Consumer Cellular

Their marketing and website are misleading. Sure they don't have a "contract" BUT they fail to state UP FRONT that they will run your credit report and based on that information you will either HAVE to establish autopay OR ELSE...those were the words stated to me tonight by Nancy, a supervisor. The "or else" means no service...too bad, so sad. No where is this vital information stated up front. It's only after a lengthy ("friendly") conversation is the credit report asked to be run...and then the gavel strikes. Some seniors/disabled consumers feel obligated to agree to this...making it a CONTRACT. Whether Consumer Cellular agrees to that terminology or not, means nothing. Because the consumer wants the service and HAS TO AGREE to CC's DEMAND of payment type. This is NOT the why AARP touts this business, nor should it. AARP does NOT only represent the well off retiree's, they also, and should, represent the low income seniors who are living SS payment to SS payment. And sadly are easily persuaded to give their precious financial information to a stranger over the phone. Please AARP rethink this affiliation or persuade them to change this policy. Perhaps I will reconsider renewing my membership if you did and were successful. Thank you.

I have a cellular phone and have the misfortune of being a former customer and employee of this company. There IS a contract with the customer, in spite of what is told to you (see Terms and Conditions on their website). If you do NOT have AARP (their 3rd party affiliate) you are forced to arbitrate and cannot sue them, they do NOT give the REQUIRED FCRA disclosure and run a hard hit on your credit AND have permission to dive into your consumer habits and credit further, they do NOT honor the soldiers and sailors relief act for active duty military members, if they sign you up for AARP they charge $16 instead of $12 the actual AARP charges, they will increase your plan if you go over and charge you the greater rate for the whole month and you are responsible for calling to drop your plan back down again. The reps are disreputable ghetto punks and for every SIM card (or new line) they get credit for a sale (so they love switching out the SIM)and have a lowered talk time, they are held to an avg 5 minute talk time and will often hang up to meet their stats, the minute they end the call they chatter about how stupid seniors are "somebody get me some cyanide", the owner has many disgusting cartoons of seniors on his website, they fail to disclose that you CANNOT change your plan when you go over plan, the two towers they bounce off of give them lower priority than their own customers so clarity and speed are an issue (charging in full minute increments to other cos partial minutes), got to say it Verizon has the BEST reception and network out there. The whole industry is moving to embedded SIM cards that do not switch out so, with any luck, they will be gone soon. Pull up the terms and conditions on their website and call your state attorney general and the FCC and report them for consumer fraud in every state you have used their service in or bounced your signal off a tower. Troll them by calling and keeping their reps on the phone for hours. The reason they do NOT have check by phone is that, each time you do it, they have a contract and they are too cheap to pay for the software. If English is not your first language, notice they ALSO did not disclose that your complaints against them on the State website are automatically ignored since they claim it was a miscommunication (other cell companies spend money for a language line). You fought the war to end all wars, gave us tremendous changes in technology, medicine, education. For Christ sake Gates is a senior citizen. I would say to reconsider and go directly to ATT or Verizon on a plan. Also, if you call to cancel, reps used to take the hit of the cancel against their sales and WOULD FORGET TO PROCESS IT. So you might find you are still with the jerks when you thought you left long ago. So make that looonnngg call to have them explain everything that your service/phone can do and call your regulators FCC, State Attorney General, Senator, Congressman. Become proactive consumers. Dont bother with AARP, they get a cut and dont care. Dont bother with BBB who uprates companies if they respond to a complaint, not if they do anything.

Horrible!!! Tried to go from T-Mobile (very good) to Con Cellular - Horrible!!! (Reason for change, I wanted to pay less for a data plan). After inserting the Con Cell sim card into my iPhone the iPhone would not go past "Searching" mode. For 3 days, 4 hours a day, Con Cell couldn't get it to work. Con Cell manager says "Your iPhone is not compatible with our network". WHAT??? An iPhone not compatible??? She says, "You should purchase a phone from us"????? WHAT???? I said no way!!! And guess what....they locked my iPhone so I can't simply put my T-Mobile sim card in to go back to T-Mobile!!!! Holiday weekend is shot until I can try to have T-Mobile and Apple to get my iPhone back up and running. Thanks for nothing CON CELL!!! Horrible to due to a senior citizen!!! AARP should be ashamed for endorsing them.

