I was happy to see this press release hit my inbox today from the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights with the news that a federal court has rejected AT&T/Cingular’s move to dismiss the case against them over their practice of providing “rebates” in the form of highly restrictive debit cards. I’ve personally experienced this ploy, and found it extremely annoying and I think it crosses the line of responsible advertising. I remember very well buying that phone from Cingular, and walking out of the store a little shell-shocked over the difference in the advertised price of what I was buying and what ended up getting charged to my credit card, with the promise that the rebate “had to be processed, and would arrive in the mail soon.” I also clearly remember my dismay at getting a VISA debit card as my “rebate” and the many hoops that I had to jump through to use it simply as a credit on my next Cingular bills. I know we could fill pages with the shady marketing practices that the major telco carriers engage in, but this one is a personal pet peeve of mine and I’d love to see it stopped. This is clearly deceptive advertising and I’m glad the federal judge didn’t let them off the hook on this one.
Cell Phone Rebate Lawsuit Against Cingular/AT&T May Proceed, Court Rules;
Firm Advertises Cash “Rebate” But Sends “Reward Card”Santa Monica, CA — A lawsuit charging that Cingular (now AT&T) engages in false and misleading advertising when offering “rebates” on cell phones may proceed, a federal court has ruled.
The suit, brought under California’s consumer protection laws, states that the cell phone company promised to pay rebates to people who bought cell phones, and advertised discounted prices that reflected the promised rebate. But instead of getting a rebate check, purchasers received a “VISA Reward card” that can only be used under numerous restrictions and for a limited period of time. By the time consumers found out they were not getting a rebate check, it was too late to cancel Cingular’s wireless service without paying an Early Termination Fee of $175.
At least they sent you *something*! In my case they just sent me a postcard 2 months after I signed up for DSL and bought a gateway, saying that they would not give me my rebate for $49.99. They didn't give a reason, just a list of possible reasons--none of which applied. Their application process for this rebate is very simple: they send you a card with your equipment, and you mail it back, so, unlike some other scams, this one is pretty hard to fail on a technicality of the application process. On the phone I was told it was a big mistake, and that they would fix it. They gave me a tracking number, which, last time I checked, said my rebate request for "$0.00" was "cancelled". Sent them certified mail, which they simply ignored. They lie on the phone, and you rapidly spend down the entire rebate if you document your complaints via hardcopy communications. The amounts involved are too small for small claims court, so there doesn't seem to be any way for consumers to fight mega companies that simply decide to steal small amounts of money from customers. I am currently in the process of filing complaints with the BBB, FTC, and state AG, but that won't get me the money they owe me, or make up for the time and aggravation of dealing with them.
aroun four months i send the form or the filled card to
you and i never gat the rebate.
At@t has messed up big time they put me on a 400 minute deal a bundel as they called it is a bundel alright!A bundel of money.They told me they woul send me a brand new Razor up dated phone, they did and said if you don't like it take it to a Singular dealer and they woud exchange it Ha!Ha!They don't want the things their a bunch of junk I hate the Razor.They also advertized to put my internet and cellphone and telephone together first they told me it would be 104.00 a month the first month was 256.00 then this month 158.36 I called and they said the first month was conection fees which included charges from conecting my cell phone then this is what my bill reads this month 59 dollars for cell phone 29 for internet and68 for plan service this is waht they said I would pay 14 for internet 59 for long distance and phone bill and celluarphone use 29 go figure I am sick of be riped off by everybody lets pull together and fight these ripoffs.God Bless
I have purchased 5 phones with $100.00 rebates each. I have received only one “100$ debit card”. It was assigned to a phone number that I did not have; they said it would take 7 to 5 business days to get a replacement PIN so I could use the card. 2 months later NO CARD PIN, No rebates!!!!! I think if enough people have experienced the problems I have we have a Class Action Suit!! They own me 500.00!!
Beware! If you receive a rebate card, you must activate and use it in the time and manner stated or it EXPIRES!!!. Meaning no money.
