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1.1 272 Reviews

Consumer Cellular Complaints Summary

5 Resolved
256 Unresolved
Our verdict: If considering services from Consumer Cellular with a critical resolution rate, extra caution is advised. Examine detailed customer feedback to understand the severity and nature of unresolved issues. Be prepared for the possibility of unsatisfactory responses and have contingency plans, including seeking assistance from consumer advocacy groups if necessary.
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Consumer Cellular reviews & complaints 272

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1:07 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular A protection plan for a phone I no longer have.

On August 28 2019 I called Consumer Cellular to purchase a new phone. The representative told me that I had a protection plan and gave me the information to file a claim. I called the Square Trade and was given information on how to file the claim on line. I began the process and found out that the protection plan was for a phone that was stolen on February 13, 2017. I contacted Consumer Cellular and advised the representative of my findings. After some research the representative told me that the protective plan was for the stolen phone and confirmed that they are still billing me $3.00 for the protection plan. I told that I either wanted a refund of the cost of the protection plan from the time the phone was stolen or a replacement phone. She told me that she could give me a one month credit for the protection plan. I asked to speak to her supervisor and was transferred. I spoke with Jessica, the supervisor who told me that she could go as far as a 3 month credit on the protection plan. I told her the was not acceptable and asked to speak with her supervisor. I was told that she, Jessica, was as far as I could go for someone to speak to.

On February 13, 2017 my purse was stolen, in it was my month old MotoE5 phone, my Kindle, money, bank card, gift cards, etc., I was traumatized and did not remember purchasing a protection plan and was not told about the protection plan when I reported the phone stolen.

I want either a refund of the cost of the protection plan for the 31 months I no longer had the MotoE5 phone or a replacement phone, which the protection plan was designed to give me.

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4:14 am EDT

Consumer Cellular Talk and connect phone plans

The low prices offered at the website are very misleading and incorrect, with unexplained hidden fees appearing on the first billing.
I tried the $25 Plan, which is the 250 min and 2GB, with additional AARP benefits: a 5% AARP discount, and "Our extended 100% risk-free guarantee: If you're not completely satisfied for any reason, simply cancel within the first 45 days and pay nothing. It's absolutely hassle-free". So I expected an initial bill for $23.75 plus state taxes (8.875% in NY) which I calculated at $2.11. I tried to cancel after 40 days, only to be told that the special AARP deal only applied to use of 500MB (I used 548MB), with charges after that, and am now being billed an additional fee of about $20, on top of the first month fee of $34.74 because of all the extra surcharges tacked on (with "Government Taxes & Fees" listed at $5.08) for a total of $43.06. None of these additional charges and fees are explained, nor any warning given about 500MB maximum usage. I calculated that the real price for my 40-day trial, based on what was advertised, should be $25.86, which is what I paid them. I will not pay more.
Not only that, but the first SIM card permitted only limited phone use, and so I had almost no useful phone service for the first week (and many visits to TARGET) until the SIM was replaced. I did not receive any refund or extension for the time that the service did not work properly.

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1:51 am EDT

Consumer Cellular Doro 7050

I purchased 2 doro 7050 phones the beginning of august 2019. Within 3 weeks key board locked up on 1 phone while other worked perfectly. after talking to costumer service, i was told to remove back cover and battery for a hard reset. i told agent i would need to use a knife to pry open case. after this still didn't get me a signal, agent said she would put in a request for a replacement phone. A day or 2 later i received a call from replacement dept. Went thru removing cover and battery again. i told her i would need to use a knife to remove it . She refused to send new phone only new sim card. When i returned home on 8/23/2019, i replaced sim card and could not get a signal after activating it. Called again and went thru futile step again for 3rd time. then was asked to try sim card in phone i replaced and immediately got a signal. Agent told me to use phone i replaced. Agent transferred me to supervisor Katrina ID 18323 who couldn't get me to say there was a scratch or smudge on phone.. She then told me i was supposed to take phone to target store to remove back. first time i was told of this step. She refused to replace phone or give refund. I called target store and was told they do no work on phones. i feel if consumer celluar does not resolve this, AARP should for putting their good name behind this company. this is for [protected]. The other doro 7050 works fine during this period and continues to.

