AT&T and Blackberry Consumer Fraud

[blackballed]

I have the ATT family unlimited text,pictures, and videos for all lines on the plan. However, I purchased a new Blackberry Curve 8310 from ATT. Now, ATT refuses to provide the paid text, pictures, and video to the Blackberry. ATT policy is to charge a data plan fee on the phones it call smartphones in addition to the original text plan fee. So, they want you to pay twice for the same service. Blackberry has conspired with ATT, by only providing the "books", which are software unlocks for your device, if you pay them and ATT the data plan extortion fee. This is the scam. Build in extra software to charge consumers twice for the same service, the text, picture, and video service. Please...... file complaints with your state's attorney generals office base on consumer fraud.

[dualsub2006]

[JSanders]

Wirelessly posted (8310; RammerJammer!)

You only need the one plan. Not two.

Or sue.
A little research up front would have told what you found out.

[Heavy Fluid]

Originally Posted by dualsub2006

That might be one of the funniest replies I have read so far on this forum.

[ArgonNJ]

I have no problem with either AT&T's service or pricing. Sorry, I won't be joining in your rant/suit. Have a nice day.

[mgerbasio]

I have a Blackberry Bold. Two of my kids have Blackberrys as they wanted these for texting, MMS and IM. The AT&T customer reps don't do a good job of explaining what you need on the account and the costs to make this happen.

You need to add MediaNet Pay Per Use. Without it, you don't get the MMS and IM ability on the Blackberry. There will be an additional cost if you use the internet or other data services on the Blackberry so you need to be careful. Otherwise, if you have the Family Messaging Plan, the "data" used by MMS and IM is a cost covered in that plan.

You can try hiding the icons for data applications to avoid accidental use. To get video, I assume you mean CV video and I'm not sure what plan you need for that option. I have it as I'm using a Blackberry BIS plan.

Regards-Michael G.

[blackballed]

The service failure which brought me to this position, was in fact the inablility to send or recieve video clips. After spending several hours on the phone with AT&T and Blackberry reps, a determination was made that my Curve 8310 can send/receive video clips. However, I would have to pay att/blackberry another $30/month to have Blackberry send the "books" to ATT to unlock this feature. This is in spite of the fact, that the Family Messaging plan which I subscribed to prior to the purchase of my "not so smart" or "dumb" phone, is $30 month to provide exactly that service. When you buy a newer, "smarter" computer, does your ISP charge you additional monthly fees? NO. They do not. Your ISP provides each computer you have with exactly the same service you pay them for. This is a scam. IF you pay AT&T for unlimited text, pictures, and video on every line, then they must provide exactly that. For this purpose alone, I do not need a data plan, and I will not be scammed or coerced into one. So, to respond again to your response, try to send or recieve a video clip. Good luck. I will remind you that you have in fact paid for that service already if you have the family unlimited multi-media messaging plan. And yes, my media net is enabled on pay per use basis.

Originally Posted by mgerbasio

I have a Blackberry Bold. Two of my kids have Blackberrys as they wanted these for texting, MMS and IM. The AT&T customer reps don't do a good job of explaining what you need on the account and the costs to make this happen.

You need to add MediaNet Pay Per Use. Without it, you don't get the MMS and IM ability on the Blackberry. There will be an additional cost if you use the internet or other data services on the Blackberry so you need to be careful. Otherwise, if you have the Family Messaging Plan, the "data" used by MMS and IM is a cost covered in that plan.

You can try hiding the icons for data applications to avoid accidental use. To get video, I assume you mean CV video and I'm not sure what plan you need for that option. I have it as I'm using a Blackberry BIS plan.

Regards-Michael G.

[Johnny909]

Money, its a hit, etc. etc. etc.

Originally Posted by blackballed

I have the ATT family unlimited text,pictures, and videos for all lines on the plan. However, I purchased a new Blackberry Curve 8310 from ATT. Now, ATT refuses to provide the paid text, pictures, and video to the Blackberry. ATT policy is to charge a data plan fee on the phones it call smartphones in addition to the original text plan fee. So, they want you to pay twice for the same service. Blackberry has conspired with ATT, by only providing the "books", which are software unlocks for your device, if you pay them and ATT the data plan extortion fee. This is the scam. Build in extra software to charge consumers twice for the same service, the text, picture, and video service. Please...... file complaints with your state's attorney generals office base on consumer fraud.