Well I give up. I purchased two phones July 18 2007. Mailed the rebate form July 19th. Emailed them several times, did as I was told to resubmitt the forms. Then I recived a AT&T letter get this, We thank you for your interest in the AT&T San Diego, N CA WA/OR/ID Visa Rebate offer. WE REGRET THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO PROCESS BECAUSE YOUR REQUEST DID NOT MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS. (Bull) They said the reciept on the cash register is missing or not within it valid dates of the offer. Bull. It was sent and I still have the copies of the two times I have mailed the requested info. And all my emails that they replyed to. Something has to be done this is crap. Start the Class action I'm on board. I will be filing a complaint also.
HI, My daughter is running into this same problem with AT&T. She received a promotion in the mail which stated all the extras AT&T offers would come with the phone service if she would order phone service. PLUS she would get a $100.00 rebate. She ordered the service and was told it would cost her $52.83 a month. This was for service & long distance. But she had to pay a $75.00 deposit, and after she paid this the long distance would be turned on and she would get a $100.00 rebate. Here it is Dec. 6, NO rebate. All she has gotten is a very high phone bill and no rebate, no rebate form on the internet as of today 12/6/07. She called AT&T customer service again this morning to have the person on the other end keep telling her what the charges were & not letting her speak to a supervisor. The customer rep. says her bill is $75.00 now a month. This is not what she was told it would be if she ordered the phone service. I have called them myself & they told me her bill is suppose to be $52.83. AND IT WOULD BE THAT SAME AMOUNT WHEN SHE PAID HER DEPOSIT AND THEN THE LONG DISTANCE WOULD BE TURNED ON AND THEN SHE WOULD GET HER REBATE BACK. NOW, THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISING AND IT IS DECEPTIVE. SHE WAS TOLD TO FAX A COPY OF THE PROMOTION OFFER WHICH SHE DID. STILL NO REBATE ANDA VERY HIGH PHONE BILL. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THEM TO MISLEAD PEOPLE TO GET THEM TO SIGN UP FOR PHONE SERVICE AND NOT GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WERE TOLD THE BILL WOULD BE AND GIVE THE REBATE. SOME OF THESE CUSTOMER REPS ARE VERY RUDE.
I agree with Mr. Stewart, and after purchasing 4 phones and spending 368 dollars, only to find out later when putting together the rebate information that I will get 4 rebate cards (worth $50 each). You must fill out one rebate form per phone. These cards are NOT redemable for cash!
This is a clearly a deceptive practice.
AT&T are still using same rebates practice by sending VISA Debit Cards. I just received one and it looks to me as a very wrong practice and close to crossing the law. In addition, terms of the card require to pay $10 cancellation fee in case you don't want the card. And if you use it, you are going to pay monthly administrative fees. So much for rebate! I have wireless plan for 2 cell phones , land line phone service and high speed internet service with AT&T. I am further convinced that I don't want to do business with company as AT&T that acting in deceptive way. I am in the process of switching to another company for all above services. There are competitors of AT&T that would be happy to have me and other former AT&T clients.
Well, I was initially told that I would get a $50 equipment rebate in the form of a Visa card. That was 4 months ago and at least 3 phone calls ago. There is one excuse after another. This time they said that my address was wrong and I would have to wait another 4-6 weeks to get my "check" in the mail. I think that AT&T is guilty of fraudulent marketing practices and hope that people will just give up trying to collect their rebate. I WILL NOT GIVE UP !!!! I am considering a class action law suit and invite anyone interested to contact me.
I changed service to AT&T sometime in September 2007, bought 2 phones promised a $50 rebate for each phone received one so far. The only reason we changed is for the roll over minutes but it's not really worth because they charge for everything.
I was told that I would get a 50.00 rebate for a landline phone and the internet and wasn't told it would be a credit card, was depending on rebate to help with phone bill.
