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How To Get The AT&T Runaround

Started by sbspalding · 10 months ago

This morning I found this over at Orangeply in response to the rumor that AT&T will be offering $10 DSL. If anyone is able to help “Mr Magooo” please post your suggestions here, or send me an email. I am hoping to get this situation resolved.
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28 comments

  • TonyC

    2 years ago

    I can tell you that the $10 DSL is only available in the 22 states that are in the AT&T territory(per the FCC, not at&t). No, Penn is not in that area. It's like me, living in Kansas, arguing with Q-west or Verizon that I want their DSL special, that was mandated by the governement to sell for cheap only in their territory, and me not being able to get it and start crying like a baby...WHUAAAAA!
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    This is true, the real argument is whether they should make it easier for the people who do live in those states to find the deal should they try to look. This problem could have been easily solved if the support representative had simply said, "You're not in the right state". Or more easily if it was on their website in an easy to find location.

    Whether they should offer it universally is a non-issue, whether their service was less than ideal is what is at issue here. I tend to believe it was.
    reply
  • Ed

    2 years ago

    Steve said:
    This problem could have been easily solved if the support representative had simply said, “You’re not in the right state”.

    But the rep did exactly that:
    My first go resulted in the representative saying that the $10 offer was not available to me so I asked to speak with the manager. The manager said the “special offer” was only available in 22 states.
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    Good point. Personally, I take issue with AT&Ts; hiding the offer and then sending a customer around in circles as he tries to get some clarity. Excellent point though, and thanks for the comment!
    reply
  • Andrej

    2 years ago

    DSL, how fast?

    Damn, I love living in Europe, we're 3000 miles away from AT&T and AOL over here :)
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    It's pretty slow by DSL standards, less than 1MBit.

    What it boils down to is that AT&T; doesn't really want to offer DSL at the price the FCC set.

    They have made it difficult to find (find out about it).

    Confused customer gets thrown for a loop as a result, asks everyone, meets with customer service reps without the required knowledge, and then ends up feeling abused.

    AT&T; would probably have solved this by making it clear that the $10 service is only offered in 22 states under "DSL Options" on their corporate website.
    reply
  • Jeff Sewell

    2 years ago

    Have been searching for two hours for the deal on the AT&T website. Called and got the outsourced call center who gave me a website that ended up being a speed test. I hope the FCC will take a complaint from little 'ole me seriously. Meanwhile, can someone post a URL that leads to the offer.

    Thank you.
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    Here is the link mate, hope it helps. $10 DSL
    reply
  • Robert Ameeti

    2 years ago

    Steve said:

    Here is the link mate, hope it helps. $10 DSL

    That link appears to only work for BellSouth customers. Is there a link for California customers?
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    The only other link that mentions the DSL service is here: $10 DSL

    Unfortunately, a quick visit will get you this:

    Due to technical problems, we are unable to process your order online at this time. Please contact us at 1-866-999-6181 Spanish is 1-866-772-6932 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm and on Saturday, 8:30 am to 5 pm.

    If anyone has heard anything from AT&T; please submit something or comment here as soon as possible.
    reply
  • Pam

    2 years ago

    You can find the info on the att.COM website.

    You have to "shop" for it by clicking on the learn more button.

    Under Basic Plan for $14.99 click on the link that says "See if you Qualify".

    You have to answer a couple of questions then, put in your existing phone number.

    The next page shows if you qualify, if you do the $10.00 deal shows up.

    TA DA.
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    Thanks a lot Pam!
    reply
  • Get Working Brain

    2 years ago

    You can actually be that mis-informed? Don't know you are not an AT&T/SBC/Bellsouth customer. WOW

    DSL from AT&T/SBC/Bellsouth is only available when you have AT&T/SBC/Bellsouth providing your local copper loop. Since you are in a Verizon Area and can only get Verizon DSL or resellers of Verizon DSL, why would you thing AT&T/SBC/Bellsouth would be available to you for DSL if in the last 100 Years it was not. You can't get a landline from AT&T/SBC/Bellsouth either and no RBOC is going to run a copper line to you from the nearest State for multiple reasons (one - it would not work, two - it would cost way too much).

    Seriously, you should retract this article as it is not based on any fact.

    $10 AT&T DSL Deal for former SBC areas
    https://swot.sbc.com/swot/promoLanding.do
    $10 AT&T DSL Deal for former Bellsouth areas
    http://bellsouth.com/consumer/inetsrvcs/index.html
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at, so let me summarize Mr. Magoo's argument.

    He wanted to get the $10 DSL service that AT&T; said that they offered.

    He could not get a clear answer to his question on the AT&T; website.

    He decided to call customer service, and he did not get a satisfactory response from them.

    He was then sent around to many other irrelevant services, leaving him annoyed.

    Many, many, many other people share similar stories about either being led astray by customer reps, or outright lied to.

    I am also not sure who is a Verizon customer, if you could be a bit more clear on that I might be able to help you out. I personally use Cingular (AT&T;).

    One final clarification, this is not a "personal story". I am posting a message that I received as well as the stories of others who have had similar problems with AT&Ts; DSL offering. My main complaint is not that I think everyone in the world should get this deal, but I feel that AT&T; should be as clear about the $10 DSL offers as they are about their DSL options.

    Thanks for the links!
    reply
  • Master Guru

    2 years ago

    I would not trade my 15MB Verizon FIOS service for twice the $44.95 + all those fees and taxes. 6 computers here, all with blazing speeds, 3-4 heavy gamers at once, not a hitch. FIOS TV on the way!

