AT&T

Really bad experience. I wanted info to start BRAND NEW service as I never used ATT before. Asked a few questions (after I was overlooked 3 times by the only 3 associates in the store).
I was told «Sorry, we can’t help you. You have to do that on line.»
I was literally out in 3 minutes.
Associate should have aske more questions to show interest in retaining customers. Clearly, they are not trained to do this. I will NEVER use ATT.

I have to agree — AT&T is the absolute worst cell phone provider. I have been a customer of Cingular’s for many years and never had the problems that I do now with AT&T.
At first, I got the phone for my mom years ago as a safety precaution for her. Then I added my daughter to the plan in the last year. Ironically, I use Verizon wireless for my personal use.
My bills are wrong every month (shows $ 0.00 due), customer service says that is correct but knowing they were wrong I continued paying my monthly plan fees … boom, phones get shut off, no warning. I call AT&T (which took forever for a person to speak to me) and they told me I haven’t paid since March and I had to pay an obscene amount of money to get them turned back on, fortunately I kept all of my confirmation numbers (I pay via internet and filed them which was luck on my part — let this be a warning to everyone out there with AT&T) and although the problem was resolved within 48 hours with no charges owed they did not acknowledge the fact it was their fault and did nothing but turn them back on. That was completely wrong!
I’m stuck in this contract for another year and once cleared of my contract requirements, we’re all going on Verizon where I have never had a problem with my service or my bills. More I can say for this wonderful new AT&T.

I cannot agree with Susan G.‘s review of AT&T Wireless (formerly Cingular Wireless). I was with them before they were acquired by Cingular (2004), and now am back with them as my Cingular Account became AT&T in March 2007.
My bills are never out of line, I have never been charged for anything that I didn’t use, wait time for customer service is minimal, and the roll over minutes are an absolute savior.
As an example, a year ago when I moved to Philly I used up my 1000 saved up roll over minutes in a period of four days while doing an apartment search. Without the roll over stock hold, my bill would have been hundreds of dollars! In stead, it was the usual $ 39.99 (plus taxes and fees). At present, because I don’t use my phone much during daytime hours (yo, I’m in an office!), I currently have 1,300 daytime minute that I can use at my discretion.
There’s nothing wrong with AT&T signal either. It IS the biggest network in the country. If you want to get good reception, you’re going to have to pay to get a real (non-​free) phone. When I upgraded after my old contract expired, I payed $ 60 (with a two year contract, $ 300 without contract) for a phone that was of much higher quality than the «free» phones. My reception is clear all the time. I guess, when it comes to cell phones, you get what you pay for. I had two «free» cell phones before this current one and I have learned my lesson.
A word to anyone doing business with cell phone carries: understand what the terms of your contract are upon receiving your first bill so you don’t have a nasty surprise months down the line. I DID have to make corrections to my bill the FIRST month, but then didn’t have to deal with it again. Haven’t had to dispute my bill in over two years. And second, when talking to customer service, «you’ll attract more bees with honey, than you will with vinegar.» Savvy?
UPDATE:
If you are a new customer, set up your new account in person, at a store. This way you can have a real human walk you through the contract and select (and de-​select) anything you don’t want on there. Also, there aren’t any hidden charges because you’ll be asked to give them your credit card for the first payment! Also, if you want to get cheaper phone prices through the web, CALL them and have the person walk you through purchasing a new phone and plan. Don’t bother using the website to set up service. That always causes problems.