Account # [protected]

Brian Beardslee
[protected]@outlook.com
[protected]

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2:05 pm EST

Consumer Cellular Data usage

Good morning Mr. Marick

Love Consumer Cellular. I have a problem and a suggested solution. My phone number is [protected] if you would like to look at my account. We are on the unlimited with 20 GB of Data. Our billing period runs the ninth of the month through the eighth of the next month. This last month(Nov - Dec), we received a notice that we had exceeded our 20 GB on 12/7 and our speed was being decreased. I immediately checked our usage on your web sight and it showed around 18.8 GB used. I call customer service and they verified the amount as being 19.1 GB used. The next day I called customer service again as it was still slow. I again checked our account on line and now it showed around 18.2 GB used. This with virtually one day left till our account reset. I called customer service again and I spent a good 30 to 40 minutes trying to explain the situation. I ended up asking to speak to a supervisor. She spent the next 10 minutes trying to get one and finally said one would call me within 2 hours. A gentleman called about 45 minutes later. The result was he explained it was all computer run and generated and they have to account for data usage which may come in later.

Here is what I feel is the problem. I have a 20 GB plan. With a day and a half left and almost 2 GB remaining, our speed was slowed. The supervisor on the eighth said that the speed is slowed down at 18 GB no mater the date or time to allow for any data to come in from non AT&T towers. Our total usage on my bill ended up being just a bit over 18.5 GB. There result for me is slowed speed for a day and a half and 1.5 GB of data unused. I assumed the $40 for 20 GB of data means I'm paying for all 20 GB. If I am close as with this last month every month, I don't see how I will ever use all 20 GB and will have to suffer with slow speed for 1 to ? days.

Suggested Solution - My example is an example of what can happen with the existing policy. From what I gather, the policy is up to 26 GB allowed ( $40 first 20, then $5 for each afterwards, and shut off at 26. If this is the case, may I suggest full speed up to 20 GB recorded usage on the account and then slow the speed. Any further usage and pending usage would fall into the $5 per GB category.

What I would like to see is my being able to agree to have full speed up to 23 or 24 GB then slow the speed to 26 GB and shut off at 26. Unless you are loosing money at $5 per GB it only means more income for you if customers go over the 20 GB. You could still make the current set up available to customers that want that type of control.

Thanks for your time.

Brian D. Parker (retired)

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5:21 pm EST

Consumer Cellular Signal

I have had Consumer Cell for years, no problems. Suddenly I couldn't get a signal in my home? Customer service first told me I had to change sim cards. I did and it didn't help... Since then they have only given me the run around, no solutions? I guess I will have to do a survey. Does anyone have any input?/?

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8:11 pm EST

Consumer Cellular Customer service

They told me I'd get the first month free, but I was billed for it. So I called to straighten that out, and they said it was straightened out. Then, suddenly I'm a month behind on my account because I didn't pay for the first month before I got the second month's bill. I had to pay for the first month then just so they wouldn't cut my service off.

Good luck if you want to talk with someone, because they're only available during EST business hours, and the wait these days is from five to ten minutes, assuming you have that much time to waste during your business day, with no possibility of them putting you on a list to call you back. One time I tried to chat with someone on line, and I was #99 in the queue.

Recently, I got an email from someone in billing saying they'd call me on a certain day. It never happened. Apparently, they've become too big for their britches and are too cheap to hire additional help.

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6:39 am EST

Consumer Cellular International calling in

Consumer Cellular sim cards not working in Peru. Changed out ATT sim cards for Mobile specifically for this trip. We have two iPhones, 6 and 6 Plus. No service anywhere, even in Lima. Can´t call customer service, and their internet page will not load on any computer in Peru. I have tried several. I hope my bill will be zero on return to USA!
David Murchison

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slindridge
, US
Mar 29, 2019 4:27 pm EDT

Dave-- Did you ever get your phone to work in Peru? Did you try a SIM card from a Peru carrier? I just found out that Consumer Cellular is designed not to work internationally! I specifically switched from tracfone (CDMA) to Consumer Cellular (GSM) with the understanding most towers outside of the USA work off GSM. I am really disappointed and my trip is in two weeks! I have also read on CC blog that sometimes international SIM cards won't work either. A bit in a panic!

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10:06 am EDT
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Consumer Cellular International calling, text and data; samsung s8 703.994.2097

11/01/18
DE Beard
3938 West Hamilton Key
West Palm Beach, FL [protected]

Account Number: [protected]
Product: Samsung Galaxy S8

Summary:
While planning a trip to Spain, I ordered replacement SIM Cards to support international calling, texting and data use for two phones, my Samsung S7 (703.994.2096) and my wife's Samsung S8 (703.994.2097). After encountering problems sending and receiving text messages and messages with attachments on my wife's S8, we were directed to our local Target store to have the SIM card replaced. Replacing the card appeared to solve the problem. After arriving in Spain, the phone was unable to communicate in any way.

Details:

On about 10/01/18 I received replacement SIM cards for our two phones to be used to enable international roaming while on a trip to Spain which had been planned for several months. On 10/10/18 I called Consumer Cellular to help install and activate the new (T-Mobil) cards.

