Consumer Cellular
Is This Your Business?4.1
Overall Score
JJ Napa, CA
I have been with consumer cellular for almost 10 years and was happy until today. My rating was 4-5. It is a now a 1
My phone finally gave out so I ordered a new one. It arrived today. I went to charge it and found out it couldn’t be charged. Samsung apparently no longer provides a cable for charging except a C cable with a C connector on both ends? WTF? I have 8 charging stations with multi charging on each one. They all have the standard USB output that we are all used to and have been using all along. The duel end C cable of course is useless in this charging system. I thought they must have sent me the wrong cable so I called Consumer cellular to get them to send me the right cable.
After waiting some time their customer service came on the line. I identified myself and told the rep the problem. She – like a 12-year-old girl giggled all through this whole exchange until I raised my voice. She then stopped giggling pretending she was actually over 12. The only problem was she had no idea how to 2-way communication. Shew incessantly interrupted and talked over me. I finally had to tell he I would talk and when I wanted her to talk and respond I would say your turn. This of course is totally silly to have to do but I had no choice. I was talking to a immature person who should have been selling cool-aide not being a customer service rep. She suggested I could buy a wall unit to plug my cord into either from consumer cellular of by one elsewhere. I on the otherhand suggested that maybe they could send me a proper cable – one with USB on one end and (in this case) C cable end on the other. She insisted they could not do that and hat I would have to spend more money and waste more time to and buy the charging end for the junk cable Samsung sent me.
We next moved on to her supervisor. Working with this child was exhausting and infuriating since she kept repeating that Samsung did not include the plug in end with their phones. She just could not get it into her head that thjat was not the issue. The unusable cable was the issue.
So supervisor. No luck there either. The supervisor must have trained this child for her customer service position since she was telling me the same BS.
So from 4-5 to 1 rating. I have never been so infuriated by customer service since Amazon’s gemes from oriental lands.
Are all customer service people going to be dingbats from now on? I hope not because I feel sorry for consumers. Are all cellphone manufacturers going to be as cheap and idiotic as Samsung and Iphone? although I bet IPhone at least gives you the right cable or a way to plug it in. Maybe not. I don’t use the ultra-expensive IPhone. I neither need to impress my friends or throw my money away.
A any rate I found a better plan for about the same money so bye bye Consumer cellular. Your customer service stinks and your prices are not that good. Also goodbye Samsung fopr just being idiots with your ultra-cheapness and your idiotic cable that is useless to most people.
I feel much better now thank you.
3 years ago
Susie Adams Roanoke Rapids, NC
They increased my data plan when they deemed I was going over my current data amount without my consent, I was charged for text messages that they put through to me although I had cancelled text and charged me for a text they allowed me to receive from someone else and I am billed for usage after they shut my service down because I did not call to cancel my service.
3 years ago
J Allen Pensacola, FL
Very poor coverage, could only get or make calls while at home using WI-FI. Canceled service, to go to another provider. When I contacted Consumer Cellular to have phone unlocked, I was talked into staying with a different plan. I paid the outstanding balance and I had to wait 4 days for new SIM card (due to damage of old SIM card). When I got the new SIM card it was defective, I was told I would have to wait another 4 days, I said no, cancel and unlock my phone. That was 6/5/22. On 6/10/22 Consumer Cellular charged me $43.45 for a month of service I did not use. On 6/26/22, I was charged another $5.40. I contacted C.C. was told that there had been a mistake and a check for a refund would be sent in 7-10 days. Not happy, they took the money electronically why not refund it the same way! Scam, poor service, stay away from this company!
3 years ago Edited June 27, 2022
Roger Andersen Hyannis, MA
My experience was very poor.
After using my phone for a short time I discovered that I could not receive or initiate phone calls over the LTE data network (cell towers). I called and explained my issue and the Consumer Cellular rep told me they found something turned off with my service and would download code to my phone to help with cell tower reception. After the call the phone worked making and receiving calls on the LTE network.
Next morning I discovered the problem with phone calls on the LTE network was back. I called Consumer Cellular again and they asked me to start troubleshooting. I told them I was uncomfortable troubleshooting with them unless I was compensated. This is where the relationship went down hill. After this second phone call the phone worked with phone calls in the LTE network.
