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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Verizon wireless > May 2006 > Re: Amazon, Number Porting and Rebates: SprintPCS=Yes, T-Mobile=Yes, Verizon=Yes, Ciingular=No
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Re: Amazon, Number Porting and Rebates: SprintPCS=Yes, T-Mobile=Yes, Verizon=Yes, Ciingular=No
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| Elmo P. Shagnasty 2006-05-22, 5:48 pm |
| In article < 4471747b$0$96939$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net>,
SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
> "Cingular and Amazon.com have not yet established a method for customers
> to transfer their current number to a new Cingular account.
> Unfortunately, in order to port your previous number, Cingular will
> cancel the account that Amazon.com activated and will activate a new
> account with the ported number.
This is not true.
Should one get a Cingular account via ANY method, not just Amazon, it's
a simple matter of getting the account activated and then, separately,
asking Cingular to change the phone number to your existing number and
port the number over.
Cingular will be happy to do this.
I'm not sure where Amazon is coming from in all this, but I know for a
fact that it's no big deal for Cingular to switch your number on an
existing account.
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| "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in
news:elmop-767B56. 06283622052006@nntp1
.usenetserver.com:
> In article < 4471747b$0$96939$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net>,
> SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>
> This is not true.
>
> Should one get a Cingular account via ANY method, not just Amazon,
> it's a simple matter of getting the account activated and then,
> separately, asking Cingular to change the phone number to your
> existing number and port the number over.
>
> Cingular will be happy to do this.
>
> I'm not sure where Amazon is coming from in all this, but I know for a
> fact that it's no big deal for Cingular to switch your number on an
> existing account.
>
>
Isn't it great when one can get clear,concise info about his/her cell
providers.
--
| |
|
| I assume this would be subject to Cingular's usual $36 charge for changing
your phone number?
Fred
"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-767B56. 06283622052006@nntp1
.usenetserver.com...
> In article < 4471747b$0$96939$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net>,
> SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>
> This is not true.
>
> Should one get a Cingular account via ANY method, not just Amazon, it's
> a simple matter of getting the account activated and then, separately,
> asking Cingular to change the phone number to your existing number and
> port the number over.
>
> Cingular will be happy to do this.
>
> I'm not sure where Amazon is coming from in all this, but I know for a
> fact that it's no big deal for Cingular to switch your number on an
> existing account.
>
| |
| Elmo P. Shagnasty 2006-05-22, 5:48 pm |
| In article <Wkicg.75179$iF3.48575@dukeread01>, "Fred" <none@abc.com>
wrote:
> I assume this would be subject to Cingular's usual $36 charge for changing
> your phone number?
Don't know.
| |
|
| Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> In article <Wkicg.75179$iF3.48575@dukeread01>, "Fred"
> <none@abc.com> wrote:
>
>
> Don't know.
This is good... Don't know? How do you "know" your
original claim? You said "...but I know for a fact that it's
no big deal for Cingular to switch your number..."
-Quick
> This is not true.
> Should one get a Cingular account via ANY method, not just Amazon, it's
> a simple matter of getting the account activated and then, separately,
> asking Cingular to change the phone number to your existing number and
> port the number over.
>
> Cingular will be happy to do this.
>
> I'm not sure where Amazon is coming from in all this, but I know for a
> fact that it's no big deal for Cingular to switch your number on an
> existing account.
| |
| Elmo P. Shagnasty 2006-05-22, 11:48 pm |
| In article < 4471c6b0$0$96998$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net>,
SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>
> They don't get their kickback, and don't give you your rebate, if
> Cingular starts a new account after they already opened one.
Changing your phone number is not "starting a new account".
| |
| Elmo P. Shagnasty 2006-05-22, 11:48 pm |
| In article <u8ncg.13653$fb2.12399@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net>,
"Quick" <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
> You said "...but I know for a fact that it's
> no big deal for Cingular to switch your number..."
Because they did it for me. I don't know if they normally charge $36
for it, because I have a corporate relationship that's way different
than the standard consumer relationship.
| |
| Elmo P. Shagnasty 2006-05-22, 11:48 pm |
| In article < 44723acc$0$96952$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net>,
SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
> The problem with what Amazon is doing is that they're first assigning a
> new phone number, then you have to call to port your existing number
> over to phone that already has a number.
