark side.

And, I would not go on a package as the only time I would use TXT is in an emergency....such as after a major storm when traffic on the towers that are left may be heavy...In those scenarios, TXT may be the only way to communicate, and the 50% (FIFTY PERCENT) would be significant. But, should I have to buy a TXT plan for the what if??

[Fire14]

Here is the response from customer service pertaining to my last bill.

"After reading your e-mail I have reviewed your account and found that
our records indicate that you will retain the same features and cost of
your AT&T Wireless plan. This recent change in text messaging cost will
not impact your billing. However, should you ever change your plan
and/or upgrade your equipment, you will be subject to the charges
associated with Cingular's features and plans."

Well for us with Blue plans, this is nice to know & hope it pans out that way. I guess we will find out for sure after the start date.

[Opi]

For people looking for information about the Pay-Per-Use price increase, the last two posts add nothing of relevance to the topic. If you have nothing on topic to add to this thread, please open a new thread for it, or simply refrain from posting. Thanks!

How ISNT that relevant? I worked for the company this entire thread is about

[ashutoshsm]

Here is the response from customer service pertaining to my last bill.

"After reading your e-mail I have reviewed your account and found that
our records indicate that you will retain the same features and cost of
your AT&T Wireless plan. This recent change in text messaging cost will
not impact your billing. However, should you ever change your plan
and/or upgrade your equipment, you will be subject to the charges
associated with Cingular's features and plans."

That's it. I'm never switching plans

I was even considering it, seeing as I don't even remotely approach using my cornucopia of minutes, but I certainly have nod esire to give up free incoming SMS and pay an extra 5 cents for the 10-20 TXTs I send every month.

I'll self-upgrade by buying an unlocked phone ... off to the For Sale forums, to post my 6620 & 6820 and hunt down a nice N or E series Nokia

[TxTwin]

For those still fighting the battle...
I got my December statement today.....and, there, lo and behold, under "RATE PLAN" was "TEXT MSG PER USE"....It is not listed under "other services, but as part of the rate plan. And, since my brochure indicates 10c a minute in the RATE PLAN block, I don't see how they can deny a request for getting out without ETF. So... I recommend putting your request in WRITING that you would like out without ETF and that you would like the appropriate department to contact you so you can arrange a smooth transition out of Cingular. They can say whatever they want on the phone to discourage you, but once you put it in writing, it takes on a more significant role....follow their notification process to the "T".

Since it is still listed on my "Rate Plan"....and the bill does not list the TXT message restriction, I will be calling Cingular tonight to request that they block all TXT on my plan at this time and have them note my account that I DO NOT AGREE to the increase.


(I also received the new and "improved" Arbitration Clause literature.)

[awj223]

I'm tempted to give them the required arbitration notice even though I have a text plan, on principle. Otherwise what's next, claiming that $0.45/addl min is a feature and not part of my voice plan? After all, I don't have to use up all my minutes, so I should never have to pay overages. In reality, I have never come close, but it's the principle. What's to stop them from raising the additional minute cost to $1.00 and claiming that it isn't part of the contract? The motivation? I'm sure there are some people who use all their minutes and some months have a small amount of overage. Raising the additional minute cost will "encourage" them to sign up for a higher plan and will raise ARPU.