Michael Slg

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Over charging elderly customers.

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Consumer cellular is recommended by AARP to be helpful to the elderly, but AARP lied, every chance they get, they will double charge you, create fees, and other additions to get more money from you. My mother is not able to do her own finances, so I took over.

This is when I found a lot of over charges that she was paying, and when you call, they make like it is her fault. Since I took over for her, they charged us twice in a month, charged her double for next month, and now when I want to close her account to move to another company, they want to charge her yet another fee. When you call the customer center, they are condescending and all together not user friendly. They give you the run around, and don't want to talk to you.

They want to talk to the elderly person so they can double talk and intimidate them into submission. I don't think that AARP should be pushing them to their membership. AARP is not looking out for their membership..

What is the membership fee for, no help. what do you think.

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Preferred solution: I just want to warn someone to look at other alternatives before signing with consumer cellular. Think twice, don't listen to the hype from AARP, they are not looking out for your best interest.

User's recommendation: I would look to other companies for better service and helpfulness. You get what you pay for.

Anonymous
map-marker Newport News, Virginia

Keeping money for non service

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I canceled my service in January 2020, but CC continued to take money out of my account Once I realized what was happening I contacted Consumer Cellular. I was offered 200.00 not they were keeping over 400.00 dollars of my money for non-service That is unacceptable
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Anonymous

Customer service and support

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I used the bring your phone option, tried to activate my phone and called many times to customer service. I finally had to get service though xfinity cellular. I called to cancel and was told, l had service the whole time, yet I called them time and time again to see if they could help me with my device service. They refuse to adjust my bill even though they know I haven't been able to use their service. DON'T Do It, DON'T Fall For it, The company sucks.
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Preferred solution: Price reduction

Al M Drp

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Verified Reviewer

My review's purpose is to warn other potential purchasers.

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Consumer Cellular - My review's purpose is to warn other potential purchasers.
Updated by user Feb 27, 2021

I have repeatedly reported the 0.07 Mbps throttled speeds of Consumer Cellular's network. At this data speed, no practical use of the Internet is possible.I have spoken with and written to two Consumer Cellular supervisors about the extra data that was added to my Consumer Cellular account without my knowledge and consent.I have notified Consumer Cellular of my dissatisfaction with their service in writing and over the telephone. I have done so within Consumer Cellular's trial period of service.

Original review Feb 27, 2021
I activated my consumer cellular just over three weeks ago and I am already giving them the boot. I was well aware that "unlimited data" was a deliberate misnomer and that throttling would take place after a paltry 35 gigabytes of (shared) standard data was used up. To try and placate my concern, a representative of Consumer Cellular told me that although I would not be able to successfully stream video after having my data speed throttled down I would easily be able to perform other, less data dependent, tasks on the Internet without any difficulty. This was completely untrue. Once throttled, my repeatedly tested data speed plummeted to 0.07 Mbps. For those who remember dial-up speeds, the Consumer Cellular throttle-down network speed is slower than obsolete dial-up. It essentially provides the customer who paid for "unlimited" data with virtually useless data. Imagine paying for unlimited soft drink refills and being provided with a clogged soda straw in an effort to consume the allegedly endless beverage. I became even more infuriated when none of the Consumer Cellular support representatives I reached out to would disclose the actual speed of the throttled data. They all behaved liked slimy politicians, unable to provide me with a direct, truthful answer to my relevant question. Consumer Cellular's punitive speed damper makes it practically impossible to accomplish anything on the Internet. The speed was so inadequate, I could not log in to my Consumer Cellular online account and engage in a chat session on the Consumer Cellular website to communicate with one of their representatives. The only remedy I received from Consumer Cellular's customer service staff was an offer to provide me with more data at an inflated price. I call that underhanded tactic, "airway robbery". If that's not deceitful enough, someone from Consumer Cellular added extra data to my account without my knowledge or consent. Fortunately. I have the chat transcripts to show I declined the extra data that multiple representatives attempted to sell me at a premium price. If a good throttling is in order, it should be swiftly administered to Consumer Cellular and their duplicitous trade practices. Consumer Cellular's so-called "award-winning" customer service is also hit or miss. I have received a disconcerting amount of contradictory and misinformation from several of Consumer Cellular's lackadaisical and complacent customer service agents. Most of Consumer Cellular's employees I interacted with are more interested in defending the company that issues their paychecks, rather than the customers who keep them employed. I would never recommend Consumer Cellular to anyone needing more than a few gigabytes worth of data per month, and even at that, there are better values in cellular service than Consumer Cellular. Data users beware of this disreputable company.
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Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: ConBoomer Cellular is a wrong number. Hang up the phone on them.

