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AT&T High Speed DSL Equipment Rebate SCAM - Holland, Mich. Back in February 2007, I signed up for AT&T's High Speed DSL in answer to a promotion you were running. The deal was that you paid up front for the equipment and you would receive a rebate in the form of a $50 cash card or checking 10 to 12 weeks. You're supposed to be able to check the status of your rebate online. I mailed in the necessary rebate information immediately upon receipt of the equipment, Approx. Feb 21, 2007. On April 16th, 2007, I went to check the status of the rebate online, (www.attequipmentrebate.com), and it showed no record of my rebate application. I called the number posted on the rebate website, [protected]), and spoke with "Brook". She stated that my rebate postcard had been received by AT&T but had not yet been processed. She then told me that she would "petition" AT&T to get the processing underway so that they, the rebate center, could get the check sent out within the next one to two weeks. It is now June 6, 2007. I went online AGAIN to check my rebate status and there was STILL no record of my rebate. I called the rebate center AGAIN and this time spoke with "Angie" who told me that there was no record of my previous call to Brook but that my rebate postcard had been processed "today" and that they, the rebate center should have an answer in 1-2 weeks. "An answer to WHAT?" I asked. "I'm not asking them to approve anything". At this point i asked to speak with her supervisor and was told that the supervisor didn't take calls but that I could be put on a "supervisor call back list". I asked when he might be calling, fully expecting her to say, "In one to two weeks". To my surprise, her answer was, "Within 24 to 72 hours". Needless to say, I'm not holding my breath waiting for this person to contact me. After all, By AT&T calendars, one to two weeks equals 1-1/2 months and 10 to 12 weeks is quickly approaching the 4 month mark They promised a rebate in 10-12 weeks and I expect them to honor that agreement." She then changed her answer and told me it had been processed the day before. She actually forgot her lie within a span of about a minute. I didn't ask for a line of BS when I called your alleged "Rebate Customer Service" department. I just want you to do what was promised in your promotion. I'm no further now than I was a month and a half ago. The two weeks promised by "Brook" has turned into a month and a half. As if that's not bad enough, "Angie" told me it would be yet another two weeks before I could even find out WHEN my rebate would be sent out. Just a hunch, but I'm guessing that I'll be told my check will be sent out in... ready, Let's all say it together, "ONE TO TWO WEEKS". If I didn't know better, I'd say that your entire customer service plan is that no matter what the issue, just tell the customer it will be resolved in "one to two weeks" and hopefully the customer will forget about it or just give up.
I decided that talking to your drones at the rebate center was getting me nowhere so I decided to contact another AT&T Customer service department. This was yet another disappointing experience to say the least. This time I spoke with "Natalie" who told me that she could do absolutely nothing about it because it was a Rebate Department issue and she knew nothing about the policies or practices of the Rebate department. It soon became evident that she knew nothing about customer service period. I then asked who I could talk to to file a complaint about the practices of the Rebate department and she told me to talk to the Rebate department manager. When I told her that it made no sense to complain to the very people I was complaining about, I was told by "Natalie" that the nine minutes I had spent talking to her could have been better spent waiting for my "supervisor call back". In other words, "quit wasting my time because I'm not going to do anything or suggest anything or direct you to anyone that can help you in resolving this issue." She then had the nerve to ask if there was anything else she could "Help" me with. Totally disgusted with the entire AT&T Customer Service experience, I hung up.
Fifty dollars is nothing to a billion dollar company like AT&T, but I would guess that if this is happening to me, there are probably thousands of others out there having the same experience that are just as frustrated as I am and that would love to see this issue brought to light. I can see the headlines already, "AT&T Equipment Rebate "Scam" investigation". You might even make it onto 20/20. I know the local TV stations in Grand Rapids love doing pieces on huge corporations that are caught ripping off consumers.
Just so you know that I'm not alone in this complaint, I've included a couple of the other letters from your "customers" that I've found online which, interestingly enough, describe unusually similar experiences with you and your rebate promotion.
Incidentally, I just checked the status of my rebate claim one more time and here's the standard message that pops up...