On 10/13/18 we noticed that text messages sent to my wife's S8 would not download on the phone. A message was displayed something like "No Subject, Message size xxxk, Message not downloaded.". We called Consumer Cellular for assistance and talked to Dean who performed a few troubleshooting steps and told us that the phone would be OK. We noticed, later that day that the phone still was not working properly. We called again and spoke with Dorothy who also performed several unsuccessful troubleshooting steps. We also spoke with Suzie who did about the same thing others had done and concluded that the remaining options were to reset phone services or have the SIM card replaced at our local Target store.
We chose to replace the card and met with Dillard at our Target store. Dillard replaced the SIM card and we made a few test text messages with and without attached photos. The phone appeared to work properly at this time.

After we arrived in Spain on 10/17/18 it became clear that the phone was not working. No text messages with or without attachments could be sent or received. We were also unable to make or receive any voice calls. We called Consumer Cellular again and were informed that nothing could be done until we returned to the U.S. Except for the camera the phone was completely useless.

After returning home, we called Consumer Cellular again and spoke with Caress. Caress looked at our account and saw that International Calls, Text, and Data were not activated on the S8 phone. She turned these features on and the phone worked properly and all remaining messages began to download.

It is virtually inconceivable that through all the troubleshooting by at least three Consumer Cellular technicians that the simple settings necessary for international phone use were not set properly. We depended on our Consumer Cellular service for routine calls and texting. But, most importantly, we depended on you to allow us to receive any unexpected emergency calls while out of the country. This important service was NOT available.

We have been a customer of Consumer Cellular since, at least, June of 2012 and have been highly satisfied with the service until now. We request that you compensate us for this inadequate service in the form of a credit to the next possible invoice of at least $75.

Thank you very much,
Don and Nina Beard

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6:19 pm EDT
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Consumer Cellular Consumer cellular sim card

We switched to Consumer Cellular about 2 weeks ago. We brought our phones. Since switching the first issue was not getting internet. I call CC & after being on the phone with them there answer was resetting both our phones and having them start fresh. I finally hung up & went to a Target where we bought the sim cards & switched. They were helpful & got internet. Our second issue is since we got CC we hit re-dial on either my phone or my husbands the Sim Card re-directs our phone to: [protected] it is a Massachusetts phone #. But it does not happen every time we use the re-dial. I called CC & she told me that CC doesn't have all the features that other phone companies have. Excuse me CC doesn't have re-dial. Then I went on line & did a live chat. She is telling me it is our phones. When this happens we are just tapping on the call we want to make under the "Recent's" & a message comes up that says "The Sim Card is re-directing my call" to [protected]. So this is not s Samsung issue it is a issue with the Sim Card we were given at Target from one of your representatives. My husband drives for a living & he does not have time for this & neither do I. If CC can not resolve this problem we will be switching companies

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10:13 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular Samsung

Hello I bought a mobile phone S7 edge from Samsung and I have issues with this phone from time I purchased it. Pink lines/dots on the screen. They replaced the screen once which is okay but after fighting for 2 months. Later after 8 months the screen started showing black lines and flashes frequently. I contacted one of the nearest Samsung service center (same place where I got it repaired earlier) I had enough time in expiring my warranty. They upgraded the software and asked me they will check the phone and return after testing (case is still open). The problem is still same did not fix anything. Now when I asked them to replace the screen and hand over my phone they denied stating it's not under warranty. I told when I reported the problem it was in warranty and now because of their stupid experimentation it expired. They said I need to call call center I did and no resolution provide, contacted them 10 times but nothing happened. Now whenever I try reaching service center they keep telling they contact me once they an approval from the area manager. I don't understand whom the area manager is and why is he taking so long. This incident is pending since march 23, 2018.

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8:21 am EDT
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Consumer Cellular International plan options

Vacation nightmare - do not use concumer cellular abroad! Cc left me high and dry while vacationing in spain. Phone was stolen at 8:30am in spain so contacting them to stop service was impossible since they were not available. They have no 24/7 availability so if an emergency occurs you are screwed! Later when my data was maxed it was days before I could renew the additional $50 for more. Then once that was added it unexplicabably got used up without me actually using any more. All this because they have no real time ability to tell you your status and allow themselves 48 hrs for accurate info. So I was wasting my time calling them many times on hold for 30 minutes or more each time incurring charges as if they save their money by being understaffed with any kind of infrastructure that is able to help you in an emergency. If you travel do not use consumer cellular!

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Paul Hedemark
, US
Jul 08, 2018 8:44 am EDT

Sorry for the typo on Consumer. However they deserve the misspelling as their responsiveness and competence is appropriate for concumers, not consumers!