CC has demonstrated a pattern of abusive billing practices aimed at senior citizens, myself included, who are usually less vigilant. I was overcharged by $61.60 for the month of September 2017 while I was overseas from August 22th to October 2nd and not using the service. I had requested a freeze of account on August 17. My monthly bills had never been more than $33.00 before, and the cost should remain constant since I used no data service with less than 1,000 minutes phone calls ($20.00), plus fees and taxes (less than $11.00), totaling less than $31.00. I tried to reason with CC for many times, the responses I got, however, were self-contradictory, false and absurd! On August 17, a representative stated that I could not freeze my account, and that I had to do it on the 6th of the following month when a new billing cycle was to start. On Nov 6th, I requested the termination of the service, but was told "I would like to let you know that as of November 10th your account has been cancelled. Because we will in arrears, you will receive one more invoice through today’s cancellation date". How could it be "we will in arrears"? Looked into the statements that I received, there was a charge of $23.43 for the period of Nov 7th - Dec 6th, 2016 before the service ever got started (I signed up on Dec 18th, 2016). I was then charged and paid through autopay every month thereafter. A representative in early October claimed that I was charged for $61.60 for the month of September because I changed my service level. The representative on Nov 10 claimed said that CC has been "hiring and training" and "would like to apologize for any confusion that occurred." Nevertheless, she completely ignored the issue as how to return the unwarranted charge of $23.43 for the period Nov 7 - Dec 6 2016, and the overcharge of $61.60 (September 2017). I offered to close the case if CC returns $10.00 for its overcharge. Instead, they sent me another bill at $60.24. There people are just gross!

Do not trust this company! They are a complete scam, I ordered a phone, with an unlimited plan. as soon as I got the phone I realized that their "unlimited" plan DOES NOT INCLUDE TEXT! As soon as I realized this, I called and cancelled my order, and said that I wanted to return the phone. They said that I could return it, so I packaged it right up and sent it back. The phone was in mint brand new condition. They then sent the phone back to me, and refused to accept it. They said the phone was damaged. The phone is perfectly fine. It looks like they just took a little razor blade and just made a tiny little scratch on the bottom of the phone, and now they refuse to return it! That scratch was not there when I sent it back. I never dropped it or anything! I never even used it! I just tried to send a text and then I put it back in the box to send it back. If there is a scratch on it it was either there when I got it or they put it there!

Switching from at&t was complicated but your customer service was patient and helpful!

Always have good service and good products, all the people are very knowledgeable and helpful

Long story. I tried to send you a review. But it wouldn't except they codes you sent me

Had to call numerous times for help setting up my new phone. Received a different answer from every agent. Phone still is not working correctly.

Such a helpful human and so nice talk with a person and not a robot! 1000% better than AT&T

Great service for , especially, seniors . The rates are extremely low. Their customer service is outstanding. Very few problems for a company that uses other brands towers

Misleading "unlimited" data plan. Over 50 they throttle you back so as to render the connection largely unusable most of the time. I really dislike false advertising. Also agree with other complaints about customer service going downhill.

I was a loyal customer for many years. My reception was horrible. I finally decided to switch carriers. I had three lines my wife and sons and mine. I contacted consumer cellular and that’s when the nightmare started. It’s been over three weeks and my son and wives phone don’t work. I have spent countless hours on the phone to no avail. And they keep changing me for the account. The have horrible customer service. One person was very rude to my son. When he called them. I will never do business with them again.

I recently had an eye-opening experience with Consumer Cellular. Their customer service policies seem to be designed to benefit the company more than their customers. I encountered a situation where I felt misled and left without proper assistance. It's disappointing when a company hides behind policies instead of genuinely helping their consumers. I believe in transparency and customer-centricity, which unfortunately seem to be lacking here. My hope is that others take this into consideration when choosing a service provider.

I loved Consumer Cellar until they switched (or in process of discontinuing T-Mobil as their backbone). Consumer Cellar basically forced me to switch their SIM card to AT&T. The AT&T signal is too weak to conduct my business, and phone basically became unusable. We moved two out of four lines earlier, and today, after trying AT&T SIM card today, I had to move other two to T-Mobil. Very dissatisfied with their decision, responses, etc.

Horrible. I believe they have been overcharging me for the 5 months i have been with them but i can not even unlock my account to see the billing breakdown. I need copies of my bills for this year mailed to me as all customer service as been no help. Not to mention all the celibrity/sports news popups that block the screen and all the messages to clean this/clear this that they then charge you for doing. Talk about a bait and switch operation.

Consumer Cellular was hassle free for me for nine years. Last week we were switched from T-mobile to AT&T and sent new sim cards. My Samsung phone wouldn't work with AT&T sim card and I was told it was 'too old' and would have to be replaced, even though it worked fine yesterday with the T-mobile sim. My wife's I phone quit connecting to our Wi-Fi and would not receive a signal while in her place of employment. AT&T sucks in our area, but they would not switch us back to T-mobile. U.S. based agents were clueless. Time to say goodbye.

