Menu
Login
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 signed up the att internet and paid up front for the modem then they promised to rebate $49.99. I called 5 times and the people at ATT reward are rude. They told me that I have to make a 3 ways call from the ATT service center. The last time I called and did what I'd asked. Still, no rebate. It's a big SCAM.
DON'T TRUST ATT REBATE and THEY ARE RUDE!
I bought AT&T high speed internet over a week ago and the modem was suppose to be here within 3-5 days..it's been over a week and the Order Status of my Moden is still "Pending"..it's stupid that I paid it in full and my phone bill in full and they're not doing anything.
I have had basically the same experience, the only difference being that it actually took the 9 months to get the actual rebate form to be sent to me and of course upon arrival I read the Terms and Conditions and much to my chagrin found that the rebate had expired almost 3 months prior to me receiving it. I unfortunately will be moving in two weeks and was told by a "supervisor" (not the actual person, just the a message relayed through the individual on the phone) that she suggests I call back daily to see if they have received it so they can take the expired tag off and process it(I sent it back immediately, which was 3 weeks ago), unfortunately though if I do suspend my service they will not be able to process it and I will not receive the rebate. I'm just so fed up and Lord knows I have better things to do than talk to the rebate center 5 days a week...
It will be a year this August since I installed AT&T DSL and I'm still waiting for my rebate. Many, many hours on the phone being transfered around until I got back to the original phone number I originally called.
E-mails are not acknowledged and I even copied our CT Attorney General. I will never, never sign up for any mail-in rabates no matter how attractive. I'm fed up with AT&T and their poor customer service.
Rebate for High-Speed Modem
When submitted: June 2007
Current date: July 2008
Times called in the past 7 months: 4 times
Result: Always given the run-around, very similar to the scenarios described above.
How I got it resolved:
Called Customer Service [protected] and they fixed it immediately. I am awaiting next month's bill to see if it comes through.
I have run into a similar problem. We recently signed u pfpr DSL service through At&T. When we signed up we weere told we would receive a rebate for $75.00 to off-set the proce of the modem.
When I went to the rebate site, there was nothing there.
I called and asked why there was no rebate there for us. We were then told that to receive the rebate we would have had to sign up over the internet. ? That IS NOT what the re3p on the phone told me!
When I complained and asked if I was to assume that all AT&T reps were liars I was asked to hold. When the rep came back on she said that it takes longer for te rebates to show up at the site. I shoukld try back in a couple of days.
That was over TWO WEEKS ago! UGH! Still NOTHING!
Isn't there a law somewhere that will cover the client?
Thanks, for listening!
MamaB
BBB complaint did the trick for me - within a month I got a couple of calls from AT&T, within 2 months I got the rebate check. It came a year late, but it came!
I hate AT&T, I do not recommend their service to anyone. I have been waiting 11 months now for my DSL rebate for purchasing a modem. Not to mention it took 8 months to receive my other 2 rebates they said would take 6-8 weeks. I had to spend numerous hours on the phone numerous days and spoke to who knows how many people to get those. Every time I call I'm told to wait 2 more weeks. I have an AT&T paper file which contains all correspondence I've had with them since day one that i called to set up service (which was set up wrong and had to be corrected later). This file is 3 inches high. I've had my address imputed wrong on their behalf, which took 5 times of correcting it over the phone...my name had been imputed wrong also on their behalf which i corrected on the phone 3 times and each time it was changed to something wrong again. I had requested combined billing for all my services which ended up with AT&T combining my cell phone bill on someone else's account instead of mine! They sent my personal billing information to a stranger then they charged me late fees! Its interesting how it took 2 minutes to combine my account with someone else's but it takes 3 months to separate the accounts.
After 6 months of AT&T's service, I decided to cancel my internet, cable and home phone. I gave a specific date to cancel my service. However, they canceled my internet a 5 days early. Told me it would take a week to turn it back on! I said NEVERMIND. So I lost everything in my AT&T email.
So to top it off...3 months after I've ended my services with AT&T they send me a bill for 4cents! Come on now!
And I still haven't got my $50 rebate for purchasing their dumb modem.
