Cingular and AT&T

Thythe · #1 08-15-2005, 11:30 PM

So I was on an AT&T cell phone plan for about 6 years or so, and then they merged with Cingular. I got to keep my awesome plan, though, as I was grandfathered in. This is what I get currently:

900 anytime minutes
unlimited mobile to mobile
unlimited nights and weekends

All this for $29.99. Basically I got this from years of renewing my contract, which I'm not under anymore. Well, now my phone is pretty much on the last leg of its life, and I need a new phone. Unfortunately Cingular forces you on to one of their plans if you buy a new phone. The plan I have now would cost me $59.99 with them or any of the other cell phone companies (DOUBLE what I'm paying).

So...for those of you who went through the same thing, how do I get a new phone and get it activated without losing my plan? I pretty much want to stick to Cingular for the phone selection, so advice to switch to another company is unneeded. Thanks.

James Boston · #2 08-15-2005, 11:45 PM

I could be wrong about this, so you'll have to check.

The $59.99 price is the discounted price for the phone that you get when you sign a contract. Cell phones are actually pretty expensive, but greatly discounted when you sign a new contract. You could probably buy a phone a regular price and retain the deal you have, if you think it's worth it.

I ran into a similar situation with Verizon. I just wanted a new phone, but they wouldn't sell me one at rebate price unless I renewed my contract. However, I wasn't eligible to renew my contract because the one I had previously signed was still in effect.

peachy · #3 08-15-2005, 11:51 PM

im kinda shocked...ive been with cingular for about 8 yrs now...and they have always worked with me with any prices, etc. Try and speak to someone higher up and see what they say. But even cingular uses had to all upgrade thier phones sometime back if they werent the ones that were compatiable with the new network...just try and talk to someone else

Hiding · #4 08-15-2005, 11:59 PM

Talk to a different cingular dealer, I went through the same thing with one guy, walked two blocks down and kept my original plan/price with a new phone for under $50 with a 1 year contract.

Popinjay · #5 08-16-2005, 12:13 AM

You should be able to pull your SIM card out from the phone you have now, then buy a new phone off ebay, stick the SIM card in that phone, and voila new phone with no plan change.

www.howardforums.com 2+2 for cell phones.

craig r · #6 08-16-2005, 12:16 AM

You will have to get it unlocked though. Or it will already have to be unlocked.

craig

NorCalJosh · #7 08-16-2005, 12:16 AM

the absolute ONLY way that you will be able to do this is if you buy a cingular phone either from a store or online, at the full price, and get it unlocked, and then stick your AT&T sim chip in it. there is no negotiating, theres no haggling, if you fully switched over to cingular, you WOULD have to pick a cingular plan. they may have a VIP offer for you, but even that wouldnt come close to comparing to the plan that you have no. sorry for the bad news.

Thythe · #8 08-16-2005, 12:20 AM

I have no problem buying a phone without a rebate if it involves me keeping my plan. The $59.99 price I quoted was for a plan, not a phone. I can get the phone I want for free on Amazon with a 2 year contract, but I'll gladly pay $300 for the phone if I get to keep my plan.

Peachy, I think that Cingular is OK with people keeping plans if they are already Cingular customers. It's us former AT&T people that they are trying to force onto their plans. The plan I'm on now has never been offered by Cingular, thus their reluctance to let me keep it.

The thing compounding this problem is that I want to keep my Minnesota number here in Phoenix. Because of that, whatever I do has to be over the phone. If I could do this in person it'd be easier.

Thythe · #9 08-16-2005, 12:23 AM

[ QUOTE ]
the absolute ONLY way that you will be able to do this is if you buy a cingular phone either from a store or online, at the full price, and get it unlocked, and then stick your AT&T sim chip in it. there is no negotiating, theres no haggling, if you fully switched over to cingular, you WOULD have to pick a cingular plan. they may have a VIP offer for you, but even that wouldnt come close to comparing to the plan that you have no. sorry for the bad news.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is what I've been hearing so far. I was hoping I could buy the phone at full price and still have them activate it with my old plan. I think not knowing what a SIM chip is might seriously hinder my efforts to do this complicated procedure.

peachy · #10 08-16-2005, 12:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You should be able to pull your SIM card out from the phone you have now, then buy a new phone off ebay, stick the SIM card in that phone, and voila new phone with no plan change.

www.howardforums.com 2+2 for cell phones.

[/ QUOTE ]

he said he had had it some time...so im guessin it doesnt have a SIM card.... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] i might be way off though