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12:02 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular Mobile phone service and products

I joined this company as an alternative to paying less and having a flip phone than a "smartphone" since I got tired of how glitchy they are. As it turns out, the brand this company gives out (Alcatel) is also difficult to use, not being able to make phone calls or text messages from time to time and would also lag and glitch so much I had to turn it off constantly when using it. On top of that I had to pay extra just to be able to send text messages, something that so far was unheard of. How can a phone company add plans for calls but not include text messaging on them?

I guess I got what I paid for and am ready to join another carrier even if it means having to pay more.

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9:24 am EDT
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Consumer Cellular Offer for free month phone service

I signed up for the free month
Received my sim. Immediately, called them as I had service. As long as activated by March 31, free month
First received a bill for $3 and change. (tax on free service) looked on back of bill contrary to their customer service was a bill
Next, my credit was checked with out my permission.
I cut off my other carrier 3 days early. Time after Time assured free month. In fact told 45 free days as I'm AARP. Not true. It's 45 day satisfaction guarantee
Next skipping part of more bills, spoke to supervisor mark. He admitted they start billing as soon as one orders sim and or cell. Next, he said there was error my account not pushed forward. Again I ask if free month valid. Next, they record us
Meanwhile called fraud line via AARP. I was informed they received umpteen complaints.
Next, as supervisor mark ask I called consumer Cellular following Saturday. Spoke to Manny he admitted ! Customers were billed for free offer. In fact one can search for it (recommend duckduckgo search engine)
Next I get billing. Offer Settle for 27 and change. They emailed offer with option pay $6 a month. No I did not agree. In fact should have had them send email confirmation of free month although I took screenshots of offer on their site.
Consumer Cellular also ticked I called ftc next, filing with attorney general. It is fraud.
Non contract? Post paid surprise.
In fact supervisor mark admitted I should have cancelled. With permission and knowledge I should have recorded them.
They are liars. Again bill one a tax quote, well turn it over and see the rest of it.
They lie about no hidden fees, being contract free, every aspect
Next I brought my own phone.
If the agent inform me of credit check I would have opted to forgo service.
Outdated data plans, post paid, fraudulent billing practices (phone service on order day) and all the above complaints. Fyi mark checked my usuage. Of course non as I did not install sim until 28th of March I believe. They owe me for my other service
Stay away from these crooks. Satisfied customer? Find a better company. Many out there at lower price and prepaid. No surprises .
They made a mistake alright (the supervisor). They messed with me.

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Update by 1Tickedofftwo
Jul 22, 2018 1:01 pm EDT

Now sending me to collections
I have to write a report to atty general of Oregon and my state
BBB (probably useless)
If AARP does not stop endorsing Cellular one I will not renew
Next FCC ignored my evidence of fraud
Btw one is charged on day of order. At warehouse. !

Received email from corp. Email one I had service two months. No I had another carrier.
She realized her mistake told me I rec free month
In essence I was charged from day one received bill three for over 150$ for two months (I provided proof I had Simple mobile to FCC/ftc).

Truth I had service less than promised free month. In fact before insert their sim I again asked if free month began that day again yes
The post paid surprises had not arrived
They finagled the bill to look good
Fraud unit told me give them nothing
Anyone have a printer i could borrow. My wifi printer is out of ink
Next collection on their bogus charge including administrative charges for mail costs them more
Avoid this company I'd rather see a rattle snake

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11:04 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular Fraudulent and shoddy service