Exactly. Which is no big deal. Happens all the time.
| |
| John Navas 2006-05-23, 2:48 am |
| [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
In < 44726000$0$96942$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net> on Mon, 22 May 2006 18:06:22
-0700, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
>
>It would seem to be a trivial thing to do, and in fact Amazon has no
>problem with this procedure on SprintPCS, T-Mobile, or Verizon. So why
>are they so insistent that if you try the same procedure with Cingular,
>it won't work?
>
>Well I called Cingular sales a minute ago, and the guy was instantly
>familiar with the issue with Amazon. He said that it would be possible
>to transfer a number later, but the last time he did that for someone it
>cost the customer $80. I asked about the $36 porting fee, and he said
>that they don't even charge that anymore, a port is done at no cost when
>new service is established. He said that he was glad that I called,
>because many people have been caught in this issue with Amazon, and that
>most people didn't read the fine print.
>
>The Amazon information is accurate, except that they leave out that it
>would be possible to transfer a number later at a relatively high cost.
>
>But you can't activate Cingular via Amazon and then simply port your
>number later, either for free, or for a reasonable charge.
>
>I think the bottom line is ...
The bottom line is that you have no idea what you're ranting about (as usual)
-- wireless number portability is mandated by law and monitored by the FCC.
Carriers are only allowed to charge a reasonable fee to cover cost of porting.
--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>
| |
| IMHO IIRC 2006-05-23, 2:48 am |
| In news:fJucg.147143$eR6.41794@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net,
John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> typed:
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In < 44726000$0$96942$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net> on Mon, 22 May 2006 18:06:22
> -0700, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>
>
> The bottom line is that you have no idea what you're ranting about (as
> usual) -- wireless number portability is mandated by law and monitored by
> the FCC. Carriers are only allowed to charge a reasonable fee to cover
> cost of porting.
John please explain the following:
From Amazon website
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...679872#Cingular
Cingular
Cingular and Amazon.com have not yet established a method for customers to
transfer their current number to a new Cingular account. Unfortunately, in
order to port your previous number, Cingular will cancel the account that
Amazon.com activated and will activate a new account with the ported number.
This process makes you ineligible for the Amazon.com rebates. We hope to
offer a porting option in the coming months, so please check back.
| |
| John Navas 2006-05-23, 2:48 am |
| [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
In <62vcg.23613$ZW3.14340@dukeread04> on Mon, 22 May 2006 22:09:57 -0500,
"IMHO IIRC" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.NOSPAM> wrote:
>In news:fJucg.147143$eR6.41794@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net,
>John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> typed:
>John please explain the following:
>
>From Amazon website
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...679872#Cingular
>
>Cingular
>Cingular and Amazon.com have not yet established a method for customers to
>transfer their current number to a new Cingular account. Unfortunately, in
>order to port your previous number, Cingular will cancel the account that
>Amazon.com activated and will activate a new account with the ported number.
>This process makes you ineligible for the Amazon.com rebates. We hope to
>offer a porting option in the coming months, so please check back.
Simply that Amazon hasn't worked out a deal with Cingular to allow number
porting as part of its reselling of new Cingular service; i.e., Amazon is
covering its XXX. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't port a number after
an account is established without penalty. If Cingular changed an account
only because of number portability in a way that resulted in a significant
financial penalty (in excess of permitted number portability fees), then you
would presumably have recourse under Federal law and FCC rules. Read the law,
and FCC rules.
--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>
| |
| IMHO IIRC 2006-05-23, 2:48 am |
| In news:tdvcg.147280$eR6.81239@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net,
John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> typed:
> [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <62vcg.23613$ZW3.14340@dukeread04> on Mon, 22 May 2006 22:09:57 -0500,
> "IMHO IIRC" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.NOSPAM> wrote:
>
>
>
> Simply that Amazon hasn't worked out a deal with Cingular to allow number
> porting as part of its reselling of new Cingular service; i.e., Amazon is
> covering its XXX. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't port a number
> after an account is established without penalty. If Cingular changed an
> account only because of number portability in a way that resulted in a
> significant financial penalty (in excess of permitted number portability
> fees), then you would presumably have recourse under Federal law and FCC
> rules. Read the law, and FCC rules.