That afternoon the problem again (a third time) returned. I asked for a refund and was told I has exceeded my 30 days. Potential customers need to beware that their 100% refund starts at the date of your order, not the date you start using their service. I did not begin using the service for 8 days after my order (delivery of the phone and porting of my phone number).
I have no confidence in traveling outside of my home with the Consumer Cellular phone. After less than a month I wasted my money on a new phone and the cellular service. In my case about $200. I am in the process of switching away from Consumer Cellular.
3 years ago
alexander newman Miami, FL
Wanted to change my cellular carrier to CC. They said my phone was compatible and could transfer my current phone #. After 3 days of not being able to make or receive calls, almost 8 hours on my husbands phone, talking to 6 different CC reps (including a supervisor) and several online chats, CC conceded that my phone was not compatible! I quickly retuned to my previous cellular company.
3 years ago
Sam Conley Beaverton, OR
Lied to me. Told me phone I ordered would ship right away and would work as soon as I "Set it up." That was the phrase chat representative used. "Set it up." To Consumer Cellular, set it up means follow these steps:
1. Receive phone. Yeah, it did arrive in a couple days as representative promised.
2. Look for charger.
3. Come to realization that no charger is included in the package.
4. Go to Samsung Customer Service web site. (Couldn't call - Had no phone.)
5. Get told charger is not included in package. Must be ordered separately.
6. Order charger. Pay fee, even though you already paid $250 for phone.
7. Wait another week for charger to get delivered.
There might be more to "Set it up." I don't know because I have to wait several more days for charger.
I'm sure if I talked to someone from Consumer Cellular, he would say, "Did the representative tell you a charger was included."
Me: "No. Didn't think to ask."
Consumer Cellular: "Well there ya go, boy. You ain't go reason to complain."
In my book, Consumer Cellular representative told a blatant lie. "All ya gotta do is set it up." If nothing else, he could have warned me no charger was included. I wouldn't have liked it, but at least I could have ordered it at same time as phone and gotten it sooner.
Consumer Cellular is a slimy, dishonest company. I will never forget this filthy, filthy trick they played on me. Nor will I forgive.
4 years ago
Susan B. Washington, DC
I've been with Consumer Cellular for just over a month after having Verizon for decades thinking I could save a few bucks on a couple of lines. In order to avoid having a medical emergency while writing this review I'll skip over all of the details and just write that I've had to call this f[oops!]ing company on average twice a week to either have my phones reset or figure out why one of the phones (my work phone) isn't making or receiving calls or figure out why the Consumer Cellular website takes 4 minutes to load or figure out why there's just no internet service at all, or, or, or, or... I feel bad for the customer service reps. They're super nice but their hands are tied over the remarkable ineptness of the service. Once I was actually advised to go to my nearest Target (45 minutes away) and have a tech look at the phones because they had no clue what to do. Don't use the service for your elderly parents. Chances are they're going to need their phone in an emergency and there's not going to be any service whatsoever. As for me, I'm heading back to the Verizon store tomorrow.
4 years ago Edited May 31, 2022
Review Source
Antoinette Canser Milwaukee, WI
my mom was with Consumer Cellular, for some years.My mom ended up with Dementia,she lost her first phone,i went and got another,after losing that one also, i contacted consumer cellular,explain to them the problem,asked if they stop payment coming out her monthly check,they said okay.As time went on ,i was getting notices stating they were still taking money out her account , they told me that she still had the phone ,i told them she dont have it she lost it,then i thought what are they talking about i had forgot that fast that i went brought that phone from target,now they think they are going to get away with taking that money for almost over a year ,thats just wrong.i had to literally go close out the account in order for them to stop taking her money,Who really is for the seniors its hard to see!That phone had not been used in over a year!im looking into getting me a lawyer,It is time people stop taking advantage of the senior's .Stop the madness,they pave the way for all of us now lets do them anykind of way not my BABY!
4 years ago
cameron Macdonald Miami, FL
Had consumer cellular for almost 2 years. I have had excessive phone problems to which customer service was never able to resolve. One, the phone only worked on speaker, another I couldn’t get rid of an amber alert and customer service told me I needed to factory reset my phone only for me to figure it out once I got off the phone. Several other issues but those are two. Additionally whenever I call, they demand that I verify the account to troubleshoot problems. This couldn’t be more irrelevant except for verifying what phone it is. Last time I called I was so worked up, I asked to speak to supervisor but after a hold, the representative spoke to a supervisor instead of transferring me as I asked. Then and only then was he given “permission” to troubleshoot the issue with me. I’m amazed how a phone company can exist without any stores where customers can get help from. Target is good for nothing except buying the phone. I will strongly discourage anyone from choosing this horrible service.
