TELECOM Digest Editor noted in response to the original writer about whom Steve Sobol later complained, saying:
I expected this type of answer. And I'm sure _you_ read through your entire contract letter-by-letter, yes? You miss my point though. I know AT&T had the right to transfer the contract when purchased by Cingular. What I don't like is the regulatory issue that then forced Cingular to divest to some "third party" (in this case, Alltel). What I am expecting is for them to at least continue the options I've had with AT&T. If you compare Alltel's offerings, you will find that Cingular offers much better plans, as did AT&T I believe ... What irks me the most is how Cingular originally lead consumers to believe all AT&T customers were being adopted into the new family. Heck, my phone even still displays "Cingular"!
I look forward to the day when consumers have more power of choice and are not locked into long-term contracts. This is not a case where a company is giving its customers what they want. Under THESE circumstances, we should have the RIGHT to change to another company. We did not choose Alltel. The contracts need to be changed industry-wide. Period.
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: No, I did _not_ read through my cellular phone contract totally, but that's because I know the rules of the game: Telcos and other large corporations have rights; you as a customer have the right to pay your bill on time, to shut up and not bellyache so much. I do quite agree with your premise however. Consumers _should_ get a lot more 'rights' than we generally have. Or, as AT&T, Cingular, Southwestern Bell and even Alltel would say, "Why don't you sue us before we can wreck your credit for non-payment?" Take a knife and cut 'it' off before they have a chance to stick it in you ... yeah sure ... Most of us cannot afford to do other than cook our carrots and pee in the same pot (very unsanitary!!) let alone hire some lawyer to look after us. What's the point in reading the contract if you know what it says anyway? PAT]