I have a cellular phone and have the misfortune of being a former customer and employee of this company. There IS a contract with the customer, in spite of what is told to you (see Terms and Conditions on their website). If you do NOT have AARP (their 3rd party affiliate) you are forced to arbitrate and cannot sue them, they do NOT give the REQUIRED FCRA disclosure and run a hard hit on your credit AND have permission to dive into your consumer habits and credit further, they do NOT honor the soldiers and sailors relief act for active duty military members, if they sign you up for AARP they charge $16 instead of $12 the actual AARP charges, they will increase your plan if you go over and charge you the greater rate for the whole month and you are responsible for calling to drop your plan back down again. The reps are disreputable ghetto punks and for every SIM card (or new line) they get credit for a sale (so they love switching out the SIM)and have a lowered talk time, they are held to an avg 5 minute talk time and will often hang up to meet their stats, the minute they end the call they chatter about how stupid seniors are "somebody get me some cyanide", the owner has many disgusting cartoons of seniors on his website, they fail to disclose that you CANNOT change your plan when you go over plan, the two towers they bounce off of give them lower priority than their own customers so clarity and speed are an issue (charging in full minute increments to other cos partial minutes), got to say it Verizon has the BEST reception and network out there. The whole industry is moving to embedded SIM cards that do not switch out so, with any luck, they will be gone soon. Pull up the terms and conditions on their website and call your state attorney general and the FCC and report them for consumer fraud in every state you have used their service in or bounced your signal off a tower. Troll them by calling and keeping their reps on the phone for hours. The reason they do NOT have check by phone is that, each time you do it, they have a contract and they are too cheap to pay for the software. If English is not your first language, notice they ALSO did not disclose that your complaints against them on the State website are automatically ignored since they claim it was a miscommunication (other cell companies spend money for a language line). You fought the war to end all wars, gave us tremendous changes in technology, medicine, education. For Christ sake Gates is a senior citizen. I would say to reconsider and go directly to ATT or Verizon on a plan. Also, if you call to cancel, reps used to take the hit of the cancel against their sales and WOULD FORGET TO PROCESS IT. So you might find you are still with the jerks when you thought you left long ago. So make that looonnngg call from a landline to have them explain everything that your service/phone can do and call your regulators FCC, State Attorney General, Senator, Congressman. Become proactive consumers. Dont bother with AARP, they get a cut and dont care. Dont bother with BBB who uprates companies if they respond to a complaint, not if they do anything.

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Update by carrie snodgrass
Apr 21, 2018 11:05 pm EDT

no update yet

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1:45 pm EST

Consumer Cellular Cell phone service

I am a Consumer Cellular customer who has been unable to make/receive calls or connect to voice mail since Thursday, November 24, 2017 - that's six days and counting, folks. I am unable to call the toll-free Consumer Cellular Support Hotline because Consumer Cellular is my only phone service provider, so, I sent request for help messages via the Consumer Cellular website message link on November 24, 2017, November 27, 2017, and November 30, 2017. My first two messages were never replied to by Consumer Cellular, but my third request for help message was replied to by Consumer Cellular. I was told that the reason for my service disruption was a cell phone tower used by Consumer Cellular to provide cell phone service in my call area went offline on November 24, 2017. Although my third request for help message was replied to by Consumer Cellular, the solution which included updates sent to my phone to help it reconnect to the cell phone towers (i.e. serial number update via smart SIM card in cell phone) did not resolve my problem - that's six days and counting, folks. I was advised to contact Consumer Cellular's U.S. based customer service hotline [protected]) if I continue to have problems with service, however, I do not have another phone service available to me to contact them. Consumer Cellular does not have a live chat session capability which could be used to discuss customer service issues and resolutions [which would be ideal for my situation]. I cannot recommend Consumer Cellular pre-paid cell phone service to my fellow seniors because of the following shortcomings: (1) I sent two request for help messages to Consumer Cellular to which I never received a response [although I receive ticket #s immediately]; (2) Consumer Cellular does not have a banner headline capability on their website home page which would be used to indicate an outage [or other issues]; and (3) Consumer Cellular does not provide a live chat session capability which could be used to discuss customer issues and resolutions [when the customer is unable to contact Consumer Cellular via phone].

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6:22 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular I can not not ever get a person on the line. I have called as d several times as earls 9:00 am.

My husband have been members of AARP since 1997. We get e magazine and news letter every month. As seniors we put our trust in Iyour consumer information as the gospel. My husband saw their ad in magazine and wanted to switch from Straight talk to CC. He will be 70 years old August 17, 2117. I purchased the Doro (senior friendly) phone and had his phone number ported to CC. THIS has been a nightmare! If you have a question about about your monthly statement --- YOU will never get through to a REP to resolve a conflict. They put on hold and make you listen to the disgusting news. FORGET about A CALL BACK FOR YOUR PLACE IN LINE! AINT gonna happen ! AARP please address this issue concerning Consumer magazineCellular, Don't take my word ---Look at the COMPLAINTS from SENIORS like us, and DO something about it! After all you have a very "HAPPY" AD in every issue of your magazine?

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2:10 pm EDT
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Consumer Cellular Claims of payments not received, phone service terminated.