There's (at least) one in every crowd.
:: rolls eyes ::

[Fletchi18]

Why does everything today have to end up with a lawsuit attached to it?

Face it, you didn't research the devices ahead of time and now you're blaming that mistake on the carrier and RIM. Your fault...no one else's....

@Dualsub2006: Well said!

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by Fletchi18

Why does everything today have to end up with a lawsuit attached to it?

Face it, you didn't research the devices ahead of time and now you're blaming that mistake on the carrier and RIM. Your fault...no one else's....

@Dualsub2006: Well said!

[ezrunner]

Verizon won't even allow you to activate a BB without the BB plan. messaging and BB services are two seperate items you are not paying for the service twice.

[CO_BBTechie]

How do you spell relief? F-R-I-V-O-L-O-U-S

Just because you don't care for AT&T's service price structure, that doesn't make it sneaky, underhanded, illegal, or unscrupulous.

As was previously stated by EZ above, Verizon actually requires you to add a data plan to activate a BB. AT&T does not.

I also see no merit in this rant.

[tmoney83]

you must use dial up. well DSL is a little more also....... that a scam lol

[Johnny909]

Main Entry: scam

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: swindle

Synonyms: blackmail, cheating, con, con game, crooked deal, deceit, deception, dirty pool*, double-cross*, double-dealing*, extortion, fast one, flimflam*, fraud, hoax, hosing, hustle, racket*, rip-off*, shady deal, shakedown, sham, shell game*, snow job*, sting, sucker game, etc.

So, is the AT&T blackberry, and data, marketing scheme a scam, was "blackball" swindled?



I am hopeful to read the supreme court opinion when his case is finally resolved.

[barbwyr]

Sorry blackball but I have unlimited text and no data plan and I can MMS and send videos just fine with AT&T so your rant is pointless and misplaced. You don't need a Data Plan to get the service books for messaging

[Serkle K]

I have to say I sort of agree, with the OP... Back when I got my PPC I had an issue with not being able to connect to my MediaNet. Keep in mind I have a grandfathered plan that gives me unlimited data/internet, 200 MMS, and 1500 SMS for $20.00... so when I called customer service to try to correct the problem, they were telling me it was because my phone didn't have a smartphone plan. I told them it shouldn't matter cause all i ever accessed was MediaNet and I used all of the ATT stuff to check weather, scores, and even email... And the rep was telling me that the system knows which device i am using and reguardless of what I am accessing i needed to upgrade to the Smartphone plan... So my reply was, "So you're telling me that AT&T is purposly increasing the amount of data based on the device, reguardless of what info I am accessing?! You info, on your network is going to cost me more because i'm accessing the same info from 2 different devices?" her response was... "Oh, let me put you on with our data support"... FFW to the data support guy, and he told me essentially AT&T will start increasing the data on smartphones to make sure people can only use those plans on those phones.

That is a crock!!! It makes no sence that the device determins the size/amount/type of info being transmitted... If I'm only using AT&T's MediaNet for the things they put on it, then why do you have to pay for something you're not going to use?

All that said, it's been 2 years now, and I still have my grandfathered unlimited MEW. which is the only thing really keeping me from changing... but if I want to get the Bold, I will change my plan, especially now that I have a FAN account.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by Serkle K

I have to say I sort of agree, with the OP... Back when I got my PPC I had an issue with not being able to connect to my MediaNet. Keep in mind I have a grandfathered plan that gives me unlimited data/internet, 200 MMS, and 1500 SMS for $20.00... so when I called customer service to try to correct the problem, they were telling me it was because my phone didn't have a smartphone plan. I told them it shouldn't matter cause all i ever accessed was MediaNet and I used all of the ATT stuff to check weather, scores, and even email... And the rep was telling me that the system knows which device i am using and reguardless of what I am accessing i needed to upgrade to the Smartphone plan... So my reply was, "So you're telling me that AT&T is purposly increasing the amount of data based on the device, reguardless of what info I am accessing?! You info, on your network is going to cost me more because i'm accessing the same info from 2 different devices?" her response was... "Oh, let me put you on with our data support"... FFW to the data support guy, and he told me essentially AT&T will start increasing the data on smartphones to make sure people can only use those plans on those phones.