"We're sorry, but we were unable to find any rebate claims matching the information you provided. Please make sure the information you supplied is correct and try again. Note: It takes approximately 10-12 weeks to process your claim. If you were unable to find your rebate claim status and you submitted your rebate form more than 4 weeks ago, please call [protected].
Thank you for choosing AT&T Yahoo! HSI Service!"
WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR ME TO GET MY REBATE? And please don't tell me it'll be sent out in (one more time) "one to two weeks".
Joseph C.
Holland, Mich 49423
From: Carolyn
Date: Wednesday, 15-Nov-06 08:57:30 CST
Beware when it comes to ordering a DSL service kit from AT&T/SBC. They promise you everything. The rebates and gift cards and all kinds of good stuff. However, collecting what they promise can be frustrating . I can testify to that! I signed up for the DSL promotion in June 2006, I promptly received the installation kit in the mail. I installed it... no problem there... everything is working fine. But where is my $50.00 cash rebate? It's now November 2006, and longer that 10-12 weeks. I've had to argue for every little thing. First the $50.00 visa gift card, I finally got that this week, but I've still not received my $50.00 cash rebate. I've called and spent a total of about 6 hours on the phone at different times talking to customer service people. I finally got the gift card. But still no $50.00 rebate. I contacted my local Public Utility Commission and they said they would check into it , but DSL lines is not something they current regulate, although they get plenty of complaints about them. I've also sent a letter to the AT&T chairman, Mr. Edward Whitacre, Jr., but I probably won't get an answer from him either. I was also referred to the FCC to file a complaint. I've never spent so much time trying to get what AT&T/SBC promised me. $50.00 is not a lot of money to a "BILLION DOLLAR" company. I've been a customer of theirs for over 40 years. I've always paid my bills on time. Why can't someone just follow through. You should here the stupid evasions answers I get when I ask about where is my rebate.
From: Robert
Date: Friday, 01-Dec-06 18:21:38 CST
AT&T (SBC Yahoo DSL)
I activated phone service and high speed internet service on January 4, 2006 and was promised a $50.00 rebate. I mailed my rebate activation sticker on 1/26/2006 and have not received my rebate, yet. I have spoken with AT&T representatives at least 4 times during the past year. I spoke with Merrill on 6/2/06 & was given case #92230, I spoke with an unknown representative on 10/10/06 and was told she was activating another case, but it would not have a case number & that she was forwarding this to her supervisor - she told me that if I called again just mention the word ESCALATION. I called on 11/4/06 and spoke with Bertha who could not find any notes from the unknown representative. I uttered the word ESCALATION and Bertha did know what that meant, but she said ESCALATION had not been done previously. Bertha promised she would ESCALATE this for me. I called on 12/1/06 and spoke with Crystal, she was shocked that a second case was not given a number, she did see the notes taken from Bertha and assured me my claim had been escalated, but she advised me to call back in a couple of weeks because the escalation department is a bunch of slackers and probably had not done mine yet. She said if she did another escalation that would mean I would go back to the end of the line and have to start over again. Crystal told me I might want to call billing and maybe they would give me a credit. I told Crystal that if I had to tell my story again I would just as soon tell it to complaintsboard.com.
Please let others know what a crook these people are. Thank you, Debra
Barber, Escalated Consumer.
I am having this problem but here is a better take on things. If $50 is going to break you and you need to start throwing out threats of a civil suit for contract enforcement you have more to worry about than not getting a gift card. If you call them and get mean with them they will not do anything for you no matter what they say. Give them a break. So a major corperation is having some trouble, you make it sound like the hole corp is horrid. Grow up, be nice, and work with them. These customer service people did nothing wrong, do not take it out on them.
I'm in the same position as everyone else is here. I began $10 DSL service in August 2007 with the promise of receiving a $49.99 rebate on a Motorola Speedstream modem, but the rebate never arrived. I've called customer service numerous times since December and each time their excuse is the rebate came back invalid (they couldn't explain why) or they had a massive computer system failure (yeah right). Basically they are doing everything they can not to pay the rebate. I wish there was a secret number to call LOL. One consolation prize in all of this is that at least we have a modem we can hopefully use with another carrier. I know this contract is for one year, but I'm wondering what happens after one year? Do they automatically keep the service going and bill at a higher rate? I'm on automatic payments with my bank, so I need to be prepared for this in August. I'm hoping my service will get cut off so I can easily move to another carrier.