ATTENTION PEOPLE WITH AT&T REBATE PROBLEMS.......WHEN YOU GET A LETTER BACK SAYING YOU FAILED TO SEND IN ALL THE REQUIRED INFO, SEND THAT LETTER BACK WITH A NOTE SAYING YOU GIVE THEM 10 WEEKS TO PROCESS YOUR REBATE AGAIN AS ADVISED BY THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (PUC) BEFORE YOU TAKE LEGAL ACTION...THIS WORKS I HAVE HAD TO DO IT TWICE IN TWO YEARS FOR AT&T REBATES. GOOD LUCK
I sent in a equipment rebate for the HSI internet last April(2007, and they said they would research it. The earliest they would know about it would be 10 more weeks to see if I qualified. I was already told initially that I qualified. Any suggestions what to do now? I would not hesitate to be involved in a class action law suit against them at this point. They never should have promised something that they were not prepared to honor. Even if they had just credited the phone bill, I would have been okay with this. I've heard nothing and received no feedback in regards to this rebate
man, i called at&t at the beginning of january and ordered a business phone line. the lady on the phone pressured me into get high speed internet service, even thou i told her i was alright with my comcast service. to "convince me" to get the service, she said i would get a discounted dsl service and a good rate on the business line and no installation charges. i found out today that she NEGLECTED to tell me that i have to sign a service agreement (contract) to get these prices and the installs waived. after going around and round with about 4 representatives, who ALL REFUSED to let me speak to a supervisor, the internet people claimed that they will honor the quoted price without me signing a service agreement, and that they will waive the modem fees, etc. and install fee. i gonna stay on that as they are claiming those "credits" take two billing cycles to reflect. (what, im supposed to pay the full amount, then get credited?) this mess doesnt include the fact she lied to me about unlimited long distance service coming witht the business line. i found out that was a extra $20 a month, and she put me on a maintenance plan with i fully stated i didnt want one. at&t is a MAJOR ripoff and im highly pissed at them.
What a rip off. These type of bussiness practice should make them liable for the way they screwed the customer. But like normal, they can get away with it.
Going on four (4) months now trying to get my $50 rebate for ATT/Yahoo DSL. Hit a wall everytime I call. Should be a class action law suit working somewhere. A lot of people having the same problem.
I plan on suing At&t for false advertising, but I need help from other people so we can take a class act, please contact me.
If you have any problems with your rebate cards just call 866-852-8617. They are the processing department and they will help you with whatever you need. If your cards are expired, they will still reissue them. If they are lost, stolen, never recieved, whatever the case may be call them. Do not call AT&T Customer Service, don't go into any stores. Just call them and they will help you.
I too am waiting for my rebate. I called the 866-852-8617 number to find out they are open 8am-8pm eastern. The website att.com/wirelessrebate includes additional details about the rebate that are not included in the original advertisement, like it can only be obtained via a special cash-card that can only be spent at locations that take VISA and that it requires activation, etc.
If you choose you could cancel your service and tell them that their failure to inform you as to difficulty to obtain and limited utility of their rebate card is a "material omission" and evidence of "bad faith" which goes to the heart of the agreement and that you if you knew this would occur before signing, you would not have chosen them as a vendor. You could quote the definition of common law fraud to the person - a material misrepresentation or omission, made knowing that the statement was wrong or omissive, intended to induce reilance on the part of the plaintiff, which causes reliance on the part of the plaintiff, which results in damages to the plaintiff.
In this case, the damages are the falure of the promise that the modem would cost you nothing because you were to receive a rebate that would yield a price of $0 for the modem.
Now in my case, I'm being billed for the modem via the phone bill and attempts to claim a $49.99 credit are not being acknowledged. Further, I'm finding out that I have to deal with a credit card and spend it on something other than the modem. Sorry, that's not what I believed I was bargaining for and under the laws of contract the purpose of an agreement is for both parties to get what they bargained for.
I'll give it a try and see if they give me a credit toward the modem. Which is what I want. But if they don't , thank you all for the head's up!
After 6 months from purchase of my cell phone, and after many phone calls, I received the debit card.
I am very happy for a moment, but registration through internet does not work. Do I have to change the security setting of my computer or something else?
Please let us know about the secerets of how to use the debit card.
Yesterday, I posted a question about rebate card registration.
I tried from a different computer, and it worked fine.
"The suit, brought under California’s consumer protection laws, states that the cell phone company promised to pay rebates to people who bought cell phones, and advertised discounted prices that reflected the promised rebate. But instead of getting a rebate check, purchasers received a “VISA Reward card” that can only be used under numerous restrictions and for a limited period of time."
