<![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You - Consumerist Comments]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Issue closed: ATT is sending me a new BJII and not requiring me to sign a new 2yr contract. I can continue where I'm at and not renew at the end.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> I finally got a call today from ATT. I submitted a complaint with the BBB and they called to work this issue out. The lady I spoke with told me she would send me referb phone I want at the premier website price. That's it. I told her that I was not accepting this offer and that I already submitted my only two options for ATT. I told her I know ATT wouldn't accept my offer of sending me the BJII for free and paying my unlimited data and messaging for the remainder of my 2yr contract, therefore the only other option is to cancel my contract without penalty. And this includes my wifes line also, so we can move on to another carrier. She tried to stall and then went on to tell me she might have a referb phone in her office that she would send for free. I went on to briefly summarize the whole situation and what actions ATT has lacked. I asked her if she even looked at the notes and case files. She didn't. She wasn't in her office and said she would look over them when she got back to the office. I told her to look over everything because I am really aggrevated with ATT and then call me back. She agreed to call me back tomorrow afternoon after looking at the notes. So what I get out of this, is that nothing good is going to come from the whole situation but me getting screwed once again. But I'm willing to see what this lady rep is going to say, so I will hold off on further action until her phone call. I'll keep you updated.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> It is so sad that I have to go through this situation at all. ATT made a huge error by giving my number away and I took the bullet on that and moved on. Now this upgrade thing and they still will not accept responsibility. Bad business and poor customer service.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Oh yeah and the Better Business Bureau can also help you in dispute mediation. Good luck! And if that doesn't work you can always threaten them with Small Claims Court.
Good luck and even though I don't fully agree with the military, I thank you for your service.

dumblonde

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> This is not about being in the military or not. The whole point of this is that they claimed they were going to do something and did not carry their end of the bargain. In other words, it was bad business practice. Pure and simple. Apart from the email bomb, I suggest you go see whatever government agency you have available to you for consumer affairs. What they did was wrong and I may even dare say illegal because you had an agreement and they broke it. File a complaint with the FTC and you state's consumer affairs bureau.

dumblonde

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Send an email bomb.

Serpephone

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Still no resolution as of today.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> This doesn't happen in the stores I work in. We can match the premier site, reverse the contract and override upgrade. Pretty simple stuff.

con-sue-md

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @sogmasta: do what a co-worker of mine does when he runs into hurdles (btw he's also a military veteran): he contacts his Congressman. Seriously. And the scary part is, shit gets done. All because he was a veteran.

SayAhh

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @mikecolione: That's what I thought from the begining. But a few weeks later and many hours on the phone have proven that isn't the way it happened. I could have easily just used my phone insurance and got me a replacement, but I took the upgrade route first because I'm entitled to one. Then all hell broke out and now I am in a war with AT&T. And they are kicking my ass. I'm from the North Carolina.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> If you didn't get a phone, you shouldn't be on a 2 year contract. If he were in my area I'd override the upgrade and match the price.

The reps should be able to look up his old account to see what happened. They should also be able to see he didn't get a phone when he activated his new number. That alone should give that rep a good enough reason to override the upgrade.

Where is he from?

mikecolione

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> $22 million package for AT&T CEO

Web Posted: 03/11/2008 09:37 PM CDT

Sanford Nowlin
Express-News Business Writer

It's good to be CEO. Just ask AT&T Inc.'s Randall Stephenson.

As top executive of the San Antonio-based phone titan, Stephenson Stephenson received a salary, bonus and other compensation valued at $22 million in 2007, according to a company financial filing made Tuesday

[www.mysanantonio.com]

Do CEO deserve that kind of pay

BLANDspace

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @howie_in_az: Imagine the hassle of having to change your phone number... there's a good reason why number portability had to be enacted before it really became feasible for many to leave their provider and why churn shot up dramatically when LNP became the rule.

The OP wanted his/her number back. I can't fault that at all but I can fault the people who said it was all impossible. It's possible, they just don't want to do it.

Buran

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Many contracts do have a special military clause in the lease. It's why it's always a good idea for active duty members to sign up with cell service using the military discount code because those contracts usually have a military clause. This means if you get deployed for an extended period of time you can temporarily suspend service or if you move someplace where your carrier can't serve you, you can get out of the contract early without paying the ETF.