I'm so sorry I didn't see these posts before I ordered my high speed internet in September 2007. And since then I'm still waiting on my $50 rebate. I've called over 5 times just about receiving the form which needed to be mailed in and every time I called nobody had previous records of my calls and complaints about the rebate. Needless to say now the website they give you to check the rebate status is now "no longer available". I hat the BSing, but trust me when I say I'm not gonna let them get away with it. Especially after having so many problems with my service!
Has anyone contacted http://www.classaction.com/ ?
AT&T should be an easy target for such a lawsuit since the abuse is their normal mode of operation.
Anyone in favor of a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT?
I believe if everyone contacted http://www.classaction.com/ and inquired about a CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT we may have a better chance of seeing our rebates.
Never again will I look to such a bunch of LIARS and SCAMers as AT&T for anything.
AT&T received all my Dads paper work and after 3 1/2 months of phone calls they said it was disqualified! They couldn't tell me why but Heather, id HS1018, said she had seen someone else have the same problem just this morning but didn't know why. AT&T is a SCAM operation.
AT&T=SCAM
SUGGESTION: Cut of your phone line, cancel your DSL, buy cable internet and use SKYPE for your phone. I did. My phone bill is $60.00 per YEAR for unlimited free calls anywhere in US and Canada, anytime of day. My cable Internet is $19.99 a month for real high-speed Internet. No more figuring out your phone bill, no more monthly calls to AT&T for billing errors, no more getting the run around! With SKYPE, I have complete records of incoming, outgoing and missed calls. Free voice mail, three to five way conference calls, call forwarding, multiple phone "numbers" (up to 10 different numbers) that ring on a single SKYPE phone, great for putting local lines in different cities for business. I can also use this phone anywhere there is an Internet connection. I can answer phone calls that ring at my house at my workstation at work... if I want to, using SKYPE on my pc.
Same old story, different dates, different names, uh... aliases.
DSL Service activated 12/06/08. Yesterday I finally got the COUPON needed to request the rebate. This after eight phone calls since 2/1. That's when I started keeping track.
Has anyone ever actually received their money? Is there a secret to success? Does John Stossel know about this? Or Chelsea Handler, maybe.
I've had the same experience as many of you. When I rec'd my modem, there was no sticker. I was told the rebate "could be handled by phone." Ha. That was 8/07 and today I was told that I was denied the $49.99. I have gotten so many bs stories over these months. Escalations; supervisor call-back; 'check's are in the mail.' HOW DO WE LODGE A COMPLAINT AS A RESIDENT OF WISCONSIN? Thanks. Oh, in the meantime, my bill's gone way up and everytime I try to call I get a recording, "it's too busy, we can't take your call. Call back later." WTF? This is customer service? I will be cancelling when I move - I want my money and I can't wait to cancel. They suck.
I sent in my rebate request in Sept. (that is six months). They also gave me all kinds of excuses . Latest it i being processed , I still have not gotten my rebate.
To Joseph C., Holland, Michigan:
Oh, so absorbing...Joseph, your command and agility with the English language was delightful. I am about to engage with ATT on my rebate for recent internet agreements and am now pre-prepared and braced-for-shock for unexpected (prepared) developments. Thanks for the heads-up. Adisa.
3/5/08
Woe is me, I too am in the same boat as all these other trusting,paying customers. Promised a nice rebate for dsl services, great customer attention on the phone, but,, no rebate money as of yet. It has been since early Dec.
How about a class action law suit? Breach of contract? The lawyers can keep the "big chunck of change" I really want to see AT&T held accountable to their word.-Are we all just trusting sap suckers?--maybe
WGS
I have had the same exact experience with AT&T and thier so called rebate program. I'm going to file a complaint with the attorney general office in MI. I also find it very amusing that AT&T has an add on this web site right next to the complaints. LOL.
Count me in too! I have been scammed by AT&T as well. I am seriously thinking about finding a lawyer and filing a class action lawsuit. I know of attorneys who specialize in telecommunication cases.
