AT&T Cell Phone

[GG]

We have had our issues with AT&T lately.   My wife say's her phone number is being held hostage.

Here is the background; My wife has had her phone a Palm Trio paid for by her boss for several years.   She has only been working for him part-time lately and got a deal on a Galaxy II through Amazon for a penny.   She got one for her and our number 2 son.   Our number 2 son was with Sprint, my wife was with AT&T through her boss's account.  Because she is down to one day a week with her boss she decided to switch over to our account (number 3 son and I have been on for years).   

So she switches number 2 son and he gets to keep his number from Sprint, no problem.   Everything went seamless.    But to transfer her number which she has had for 10 or so years with AT&T then Sprint and back to AT&T they wanted $350 for transfer and activation fees.   This was even after her boss had signed a release of the number (actually he did it 3 different times).  My wife has gone round and round with AT&T.   She has talked to a half dozen different people, one was actually helpful and then came back saying he did not understand why they would not let her keep her number with out the activation/transfer fees.   It has become a principle with her.   They have told her after 60 days she can apply for that number.   

She wants to know if any of you have had a similar experience or any suggestions on what she can do.   She has already filed a complaint with the FCC. 

[patric]

Carriers aren't supposed to charge people to "port" numbers they already "own" so I would escalate to whatever supervisor understands that.

[TUalum0982]

when you say your wife has talked to a half dozen people...is this over the phone or in person? my personal dealings with AT&T over the phone have been nothing but horrible, irritating, and down right a waste of time.  I have learned if you to talk with someone who knows what they are talking about, go in person to a store. 


I preordered my iphone 4S over the phone, received order confirmation email with order number and everything.  Checked back a few days later to check status of said order, it was no where to be found.  I was on the phone with these people for over 6hrs over the course of 2 days, and was transferred to I dont know how many people and was told a different answer each and every time.  I went into my local att store at tulsa hills, explained all this to the mgr, she read all the notes on my account, made several phone calls herself to "special escalations desk" and she finally gave up.  She then told me to come to the store the day of release, and she will hold one for me.  She was true to her word, I showed up, waited about 15 min and then I was able to get my phone.  Patience pays off, because I was nothing but courteous and calm with these people.  But after that huge debacle, I have learned to always talk with someone in person.  Those people at the call center do not have a clue and dont give a damn.

[Conan71]

when you say your wife has talked to a half dozen people...is this over the phone or in person? my personal dealings with AT&T over the phone have been nothing but horrible, irritating, and down right a waste of time.  I have learned if you to talk with someone who knows what they are talking about, go in person to a store. 


I preordered my iphone 4S over the phone, received order confirmation email with order number and everything.  Checked back a few days later to check status of said order, it was no where to be found.  I was on the phone with these people for over 6hrs over the course of 2 days, and was transferred to I dont know how many people and was told a different answer each and every time.  I went into my local att store at tulsa hills, explained all this to the mgr, she read all the notes on my account, made several phone calls herself to "special escalations desk" and she finally gave up.  She then told me to come to the store the day of release, and she will hold one for me.  She was true to her word, I showed up, waited about 15 min and then I was able to get my phone.  Patience pays off, because I was nothing but courteous and calm with these people.  But after that huge debacle, I have learned to always talk with someone in person.  Those people at the call center do not have a clue and dont give a damn.

Precisely the reason I went to Tulsa Hills the morning they became available to order.  I was really surprised there wasn't a long line.  I got my phone in the mail on the first day of release.  I really try and avoid phone banks at all cost these days.