Bought sim card at target. 13 days later after multiple calls emails, and chats to “customer service” I went back to AT&T. Never was able to get it switched over despite me giving them SIM, AT&T codes, IMEI, requesting supervisors etc and I did all the work. Worst service on the planet. Get what you pay for, but not with consumer Cellular!! Pass, you will be glad you did.

They say no contract. If you buy an iPhone from them, you have to stay for 6 months or they will not unlock your phone. And that is 6 months in a row. I can not call certain 888 numbers. They will not unlock my iPhone 11 so I can go somewhere else. If I leave the phone is useless. They are holding my phone (that I paid full price for upfront) hostage. DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE. You will not like anything except the cost. You get what you pay for. Cricket was much better.

I paid 6 months in advance and I changed over to TMOBILE because no one is ever at Target for help. They don't answer the phone either!!!!!! I had $160 left credit when I changed over May 25th 2022. As of today November 1st, 2022 I stilll have not received my credit of $160.00!! I have called 10 times, have talked with billing and they have told me it's on the way numerous times. They sent it to the wrong address 2 times and they said " they had to stop payment" which I dont believe. THEY ARE LIARS AND THEY ARE CHEAP!!!!!!! DONT USE THIS COMPANY-VERY UNPROFESSIONAL

When I call for help with my phone, a live person is quickly on the line. I experience zero black out zones. Hardware is well priced

They kept turning off my service (what little I had) despite having a substantial credit on my account. Service in this little town in Michigan SUCKS, their coverage map is not correct. Their "technicians" only know how to tell you to turn your phone off - then back on again which never helps. Trying to close your account (currently doing) seemingly takes 3 weeks before you get your money back which they take IMMEDIATELY. Their "managment" is rude and unhelpful. Don't waste your time or money with this company - you'll be sorry if you did.

I was first told new customer that buy our phone gets the first thirty days as a promo and if you like it, it's month to month, the first month was lousy and the phone volume was very low. I regrettably ask for a replacement, and experiencing more lousy service, I tried to send it back, funny thing is it had a moving scratch, and the goalposts keep moving, if you read this, Please run away from CC it's a con game with them. The Ol Bait and Switch is what they will deal you.

Consumer Cellular advertises excellent customer service. I purchased a phone 8 weeks ago and was unable to login to my account. I called was on the line for 45 minutes. They said it’ll be fixed within 48 hours. It wasn’t. Then another long time on the phone. Another 48 hours and it still didn’t work. I talked to 4 different supervisors. Finally they fixed it. I can sign into my account. They offered $15 as compensation for my time and frustration!! My time and frustration was only worth $15.

I have been with this company for over five years, but this week I left them, the reason was that I am a one person household with one phone, and once my phone goes down the only way to get support is to call them, well I couldn't do that, there is no storefront to go to for help, no office, so my phone was down for four days, got it "fixed" twice and down again, I'M DONE WITH THESE PEOPLE

Very satisfied with their USA service for several years. Contacted them before travelling to Cananda and quoted free calling with a .05 charge per text in Canada. Arrived in Canada with no service, phone or text. Called 611 and representative had me turn everything on so we could call or text in Canada. This did not work. Then I find out that with very little data usuage that I will be charged for over 2000 Mb data roaming in a 6 day period at a cost of $211. This is terrible and I just went with T-mobile. Use Consumer Cellular in the USA but never use then or try to use them out of Country.

they made "UP GRADE" to a new phone, so I buy it from then and it broke within 6 months. When I complained, I was hung up on, then I finally speak to a supervisor who tells me I have to send my broken phone to them and I have to go DAYS with out a phone while they inspect it. I've been with them for a long time and this is how i am treated. I could go to target tomorrow and exchange it for a working phone.

i got the phone end of 21 and hardly ever used it my cc expired and i was then suspended after repeated emails from them i paid off the balance and canceled this was april. i am still being billed for a phone that is no longer in service customer relations was awful and refused to send me an email stating i have canceled even if i paid this new bill! if you're thinking of using this company do some research.

Terrible experience! Worst company for Senior citizens to deal with. Had to have a password for everything-too much time to spend on setting up phone. Senior citizens should not have to deal with complicated instructions in order to use the phone. This company IS NOT geared for the Senior citizen. The commercials make it seem so easy-it is NOT. This was an awful and frustrating experience for us.