Anyway, I received my "free" modem in February 2007. I sent in the postcard in early May but never received anything. In August, I called to check the status. The operator told me it arrived in time but she was going to file an escalation because there was a clerical error. By November I still had not received anything. I called and the operator told me it was being sent on November 26th, 2007. I never received it. I called back in December and they told it was being sent on December 26th, 2007. I asked to speak to a supervisor but they told me there were none. They promised that a supervisor would call me back. That never happened nor did I receive my payment. I called back today and now the operator told me that I wouldn't get my money because I missed the deadline! Every other operator told it had arrived in time. I JUST WANT TO SCREAM! At the very least, I'm canceling my AT&T account (phone and internet) because they are a horrible company.
Yes, and here is another...
Rebate rebate, cash back offer, ripped off AT&T customer. 90 days now. When I call the rebate office, before I even can talk to anyone, or it even takes my pnone number, it tells me that I can not ask a real person, anything about my rebate because it is within the 8 week rebate period. I was promised a cash back $50.00 rebate for switching from vontage phone, and another $50.00 rebate for my DSL Pro Speed hook up with AT&T. Now, the rebate site tells me that there is no record available, of my rebate. I can not talk to anyone, and I can not get a site to tell me my status> Can I guess... my status is SOOL?
$100. a month for phone and Internet, and they can not even answer a question about honoring a promotional offer?d
Yep, I am certain, after reading the previous posts, I am SOOL.
the same thing happened to us .they told us they would put expediate on it.then they said they could not find it.then they found it and said they would correct it that a error had been made and to wait another 6 weeks.this has been going on since dec.2007.i told them that this was completely unprofessional and ask them were they out of money?i do not know what else to do.i needed this money as my mom is disabled and i am helping her with her bills and trying to pay mine.
I've had the same problems also. To date I have never recieved any rebates I was promised. I have called , applied for, and e-mailed AT&T with no results. Oh yea as far as the DSL rebate they finally responded notifing me that the time period had expired. In Dec. 2007 after being promised a $ 100.00 rebate ($ 50.00 extra because the AT&T rep. I talked to on the phone felt generous that day) I rolled my services together in a bundle deal.(Oh yea he forgot to mention a small detail about a 2 year contract after activating the phone). AT&T is nothing short of scam artists. At one time in this country, the public was protected from dishonest companies like AT&T by the PUC. But unfortunatly the PUC (funded by our tax dollars) now protect the large corporations. It's interesting that if you don't honor an agreement with AT&T they have a recording of any conversations made. But if you want to here the recording in your defense over a dispute, they don't have any such records.
Oh well, at least now don't feel like it was just me getting Screwed.. after reviewing the web site.
Good Luck Everyone.. S. Neely
I agre they are ripping people need to put a lawsuit.
I have been waiting since May 2007. I have contacted them three times regarding this issue and still nothing. Good Luck.
Be persistent! Keep aggravating them for your rebate! It took me 5 months, but I FINALLY got my rebate check in the mail. It was NOT easy, and hardly worth the $50. But, this was a matter of principal with me. I won!
Good luck!
Darlene D.
UPDATE: My previous post was about my August 2007 rebate which I never received. I made a complaint to BBB, and they forwarded it to the executive AT&T company in the west. Their response was that it was a DSL issue, and that they would inform the correct department about my complaint! What the hell kind of responsibility is that for a company? Needless to say, they never contacted me about my complaint. I called them again, and this time they said it will be "ESCALATED" since they are doing it by region. Apparently, my fellow Californians, this will take longer time. The guy said one to two weeks...
my situation is exactly like these others. I mailed my rebate on July 7, 2007. I have spoken to numerous individuals who just want to get me off the phone. The website indicates my rebate check was mailed November 8,2007, but again that too is incorrect. The at&t rep just informed me that the website is rarely correct with their information. I just would like to say that at this point it is not about the $50. It is about the way these people do business. I will not go away until my $50 is in my pocket
I never got the forms and don't know where to find them. What do we think the chances are of me EVER getting the rebate?
Can anyone give the the address to request the forms (hopefully online)?