It sounds like this Marine did what he was supposed to do when taking advantage of his military clause: he sent them a copy of his orders for verification and AT&T, as they are wont to do, fucked it all up.

It makes his military service not just relevant but key to his complaint.

VA_White

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @ninabi: i doubt Legal could do anything. as it doesnt have anything to do with the military. i tried to have them take up my case of being assaulted offbase and they said yea no, call this number for civilian laywer. laaame. i did and now i'm in bizness, anyway.

AF Times and the other papers have run stuff like this and our base paper has too. i'd say submit the post to them all and CC att higher-ups and see what happens. if the phone number is in use then im sure its gone for good which sucks. but im sure an upgrade for free would be reeeeally easy.

@Balisong: you are very correct. see it'd be one thing if say in the middle of my 2yr contract with att i just wanted to turn my phone service to "standby" for say 4-8mos. but when you fax/mail them US Gov't deployment orders that are notarized by your Commander it's a different story(which in a previous cell phone post a your Commanders signature can take place of a notary).

matsayz

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Can this man contact the base legal office?
He followed the rules, AT&T jerked him around as his "reward" for going to Iraq and he's wasting hours of his time trying to get this fixed.

This would also be a good "heads up regarding AT&T" article for the Air Force Times, Navy Times, etc.

As a spouse of someone who had deployed to Iraq, I say AT&T better make this right and right quick or there will be a shitstorm of bad pr in the military community.

ninabi

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @SirDidymus: That doesn't mean people other than those in the military don't have cell phone issues. I'm just saying, it only seems like there's a lot of problems between the military and cell phone companies, when the fact is that cell phone companies have crap service all around. It just seems like the military gets more crap service because it's part of their story when they write in.

Balisong

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> LOL. Everybody relax. The FACT that this guy's in the military and a huge conglomeration just took advantage of him, thus making said gung-ho post here will resolve itself in no time.

Regardless of how people feel about the War in Iraq, America hates it when companies try to take advantage of solidiers. It makes them look like terrorists.

sogmasta

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist:

I'm sorry, but as a woman married to a man in the army, you need to STFU. You have no idea what these people have experienced, and your complaint is punctuation? It must be nice to live in an ivory grammar tower where the peons below risk their safety for your right to complain about their English. People like you disgust me.

GothamGal

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Oh this should not fly at all. I used to sell AT&T cell phones for Radio shack. That 2 year wait is because they give you a major subsidy on the phone. They can't afford to do it very often without hurting their profit margins. With the two year contract, the subsidy is factored in to the price of the contract.

AT&T customer service can be tricky, but if you're firm they will usually listen to reason. Be sure to stress that you did not recieve new equipment and the customer service rep should not have placed you under contract because of that. Stress that it should have been a new activation with no contract length.

If possible, get escelated from customer service as soon as possible and in to billing, account services, or... anywhere but the initial customer service line.

Last piece of advice: where did you buy your phone? If you bought it from an AT&T store, then I don't have much more advice for you (though you could try pleading your case int he store). If you bought it from someplace like Radio Shack or Best Buy, ask them to speak with their account representative. This is a cingular employee who's has a lot more power than a CSR to keep you happy.

In fact, if you want to get your upgrade and get stone walled with AT&T corporate, explain that you want to upgrade with Best Buy or Radio Shack (or whoever) and explain the situation there and ask them to see if the acct rep can do anything for you. You might be able to get some help that way.

WiglyWorm

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @Balisong: Electricians rarely need to leave the country and suspend their cell service. Members of the military must frequently do this, and its abhorrent that companies are so negligent with their accounts.

SirDidymus

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist: You missed a comma after "OMG", moron!

Nicholas - so sorry to hear this! good luck!

SirDidymus

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @Buran: Why bother? OP should've taken his business elsewhere after the first screw-up courtesy of AT&T. Write an EECB explaining why he left and enjoy life with another provider.

howie_in_az

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> For what it's worth, I would contact the AT&T Wireless "Office of the President" support line. They helped me after all attempts to get my issue resolved through normal channels failed. AT&T either doesn't empower their regular phone reps to really help you, or the phone reps must get evaluated on whether they have hurt the bottom line and are unwilling to do anything risky. Sigh.