The June 30, 2016 discontinuance of phone service was the third time that Consumer Cellular terminated my service because of a lie or for an asnine reason. First, the claim was the lack of a 'regular' statement being remitted with a money order. The second was they were trying to make sure I was getting their bills timely (so they terminated my service to force me to call them from elsewhere. And now, as of 6.30.16, the claim was they did not have my money order in their office. So again, my service was shut off - right in time for the holidays. When confronted with the information that the money order was CASHED on June 15th - around the same time it's cashed each month (because they are always mailed the 3rd or 4th of each month), 'Lucy' claimed 'no one in that office received funds from me' and that's why my service was off. CFO/founder (John Marick) must EMAIL me for the money order # so the company can find their own thief. Western Union, to do a tracer for a copy of who signed the money order or whose bank is attached to the cashed m.o Absolutely NO calls from this company - they are liars who cover up wrong doing, will be tolerated. Someone stole money, and service I PAID to have was terminated. To Cellular: I expect a 6 month period of bill-FREE phone service. Send this in writing. Your customer servants are rude, and I'm tired of paying for crappy service. To AARP: Companies you endorse routinely mistreat your members because we are in a particular age group, and thereby nearly always wind up on the short end. Now having said that, I did mention I send money orders - to everyone I do business with, and if they are cashed by unscrupulous folk, I WILL NOT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ONLINE END-USER CONTRACTS. Twice before, Consumer later 'found' my money orders - either attached to someone else's account or laying around on someone's desk there at Consumer. This is ONE senior that will not be taken for a ride by any of the companies you endorse, just because they feel they have 'another one over a barrel.'

Check your company. You may have all kinds of gold stars and awards for Consumer on your home page, but because of rude behavior on the part of a 'Lucy' (spoke to her on 6.30.16) and this third time phone shut off for attention, gold stars is what Consumer Cell. ought to see, but going in circles, around their heads! Resolution - I will only send money to a street address, John Marick, he needs to contact me for the money order stubb number so he can send for a tracer to he can find his THIEF, but most importantly, Consumer Cell. can remain terminated until via U.S. mail, I receive an offer of a 6 months FREE service. This is the only 'good faith' way for a continued account between your member and Your phone service for seniors endorsee. I am NOT paying another dime for service I did not have.
You and Consumer Cell may contact me by email or U.S. mail only.

AARP Membership number [protected] 0.

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3:30 am EDT

Consumer Cellular AARP

I have been a member of AARP for years, thinking they had the best interests of seniors, I enrolled in Consumer Cellular due to their reviews and ad's, What a mistake, worst phone services ever. I live two miles from a cell tower, phone would not work in the house, had to go out in the back yard to talk, during the winter, cold wind and snow, during my wifes cancer treatments, talking to doctors, what a nightmare. Talked to customer service four times without results, they said it was because of my metal roof, I finally bought a new I-phone through them thinking that was the problem, no difference. Cancelled my service and went to walmart and got straight talk with unlimited everything for a cheaper price, wow what a great service, everything works perfectly anywhere I go including in my home. As far as AARP, I will not renew my subscription again due to the fact that they are just another gimmick to ripe off seniors. Just my opinion.

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betternowtoday
, US
Mar 25, 2018 2:34 pm EDT

I'm a Senior, who went to Consumer Cellular based on their advertising with AARP and their television adds.
Went I purchased the phone and activated their Cell Phone Service, I made certain that no monthly payment for service would be automatically submitted prior to the 14th of each month. Consumer Cellular Representative assured me that there would be no problem with after the 14th of each month for payment. It was my clear understanding and an actual promise voluntarily given by the Consumer Cellular Representative, no automatic draft for monthly service would be submitted prior to the 14th of any month.

However in June 2017, Consumer Cellular submitted their draft to my Bank, 6-days prior to our agreed 14th of the month. I telephoned Consumer Cellular, immediately upon becoming aware of their breach of our payment date agreement. I was pleased with the Customer Service person, who apologized for Consumer Cellular's mistake and stated: the date of the 14th shall be honored from now on. That some how my account payment date had been changed by someone in the company. But, she had corrected the mistake and changed the payment date back to the 14th.

Eight-months later in February 2018, Consumer Cellular, again breached our payment date agreement; submitting a draft to my bank days earlier that the payment date. This time Consumer Cellular's breach of our agreement had much larger impact. There was money in the Bank Account to pay for work done on my property. But, when Consumer Cellular submitted their early draft for payment, and without my knowledge it shorten the funds available for the Check.

Consumer Cellular's second breach-of- promise to me, a Senior Consumer, was the direct cause for a "Return Check" scenario. I telephoned Consumer Cellular, informing them of my difficult situation in which I had been placed by their wrong act.

The Customer Service person, stated: I had to email the next level of Customer Service in order to receive any resolution to my issues. twelve emails later with Five-different Consumer Cellular employees all claiming to be supervisors or where the "Buck" stopped. I have" No Resolution"!

What I did receive from Consumer Cellular's caring personnel, were the following; higher payments and my telephone service-interrupted, along with a late fee charge, which I do not owe. A "stop payment" fee on the Consumer Cellular Check for payment mailed to the Consumer Cellular payment Center in Pasadena, CA.

