Consumer Cellular
reviews and complaints

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.

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Outdated data plans, post paid, fraudulent billing practices (phone service on order day) and all the above complaints.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.

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.

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].

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?

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.

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.

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!

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.

I've been with Consumer Cellular since December 2014, almost 9 months now. I paid my bill by calling and charging to my AMEX the first 2 months. After that I mailed a paper check because of the long wait time to pay my bill.

I use my iPhone4S for voice calls and text only, no data. My plan was 1250 voice minutes, 1250 text message, and 150 MB of data. My usage had always been low, extremely under the limits, even with AT&T.

Last month I got an alert message that I was over on my data. I said no way! The end result of that phone call was to lower my minutes to 750 and increase my data to 500 MB.

Now, barely 2 weeks into this billing cycle, last night I was at 462MB of data and this morning, after no phone calls and 10 text messages, I am at 466 MB of data ! Last night the wait time was supposedly was 5-10 minutes. I hung up after more than 16 minutes! This morning the wait time again was 5-10 minutes. I hung up after more than 12 minutes.

I have done absolutely NOTHING to use data.

This company is a JOKE! I will change to another carrier ASAP !

D. Franks
Tupelo, MS

I got my sim card today so I thought I was going to upgrade from 3gs to an Iphone4. when I called to activate it Waited 75 min before someone took my call. It took over 11/2 hr before I was told someone activated it online. I received no activation code in the mailing to activate it online so How could that be done without one. Wanted to know if there was a Target closeby which was 50 miles away to get a new sim card. I got no help and ended up reordering another sim which will take another 3-5 days.
The next day my old phone-the 3gs- is not working-has no service in upper left hand corner. Called them and waited over 2hrs and 24 min before someone took my call. explained my problem he puts me on hold to transfer me to someone else-waited 35 min before someone took the call. the woman was told about my problem and what happened the following day. She tells me my phone was deactivated when I tried to upgrade my iphone 4 yesterday. Told her it worked fine for the rest of the day and only started this morning. She wanted me to go to a Target and Sears to get a new sim card so It would be activated again. They cant re activate it. I am going through all this trouble so I can not be helped with their service, drive 50 miles one way to pick to pick up a new sim card. No Way.
For 2 days trying to get help so my phone works and all I get is frustration and no help at all.
Think before you sign up with this company for your cell phone service. Do you want a phone that works and have help when you need it or sign up for no help and problems with your service.

Everything about them is a mess. Their service...isn't. They treat you like you have the I.Q. of a pimple and are rude and snarkey and don't fix a damned thing. Their "top" phone for $150 is a piece of defecation. They tell you that they can only fix issues with and be accountable for their phones, they are not accountable and you are dead in the water...trust me. We have slightly better luck with my daughter's phone we got from Amazon. Tech support is CRAP, the phone service itself is CRAP, and you don't save any money. Even with AARP, our bill climbs each month...I don't know how, but we are going back to a contract plan. As much as a contract is a pain, these companies have accountability for service issues and phone issues. Some companies are better than others, but this Consumer Cellular thing is ridiculous. It's a joke, not a really funny one either. Probably OK if you have a simple flip phone and only call 911 or AAA. If you want anything else, look somewhere else. If you are thinking of going to them...run the other way...

The service is poor and customer service/tech support is poor to none. They are rude and snarky and treat you as if you have the I.Q. of a pencil and talk down to you and then THEY don't fix a damned thing. Their "top" phone the Huwaei is the biggest piece of defecation. They also say that they can only guarantee and help technically if you get their phones; we did 2 out of the 3, they are terrible and tech support...doesn't support and the problems keep mounting. My daughter's phone, we got from Amazon, a Sony Experia because she liked it, so we got the unlocked GSM one. That one operates the best, but don't be mistaken, their service stinks. You don't save money really. We have had smartphones for a long long time and I'm in my 50's but not prehistoric. I adjust our plan but usually wind up with the upper limit of plans, but still it isn't a savings because we can never connect for data, even trying to operate off our home wireless modem like they recommend to save data use...well we save now because I dropped data, reduced text plan. We are looking to go back to a contract plan. As much as it is a pain, at least there is accountability. If there is a phone problem it gets fixed or replaced. Service issues are addressed. It just doesn't happen with C.C., this has been the WORST cellular experience yet. So don't waste $150 on their "top" Chinese phone, it is garbage. And if you are switching to save money, you will only save if you have a simple flip phone that you want to call A.A.A. or 911, and tell the kids you're running late getting to see them and the grandkids. They can't even remedy my problem of voice to text feature. My husband has it off and on about 35-40% of time, something that should be standard. Even with AARP discount our bill is $120/mo. It's not worth the trouble, truly it isn't. Things aren't what they appear and if you are reasonably intelligent and don't wish to be treated like an idiot then steer clear of these people.

Once a thrifty option for people who don't jabber on the phone all day or don't text and stuff, this outfit's signals have deteriorated to the point where if you live in a populated area, you'll have lousy - if not non-existent reception.

I for one, refuse to pay oodles of money for phone service. I don't talk for hours, on the phone; couldn't care less about texting (whatever that is - I'm not a 13 year old girl). I just want a phone that works. Over the past couple years, the signal strength on this service in any area with more then 200, 000 people is too weak and discontinuous, and your phone calls just get cut off.

My advice: get a land line with your cable company with a bundle and rebate. Or find another cell provider that will give good reception in your area - that means you have to ask people in your area if their phone service works or not.

Cell phone reception has undergone the way of broadband...too much stuff going over the lines cuts off other signals. With all this iPod stufff etc., the cell towers are now overloaded and companies like Consumer Cellular who use hindt$t signal space are now useless.

Oh...and the phone they replaced my stolen one with is the worst piece of junk I've seen in years.