1 comment
Al M Drp

Update: I ended my service with Consume Your Jugular after 29 days. I would have done so earlier if I had already done my research and selected another cellular phone service provider.

I have filed complaints against Consumer Cellular with the Federal Communications Commission, A.A.R.P., the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission and my state’s Office of the Attorney General. I contend that I do not owe Consumer Cellular a dime because I expressed my dissatisfaction with their service and cancelled my account prior to my trial period of service elapsing. This is 30 days for non-AARP members and 45 days for AARP members. When on-hold, waiting for a Consumer Cellular customer service, technical support or billing agent, Consumer Cellular promoted their 100% risk-free guarantee.

The prerecorded loop advertisement announced: "Here at Consumer Cellular, we have always offered a 100%, risk-free guarantee. That means, if you are not satisfied with our cellphone service, regardless of the reason, you can cancel within the free trial period and pay absolutely nothing. You don't even have to pay postage to return your phone.” There are no terms and conditions, stipulations, restrictions or any other instructions accompanying the recorded message. A Federal Trade Commission agent I spoke with agreed that the advertisement may be deceptive at best and fraudulent at worst.

To the best of my knowledge, Consumer Cellular recently deleted this segment from their prerecorded on-hold announcements. I suspect they were worried about an FTC/FCC inquiry and the possibility of a class action lawsuit. I have proof of the recording that I am prepared to submit to any agency with prosecutorial agency that is willing to go after Consumer Cellular for defrauding the public.

I am seeking a full refund/credit for the 29 days of my unbearable relationship with Consumer Cellular. I am basing my case on Consumer Cellular’s misleading, prerecording message touting Consumer Cellular’s, “100%, risk-free guarantee.”

patrick b Jqx

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Verified Reviewer

Complaint

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2 months ago every time I tried to call my daughter in St Paul MN it would ring 2 times and disconnect. C C said the problem was her phone. She had her phone checked and it had no problems. I replaced my C C DORO phone with a new C C phone and had the same problem. I changed the SIM from T Mobil to AT&;T and that solved it. C C would in no way compensate me for not being able to call my daughter for 2 months. Also they said that DORO was obsolete but it was the phone I had just bought from them directly a year ago when I opened the account. I paid them $50 for an obsolete phone that they automatically hooked up to the T network.
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Loss:
$40
Cons:
  • Features not working properly
  • Very poor phone service
  • Poor after service

Preferred solution: Price reduction

User's recommendation: Do not use them

donna c Zno

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Verified Reviewer

Terrible service they take advantage of seniors

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phone to continue wanted my password would not take it they told me to wait till I have no time 0 on phone call back still could not help me took a week had no phone not safe with no phone they should be able to do more quickly to change password daughter tried no luck. Cancelled my phone was very upset charged me 89.17 on 8/12/2021 no had no phone for 3 weeks not working customer service told me like TOO BAD so they said owe them 3/6/2021 another 18.93. BEWARE!
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Loss:
$108
Pros:
  • Great until this week
  • Decent pricing
Cons:
  • Lack of informed customer solution

Preferred solution: Price reduction

User's recommendation: get any service no them

Anonymous
map-marker Sacramento, California

Pissed off extremely upset Thero rip off

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I originally purchased SIM cards in August of 2020 I became down very ill could not activate the SIM cards I never activated him I packed I don't even think I really got him in August I think the mail was lost and I finally ended up getting name I called and said I'm too sick I will not be activating this these cards of the girl would not take the I never been activated anything I got charged $80 she did the following month I got charged $80 again December I think it was 45 I called in January I said I have never activated anything I don't have your phone's stop billing me Hits D jomon promise I should in fact I want my money back the gentleman promise that they wouldn't build me I got a nother bill today I called this is this is a final bill $43 I paid it I'm over this these people are terrible this company stinks don't use them

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Anonymous
map-marker Richardson, Texas

No mercy

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Brothers account was closed 2 days after he passed, received a bill sent copy of dead certificate. Received another bill now for $42.30, called cc they stated he had an overdue charge of $5.00 when he was alive, they cannot write it off as courtesy or give credit, account will be sent to collections. I guess the balance my brother owed will keep CC afloat! My brother like many other senior citizens this is all they can afford.
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User's recommendation: Do not get services from this company.