As a direct result of the abuse of use from Consumer Cellular I notified the Bank and Consumer Cellular they were no longer authorized to submit any automatic drafts for payment. From now on all monthly statement will be paid by check. This way this senior is taking back control of her Bank Account from Consumer Cellular.

Consumer Cellular, blatantly retaliated against me for stating to their last Supervisor Janice Hartley: and their Accounts manager Scott, that Consumer Cellular advertises it wants" life-long customers". I dare to ask, how does that happen? Since I, as a customer have found Consumer Cellular's attitude, which has been demonstrated again-and-again as non-caring. Consumer Cellular "policies" and employees repeating their "Company Policies" illustrated a real lack in the willingness to work with the unsuspecting customer (consumer) to resolve any issue pertaining to mistakes made by the companies employees. Refusing to accept any form of responsibility for one of their employee or employees wrong doing, harming the Consumer Cellular Customer.

Consumer Cellular, did not and has not provided any resolution to me as a loyal Customer, for any of their wrongful actions. Rather, instead Consumer Cellular has been abusive, vindictive, and stolen money from a Senior, who was simply sitting at home minding her business and along came Consumer Cellular. This company has forced this Senior to have to pay under duress over $200.00 dollars not actually owed by this Consumer Cellular Customer.

This Senior, was not overdrawn at the Bank, this Senior, had not written a check to a person without the funds to cover, this senior did not authorize Consumer Cellular to submit payment days earlier than was agreed to with Consumer Cellular, on this their second offense and "Breach". The person who performed the work for the customer who had always paid by check without any issues and never had reason to think the check would be returned for insufficient funds and was shocked when it happened. All these embarrassing facts from a Senior Consumer, who always paid her Consumer Cellular Cell Phone account in full every month.

These harmful Consumer Cellular's actions, were not enough. Consumer Cellular, using their vindictive methods against this Senior Citizen, were implemented because this Senior made the decision to stand-up to Consumer Cellular's Corruption and abuse.
By filing a Complaint with the"Oregon Attorney General's Office", shortly after, Consumer Cellular shut my phone -off. There was absolutely no reason for the interruption in my phone service. The payment had already been mailed, and no money was owed on the account.

Upon contacting Consumer Cellular for an explanation as to why the Phone had been turned-off, and to please reinstate immediately the "phone service" . I was informed by Customer Service, it was due to the fact Consumer Cellular in Oregon, had not seen or received within four days my payment or it had not yet posted.
However, in this same telephone contact, two different Consumer Cellular Customer Service employees told me the company knew it takes anywhere from seven-to-ten business days for payments to be posted to peoples accounts. Now this Senior, has an additional expense of $27. in order to "Stop Payment" on my mailed check.
There was definitely no way according to the Consumer Cellular Supervisor, the account would or could be reinstated without an immediate payment by"Credit Card" for the full payment, which now included a service charge and a late fee.

I also incurred these additional cost due directly to the Consumer Cellular employee (s) whose wrong doing has caused this ongoing nightmare. A $35. return check fee at my bank, a $25. check return at the bank of the person who the check was written to, a $27. "stop Payment" on check Consumer Cellular claims not received in 4-days, so cut my service-off, a late fee by Consumer Cellular, an additional fee charged against my cell phone account for Consumer Cellular to change from "auto pay".

Forget all the glossy advertisements in the "Print" media, the insincere Television Commercials, the possible phony and paid for "JD Power" awards, along with the shady "AARP" endorsement. We Seniors have to stay alert and protect ourselves from unscrupulous and hungering wolves like "Consumer Cellular", who prey on "Senior Citizens" such as us.

By Robin Goldberg

ComplaintsBoard
R
10:48 am EST

Consumer Cellular Samsung relay

I went with CC because of the "no-contract" feature and AARP endorsement, which I thought meant CC was a good choice. I chose the Samsung Relay phone because it has a pull-out qwerty full alphabet feature, which is one of their most expensive phones. I have called customer service several times because I cannot receive or send pictures and cannot receive "group texts" on this phone. Each time I call I talk to a different person and they all have a different solution to the problem, none of which works. So I'm stuck with this phone unless I want to buy another one and go back to a contract with a reputable company because these people don't know what they are talking about, just lip service!

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ComplaintsBoard
R
2:47 pm EDT

Consumer Cellular Reinstating my old contract

I had a contract with consumer cellular in 2014 my 2 kids were messing up with their phones so I called C.C. service and had the contract put on hold as per their suggestion. Today I tried reactivating my account after 3 attempts with 3 different support agents they finally got it up and ready. several hours later C.C. billing calls back and tells me that I have to switch the phones over to my wife's account that my payment plan that I used last year for my account was no longer allowed, which all 3 of the other reps. ok'd. It gets paid directly out of my checking account same way as before, they are trying to scam us for more money. Buyer beware.