That is a crock!!! It makes no sence that the device determins the size/amount/type of info being transmitted... If I'm only using AT&T's MediaNet for the things they put on it, then why do you have to pay for something you're not going to use?

All that said, it's been 2 years now, and I still have my grandfathered unlimited MEW. which is the only thing really keeping me from changing... but if I want to get the Bold, I will change my plan, especially now that I have a FAN account.

There are 3 other carriers in the US that you can go to if you don't like AT&T's policies. If that's their policy, then that is how it is. Instead of a smartphone, you would probably be better off with one of the those full keyboard phones that are made for texting. They aren't smart phones, and have limited internet, which is what you seem to want. It seems to me a lot of people want a BB for whatever reason [status, impress their friends, whatever] but don't want to pay for the BB data plan.

[Serkle K]

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

There are 3 other carriers in the US that you can go to if you don't like AT&T's policies. If that's their policy, then that is how it is. Instead of a smartphone, you would probably be better off with one of the those full keyboard phones that are made for texting. They aren't smart phones, and have limited internet, which is what you seem to want. It seems to me a lot of people want a BB for whatever reason [status, impress their friends, whatever] but don't want to pay for the BB data plan.

So you think I should get a "dumbphone", because I am able to access my business email through a WAP on it?... But I cannot edit, create or manage documents, or accounts. So am I missing the point of a smartphone?

I think it's wrong that a company intentionally inflates data because I'm using a phone that accesses their information on their network... if they didn't want us to access their page on their network from a certain line of phones, then why give the option at all? I mean I'm paying for the same info, that everyone else uses, why do I have to pay extra for something that only does the same thing? that's the issue... I've already paid premium for the device, to be able to do more then just make calls, and text. I could understand if i was doing something that broke TOS but paying for a certain service to use that service, within it's given guidelines ... it is what it is... having to pay extra for extra services that you don't need in order to access the same services everyone else pays for, in the same tier of services, just doesnt make sence to me.

[betterlate1]

OP, Here's the way I look at it...

I am on an AT&T National Family Plan for Voice
Unlimited Family Messaging added for $30
which ends up costing $28 per phone per month since I have 5 phones
then my BlackBerry has the BlackBerry Personal Plan added on for $30
which gives me unlimited BB data usage AND SUPPORT.

I think $28 per phone per month is very reasonable a cost to keep in touch with all the family wherever they are.
I think $30 extra for my phone alone is reasonable for unlimited internet and data on my personal BlackBerry.
And, AT&T support for BlackBerry has been helpful previously, and when they are unable to help, they will transfer me to RIM.

OP, I'm assuming you live in the US. Go back to worrying about bailing out the failed mortgage banking industry. This billing structure issue doesn't deserve this much effort and brain power. Personally I'm not worried about either. The BB is a luxury not a necessity.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by Serkle K

I think it's wrong that a company intentionally inflates data because I'm using a phone that accesses their information on their network...

Get used to it, AT&T isn't the only carrier doing this. I believe Sprint makes you take the $100 unlimited plan on a few of their phones, its not an option.
Smart phones are the hot thing now and just like with SMS, carriers are going to capitalize on it.

[southwestcomm]

The $99 Simply Everything plan is only required for the Instinct.

Sprint PDA plans - including BIS - is $30.00. BB data is also included in some of the family plans.

Originally Posted by ArgonNJ

Get used to it, AT&T isn't the only carrier doing this. I believe Sprint makes you take the $100 unlimited plan on a few of their phones, its not an option.
Smart phones are the hot thing now and just like with SMS, carriers are going to capitalize on it.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by southwestcomm

The $99 Simply Everything plan is only required for the Instinct.

Sprint PDA plans - including BIS - is $30.00. BB data is also included in some of the family plans.

