Cingular Wireless - unable to use phone after move from SC to CA - terrible customer service

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on November 27, 2002:

From:

RE: Cingular Wireless - unable to use phone after move from SC to CA - terrible customer service

Hi, I found out about this site in the American Airlines magazine, and I knew that I needed to share this with you. In March/April 2001 I became a Cingular Wireless customer. The service in the Hilton Head Island, SC store was not good, but I was able to get a phone and get on with my life. In February 2002 we relocated to Orange County, CA and because I knew that my contract was still good, I contacted the relocation department and made the necessary arrangements to get a local number.

After two days of trying to have my very nice Nokia 8290 activated to the new area, the person (Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, CA) who was helping me told me that, even thought they have the same telephone, he could not understand why it did not work in California, so I will have to buy a new telephone. Because I was bound by a contract, I had to stay with them. I paid about $200 for that telephone, and I really liked it!!. My husband was really upset because I didn't try harder... But life went on. A few days ago, I went to a TMobile store and was talking with the salesman, one thing led to another, so he told me to bring the phone because they can activate it (I was planning to give it to my cousin). The only problem is that I had to have Cingular unlock my phone. To my surprise, Cingular said that they can not do it because the account has been cancelled for over 90 days and the phone number given to me in South Carolina has already been recycled. They also mentioned that it had to be done when I went through the relocation process.

The funny thing is that the relocation department nor the Cingular store that I went to, did not do this part. The relocation department just gave the OK for me to have a new number and the store just wanted to sell another telephone. when I talked to the relocation department to see if the can "unlock" my phone, they asked why and when I told him they just said that it couldn't be done because that will allow me to activate the phone with another company. Now, this is what I call service. I think that this is customer service at its lowest. To top it all, I went to another Cingular (located in Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA) to ask if I could use my telephone for a trip that I was planning to Puerto Rico. I already knew that my calls will be "roaming", but I just wanted to be sure. Guess what, one employee said that I will be OK but because of my plan, I will be subjected to roaming charges. When the store manager heard our conversation, he joined us and told me that I will have to upgrade my plan and sign another contract. I thanked them and left. Guess what, by the time I was out of the airport, I had already contacted my mother to tell her my location so she could pick me up. I did not make any upgrades or changes to my plan. I am counting the days to cancel this line and go with another company. I will never find anyone who will be 100% honest, but I'm sure that my pick will not make me buy unnecessary equipment nor get unnecessary upgrades. Watch out for Cingular Wireless whenever you decide to move. Amaris Pizarro

Laguna Niguel, CA