What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? California
I have had a contentious relationship with Cingular wireless for some time, repeatedly berating them for poor service. Over the past several months, I have repeatedly told Cingular representatives that A) I planned to cancel my service in August, when the service contract expires and B) That I consistently warn others against subscribing with the company.
I had planned to stick it out until August. But the last straw came during a business trip to the Arizona-Mexico border earlier this month. I could not make or receive calls because a Mexican cellular provider had my phone under its influence. I tried to resolve the problem immediately by paying a $30 fee to set up roaming access, but that service apparently was not provided. As long as I was on the border, I could not use my phone. This confused and angered my supervisors at work, and made it much more difficult for me to do my work. Upon my return, I spent several hours explaining to my supervisors that the situation was beyond my control. I have since subscribed to a different cell phone company, in part because I cannot be in the same situation again, and in part because I needed to demonstrate to my supervisors that I was doing everything in my power to make sure they can reach me by cell phone when necessary.
I've been told that a consumer can terminate a contract when he does not receive the service for which he paid, and not incurr a cancellation fee. But I also know that the California PUC recently suspended its "Wireless consumer's bill of rights." What is my legal position, and what steps should I follow to avoid paying the fee? I want to resolve this question before April 26, when my monthly bill cycle is set to renew.
I don't know whether my earlier, and very forceful, expressions of discontent with Cingular can be used against me now. The events during this business trip were far more than a convenient pretext to drop the service. I ended up going to another company because my Cingular phone was becoming a career liability.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have had a contentious relationship with Cingular wireless for some time, repeatedly berating them for poor service. Over the past several months, I have repeatedly told Cingular representatives that A) I planned to cancel my service in August, when the service contract expires and B) That I consistently warn others against subscribing with the company.
I had planned to stick it out until August. But the last straw came during a business trip to the Arizona-Mexico border earlier this month. I could not make or receive calls because a Mexican cellular provider had my phone under its influence. I tried to resolve the problem immediately by paying a $30 fee to set up roaming access, but that service apparently was not provided. As long as I was on the border, I could not use my phone. This confused and angered my supervisors at work, and made it much more difficult for me to do my work. Upon my return, I spent several hours explaining to my supervisors that the situation was beyond my control. I have since subscribed to a different cell phone company, in part because I cannot be in the same situation again, and in part because I needed to demonstrate to my supervisors that I was doing everything in my power to make sure they can reach me by cell phone when necessary.
I've been told that a consumer can terminate a contract when he does not receive the service for which he paid, and not incurr a cancellation fee. But I also know that the California PUC recently suspended its "Wireless consumer's bill of rights." What is my legal position, and what steps should I follow to avoid paying the fee? I want to resolve this question before April 26, when my monthly bill cycle is set to renew.
I don't know whether my earlier, and very forceful, expressions of discontent with Cingular can be used against me now. The events during this business trip were far more than a convenient pretext to drop the service. I ended up going to another company because my Cingular phone was becoming a career liability.
Thanks in advance for any help.