Richard K Rhv

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Verified Reviewer

*** Poor Service and *** Poor customer service

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I went to consumer cellular and ordered their service but little did I know what laid ahead. On January 26 about noon, my phone went off. Consumer cellular ported my phone. I called to find out what was going on and where are my sim chips. Had to go to target to purchase sim cards. Had to go back to purchase another because one had already been activated. Three trips and given $30 credit for purchasing chips. No travel compensation or time compensation. After 8 hours of phone time, finally go both phones working. Got chips in the mail on the 28th, only 9 days to get here, tried to activate through the company over the phone, the sim was already activated. ?????? All i get from customer service is we are sorry. Sorry don't feed the bulldog. Still no time compensation. Have to wait about 72 hours for that to be rectified. The money you save is not worth the headache
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Loss:
$715
Pros:
  • Ignorant customer service
Cons:
  • Non response to my irritating problem

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

User's recommendation: Don't waste your time, it's not worth the frustration, if I could rate this company, it would be negative 10!!

1 comment
Richard K Rhv

There are no pro's for this outfit Only negatives are in my future for them

Anonymous
map-marker Hebron, Kentucky

FULL TIME BAD SERVICE & OVERCHARGE

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I have PLENTY to say but the bottom line is that I waited FAR too long to DROP THIS LOUSEY COMPANY. I seldom EVER got more than 1 bar of service anywhere I went.

At one point I called to complain and they sent me a new SIM card but that did NOT help. If I got lucky I could on occasion send a photo from my phone but most times it failed to go through. When I finally decided to leave CC and go with another company 3 out of 4 inquiries with their competition told me that I was being way over charged by CC based on my usage history and that originally someone with CC did a good sale job on me. I switched to SPECTRUM FOR $14/MO and am VERY happy.

I get excellent service and can send all the photos I want from my phone now with SPECTRUM.

Even with the BIG DEAL DISCOUNT CC was allowing of $2.00/MO because I was AARP (Big Whoopy), I was still paying $47.00/MO. I just wish I had left CC a long time back.

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User's recommendation: DO NOT USE Consumer Cellular

Chris T Rlj
map-marker Madison, Wisconsin

Tormented by Con Cell's Bad Cust Serv, Bad Telephone Serv!!!!

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Updated by user Jan 16, 2021

At one point, I contacted the State of WI's board and national boards/commissions/whatever which "were" supposed to handle complaints about endless complaints regarding telephone service.I'm not an idiot! I have a Master's Degree in Pub.

Adm. No gov't group was willing to stand up to Con Cell.And ... I did check into other so-called comparable services which use AT&T and/or Sprint, whatever major telephone company services (depending on what companies are combining) that have towers and Con Cell and other similar phone services offering so-called cheap services to people. I read all of the unreliable telephone ratings.I worked directly with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid for 5 years, know how older adults are ripped off!

Anyway ... like I said, I am now in the middle of battling cancer.

Not up for speaking/doing much of a battle against Con Cell, unless your organization can prove it has real muscle which I doubt. Just another "whatever" group.

Original review Jan 16, 2021
Only reason I have Con Cell as my telephone service is because I can't afford any better telephone service. And, I am hearing impaired, can't hear through cell phone, so I have a home phone system. Con Cell is horrid, horrid, horrid!!!!
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Loss:
$40
Pros:
  • Pricing
Cons:
  • Made excuses of all locations
  • Service interruptions in milwaukee
  • Service interruptions in madison

Preferred solution: That they better train their cust serv people, actually care about customers!

User's recommendation: If you can afford a better service, get it!

Anonymous

IPoor Service,over Billing ,threat of Credit Report

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I Purchased a Motor G android phone 05/2018 at Target,Tec set it up!

On November 24 I lost the phone at Kroger. No one turned it in .