4 years ago
ExposingBadCompanies Lansing, MI
I got a plan and a phone with Consumer Cellular. The phone I got never worked properly from the start. I tried factory resetting a couple of times, and finally got around to calling them. They told me I needed to factory reset. I said I already did. They said I needed to do it within a week of the call. So I just said screw it and figured I'd call back later (I didn't have time to deal with that). Anyway, a small piece of the swively part broke off randomly and I called about that and the issue I was having with the keys either not working or acting as though I hit them 3-4 times with each press. They mentioned the swively part break was a defect and they'd replace it. Okay, cool. Well, I ended up getting a used phone, which is unacceptable considering I bought a new phone and it didn't work properly from the start. Not only that though, it was absolutely disgusting and had scuffing on the screen (though they told me if the one I return had any scratches, I'd have to pay for this used garbage so not sure how that works). Anyway, that's absolutely ridiculous that I pay for a new phone, get a defective phone, and then get a used phone to replace it, and it wasn't cleaned and was in bad condition. I would avoid.
4 years ago
Dennis Shafer La Crosse, WI
WE WERE WITH CONSUMER CELLULAR FOR 3 YEARS. WE LEFT MINNESOTA FOR KEY WEST ON MARCH 4TH. WE HAD SERVICE MARCH 4TH AND 5TH. ON MARCH 6TH ON OUR DRIVE TO KEY WEST WE HAD NO SERVICE THE REST OF 2 WEEKS OF VACATION. WHEN I ARRIVED AT KEY WEST I TRIED TO CONTACT CONSUMER CELLULAR. I WAITED OVER 45 MINUTES ON HOLD. TRIED CHATTING AND WAS NUMBER 68TH IN LINE THERE. COULD NOT REACH THEM THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MARCH. ON MARCH 29TH WENT TO TARGET IN ROCHESTER MN AND TALKED TO THE CONSUMER CELLULAR REP THERE. HE WAS IN TOUCH WITH CONSUMER CELLULAR AND TRIED DIFFERENT THINGS INCLUDING PUTTING IN NEW SIM CARDS. NOTHING WORKED. WENT TO T-MOBILE ON APRIL 1ST AND THEY INSTALLED NEW SIM CARDS AND EVERYTHING WORKED IMMEDIATELY. NEVER EVER WILL I USE CONSUMER CELLULAR AGAIN
4 years ago
lawrence raymond El Cajon, CA
In the process of "reconfiguring" my phone from 3G to 4G Consumer Cellumlar destroyed the phone. It never worked again! Despite telling me that I did NOT need a new phone at the time, my phone dropped all calls immediately; and my texting was severely limited- other people were unable to text me!
After repeated efforts to fix my phone I was told by two different Supervisors at the company that repair "tickets" would be sent to AT&T and that I would be contacted. I never was contacted and I had NO phone service for three weeks!
Now Consumer Cellular is trying to collect $62.00 in closing costs for "service"!
I estimate that I spent "9" hours on hold with this company in order to get help with related problems. At no time were they capable of doing anything but run me around in a circle.
I ended up buying a new phone and arranging service with a first line carrier.
The single worst experience with a company in my life
4 years ago
Rod Gary GA
I called them twice in December to assure I would not have roaming charges when I traveled overseas during the holidays. The person I spoke with 12/22/21 said "you are all set up".
In March, 2022 I received a $482 bill from Consumer Cellular. I made 6 calls over 3 days to get the bill corrected. A "supervisor " said their employee should have asked me more questions but would not correct the bill. I moved my cell phone provider as soon as I found one I hoped has Ethics and integrity.
Do not believe the CC marketing.
After being an 8 year customer they acted a bit shocked that I would change providers.
Karma is......