Cingular changes the account for number portability and that results in your
being ineligible for the Amazon.com rebate.
Cingular does not charge you a large fee, but Amazon.com does not give you
the rebate.
If you want the rebate from Amazon.com you can not port your number to
Cingular.
OR you keep your current service active till you fulfill Amazon.com service
requirement.
That is where the added cost comes from.
| |
| John Navas 2006-05-23, 2:48 am |
| [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
In <Uwvcg.23614$ZW3.14123@dukeread04> on Mon, 22 May 2006 22:42:50 -0500,
"IMHO IIRC" <NOSPAM@NOSPAM.NOSPAM> wrote:
>In news:tdvcg.147280$eR6.81239@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net,
>John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> typed:
>
>Cingular changes the account for number portability and that results in your
>being ineligible for the Amazon.com rebate.
>Cingular does not charge you a large fee, but Amazon.com does not give you
>the rebate.
>
>If you want the rebate from Amazon.com you can not port your number to
>Cingular.
>OR you keep your current service active till you fulfill Amazon.com service
>requirement.
>
>That is where the added cost comes from.
I don't think that logic would be terribly persuasive to either a court or the
FCC. YMMV.
--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>
| |
| John Navas 2006-05-23, 5:48 pm |
| [POSTED TO alt.cellular.cingular - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
In < 44732bec$0$96929$742
ec2ed@news.sonic.net> on Tue, 23 May 2006 08:36:26
-0700, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>Isaiah Beard wrote:
>
>On Usenet, I think that many of us hold out the hope that posting
>incontrovertible evidence will encourage people to refrain from posting
>incorrect or content free responses. In many cases it does have that
>effect, but not always.
There's no "incontrovertible evidence" (as yet at least). The problem with
both the Internet and Usenet is that there's so much misinformation, your
posts being notable cases in point.
>
>That's the bottom line. Cingular is not charging an unreasonable fee for
>number porting. It's just the way that they've set up the kickbacks to
>Amazon which eliminate Amazon's kickback if the number is ported. ...
Which is of course effectively the same thing; i.e., it's a distinction that
I don't think would be persuasive to either a court or the FCC.
The only way to know for sure would be to put it to the test.
--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR CINGULAR WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/ Cingu...less_FA
Q>
| |
| John Richards 2006-05-23, 5:48 pm |
| "SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message news:44723acc$0$9695
2$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> The problem with what Amazon is doing is that they're first assigning a
> new phone number, then you have to call to port your existing number
> over to phone that already has a number. Normally, when you port a
> number for a new account, there isn't a non-ported number assigned first.
Amazon did the same to me (assigned a non-ported number) when I
recently ported from Sprint to T-Mobile. Something in their
procedure sucks. I'm still waiting for my $150 Amazon rebate...
--
John Richards
| |
|
| John Navas < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote:
> There's no "incontrovertible evidence" (as yet at least). The problem
> with both the Internet and Usenet is that there's so much
> misinformation, your posts being notable cases in point.
>
>
Double ouch.
--
| |
|
| SMS wrote:
> John Richards wrote:
>
> I think that it'd be pretty difficult for Amazon to come
> up with a procedure that didn't require them to create a
> whole department to deal with wireless activations.
>
> It doesn't really hurt to have the new number until the
> old number is ported, just means that you're paying for
> two services for a few days or so.
180 days?
-Quick
| |
| Scott 2006-05-23, 11:48 pm |
|
"John Navas" < spamfilter0@navasgro
up.com> wrote in message
news:56Gcg.90363$Fs1.70003@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> There's no "incontrovertible evidence" (as yet at least). The problem
> with
> both the Internet and Usenet is that there's so much misinformation, your
> posts being notable cases in point.
>
Looking in the mirror again, Novice?
| |
| Walt Kienzle 2006-05-26, 5:48 pm |
| Yes, they will add the number change charge -- and I found this out the hard
way.
