"Todd Allcock" <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in message
news:epluev$57d$1@aioe.org...
>
> True, but did you ever think, perhaps, that was Cingular's plan? Before
> the merger, AT&TWS was giving away the farm- unlimited GSM plans for $99,
> amazing retention deals, etc.
>
> Perhaps Cingular's intent all along was to strongarm you into paying more
> or walking away. Frankly, they'd rather have a $15/month customer cancel
> than keep his $15 plan. Billing and support costs are too high to allow
> such low revenue customers.
>
> So, in the end, both parties were happy- you, because you left Cingular,
> and Cingular for cutting loose another lower revenue customer. I'm not
> saying I _like_ the way they handled the merger, but I do understand it.
>
>

I was paying $105.00/month for 3 phones. I wasn't anywhere near a $15.00
customer. But Cingular wanted me to sign up for 3 x $50, or 150.00/month
and I balked. I never used my anytime minutes, I mainly used M2M.

How could a customer like me be unprofitable? And why did we receive all
those assurances that nothing would change and no one would be forced into
another rate plan?

Oh, well, it takes all types to make a world. I cannot see what Cingular
gained from buying us up and then giving us the boot.

But the one factor that seems to remain unchanged is that they still look
down on their customers. Fortunately my needs are for voice only, so none
of Cingular's value-added services appeal to me. I can go to any carrier
and get what I require. Bells and whistles don't do anything for me.

Strange how Cingular thought I wasn't worth the bother, but Sprint welcomed
me with open arms. My only regret is that I put up with Cingular's tactics
for as long as I did. I stayed with them for more than a year after the
buyout. But I suppose that a lot of other ex-Cingular customers have
similar regrets, too.