Best case scenario: have some children, friends and familly; and then load yourself on one of those "F&F" plans - or just go landline. Just remember, unliss you live in some desolate rural area, Consumer Cellular has become useless.

I contacted Consumer Cellular in November, 2011 regarding my phone that would not power on even with a full charge. The representative advised me that I had purchased a phone from Consumer Cellular with a known defect. I requested a new phone. The representative advised me that there was no warranty on the phone and I would have to purchase a new phone for $35.00. I refused and threatened to cancel my service. I was told they would look into other options.

In December, 2011, I contacted Consumer Cellular again. The representative apologized and advised me that the additional $35.00 was for a new activation charge, not for a new phone. I, again, refused to pay and threatened to cancel my service. I was told they would look into other options.

In each of the following months, I contacted Consumer Cellular and requested that they resolve this issue. Each time, they apologized and told me they were looking into other options.

In May, 2012, after being stranded on the side of the road for over 6 hours because I had a phone with a known defect and service with Consumer Cellular that I could not access, I once again called Consumer Cellular in an attempt to resolve this issue. The representative apologized and told me there was nothing they could do to help me beyond my paying $35.00 and receiving a new phone. Therefore, I canceled my service.

In June, 2012, I received another bill from Consumer Cellular for $16.07. I called and was told this was for charges billed in advance. I advised the representative that I would not pay for service that the defective phone would not allow me to access.

In July, 2012, I received another bill, this time with a $10.00 late fee included.

In August, 2012, I received another bill with a second $10.00 late fee included and a note advising me of their pending collection attempts. I called and spoke with a representative who agreed to waive the $20.00 in late fees and would attempt to take care of the last bill. Several hours later, I received a call from another Consumer Cellular representative who advised me that the last bill must be paid. I notified them that I was disputing the last bill since the service they were billing for could not be accessed with the defective phone they sold me. Further attempts to negotiate a settlement were unsuccessful.

A the end of August, 2012, I received a call from a collection agency. They advised me that Consumer Cellular had included another $10.00 late fee and a $35.00 collection fee bringing the total to $61.07. I notified them of my dispute regarding the bill and that I would not pay for service that I was unable to access.

In early September, 2012, I received a letter from a collection agency. I sent them an email through their web site notifying them that I was disputing the validity of the claim based on a non-working phone and not being able to assess the network, therefore, the bill for service was not valid.

I opted to use consumer cellular rather than my current AT&T because I could save $25.00 a month & with no contract.I was billed for the 1st. month service of $49.10 before I received the 2 phones and had already paid the $ 123.17, which now totals over $172.00. The phones are junk and I contacted to get info as to how to return. I mailed out the phones and they received them 5 days later. However, their po0licy is to not return my money for 21 days after the phones are received. I have contacted them an 3 occassions and have had no luck. They are useless people working for a useless company and if anyone uses them, be prepared to be ripped off. I am disappointed in AARP for the backing of the Jitterbug phones, which consumer celolular charges $100.00. Not a dealo for those of us on limited income trying to save a few bucks .

Consumer Cellular began charge when UsPs show that the phone is located at your post office. Even if you don't get a notice from UsPs, Consumer Cellular charge you. The charges should began at activation. Even if you don't get a notice from UsPs, Consumer Cellular charges you the minute that the phone arrives at your post office. The charges should began at activation. They are not very helpful-nor apologetic about charging you if you are not using their service. They need to be more consumer friendly and undertand that service charges should begin hen people are using their service-i.e. at activation.

I am a victim of cell phone fraud. I get 30 phone calls on my cell phone consecutively and the caller says that i called them. The purpose of this scam is that i pay by the minute plan. I bought my cell phone from Consumer Cellular and the phone that i bought you can not id the # until you open the flip phone. This happens everyday for months now and i finally decided to see what it's about, . All the callers are so sorry even if i cuss them out. All the people calling are from other states. I have become familiar with fraud through a friend who has lost everything through a different kind of scam.I can tell by answering this calls that this thugs are nothing more than scam artist racking up minutes for them and the cell phone company. I have reported this to local police, state attorney general, FCC and FTC and I have told the phone co. that i am investigating this. Since it is small it looks as if they will get away with it forever. THIS IS A BROILER ROOM AND A SCAMMERS PARADISE

First the *** phone breaks - breaks, just breaks on July 4th weekend. I lose all contacts, everything. I call and get Peggy on Mars who says call back Monday (Monday was a holiday). There is no place local to get Motorolo phones repaired. Options - be without a phone and wait for warranty to be denied. So, I pulled the plug and went with anothe provider. Got a bill for $35.00 a month and a half later. Paid it. Now get a past due notice of $20.00 - no explanation. This company ***! Avoid it at all costs! I have been frustated time and time again with them. Mailed the phone (in pieces) back to them and didn't even get a sympathy card - ***.

On May 29, my mother died. I had paid my mother bill up for 6 months. At her time of death she had a credit of 34.19. I call consumer celluar and told that she had died. I told them I could provide them the death certificate and my birth certificate to prove that I was her daughter and only surviving member of her immediate family, my father, her husband died on May 25, 2010. The representative on June 30, told me they did not need that, the check would be sent out in my name within in two weeks. I never receive the check I call back again the first week of Aug, they said the check would be there in 3 days, that came and pasted. I call again and spoke to a very rude and lying representative that said I never called back in June. I told her she was a liar. She said the check was sent. It should not take 2 months to receive a refund check of the money I paid on the account. I receive the check on Aug 30 with my mom name on it. I can not cash the check she does not have a estate and the representative in June was told all of my mom and father accounts were closed and she said would not be a problem to get the check with my name on it.I called today and spoke with a supervisor, and they told it would have to go to a estate which a representative before told me it did not have to I just wish they would give out correct information to customers.