The phone number is 1-866-220-8446 (for East Coast). Good luck!

aj.online

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> buy a go phone from wireless.att.com they have nicer ones there.

viqas

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Buy a Go Phone at Target or Walmart and be done with it.

calvinneal

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @taka2k7: There are those of us who wear the uniform to entitle you to spout off in whatever way you want.

This war is not about freedom. You aren't fighting for my freedom in Iraq.

Balisong

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @noquarter: Bitch much? geez

evslin

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @Balisong: If you don't have anything to add, then don't.

There are those of us who wear the uniform to entitle you to spout off in whatever way you want. All we ask in return is a little respect and some decent customer service.

I'm off on a 1 year overseas assignment. I just bought $100 to keep my gophone credit active for a year . I should probably start a pool to see if I'll lost my number before I get back.

taka2k7

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> I have submitted this story so everyone can see what services AT&T is providing. It is inadequate and poor service. I didn't intend for people to feel sorry for me by putting some Iraq sob story in my complaint. Nor did I do it to get some extra attention. The Iraq part plays into my story since it's were the issues originated. My account was suppose to be on military suspension while I was deployed to Iraq for 7 months. Instead, AT&T cancelled my account and gave away my phone number. The difference between me going to Iraq and Bob the electrician going to Kentucky for a conference is that I am located in an area of the world were I don't have the choice to use my phone. I promise know one in the military wants any of your sympathy. The only thing we ask is your support for what we do when we are over in third world countries fighting faceless enemies to protect the very freedoms you abuse by bad mouthing us the military force. So your comment, "Everyone please think these things out logically before complaining that such-and-such company doesn't support our Freedom Warrior Champion Gods. I'm sick of it," was uncalled for and very ignorant. You're the type of person that I would like to take to one of these countries and have you fight with your so called "WARRIOR SPIRIT." You might get a few enemies kills, but I can guaranteed your type will get many of your fellow comrades killed because of your lack of common sense and leadership. When I did this complaint up, I was still aggravated and very angry about the situation. So I just began to write what was on my mind. Never did I think about comma's, exclamation points and periods. I do apologize if your truly offended on how this letter is written. I never meant to insult your profession or hobbies by misplacing a comma here and there.

nmango40

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> I have submitted this story so everyone can see what services AT&T is providing. It is inadequate and poor service. I didn't intend for people to feel sorry for me by putting some Iraq sob story in my complaint. Nor did I do it to get some extra attention. The Iraq part plays into my story since it's were the issues originated. My account was suppose to be on military suspension while I was deployed to Iraq for 7 months. Instead, AT&T cancelled my account and gave away my phone number. The difference between me going to Iraq and Bob the electrician going to Kentucky for a conference is that I am located in an area of the world were I don't have the choice to use my phone. I promise know one in the military wants any of your sympathy. The only thing we ask is your support for what we do when we are over in third world countries fighting faceless enemies to protect the very freedoms you abuse by bad mouthing us the military force. So your comment, "Everyone please think these things out logically before complaining that such-and-such company doesn't support our Freedom Warrior Champion Gods. I'm sick of it," was uncalled for and very ignorant. You're the type of person that I would like to take to one of these countries and have you fight with your so called "WARRIOR SPIRIT." You might get a few enemies kills, but I can guaranteed your type will get many of your fellow comrades killed because of your lack of common sense and leadership. When I did this complaint up, I was still aggravated and very angry about the situation. So I just began to write what was on my mind. Never did I think about comma's, exclamation points and periods. I do apologize if your truly offended on how this letter is written. I never meant to insult your profession or hobbies by misplacing a comma here and there.

KaraLaomedon

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Normally, I hate it when someone uses their job as a "don't you know who I am!?!" crutch, but isn't there a law against what AT&T did? Maybe look into your legal options and get a judge to order them to restore your service and number and upgrade eligibility? But ask a real lawyer first before filing anything...

Buran

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Looks like the AT&T goon squad put their posters on this one. I've been thru ATT hell. Ask one that has. Sprint customer service is heaven compared to trying to deal with the jacknuts at AT&T.

The_Legend

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @linus: Cell phone companies are becoming nortorious for treating military people with such distain.

This is because people don't write to websites with their cell phone problems saying things like "I am an electrician and this is what happened when I called my cell phone company." It only seems like the military is getting the short end of the stick because they have to start their story with "I was in Iraq for a long long time and therefore..."

