Cingular or Cellular One - I Am Still A Happy Customer!
Written: Oct 30 '00 (Updated Apr 13 '01)
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Pros: Feeling of security.
Cons: It took me to the modern era.
The Bottom Line: Cellular One - now Cingular - took the time to work with me to create a situation that was to my satisfaction.
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| RockyBug's Full Review: General Reviews of Cellular One Customer Service |
This is an update on my review of my Cellular One cell phone service that I wrote on October 30, 2000.
My two-year contract was coming to an end and I discussed it with Mrs. RockyBug (being married to an economist, it is smart to talk to her about money or business) and we decided we still wanted our current 2 phone system for the summer while our daughter is home from college. Yep, I have the idea I can keep tabs on her by cell phone where ever she is. Of course, being just like her mother, BugChild will only keep the phone turned on when she wants and not when RockyBug wants it on.
I stopped into the store where I got my cell phones 2 years ago and informed them I was looking for some sort of incentive to stay with Cellular One - now known as Cingular. The store manager would not offer me anything whatsoever as an enticement. She suggested I call Customer Service.
Well, I called Customer Service and was asked what I would like for an incentive. I suggested I would continue with the 50 included minutes for each phone and also get free nights and weekends, month-to-month service, and free long distance calling. The Customer Service representative gulped for air and said she could not authorize anything like that. She referred me to Level II Customer Service and transferred me to "Carla". I was told by Carla that the service plan I had was a special promotion that was no longer in effect. However, she could authorize certain things for existing customers. Carla and I did some "horse trading" for a few minutes and came up with a deal. I would get month-to-month (no time committment) service, 50 included minutes per phone, free time between Cingular customers, free nights and weekends BUT she could not do the free long distance. Since I have Qwest Long Distance for my home phone at 5 cents per minute, that was no big deal. The Deal of the Century was struck!
Cingular Customer Service was extremely courteous (she even asked if it was okay to call me by my first name); they were willing to work with me to get me to stay with Cingular; and gave me a feeling that customers are a top priority to Cingular.
THUS ENDS THE UPDATE FOR MY OCTOBER 30 OPINION. I WILL KEEP THE ORIGINAL INTACT FOR YOUR FUTURE USE, TOO.
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I shopped all over for the best deal on phones and service plans and finally decided on Cellular One. We signed on with the Cellular One Family Plan since that gave us 2 phones for the price of 1. We were supposed to receive a $50 rebate (cost of 1 phone) by sending in the UPC bar but for some reason, Ericsson sent 2 $50 checks within a couple of days of each other. I like that kind of "fuzzy math" - with all appropriate apologies to Dubya. The Family Plan costs $30 per month and gives each telephone (at the time I joined) 50 included minutes per month. The big selling point, however, is that all calls between the two phones are unlimited minutes per month. That means if Mrs. RockyBug goes to Atlantic City that I can presumably keep track of her all day long with no charge to my monthly minutes. Of course, in reality, Mrs. RockyBug will have her phone turned off until she wants to contact me!
The "home calling area" is fairly generous with Cellular One. It stretches all over Maryland with the exception of the panhandle - but no one in the panhandle owns a cell phone - down to Richmond and up all through New Jersey and to Philly.
The reception varies a lot! Some days are filled with static and others are crystal clear. It varies with the terrain and weather. Actually, I have had better reception calling home from near the Pennsylvania border than calling just a few miles in the city.
The customer service also varies with Cellular One. I have had a few minor errors on the bill but the customer service representative says to pay it and they credit you on the next bill. I have had to wait several minutes for one of the reps to get on the line but it is "free time" on the cell phone.
I have had only one problem with my cell phone and it just crapped out (this is a electronics term) one day. I took it back to the store I got it from and they gave me a "loaner" while mine went for free service. A week later, they called and said it was ready for pickup. When I got to the store, the manager said it was easier to replace the phone than to repair it so I got an identical brand new phone at no cost. Maybe I should have asked for the $50 rebate form!
Anyhow, I am fully satisfied with Cellular One service. I do not use it for long distance calling as that is expensive.
I feel secure knowing that Mrs. RockyBug has a phone with her in case of emergency and I carry one in my car, too.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 30 per month
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Epinions.com ID:
RockyBug
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Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Loves are: Mrs. RockyBug, Bug Child, travel, fine dining, and living the good life.
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