Stupid AT&T..RABATE SCAMS...if ANYONE decides to get a phone through att..be sure to get a plan at the STORE. They rip you off if you get it online or else where. If you get if from the store, remember to get a second copy of your reciept and a REBATE form. If you decide to call later, they wil ly to you about this and that. They are pretty good at it. I waited three weeks just to get a rebate form...never recieved it. Didnt even come with my phone.(its supposively on the box), LIES. I recieved everything but that. Now its to late to even get a rebate, I have learned my lesson with purchasing anything online. They are a rip off and they sure are smart about it, Its time someone takes a stand. Gosh, and two do they have NO FREAKING SERVICE...its STILL CALLED---AT&T cingular: Raising the bar. I cant get connection anywhere. I should have stuck to my sprint phone. In fact i just might cancel my phone. THE WHOLE REBATE THING IS A SCAM!RIP OFF.
I signed up for AT&T DSL service in mid 2007 and mailed in the $50.00 equipment rebate form and they claimed they never got it. That seams odd as all other mail I send out always gets to get to the intended recipient. I wished that there were a consumer advocate looking out for people being victimized by these kinds of tactics of not making good on rebates.
I not only didnt get my rebate but they sent me a demand letter for the rest of the installation and modem. And I have had a perfect record with them. Ive made two electronic payments of around 75 dollars, I signed up and was installed march 31, and still no rebate. When I called It took a total of 5 different people athree way call to prove im in there system, which seems to be a separate co from att. plus the number that I recieved was even disconnected So I am totally discusted with there, attitude. one young man was very kind and he stayed on the line because he wanted to know what was going on when I explained he said it made no sense. Now I have to wait, until july 16and check online to make sure it is sent then. Im thinking I work for 20 and hour at this rate they owe me alot more than 50 dollars plus no mention of the gift card They said i was fortunate they could fix it so I could get my 50 dollars. this is the second time I have had been so stressed over trying to get something that is promised to me If we owed them we would be turned over to collections and our credit would be ruined. lost lots of faith in this co... still waiting.
I am still waiting for my rebate since the autumn of 2007 after installing my August, 2007 DSL connection.
My complaint letter is attached to the copies of this complaint I am mailing to the rebate center.
I am so disillusioned with the new ATT!
I wasn't even expecting a rebate but they keep mailing me forms. I completed one and mailed it in - 4 weeks later I checked and they hadn't received it. Didn't matter - apparently I'm not eligible for the rebate! They have only sent me three rebate forms so far - what a waste of everybodies time. It appears that AT&T is paying people to come up with 'reverse' marketing programs in order to see how many customers they can drive away. Fire the marketing departments and the rebate department and give your customers a break!
I too have been ripped off from AT&T on my internet rebate check. Now they say it has been too long said i never contacted them bull crap on internet on phone what else are u sup[pose to do file a complaint for false advertising is my next step sorry AT&T service
Add me to the list. I just called them about my rebate again, and they told me it mailed out on may 29th and it would take four to six weeks to get here. Someone must be walking it to my mail box
I had the same experience with ATT so I contacted the public service commission in the state of MI. I received a call from a Barb from the executive dept. of ATT.Try giving her a call at [protected] ext 41826 Good Luck
I've been calling AT&T requesting me rebate for 15 months. I'm told it's in the escalation department and they are waiting for the finance department to approve. Of course they don't take phone calls! So they continuously tell me 4-6 weeks and I'm sure hope that I will forget about it. Well I mark my scheduler and call them every 6 weeks and hear the same story. Today they told me to call the executive appeals board, gave me the number and guess what...when I called, the department doesn't exist.
Thank you for the idea to call the BBB!
Kathy
Just wanted to share how this situation turned out for me. Ordered service in June 07 and sent in postcard for $49.99 rebate. My wife and I had a baby shortly after and I finally got around to following up this week (May 08). Checked their website and it did not show AT&T got the rebate postcard. After reading all the stories, I was a little pessimistic but I thought I would give it shot to see what would happen.
I called the rebate customer service line and they told me that the rebate had expired for me since it was a year ago. The rep told me to call billing to see if they would credit my account for $50. I did and this second rep said she would credit my account. It was fairly painless. Now the next part is to see if the credit actually shows up in the next billing cycle or two!