Everyone please think these things out logically before complaining that such-and-such company doesn't support our Freedom Warrior Champion Gods. I'm sick of it.

Balisong

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> AT&Trash is the worst. Steer clear of this company in every way possible. I wouldn't even leave Sprint for these guys. That says it all...

Pro-Pain

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Ah yes, trouble ticket hell like I mentioned in a previous thread. When I was at Sprint, I saw tickets that went unresolved for MONTHS and even then all we were told we could do was either wait or resubmit them (more waiting).

An EECB is a good idea, also maybe contact your local news station. A soldier being screwed by a company like AT&T might be worth a story for them.

dragonfire81

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist: I'm not sure, but I think those little short, squiggly lines near the bottom of the letters, coming between words, are commas. There are a bunch of them. The only paragraph where comma use really seemed to disintegrate was the last, which sounded as though the writer was probably remembering how annoyed he is at AT&T.

If you're going to complain about grammar or punctuation, I would recommend confirming that there is a legitimate problem.

camille_javal

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Reminds me of the old joke: What did the English major say to the engineering major?
"Would you like that supersized, sir?"


akronharry

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @dorianh49: smartarse!!! damn this non-editing of previous posts!

matsayz

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @matsayz: AN English major. ;)

dorianh49

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @Jaysyn: No...well, I would think that there would be less distain for people that risk their lives for the company to make money.

linus

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> .@womynist:
oi! whats with the hating on people who can't write like a english major?? i really can't stand it when you people start getting picky. if YOU can't stand reading it then shut up and click back to another article. DO NOT write a stupid WASTE OF MY TIME comment i have to read. it's really not necessary at all.@womynist:


matsayz

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @linus:

You say that like they have reasons to treat everyone else with disdain?

Jaysyn was banned for: http://consumerist.com/5032912/the-subprime-meltdown-will-be-nothing-compared-to-the-prime-meltdown#c7042646

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @egoebelbecker:

No, that was advice. The 2nd, 3rd & 4th comments were snarkage. And this one. :D

Jaysyn was banned for: http://consumerist.com/5032912/the-subprime-meltdown-will-be-nothing-compared-to-the-prime-meltdown#c7042646

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Cell phone companies are becoming nortorious for treating military people with such distain.

There really isn't any excuse for it.

linus

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> Wow, snarkage in the first comment.

I guess the next step is to start blaming the victim in the actual story. Maybe someone can arrange a court-martial for him?

egoebelbecker

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist: This post is properly punctuated.

bsalamon

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> I went through a slightly similar situation. My phone is junk (Ericsson W580) and I wanted to upgrade to an LG Shine when Amazon was having their 1 cent sale a month ago. Obviously, I was denied. So, I called AT&T and they said that I wasn't eligible for an upgrade until March 2009 (1.5 years into my 2 year contract.) They also said that if I wanted to get a new phone I had to buy it specifically through them, and not a 3rd party.

It was complete bullshit. Amazon was going to pay the full price and offer me the 1 cent deal, but AT&T didn't want any of it. In the long run they would be benefiting from it anyway, since they'd get the $$ for the new phone, and the extended contact I was willing to get.

I don't even know why they denied it, probably some lame ass POLICY for no reason at all.

Asvetic

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist: OMG use a fucking comma every now and again! I can't even get past paragraph #3. Oh, the run-on sentences and lack of punctuation!!!

Uh, he's a Marine. They aren't trained to use commas. They are trained to shoot things.

VA_White

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> @womynist:

Well, he is in the Marines you know. :D

Jaysyn was banned for: http://consumerist.com/5032912/the-subprime-meltdown-will-be-nothing-compared-to-the-prime-meltdown#c7042646

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You

No. Those things happened to Nicholas, not me. There are currently three posts in a row on Consumerist with these types of trash-journalism headlines. Please, please, stop.

noquarter

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> OMG use a fucking comma every now and again! I can't even get past paragraph #3. Oh, the run-on sentences and lack of punctuation!!!

womynist

]]> <![CDATA[AT&T Loses Your Phone Number While You're Serving In Iraq, Says No Upgrade For You]]> First off, thank you for your service to our country. Second, go buy a prepaid phone.

My AT&T phone broke and they told me to stuff it. I went to walmart and bought a $20 gophone and was back on my way within hours. Just swap out the sim card.

Binaryslyder

]]>