UPDATE -
I am going to cancel my DSL service soon as well because it really sucks. I don't use the phone service at all as I have a cell phone. so i end up paying around 35 dollars a month for a DSL service that doesn't work half of the time. I don't know if I'll still be able to get my rebate this way. but I am going to cancel it. I've had it for 7 months and it's just not working. Someone please file a class auction lawsuit against AT&T
I too have not received my rebate. I started services in july 2007, sent in my rebate postcard right away and have been told to check every two weeks. I have been calling and have spent so much time on the phone just to hear that my case has been escalated, to call again! I will be canceling my services soon. This might just cancel my rebate check ever getting to me but my next step is to file a complaint with BBB . I am so disappointed with AT&T!
I have the same problem too. I activated my service in June 07, and still haven't received anything. I called them at least 10 times for the past 3 to 4 months. every time i called them, i was given a false promise. Two reps told me that everything was taken care of and that i'd receive my rebate soon. when the time came, i called only to find out that the rebate request was denied. It's been only on for 7 months and I am tried of calling them and get the runaround. There's a different reason every time i call them. This is so stupid I am going to file a complaint against them tomorrow and we should really file a class auction law suit because ATT is doing this on purpose.
I applied for DSL Modem rebate in Aug 2007 and have called [protected] 3 times already with no results.
11/13 Armando said my rebate was halted, he asked if I still had service and then resumed rebate, sent to review.
12/7 Delores said rebate to be mailed by end of December.
1/10/08 [censored] said rebate still be reviewed. Late due to "holidays" She said Delores was incorrect. I asked to speak to supervisor and was told a callback in 48 hrs. [censored] said call back end of month to find out when check is to be mailed.
This is worse rebate ever, almost 6 months and no rebate in sight. I wish someone would do a class action. I filed complaint with CPUC - still haven't heard anything.
-- Den
link to Better Business Bureau of Missouri's online complaint form:
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/GetStarted.aspx
use this contact information:
A T & T
1010 Pine St Rm 6-e-20
Saint Louis, MO [protected]
link to the FTC complaints online filing: (which I accidentally/incorrectly mentioned as FCC in previous post):
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup
and the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR):
http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/complaints/
32 days ago i posted that i was filing a complaint with the fcc on the advice of another post. i filed it with a consumer watchdog group, the fcc and the better business bureau of missouri. a rep. from at&t's executive complaints called me approximately 2 weeks later and after the typical run-around i was promised a $49.99 credit to my bill. i have yet to see it, but i found out that the better business bureau has set guidelines on remedying the situation that at&t (or other companies with complaints filed against them) must follow through on. very good to know that at&t can't pull their bull with everyone.
to comment on the few posts that claimed that this rebate issue was the fault of the customers (not following directions, incorrectly filling out forms), that may be the case for some, but i was never sent a rebate postcard, was unable to get the appropriate information and was mislead by customer service for months. at&t will continue to conduct its business in this manner and continue to make money from this as long as customers are too confused and tired of dealing with them to do anything.
FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, FCC AND CONSUMER WATCHDOG GROUPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM CONTINUING.
I curreently have two (2) calling cards that are both useless. 1st one is about a month old, used about 1 1/2 hrs. It is now useless as I've been told that all my time is used up. It is a 1200 min card that cost $29.99 and I bought 2 of them so I wouldn't run out again. What in heaven's name is going on here?
Geo Isac.
I'm having EXACTLY the same experience as you all. It was May when I mailed my rebate in about 3 days after I received my service. I've called the rebate center numerous times and still get the "4 to 6 weeks" phrase. Its now January 6th, 2008. I received something in the mail for AT&T, but it wasnt a rebate. It was a postcard saying that they cant process my rebate because it wasnt filled out correctly. I uploaded a scan of it to photobucket, check it out here:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/600scraps/attscan2.jpg
It came to me smeared, I'm not sure why.
Four Months still waiting on a $50.00 rebate check, I call the 800# and all I get is the run run run around, is this some kind of game they are playing with their businesses?
I surely can understand your feeling, it's been three months and i have to this day recieved my $50.00 rebate.