Walt
"Fred" <none@abc.com> wrote in message
news:Wkicg.75179$iF3.48575@dukeread01...
>I assume this would be subject to Cingular's usual $36 charge for changing
>your phone number?
>
> Fred
>
> "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
> news:elmop-767B56. 06283622052006@nntp1
.usenetserver.com...
>
>
>
| |
| dold@XReXXAmazo.usenet.us.com 2006-05-26, 5:48 pm |
| In alt.cellular.cingular Elmo P. Shagnasty <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
> In article <u8ncg.13653$fb2.12399@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net>,
> "Quick" <quick7135-news@NOSPAMyahoo.com> wrote:
[color=darkred]
> Because they did it for me. I don't know if they normally charge $36
> for it, because I have a corporate relationship that's way different
> than the standard consumer relationship.
I have had numbers changed and ported with Cingular, or at least with their
predecessor companies. In one case, I bought a phone at Fry's, where they
"couldn't" reuse my old number, went home, called (I think Cellular One at
that time) and changed the new phone to my old number.
I've done this several times, and so I thought it would again be no big deal
to do the same thing a couple of weeks ago with Amazon, and advised my
friend of that.
As the original poster said, it doesn't work that way.
Getting the phone was no big deal. "I want to keep my old number."
"Sorry, we have to activate a new number." "Okay, I'll change later."
Phone arrives, works fine, call Cingular to cancel the old phone, and move
the number. "Sure, no problem, but you'll lose your Amazon rebate."
"How can I keep the rebate?" "Keep the new number until you get the
rebate, sometime in the next 90 days, and then call back."
So, the answer would be to keep both lines until the rebate came in, or
change numbers. Why does it work this way? Don't know. Why do they give
you $150? Don't know.
If you don't like the Amazon deal, try somewhere else.
My friend took the new number and the new phone.
--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
| |
| John Richards 2006-05-26, 5:48 pm |
| <dold@XReXXAmazo.usenet.us.com> wrote in message news:e57gl4$1kq$3@bl
ue.rahul.net...
> Getting the phone was no big deal. "I want to keep my old number."
> "Sorry, we have to activate a new number." "Okay, I'll change later."
> Phone arrives, works fine, call Cingular to cancel the old phone, and move
> the number. "Sure, no problem, but you'll lose your Amazon rebate."
> "How can I keep the rebate?" "Keep the new number until you get the
> rebate, sometime in the next 90 days, and then call back."
Does it really take up to 90 days to get the Amazon rebate?
So far I've been waiting 62 days for my $150, and was wondering
if I should start raising a ruckus...
--
John Richards
| |
|
| SMS wrote:
> dold@XReXXAmazo.usenet.us.com wrote:
>
>
> It works that way because Cingular wants to discourage
> people from buying on Amazon.
Why would Cingular want to discourage people from
buying from one of their channel partners? I've heard
opinions of bad management but that seems over the
top? Why not just discontinue the partnership?
-Quick
| |
| Walt Kienzle 2006-05-27, 2:48 am |
|
"SMS" <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in message
news:44772a29$0$9698
2$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
[snip[
> The other issue is that no one has any idea how Amazon enforces the rebate
> provisions. Do they wait 180 days to process the big rebate, and only
> process it if the phone number is the same as the one they issued?
It took a while for the rebate to arrive, but I don't believe it was 180
days. It was over a year ago when I did this, so my recollection is a bit
fuzzy. IIRC, the porting fee was $29, not $36. Not a big deal,
particularly considering that I got a $150 rebate on a $30 phone.
I bought the phone and signed up for Cingular service from Amazon. After
the phone arrived, I called Cingular to port my T-Mobile number. No mention
was made of any charge for this service -- it just showed up on my bill. A
few months later, I saw what appeared to be a "self-service" tool on the web
that would allow someone to port their phone number on their own. I thought
there was a statement saying that there was no charge for the porting when
using this method.
I disliked Cingular customer service and their billing errors so much, I
fixed my old, broken phone (the reason I left T-Mobile in the first place)
and switched back to T-Mobile.
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