4 years ago
Blue Basset San Antonio, TX
Customer service team just doesn't know what they're talking about. I have a slightly more obscure phone (Asus Zenfone 6) which is compatible with both 4g/5g networks, and GSM and CDMA (when you google asus zenfone 6 it comes up with the international version which has only GSM, but I have the us version which has both) and was using it perfectly fine on their network until I ended up losing the sim card a day ago and called them to replace it. They ended up telling me my phone was no longer compatible with their network, which clearly wasn't the case as my calls and data both worked fine for 3+ years until I lost the sim card, and I told them that it must be an error in their database and asked if there was anyway to fix it, they said no, so I asked to speak to a manager, who also said no. It would've only taken a little extra effort on their part to fix this, kinda disappointed since customer service is supposed to be the thing they're good at, I might even be willing to go back to them if they fixed this problem but unfortunately since that doesn't seem to be the case I can't recommend them anymore and I'm gonna have to spend the rest of the day switching cellphone numbers.
4 years ago
Ga Ba Dayton, OH
Consumer Cellular is running a scam.
They advertise an unlimited data plan with up to 50 gigb high speed, than a slow down. But they will not honor this for their Connect Pad service which for some illogical reason they limit 35 gig then a slow down, which renders your pad useless., and without. One would think a pad device needs more high speed data than a phone! And they can get quite testy discussing this issue. Then they blame lack of gigabyte usage updates on cell towers polling delays. So, if you need a mobile pad with reliable data connectivity, better look elsewhere.
4 years ago
Charlet Estes Russellville, AR
The customer service is awful, rude people who put the "blame" on the customer (ie: the information given doesn't match so YOU will HAVE TO...blah blah blah), if you call to change or cancel your service, you really get treated like dung. I called to cancel because the phone I gave my mom was deemed incompatible with CC service and therefore I was being forced to go to another carrier, the representative was rude, and, be prepared, they charge 2 months service when you cancel. As well, I wanted to change the payment to my credit card so that my mom's account would not be charged for the last two payments, but he had already put in for the cancellation, therefore, they refused to change the payment method unless I reactivated her service, which would incur additional charges! They don't seem to understand that their business depends upon it's customers. I will NEVER be one of their customer/victims again!
4 years ago
John Poop Jefferson City, MO
Customer service speak clear English but I've had several bad experiences. I've had to call over and over to get thru and then I've had to speak with them more than once to resolve the same issue. Most recently my call service was off for two weeks or more, and after spending more than 12 hours on various chats all they told me was it might be 24-48 hours and they'd contact me. 8 days later I started a chat and had the problem resolved in around an hour. So they left me hanging and acted like it was my fault asking if my phone was updated and if my data was on wasting my time over a series of a dozen or more attempts usually being disconnected from my screen turning off while I'm in the queue or them saying they couldn't do anything and they were sorry. But guess what they took out full payment for that month even though I couldn't use my phone for calls over half the month. 👎👎
4 years ago
b Ulmer Palm Coast, FL
I've switched to their service 2 weeks ago and have no network service without resetting the network settings over and over. They tried to resolve the issue but have not after hours of talking to their technicians. They keep blaming it on the upgrade to the towers from 3G to 4G. I'm so disgusted that I have little or no service, I'm going to switch to another provider.
4 years ago
David Paepke North Myrtle Beach, SC
GOT A REFURBUISHED PHONE DIRECTLY FROM CONSUMER CELLULAR. I ONLY GOT A SMART PHONE BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE ONE TO USE APPS FOR WORK. MY FLIP PHONE FINALLY DIED. I ONLY USE MY CELL PHONE FOR EMERGENCIES. I PROBABLY USE IT FOR 30 MINUTES A YEAR. I WENT TO USE THIS SMART PHONE WHICH WAS OVER A YEAR OLD. THEY DIDN'T REMOVE THE INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS USER SO I COULD NOT USE THE PHONE FOR MAKING CALLS. THEY EVEN ADMITTED IT WAS THEIR MISTAKE. SAID, "SORRY, YOU HAVE TO BUY A NEW PHONE". WE CAN'T REMOVE THE OLD INFORMATION. THE PHONE IS NOW LOCKED WITH PREVIOUS OWNERS' INFORMATION. THE PERSON WHO RETURNED IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DELETE ALL THEIR INFORMATION. BEFORE RETURNING IT. YOU CAN'T RETURN THE PHONE BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD IT FOR OVER A YEAR. I CANCELED MY SERVICE. IT WAS THIER FAULT AND THEY WANTED ME TO BUY A NEW PHONE. GO WITH A CARRIER THAT CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS (IF YOU CAN FIND ONE). THEY ALSO HAVE ALMOST NO ONE IN ALL THEIR TARGET STORES. NOW THEY ARE IN WALMART AND THEY HAVE NO ONE IN THOSE STORES EITHER. I WILL SWITCH TO ANOTHER CARRIER BECAUSE THERE ARE 4 PLACES THAT HAVE CORPORATE RETAIL STORES OFFICES WITHIN 3 MILES FROM MY HOUSE. IF I HAVE PROBLEMS, I HAVE SOMEONE TO SEE FACE TO FACE.
