Moviso Charge Rant
I've been with Bell South, now Cingular, for 16 years, currently have 5 phones on my account. I added the 5th phone end of February (V400, bought at Cingular owned store, a discontinued phone WHEN I bought it-another story, don't even know if it's "new"). Last 2 months there's been a direct bill charge of $4.99 for this line. Called last month, they said I'd have to go to MediaNet to see about the charge, couldn't find details on this, never got around to checking back. This month I called, person basically said it was my responsibility to figure out who/what/where/etc., she couldn't even tell me what the charge was for but guessed it was 'jamster' and suggested I call them. I got PO'd and got her 'supervisor/manager' (right......). H...
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Moviso is the billing system for this site http://www.infospaceinc.com/ . I'm sorry but you should thank that rep who gave you credit, because those chargesare valid, and we can prove it, the rep you got , and you had the fortune of getting was new.There are two ways you get subscribed to them one by text message-if you review past bills for that line you will see a texts with a 4 or 5 digit code like "32454" or "4542" or by subscribing through the internet on the phone and direct bill tells you the subscription- and they offer you 1 free ringtone or game or graphic with a subscription.
people who take the offer are not aware of how long the scubscription is but by taking it the customer is responsible.you will keep getting them and the...
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people who take the offer are not aware of how long the scubscription is but by taking it the customer is responsible.you will keep getting them and the...
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Austin is right. Technically you shouldn't have been credited for that. There are terms and conditions with every one of those sites so if it's on your phone, someone downloaded/ordered it. The easiest way to stop those is to go to the website and unsubscribe.
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Thanks to both of you for your response. However, let me be more specific regarding the phone use. I can absolutely guarantee that no text messages were sent FROM the phone, none were RECEIVED. No browser messages were sent/received. No internet access use with the phone by itself was used. The phone has Media Net Unlimited ($24.99) specifically for using with a laptop, the laptop has used the internet via this-that's the only internet activity with this phone. My thought was maybe who ever had the number before us....... Jim
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If it just started happening it wouldnt be the person who had the phone before you. If it was the entire time you had that number it would be a possibility.
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property33 said:
Thanks to both of you for your response. However, let me be more specific regarding the phone use. I can absolutely guarantee that no text messages were sent FROM the phone, none were RECEIVED. No browser messages were sent/received. No internet access use with the phone by itself was used. The phone has Media Net Unlimited ($24.99) specifically for using with a laptop, the laptop has used the internet via this-that's the only internet activity with this phone. My thought was maybe who ever had the number before us....... Jim
sorry no way possible for 4 reasons:
1)It records your IMEI number thats the serial number from your phone.
2)It records your ICCID number thats the seri...
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I just checked the last 3 bills. No text messages either to/from the phone. There's some data connect in april when the laptop was using the Media Net Unlimited connection. That's it. I'm going to take the phone to a Cingular owned store get a different phone and sim card. The phone was not used as your described. Jim
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Someone could of signed up online. I mean at a PC with a normal internet conection.
At least I think they can. I haven't looked into that. Austin is that possible? If you sign up online do you have to access the net from the phone itself?
And I know with other companies of this type they have TV Adds with toll free #'s that you can call to sign up for the service as well.
At least I think they can. I haven't looked into that. Austin is that possible? If you sign up online do you have to access the net from the phone itself?
And I know with other companies of this type they have TV Adds with toll free #'s that you can call to sign up for the service as well.
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Correction said:
Someone could of signed up online. I mean at a PC with a normal internet conection.
At least I think they can. I haven't looked into that. Austin is that possible? If you sign up online do you have to access the net from the phone itself?
And I know with other companies of this type they have TV Adds with toll free #'s that you can call to sign up for the service as well.
Yes, you have to do it from the handset.
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Jim,
You CAN be billed for an infospace service signed up under a previous mobile number. While all that info for verification can be used, the billing is done simply by mobile number.
I have encountered this issue several times in the past. It is like 3rd party Long Distance billing on your landline phone bill. You will need to get the issue resolved with infospace to have the charges discontinued. Cingular will also only credit so much before they cut you off and say you need to fix the issue with the 3rd party.
Changing your SIM and handset most likely will not resolve the issue. Changing your mobile number would most likely resolve the issue.
Good luck.
You CAN be billed for an infospace service signed up under a previous mobile number. While all that info for verification can be used, the billing is done simply by mobile number.
I have encountered this issue several times in the past. It is like 3rd party Long Distance billing on your landline phone bill. You will need to get the issue resolved with infospace to have the charges discontinued. Cingular will also only credit so much before they cut you off and say you need to fix the issue with the 3rd party.
Changing your SIM and handset most likely will not resolve the issue. Changing your mobile number would most likely resolve the issue.
Good luck.
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property33 said:
The phone has Media Net Unlimited ($24.99) specifically for using with a laptop, the laptop has used the internet via this-that's the only internet activity with this phone. My thought was maybe who ever had the number before us....... Jim
on a side note the CORRECT unlimited plan for laptop tethering is $74.99/mo.
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property33 said:
I believe that's with using a PC card. I checked into that. Jim
that is using a PC card OR tethering to a laptop. The 24.99 if for WAP handset usage.
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property33 said:
I believe that's with using a PC card. I checked into that. Jim
You may have checked into it but you are still wrong the $24.99 allows you unlimited usage on your phone, but if ou tether it then you are charged the present tethering rate, this is hte site as to prices,when you slecta package it then gives you the infor as to the applicable rates.your tethering rate is $0.0124 per kb.
Direct from our tools here at cingular:
04/05/2005
Description MEdia Bundles combine some of Cingular's most popular Consumer data services into one package offering. The MEdia Bundles include the following services:
Text and Instant Messaging
Multimedia Messaging (Picture/Video Messages)
MEdi...
