6-month prohibition on International calling
I'm not particularly happy that Cingular informs me, one month after I initiated service, that I must wait 6 months before I can use my phone to place international calls.
I understand the rationale -- they don't want to lose a bundle to new customers who abuse the system and then don't pay -- but this is severely inconvenient to honest customers who need to place overseas calls.
Might I suggest a modest limit per month ($25 or $50) on international calls as a more sensible alternative. That would be in the interests of both Cingular and its new customers.
I understand the rationale -- they don't want to lose a bundle to new customers who abuse the system and then don't pay -- but this is severely inconvenient to honest customers who need to place overseas calls.
Might I suggest a modest limit per month ($25 or $50) on international calls as a more sensible alternative. That would be in the interests of both Cingular and its new customers.
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i don't agree with it either, but your modest amount of $50 is only about a 25 to 30 minute phone call depending on what country you are in. if i'm over seas and i need to use the phone, i'm likely to need it much more than 25 minutes. i don't know about you, but that would be just enough to make me even more mad about it. what really makes me mad about the whole thing is that cingular advertises it in their rate plan brochures, but says nothing about needing to wait 6 months. it just says to ask your sales rep for more details. you shouldn't mention it in your brochure if it can't be done.
ryan
ryan
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It can be done. Few reasons why it is in the brochure,
1. The brochure is not for just new customers, it is for exsiting customers as well. New customers are not the only one that gets new phone and rate plans.
2. In some Areas and states we do not limit the 6 months some of them can get it right away.
3. Some new cusomters like business with high enough credit classes can get this right from the start of service.
So it would be kind of expesive to make a few diffrent brochures when all you need to do is ask the dealer and then they would be able to tell you what the requirement was.
1. The brochure is not for just new customers, it is for exsiting customers as well. New customers are not the only one that gets new phone and rate plans.
2. In some Areas and states we do not limit the 6 months some of them can get it right away.
3. Some new cusomters like business with high enough credit classes can get this right from the start of service.
So it would be kind of expesive to make a few diffrent brochures when all you need to do is ask the dealer and then they would be able to tell you what the requirement was.
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Also, if you only need to make $50 worth of calls a month, you might want to try a calling card. I know VZW allows you to call overseas with a calling card if you want. In fact, I suggest it to most of my callers as an alternative to adding international dialing. It can cut down on the risk of a stolen phone resulting in huge bills and problems.
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For international dialing, check out www.CellularLD.com. You can place highly-discounted near direct dial calls to almost anywhere worldwide with no monthly fee. I have used them for some time now and found the company to be very reliable.
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They do it to prevent fraud. From someone may just be here for school, etc. then leave the country w/o paying the bill.
If you are a new customer, there is an exception form that can be filled out by any CSR. (can only speak for orange)However, if you are a late payer, forget it.
It goes straight to the fraud dept, and they usually respond w/in 24-48 hrs. If approved, they contact the rep(now mgr) and it is added onto the acct.
As with anything else, no doesn't always mean "just no".
If you are a new customer, there is an exception form that can be filled out by any CSR. (can only speak for orange)However, if you are a late payer, forget it.
It goes straight to the fraud dept, and they usually respond w/in 24-48 hrs. If approved, they contact the rep(now mgr) and it is added onto the acct.
As with anything else, no doesn't always mean "just no".
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you make a good point. i do talk to quite a few existing customers at my job, now that i think about it. i think i just forget about them because i don't get paid on them when i sell an upgrade.
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It use to be most anyone could get international dialing but alas, many ran up huge bills that Cigular had to eat because they would not pay it, so therefore the rules and restrictions as they currently are for international dialing.
Though with most any rule, exceptions can be made if you ask.
Though with most any rule, exceptions can be made if you ask.
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