My Daughter Karen 765/278/2217ph# Karen07@***.com Her Credit Card to turn My Ph back on 01-12-2021 She went to Target Store Bloomington Ind.Buy One you Will See .

Target refunded to money "said, We Quit Selling this Model because of No Tec Service,I stop auto payments in November $33.06

.

Target changed the phone to Sprint that Day On 10/23/2020 Pd,28.53,Again11.07/2020 . I believed I would get an Bill showing minutes?

I Entered Iu Avon Avon June Hospital, then 12 day's to StoneCroft Rehad ,Did Not use the phone at all there for 12 Day's lock down for covid Ck.

left there to Bloomington Iu Hospital ,Did not Look as if I would Make it ,Liver,Bladder,Kidney's where in very bad shape. Karen &;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Kevin took Me in 5 Weeks so 6 month's I used the phone hardly at All ( No call's From 2 Daughter's, 9 Grand Children,They wanted the Money, only one Get Well fron Mt Aunt Bonnie, it hurt's just the fact One has a Master's Dregree in Hospital,One Grand Daughter Batch,Degree in Pt Nursei My Daughter Karen is a RN thank God For Her She is the reason I am Still Living and alot off prayer, I do Not Oue these Bill's. I oue some of Nov 2020, On Dec 31, Consumer Cell Shut off My Service , I needed Med was Out !!

My Daughter Used Her Chg card ,I fell Dec.

7 ,3 broken Bone's Vision not good enough to drive, Bank Acc's Locked up,She called Customer Service 1/13/2021, The Woman Hung Up ,Today and Smart One of those People who cared les, siad No pay send to Credit

Burea, Really scared Me I have a Fica of 829 If Iu Credit say's I am Good at $100,000 to an Estate Lawyer11/24/2020 nO CALL'S FOR 60 Day's on the 3 Call's to AARP. They will HelpN!

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Preferred solution: Apology

pete g Syq
map-marker Alameda, California

Customer service sucks

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I called in to get info to unlock the phone i purchased after several attempts. They claimed you must have their service on for 6 months before they can nick it. also their rates are not cheap to get their service. Total nonsense.I am better off with T-Mobile and i will sell this phone but will not get blackmailed.
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User's recommendation: Poor customer service + rates are not real

Robert O Yvc

Angry, Disgusted

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Signed up in Nov 2019. Service TERRIBLE. All payments by mail NEVER reached VENDOR! Must wait on HOLD online and by phone a minimum of 2 hours to reach CC. Dropped them during pandemic because service did not work and could never get CC service rep no matter what method I tried for service!. Even sent certified letter DEMANDING FINAL BAL;ANCE. It took CC 3 months to send final bill and they told me that I was late paying final bill. Go figure. They are not reliable--any senior with a medical problem, should never rely on CC to call for help, home, 91Angry1.
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Loss:
$50
Cons:
  • See review

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: There are several mobile services in your area that are much more reliable than CC. Dont waste your time, your health risk, to rely on CC service.

Melanie R Dcl

Spam text messages and no coverage

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Updated by user Jan 12, 2021

I did call CC as noted in the first review and haven't heard one thing about what can be done except to 'upgrade to expensive phone' and 'pay for an app that would handle this' so guessing they are not interested in this problem?I am on SS and do not have the extra money to stop this, and NOW am getting messages for Sharon this month in addition to Brenda and Theresa. CC did tell me to report message as spam but that doesn't stop anything and there is not an option to do that if an actual call.Funny how the spam calls and texts come through but the ones that I need to get? Never make it through, some of those come 2 weeks later.Find another provider is still best option.

Original review Dec 13, 2020
Since getting this phone in January 2019 I have received text messages for Brenda, Theresa over and over and over. Neither of those are my name. I receive phone calls for them. Nothing works to stop those calls. DNC complaints do nothing, either at state or national DNC. Trying to tell these people that I am not either of these women does not work. Trying to tell them that I do NOT have a student loan doesn't work. Over and over and over. I called CC and they said I could upgrade to 'cheap' smart phone that has an app to block spam calls and text. Don't know how much that costs to have but cheap phone is 70 dollars. Not cheap when you are on SS.
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Preferred solution: put plans in place to stop scam/spam

User's recommendation: Find another cell phone provider.

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