    Let's do the math. Assume 30 days, 6 computers. That equates to a quarter a day per computer. Peanuts! For ten bucks you'll likely get a lousy twisted pair and probably end up on the end of the line (serious service speed degradation). Let's be real. The reason they push people to the better plans is the customer will be more satisfied, they will have less calls from customers, and the whole experience is nicer for everyone.

    BTW, what does the $10 service come with? Free AV? Free Firewall? Parental Controls? 24/7 USA based English speaking support? MSN Premium access? Just curious. Anyone have spec.'s on that "FREE" ASDL Modem?

    Good luck with that.
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    I'm betting this is a plan for the "just over dialup" crowd.

    If you are a power-user (or heck, even use Skype seriously) you would probably want something with more teeth. However, if all you do is check your email and watch the occasional YouTube video, the relatively slow downstream should be perfect.
    reply
  • Bill

    2 years ago

    I'm using the $10/month DSL right now.

    That price is good for 30 months minimum per the merger agreement.

    Ordered on Saturday, DSL modem kit came Wednesday. Installed it the next day.

    Will save about $40/month over cable.

    Cable bill drops to under $10/month.

    And by the end of 2009 we'll have city-wide wireless broadband here.
    reply
  • Gloria Knotts

    2 years ago

    I solved the problem of looking for the offer by going to an SR online. However, last fall, one month prior to the settlement, Bell South sent around outside sales people with "bundle" offers for phone service, internet DSL and DirecTV (we already had phone service and the satellite).

    I was on dialup and wanted broadband at the time, so we signed up and was told the bill would be $62 per month for the phone & DSL, with a $5 credit for DirecTV.

    The monthly phone bill came to $75, with the DSL costing over $40 per month, with $7.50 for the modem, $32.50 for the DSL and various other "fees and taxes." The DSL wasn't basic, but the "second tier" speed, but even so, the only benefit I could tell was on videos, so I stopped the DSL after the 6 month contract period, since I felt it was too costly.

    Bell South & AT&T knew exactly what they were doing with their blizzard of offers.

    Now I can't get the $10 DSL since I'm considered a "former" DSL customer.

    Live and learn.
    reply
  • Steve

    2 years ago

    Yea. It is a clever little scheme they set up. I am really sorry to hear that, unfortunately there isn't too much you can do other than report any *real* problems you have with their customer service obfuscating the $10 deal to the FCC.
    reply
  • david

    2 years ago

    ATT is a bunch of cheaters. The lady told me I could order the 10 dollar deal over the phone and now I'm being billed for 24.95. Now I discover that it is online only! They didn't tell me over the phone and now they have smart-ass phone techs getting high and mighty with me. I hate that company. Really disgusting.
    reply
  • Jerry

    1 year ago

    From what I read, ATT is required to offer the $10 DSL for 30 months from the merger. Why are they only offering a 12 month contract? Does the price go up to $19.95 after 12 month are up, or will they honor the 30 month agreement?
    reply
  • Steve

    1 year ago

    Honestly I am not sure. If you find out anything about it, send me an email. That is a really good question.
    reply
  • Eric

    1 year ago

    Still waiting for AT&T DSL in many areas of Bloomington, Indiana including mine. The VRAD boxes have been connected but the rollout is "blazingly" slow.

    I just want to upgrade from a simple dial-up modem, and Stephenson thinks anyone will believe him when he says, "We didn't think anyone would want $10 DSL!." ER
    reply
  • Steve

    1 year ago

    Even for a PR spin job it is pretty bad.
    reply
  • Texas

    1 year ago

    You cant beat cheap DSL!
    reply
  • Travis

    1 year ago

    Ok, After calling AT&T today, this is what i've got .

    the DSL tech & CSR told me, that i had to have a voice line with my DSL in order to get the 10.00 package deal.

    Now, i have the DSL $19.99 package deal + Voice line long distance.

    the dsl cost me 19.99
    the voice line cost me 24.08

    Plus long distance charges of 5.50

    total was $49.67

    There standalone dsl line, is 44.99. CHEAPER then what i am paying.

    SO i told the Customer service rep that. And i also told him i wanted the 10.00 package deal. he gave me number 1.888.387.6270 and i called it. there closed today, But i will call tommorow. He argued with me, saying i had to have the phone line, in order to get the 10.00 dsl package.

    I told him in the merger agreement, The FCC said AT&T must provide, 10.00 basic DSL package. And then he said that i had to have a phone line in order to qualify for the 10.00 package...

    THINK about this... i have to have a 49.99 package deal, in order to qualify for the 10.00 dsl deal ?????

    i asked him that, and then asked him what kinda scam is AT&T running, it took him a while to answer, then he said, It would cost me more to have a standalone dsl line.

    and i told him the standalone line is $44.99.. my bill is $49.67

    then he gave me that number and said they should be able to help me get the 10.00 dsl package.

    AT&T is Running a SCAM and they need to be called out on it. IF you google AT&T 10.00 DSL there's a shat load of hits, BUt AT&T is still scamming people, SO my last question to this Robert Tech guy, was DO you get alot of people asking about this 10.00 deal ?

    and it took him like 5 minutes to answer me, He said he gets a few questions everyoen once in a while.
    reply
  • Steve Spalding

    1 year ago

    That seems to be the consensus among most of the people I hear looking for the cheap DSL. AT&T; runs them around in circles and then refuses to admit that there is any interest in the service.

    This is the first time I've heard about needing a stand-alone line in order to get service. Tell me what happens after you call tomorrow. I'd be interested in knowing.
    reply
  • cingular phone upgrades

    1 year ago

    I think the whole outsourcing thing has gotten ridiculous. It seems I can't call ANYwhere for help without running into this. You would think some of these companies would realize people would appreciate having people who speak english help them instead of being frustrated with runarounds. Oh well, hoepfully they'll fix this one day.
    reply

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