I'm thinking about going to another phone company as a result of the run around i've from att.
I too have had a hard time trying getting at&t to send me my equipment rebate. I have called many time in the last 4 months and gotten false promises. Each time they tell me to wait x numbers of weeks and check back I don't get anything. I finally got a case id the last call and referred to it on my most recent call. Now, I'm now told my rebate will be sent out soon and arrive in 5-8 days. I guess I will wait and see once again.
On top of everything, I'm only getting $50 of the $79 rebate. I was given a customer care number, if I want to dispute the amount. Unfortunately, I didn't print out the promotion back when I signed up and even the lady I talked to was telling me how I'm only suppose to get $50 if I did my own install. I only recall the $79 rebate for the faster dsl service and higher cost dsl modem.
Anyone have info on this lawsuit :)?
I mailed in my rebate in August 07, and nope haven't received crap from them, except the bill! The first time I called after the 12 weeks, they told me I wasn't elgible for any rebates. ###, I got the new DSL and was qualified! Somehow, I called another time, and they gave me a difference excuse: "There wasn't enough information... I have to talk to my supervisor... you'll receive your rebate within 4 weeks." As gullible as I was, I let the time go by, and now its almost 6 months later. What the hell is wrong with them? ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE FILES A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I've seen many similar complaints on different websites. Anybody realize what a ridiculous problem this is? We're getting ripped off by a such a well-known corporation as ATT LYING to us!
I agree with everyone. I have not received my rebate either. And isign up in August 2007. I have talk too 6 different people. At first they said that I had to quaifyThen they would say that it would take 4to6 weeks. But now that I have read all of these complaints . I see that AT&T is a big scam. I told them that the next voice they here will be from my lawyer. But I am going to take my complaint to the BBB. So I hope they dont get to scam anyone else. Elizabeth Dewberry Time: 6:00pm Date: 12/25/07
Same experience. Fed up with the rebate center's comical responses I complained to ATT Customer Service. The CSR was understanding and credited my DSL account $50. If they had given me anything other than that response, I would have dropped them for cable in an instant.
I completely agree with this complaint and will never reccommend AT&T to anyone. I have been waiting on my rebate since 9-4, it has been 3 1/2 months. Each time I call, they tell me I will receive my rebate in 2-3 weeks. I think they are a bunch of liers!
I too have HAD it with this scam from AT&T. I've only signed up in September and I keep getting the run around and different stories. In fact, my situation mirrors most of these exactly:
I signed up for AT&T DSL service with the $49.99 equipment rebate in 9/2007 this year. For the record:
1) there are no rebate sticker or form in the equipment box. I've told by the customer service rep that at&t is changing
2) on the rebate web site they tell you to go to, there are NO rebate form to download
3) I called the at&t rebate customer service on two occassions to request them to send me the rebate form. Two months later. Still No rebate forms.
A class action lawsuit is in order. You must contact the ftc. The more the better. Don't bother calling AT&T because they have washed their hands of it. You are directed to a 'rebate center' which is of no use. Those people are trained to reassure, but nothing they say ever happens. Instead contact ALL of the appropriate agencies. Illinois Attorney General's Office, The Better Business Bureau. It seems like of work and they hope that we jusr give up. $50.00 may not seem like alot of money, but what AT&T is doing plain wrong!
It is the principal of the matter!
wow! iT SOUNDS LIKE ATT is running a scam. No need for me to rtype my story because everyone has the same one. Att has been unfair and dishonest to us. I signed up in July and i ma just now getting "approved" for my rebate after getting the run around. On top of all of the runaround they have to be some of the rudest people around. i was told at first my rebate did not get recieved, so we did it over the phone. Then I was told thaty there was a delay because they had to verify that i had actually paid for the modem. WTF? If anyone knows anything they know that you get billed upfront for the service and equipment. Also, why did it take three -four months to verify my payment if they are the same damn company? Then I was told some other BS. I finally got a message that my check isprocessing. Never again! Att's idea of 10-12 weeks is actually 6-12 months. think of all the interest they make on the money they withold!
I have not received my rebate either, as of march 07
ATT is a bad deal.
I am trying to get out of my contract..
I had my share of problems with them.