I sent off for rebate in Jan. 2008. Told it would take 6-8 weeks. As of July 2008 still have not received the check for $125.00. I have called 4 times, each time given another reason for the check not sent out. Finally I spoke to a supervisor who told me the name on the account was the name of the previous owner of my phone number! Aint that great! To get this straight I need to send in all of my original information. Well, I dont have it anymore. The bottom line is ATT never intended to send the rebate check. I told them that I was cancelling my account. The supervisor told me fine and asked if I would like the number for the customer service line. I said NO THANKS!
Joni
There is absolutely no reason why such a large corporation as AT&T/SBC, to play these childish games for something as small as a $50.00, visa card or $50.00, rebate. If it were not for the consumers there would be no AT&T/SBC. For one thing many of us have been using AT&T/SBC, for many years. Probably most of us consumers have always paid our statement from AT& T/SBC, on time. Why can't they do the one thing they say they are going to do when we the consumers sign up for there high speed internet. It does make me angry to be toyed with like this besides putting more stress than what anyone person should have to deal with. Something like this only makes me want to discontinue any service that I have with AT&T/SBC. Everyone who has had this problem with AT&T/SBC, should also, drop AT&T/SBC. I am certain that something as dramatic as that would open the eyes of those running AT&T/SBC. With out us the consumer, AT&T/SBC, would have to cut a lot of the jobs there. Down with AT&T/SBC.
My husband and I took advantage of the rebates last AUGUST! After many calls we finally got 3 of the checks with 1 pending. When the last check didn't come and wasn't posted on the rebate center I called AGAIN and was told that the rebate had been cancelled "Do you still have the service?"
Unfortunately we do still have the service - we hate the satellite by the way and I have yet to receive that last check. Supposedly the clerks supervisor was taking care of the situation.
I even told them on the phone that I thought ATT was running a scam.
I'm just glad we weren't the only ones having issues ...
I am waiting for my rebate for 3 months, I have not received any thing, I called almost 4 times. Don't trust at&t rebates.
I got my DSL plan last year Aug-07 and i have sent the rebate card with all the required information. I have been calling customer support and since then i never receive my rebate. Its not about $50 but its about honesty. They let me down completely and i am planning to change the service as soon as my contract will be over. I will also change my cell phone service and also let my family know to not to buy any service from Att in future. Att Sucks!
Take a big dump. Wipe yourself with the check to pay you bill. Then send it to them.Get the last screwing!
Just face it people. You ordered att. You got screwed like I did. They dont give a ###. Just give them their damn money.Do like I did.Take a big ###. Wipe your ### with the check. Then send it to them.
ATT's rebates and reward system is the biggest scam and lie I have ever been exposed to. If you keep calling every week or 2 and insist on your offers to be fulfilled, they will eventually relent. I'd rather have a coloscopy than deal with them in these matters again. And it isn't just the rebates they will screw you on, but ALL their promotions. Mine was an offer to get the Xbox live vision gold package for signing up for dsl. No, I never did get it. Their fulfillment group will not ship unless they receive electronic requests from ATT, yet ATT cannot issue those requests. I was finally given a $100 credit to my bill (they said they did this 3 times, so I still can't be sure I have that, though). I did finally get my rebate check and it was supposed to be for $79.99 as rebate for their wireless gateway, but it was only $49.99 instead. I'm not going to complain anymore and try and get the $30 as it might mess up my $100 credit I think I have. But I DO have a long memory and am one to relate bad experiences to friends and coworkers... ATT should not have done this to me or anyone.., In my opinion, they will lose more in customer loyalty than they will gain in a one time payment. If a class action lawsuit gets started, I hope someone tells me about it!
Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. But keep at it folks -- after 6 months and numerous aggressive telephone calls to both AT&T customer service and rebate center, I finally received my rebate! Well, not really. Here's what to do: stop inquiring about the "rebate"; it's a losing battle; instead, insist that AT&T customer service give you your money in the form of a credit on your telephone bill, or as they did in my case, send you a check.
I called 4 times just try to get the Rebate form, But nothing was recived. If anyone have a copy of the form or know where to download it, please let me know.
Thanks
My email is send2klin@yahoo.com
I have the same problem with you guys. I called and they transfered and transfered which got me nowhere for my rebate.
