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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 agre they are ripping people need to put a lawsuit.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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 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" !
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 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.
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 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.
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 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
I have the same problem with you guys. I called and they transfered and transfered which got me nowhere for my rebate.
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
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.
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!
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.
Take a big dump. Wipe yourself with the check to pay you bill. Then send it to them.Get the last screwing!
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!
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.
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 ...
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.
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
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'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