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Again, thanks for the reply. The in-store (Cingular owned) rep and a rep we called on the phone right after we got this line said the laptop would use the phone's internet connection. I don't doubt your expertise but this is what we were told by both people. The month of april, when the bill shows 'data connect' there was no charge/minutes/KB cost. What's that all about since what you're saying is the case with tethering, etc. I don't read the plans in fine detail. I told the rep what I wanted for this particular line, they responded by saying get the unlimited media net if I wanted to use it with a laptop & use the phones internet capability. Obviously, this is kinda a seperate issue from the Moviso thing. Jim
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Jim,
Listen to what you said and think really clearly, and ahow you:
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"The in-store (Cingular owned) rep and a rep we called on the phone right after we got this line said the laptop would use the phone's internet connection"
Never said you couldn't but there is a charge for tethering.
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"The month of april, when the bill shows 'data connect' there was no charge/minutes/KB cost. What's that all about since what you're saying is the case with tethering, etc."
It's a promo we were offering free umlimited everything for the first month.
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" I don't read the plans in fine detail."
W...
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Listen to what you said and think really clearly, and ahow you:
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"The in-store (Cingular owned) rep and a rep we called on the phone right after we got this line said the laptop would use the phone's internet connection"
Never said you couldn't but there is a charge for tethering.
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"The month of april, when the bill shows 'data connect' there was no charge/minutes/KB cost. What's that all about since what you're saying is the case with tethering, etc."
It's a promo we were offering free umlimited everything for the first month.
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" I don't read the plans in fine detail."
W...
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I've seen him in good moods. I know he is extremly blunt but if you break down what he says its often helpful, just comes across wrong.
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Whatever dude. From the last 2 bills, tethering, haven't been charged for the internet access. Neither have others when they have ONE of the assorted packages, not the unlimited @ $70 plus you mentioned.
Still, the Moviso thing, that's still NOT something I caused. Jim
Still, the Moviso thing, that's still NOT something I caused. Jim
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Austin316 is often wrong Jim. The best thing is to ignore him.
Your current plan should be fine. The correct rate is $79.99 for unlimited full access but since it is rarely auditted you should be ok. Keep an eye on those bills just in case.
Your current plan should be fine. The correct rate is $79.99 for unlimited full access but since it is rarely auditted you should be ok. Keep an eye on those bills just in case.
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it will use the conection, but what we are saying is that it is the wrong rate plan for the use yo uare using. the rep obviously didn't get the correct information. The ISP settings for the WAP plan and the Laptop Connect plan are different, so you will get different internet experiences from each feature. (speeds primarily)
if they ever change things internally, you may be required to change to the correct plan, but if its working as is satisfactorily, i would say not to worry about it until told to. we're just giving you the correct info. that rep lost out on about $25 in commission is all i suppose.
if they ever change things internally, you may be required to change to the correct plan, but if its working as is satisfactorily, i would say not to worry about it until told to. we're just giving you the correct info. that rep lost out on about $25 in commission is all i suppose.
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jinx7676 said:
it will use the conection, but what we are saying is that it is the wrong rate plan for the use yo uare using. the rep obviously didn't get the correct information. The ISP settings for the WAP plan and the Laptop Connect plan are different, so you will get different internet experiences from each feature. (speeds primarily)
if they ever change things internally, you may be required to change to the correct plan, but if its working as is satisfactorily, i would say not to worry about it until told to. we're just giving you the correct info. that rep lost out on about $25 in commission is all i suppose.
Thank you, very much, for a non-abusive opinion/answer. Jim
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I tether my laptop to my phone and I've never been charged a cent more other than the $19.99 for my MEdia Works package.
I've been doing this for 6 months now.
I've been doing this for 6 months now.
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Thank you...... I'm not sure what to think, really. I don't doubt what Austin316 is saying but depending on who you ask with Cingular, you get different answers with a lot of things. Regarding your use/tethering, that's what I figured my April bill showed with the data access described and the 0 charge to the far right of the bill in the cost column. Jim
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I've noticed that too, you ask different people you get different answers, Cingular and/or it's employees (not all) arent consistant with what they tell you.
Its no surprise that their customers are complaining. I personally dont have anything to comaplain about and Ive never had any problem but one, but when I did have that problem they solved it fairly well, I'd give them a C-.
But as for tethering, I do it all the time and I've never been charged an extra cent.
Its no surprise that their customers are complaining. I personally dont have anything to comaplain about and Ive never had any problem but one, but when I did have that problem they solved it fairly well, I'd give them a C-.
But as for tethering, I do it all the time and I've never been charged an extra cent.
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thing is though, If the company ever catches on to what you are doing, or decides to enforce the tethering charges you are going to be on the hook for it, and chances are it won't be pretty. I am betting that the good folks who wrote the terms and conditions included a clause to the effect that even if they don't catch you doing something, once they notice you will be billed.Cingular probably pays a flock of perfectly scary lawyers a frightening ammount of money to make sure that its users don't get away with anything. Jim, you HAVE to read the fine print REGARDLESS of what any rep tells you. They are human, they make mistakes. The corproation is NOT human and has no way of reacting to human error with anything like human understanding or em...
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Exactly.
The plan you have is not designed for your usage. It may work fine, but the day they choose to start auditting these plans you will be required to move up or pay the per charge fee. You also will only get the slower speed between now and then.
Just keep an eye out and don't be surprised when at some point they catch this loophole.
The plan you have is not designed for your usage. It may work fine, but the day they choose to start auditting these plans you will be required to move up or pay the per charge fee. You also will only get the slower speed between now and then.
Just keep an eye out and don't be surprised when at some point they catch this loophole.
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