I bought an at&t wirless 2wire modem from at&t store and signed up for dsl. At the time the promo was for a full rebate on the cost of the modem. I mailed in my rebate form. The rebate was promised 3-6 weeks after rebate mail-in. When I didn't receive it after 8 wks, I called att rewards center. They said my rebate had been erroneously been marked "dupe" and that the problem would be corrected and I should be receiving my rebate in 4-6 wks. 6 weeks later when it didn't arrive I called again. The representative told me that the problem shouldn't exist and that she would fix it with an e-mail to her supervisor. I asked to speak to the supervisor. She assured me that the problem would be fixed and that I would receive my $80 rebate in 4-6 weeks. I told her I had heard this story before and asked if there was some sort of problem. She said everything seemed to be in order, but there had been some sort of re-organizational problem at 2wire headquarters. I finally, saw my rebate appear on their rewards center info site. But, it still didn't come. So I called again and talked to another supervisor. She said the problem would NOW be corrected and that I should be receiving my rebate in ... 4-6 wks and that she was powerless to do more than that... etc etc etc
Apparently, it's ok for AT&T take as much time as they like to honor their payments... however, every month I notice on my AT&T bill that if my payment is late... I am to pay late charges. Maybe they should be paying late charges on delinquent rebates.
By the way, I love my wireless internet..
sincerely JOnzo
My husband and I also had trouble getting our rebate from AT&T for our DSL equipment. AT&T customer assistance is non-existant. We tried for 6 months and then I found this complaint website. I then filed a complaint with the BBB - I did it on line. 10 days later my $50.00 rebate came in the mail. To everyone out there having a problem with AT&T rebates - file a claim with the BBB immediately, you won't regret it!
I have had the same exact experience as everyone else has had. I ordered my DSL service in June and it is now ten months later and I still do not have my rebate check.
AT&T is a disgrace. I went with my instincts and only converted one line back to them. Their reps will lie. I have still received no rebate check. I will file a complaint with the FCC.
I have found everything stated here models my experience. My instincts told me to only convert one phone back to AT&T. They just keep lying...always bait and switch. I will file an online complaint with the FTC. AT&T are trying to screw us out of $50 bucks...what ###s do they have in their "PR" departments prepared to allow such a foolish way of conducting business for such a small amount of cash.
Every time I call AT&T they tell me its going to be another 3-4 weeks. I called those lying ### again and they now tell me the check is in the mail and it should be another 2-4 weeks, can you believe the gull of these liars! I've been calling them since 11/30/2007, that was 4 and 1/2 months ago.
WE NEED TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT
AT&T is a SCAM!
AT&T is a SCAM!
AT&T is a SCAM!
AT&T is a SCAM!
DON'T FALL FOR THEIR FALSE ADVERTISING!
YOU"LL BE SORRY IF YOU BUY ANYTHING FROM AT&T!
AT&T is a SCAM!
AT&T is a SCAM!
I could go on for hours about AT&T but here's what I found so revealing. I was on hold and transferred again and again for weeks, each time I asked for a higher level manager. After 8 weeks I finally was told I had reached the absolute top manager in charge. He picked up the line and said "Hello, this is Satan" !
I have been trying since August 2007 to get my rebate from AT&T to no avail. I have so many damn phone numbers that I have been given, I could start my own phone directory. AT&T rebates are a big farce. If you do not want to give the consumer the rebates on services that was ordered, then don't inform customer. I have called every week since November 2007, trying to get my rebates to no avail.
I have been waiting for my rebate for the last six month and whenever i call AT&T they always tell me to wait for four to six week. Now am tired of being told to wait for for my $49.99 modem rebate. I decided to give at&t time to know the meaning of a customer.
Took three calls to get a rebate form sent to me. On third call i was told my rebate had been approved and should receive check in four weeks. hows that possible, i have not submitted a form (or even received one) yet. We verified phone number and address... they had wrong address. Finally received form filled it out and waited towards end of qualifying period to mail it incase the check showed up. yea right! Checked rebate status on their web sight and watched it progress. It said "reward fulfilled 3/30/08 (estimated)" today 4/2 i received post card stating i dont qualify for a rebate. I am filing a complaint with public utilities commision, the bbb and post a sigh in back window of my car telling everyone what i really think!
Nick,
There shouldn't be a contract, I don't think you are obligated whatsoever. You do need to call them before your 12 months are up and tell them you are cutting off the service on your 1 year anniversary date unless they agree to keep the rate the same, or lower. They will agree, but you need to call early to avoid getting stuck with a much, much higher bill.