-the rebates do get paid out, the thing is that you think you're getting a check but if you actually read the rebate form you would see that it clearly states that you're getting a visa reward giftcard. and this isn't hidden deep in the terms of the rebate. this is to the immediate left of where you are filling out your name address and phone number. also, look rebate up in the dictionary. does it say that it has to come in the form of a check? no. as for the restrictions, it can't be used at an automated gas pump (must be used inside by the teller), and you can't charge more than what's on the card. other than that, you use the card until the balance is gone.
in regards to receiving a postcard/unqualified letter, just call the number on the postcard and ask for a supervisor. if you're irate you will never have to resubmit for another at&t rebate again. the only way the rebate center cannot process a rebate is if the phone was purchased in 2006. and if you're just calling about a 2006 rebate now, i don't think you should get it anyways because you're an idiot for waiting 2 years (the reabte form states 8 weeks to receive your rebate. any longer and you need to call). i personally would call after 4 weeks. if there's a letter that you didn't receive don't take no for an answer. the rep will process you. if not, ask for a supervisor.
I purchased a blutooth handsfree device for $100 last July. It had a $40 rebate which is the only reason I bought such an expensive handsfree device. The rebate was processed right there by an AT$T employee. I got confirmation by text message that they received my rebate and then that it was mailed. I have called the rebate center 4 times and get the same answer. It was mailed without my apartment number.The last time I was told it was sent and takes up to 30 days which is ridiculous anywhere in the United States. They said they would send another card but I still have not received either card. Is someone in the rebate center incompetent or stealing the cards?The 4th time I called I asked for a supervisor and she was extremely rude and not helpful at all. I have been a cingular customer for 8 years and finally called customer service and complained and they took $40 off my bill. I am not satisfied with this because I will never buy another AT$T product with a rebate. Someone should look into the rebate center and see what is really happening to the visa cards.
Susan Kamin
I bought 3 phones in Sept, promissed 100/100/50. Three months later nothing, called got 50 in a week. I havn't tried to use it yet. They said they never got the paperwork for the other phones, resent paperwork. One month later nothing, called them said I would get them 10 days. 18 days later nothing. Checked web-site and saw they were processed, but only for 50. Said thats all they ever were. Now they made me mad. Need someone to contact in Oregon for a suit. Sent message to Consumer Protection, they said thanks for the info, but nothing. I think it may be better to cancel the phones so they don't get any more money from me. Even if I loose the 175. they will loose 89.00 a month from me for 2 yrs!!
I too am experiencing what I believe is fradulent behavior by AT&T and the firm they subcontract to for the rebate management. When I complain to AT&T they say they are not responsible. I maintain if they hired the firm to perform the rebate process for them, they are still responsible for the practices of the firm which border on fradulent, if not outright fraud. I submitted my paperwork -- the guy at the kiosk even filled it out for me to ensure it would be right! The only thing I had to do was cut the sales barcode off the box and send it in to the address on form. I did that. Now they claim I did not send in the barcode (my word/their word), and that they need the IMEI code to continue to process the rebate. Also, I found this out from an AT&T CSR not them -- they claim to have sent me the letter rejecting the rebate claim, but I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED IT! They drop calls when you call their 1-800 number, it does not appear that their website where you can submit an email even works right. Where can I turn, what can I do?
I have been struggling with the AT & T guys to get my rebate for the modem. They are suggesting to give me a credit into my account instead of mailing me a check. It is 6 months now since I am struggling. I am not sure if I can help or be part of this lawsuit.
Hi my name is misty I am deaf. I 've been checking up on rebate back in mail att didn't coming to not show up the letters at post office. I got new phone att blackberry model 8310 last month. Here my nbr is 6622295618. I need to know when rebate back in mail send me ?
i thought there was something fishy with the ATT rebate system. Very sketchy. I sent in the original portion of the box they asked for and they wrote back that they didn't receive it. I imagine hoping that the consumer didnt copy it and couldnt then ever receive their rebate. Its really shady and I wish i would have stuck w/ T-mobile.
agreed....at least you received your "rebate". I bought my phone because of an an promising a $100 rebate, and received only a $50 visa cash card. Multiple phone calls with promises to send the rebate have not been followed through with by the company. I'm just biding my time to switch carriers.
well I at least feel better knowing I was not the only person frustrated by the rebate practice used by AT&T. The rebate says 6-8 weeks, well 8 weeks will be 05/14/2008. I am waiting on a total of $350, at least they say approved on the website, but have stated taht for the last two weeks. I called and asked when they are going to be mailed only to be told they would be mailed by 05/30/2008. Okay where in the math world does that equal 6-8 weeks? Oh yeah, AT&T does not seem to feel the need to follow thier own guidelines....wish I had gone to another company when I had the chance.....