That's the phone I was thinking of. Thanks

[blackballed]

partnering with phone manufacturers to create new "smart" phone does not obligate the consumer to pay a premium for the same service they would otherwise recieve on any other phone. after much complaining att did in fact give me a refund for a month and took some other step on their end to make my MMS work for photo, video and text on my curve. the fact that you pay for, recieve and enjoy internet service is great, but irrelelvant to my argument. so pull your head out of the chat room, or your helmet,for a minute, and think.
If you pay for the family plan for unlimited text, video, and pictures for all lines, then that is exactly what you should get, smart phone, dumb phone or otherwise. If the phone is capable, then software locks should not be rigged in order to force folks in to a data plan who dont want one. i can see that most folks here are too busy surfing on their blackberry to conceive of anything that is not an exact fit to their their techno nerd lifestyle.

Originally Posted by betterlate1

OP, Here's the way I look at it...

I am on an AT&T National Family Plan for Voice
Unlimited Family Messaging added for $30
which ends up costing $28 per phone per month since I have 5 phones
then my BlackBerry has the BlackBerry Personal Plan added on for $30
which gives me unlimited BB data usage AND SUPPORT.

I think $28 per phone per month is very reasonable a cost to keep in touch with all the family wherever they are.
I think $30 extra for my phone alone is reasonable for unlimited internet and data on my personal BlackBerry.
And, AT&T support for BlackBerry has been helpful previously, and when they are unable to help, they will transfer me to RIM.

OP, I'm assuming you live in the US. Go back to worrying about bailing out the failed mortgage banking industry. This billing structure issue doesn't deserve this much effort and brain power. Personally I'm not worried about either. The BB is a luxury not a necessity.

[NJBlackBerry]

You getting anywhere with the Consumer Fraud angle?

If you want to use a BlackBerry, you get a BlackBerry Data Plan. It is as simple as that. No matter how hard you try to imagine it differently.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by blackballed

i can see that most folks here are too busy surfing on their blackberry to conceive of anything that is not an exact fit to their their techno nerd lifestyle.

And now you are one of us. We caught you in our trap.

Go for it... insulting people around here always shows the great maturity needed to succeed with your plan.

[NJBlackBerry]

When you have no other avenue, insults are the last resort..

Obviously black isn't getting the love here that he/she wants, so he will insult people.

Instead of realizing he/she is on the wrong side of the argument...

[BallHawk3]

I wish they would go back to you requiring a blackberry data plan in order to have a blackberry! The plan should pop on regardless if you add it or not the minute you activate a blackberry!

If you ain't willing to pay, you don't need a blackberry nor should you get one!

[bigolsparky]

Hmmmm.

I have 5 phones on my plan AT&T. Three Blackberry and 2 Motorola.
I have 2 BB data plans. Unlimited Family Text and Multimedia and AT&T told me I could not get MMS on the third Blackberry without a data plan. But I do.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by BallHawk3

I wish they would go back to you requiring a blackberry data plan in order to have a blackberry! The plan should pop on regardless if you add it or not the minute you activate a blackberry!

If you ain't willing to pay, you don't need a blackberry nor should you get one!

That's the problem. There are too many people who just want a BB because it is one of the "in" devices right now. They really don't care about its capabilities and certainly don't want to pay for them. They just want to "look cool". Hence all the "do I really have to pay for a BB plan for this" posts and Mr I'm going to sue AT&T for fraud.

[wabbit]

only fraud att does is charge you 17 or 20 bux for paying the full price on a phone to upgrade, besides that, i have no other problems with them. tho i think that is fraud tbh.

[TroyDBrown]

The OP should see what Canadians have to deal with. Check out Rogers pricing.

[bigolsparky]

The only features you don't get on a Pearl without the BB data plan, are e-mail and Blackberry Messenger.

If you know the trick

I think it will work on the Curve too.

[ArgonNJ]

Originally Posted by bigolsparky

The only features you don't get on a Pearl without the BB data plan, are e-mail and Blackberry Messenger.

If you know the trick

I think it will work on the Curve too.

What's the point then? The email capability is major selling point for me with the BB. Absent that, I would probably go back to my iphone.

[bigolsparky]

I guess the point is, while I have 2 plans with BB data, my daughter has no need for it. I also think that the pearl is a quality device and would choose it over any other texting type phone because of durability and function.