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Consumer Cellular Customer Reviews Overview

Consumer Cellular is a popular wireless service provider that offers affordable plans for seniors and other budget-conscious consumers. The company has received generally positive reviews from customers, with many praising its low prices, reliable coverage, and excellent customer service.

One of the biggest advantages of Consumer Cellular is its affordability. The company offers a range of plans to fit different budgets, with prices starting as low as $15 per month. Customers can choose from a variety of data, talk, and text options, and can easily customize their plans to meet their specific needs.

In addition to its low prices, Consumer Cellular is also known for its reliable coverage. The company uses the networks of major carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, which means that customers can expect strong signal strength and fast data speeds in most areas.

Perhaps the biggest selling point of Consumer Cellular, however, is its exceptional customer service. The company has a team of friendly and knowledgeable representatives who are available to help customers with any questions or concerns they may have. Customers can reach out to the company via phone, email, or live chat, and can expect prompt and helpful responses.

Overall, Consumer Cellular is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable, reliable, and customer-friendly wireless service provider. With its low prices, strong coverage, and excellent customer service, it's no wonder that the company has received so many positive reviews from satisfied customers.

Consumer Cellular In-depth Review

Overview: Consumer Cellular is a telecommunications company that caters to a specific target audience - seniors and individuals who prefer a no-frills, affordable wireless service. With a history spanning over two decades, Consumer Cellular has established a reputable presence in the industry.

Products and Services: Consumer Cellular offers a comprehensive range of products and services to meet the needs of its target audience. From basic flip phones to the latest smartphones, they provide a variety of devices to choose from. Their services include voice plans, text messaging, data plans, and even add-ons like international calling options. The quality and variety of their products and services are commendable, ensuring customers have options that suit their preferences and budget.

Customer Service: Consumer Cellular prides itself on its exceptional customer service. They offer multiple support channels, including phone, email, and live chat, making it convenient for customers to reach out for assistance. The response time is generally quick, and their representatives are known for their helpfulness and effectiveness in resolving customer issues.

Network Coverage: Consumer Cellular utilizes the networks of major providers, ensuring reliable coverage across the United States. While their coverage may not be as extensive as some of the larger carriers, it is still impressive, especially considering their target audience. Customers have generally provided positive feedback regarding call quality and data speeds, making it a reliable choice for most users.

Plans and Pricing: Consumer Cellular offers a range of plans to cater to different usage needs and budgets. Their pricing is competitive and affordable, especially when compared to some of the larger carriers. The plans provide good value for money, with features like unlimited talk and text, and the option to add data as needed. When compared to competitors' pricing and plan offerings, Consumer Cellular often comes out as a more cost-effective choice.

Device Selection: Consumer Cellular offers a decent selection of devices, ranging from basic feature phones to popular smartphones. They ensure compatibility with different operating systems and brands, giving customers the freedom to choose a device that suits their preferences. Customer feedback on device performance and reliability has been generally positive, indicating that the devices offered by Consumer Cellular meet the expectations of their users.

Contract Terms and Flexibility: Consumer Cellular stands out in terms of contract terms and flexibility. They offer no-contract plans, allowing customers to have the freedom to switch or cancel their service without any penalties. This flexibility is appreciated by users who prefer not to be tied down by long-term contracts. The company also maintains transparency in billing, ensuring customers are aware of any potential fees or charges.

User Experience: Consumer Cellular's website and mobile app provide a user-friendly experience. The website is easy to navigate, allowing customers to manage their accounts, view bills, and make payments effortlessly. The mobile app further enhances the user experience, providing additional features and tools for convenient account management.

Customer Reviews and Satisfaction: Customer reviews and ratings for Consumer Cellular are generally positive. Customers express satisfaction with the company's affordability, customer service, and reliable network coverage. While there may be occasional negative reviews, overall, Consumer Cellular maintains a good reputation and exceeds industry benchmarks in terms of customer satisfaction.

Pros and Cons: The main advantages of choosing Consumer Cellular include their affordable pricing, excellent customer service, and flexible contract terms. They cater to a specific target audience and provide reliable network coverage. However, some areas for improvement include expanding their coverage area and offering more high-end device options.

Conclusion: Based on the evaluation, Consumer Cellular is a highly recommended wireless service provider, especially for seniors and individuals looking for affordable plans and excellent customer service. With a wide range of products and services, reliable network coverage, and flexible contract terms, Consumer Cellular stands out in the industry. While there may be some room for improvement, their strengths outweigh any weaknesses, making them a top choice for many consumers.

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