4 years ago
dissatisfied Los Angeles, CA
Promised no contract/no penalty cancellation and a low price. Raised price almost immediately. Promise great service. It was always terrible, connection was never good but we used them so little that we hung on until they tried to coerce us into spending hundreds more dollars on their new phones and service we did not need or want. Told their phone rep no, cancelled, but kept getting billed. They sometimes didn't even get the bill to us until AFTER the due date, making it impossible to pay on time. At the end they refused the usual by-phone payments via credit card in order to force us to call and talk to their representatives who, as above, tried to coerce us into spending hundreds of dollars more for items we did not want.
4 years ago
Scarlett Angel Globe, AZ
I had been with CC for many years. I paid by check since their customer service is terrible and they NEVER ANSWER A CALL. I called CS to say I had a sent a check but my bank called to say I had written it on a closed account. I called CC immediately and they had not yet (so they said) received the check. I paid my bill this time with my debit card and CS said they would not process the check. I got a notice a few days later that I owed the present month + a $25 charge for the RETURNED CHECK (They processed the check anyway) and demanded payment for the current month (Not Yet Overdue) plus $25 right then and there. They had already cancelled my service. They now are demanding $96.26 and will send it to collection if not paid!! I had been with their service for many years and never had a payment issue. They now are threatening collection against me when they would not accept a payment and then cancelled my service. An inquiry into this company will reveal they have terrible customer service. I called the month before to inquire if my current bill was for the past month or the new month. I called twice and was given a different answer from both sources. Think twice before falling for their advertising. Your service is actually with AT&T even though it is thru Consumer Cellular. Terrible Terrible Company!
4 years ago
Mark D CO
I've been with CC for almost 10 years, and until a few months ago, they were pretty decent, but it's been Hell the last couple of months. First, they cut off my phone completely because I used 35Gig of my 50Gig monthly allotment, stating in a one way email that you can't reply to, due to their fears that there might be fraud on the line...no notice...nothing. This, of course, forced me to call these idiot morons to fix their mistake, which brings me to the next HEADACHE with CC....their hold times are in excess of 45 minutes to reach a rep IF THEY DONT HANG UP ON YOU FIRST...and you have to call them back waiting another 45 minutes, if you're lucky and not hung up on again, to speak with a rep. So we're now at an excess of an hour of my time for which I'm not being payed by these yahoos, waiting on hold to tell them about their mistake. So I finally get through to a live rep who then assists with the issue. I want to make it clear that it isn't the reps I'm angry with, but management. Unfortunately I can't get to management to wring their proverbial necks for executing a disconnect on a line that hasn't exceeded their data allotment. Now, I find that, "Oh, the reason why was because your package is at 35Gig...not 50Gig" What!? How the freak did that change!? I'm the admin of the account and never issued you that directive. I record all my phone calls and told them I could let them listen to the conversation about our package agreement, but NO, they don't want their lies to slap them in the face...so they fixed THEIR mistake. I'm now almost 2 hours into fixing something I didn't break.
Next...I then order another line on the same account with a separate data plan and charged for it because I want the additional data (100Gig Per Month Total). At the end of the billing period, they throttle the new line me at 28Gig....22Gig under my 50Gig allotment! WTH!? Another round of calls to CC...'cause I have nothing better to do...to AGAIN, fix their mistake. Are you seeing a pattern here? Again, they pulled the same crap (keeping it decent) they did with my primary line stating that it was on a 35Gig Cap instead of a 50Gig Cap. Seriously 🤨? Would you like to listen to the recording I made of the discussion and agreement on the 50Gig package? Uh...NO. Again with the not being able to admit they were wrong. But they did what they were supposed to do to begin with and honor the 50Gig Cap...PER THE AGREEMENT...
Next...this evening...AFTER THEY CLOSE THEIR CALL CENTER FOR THE NIGHT, they throttle my data after 1.2Gig of usage 🤨
You just can't make this crap (keeping it decent) up.
In a nutshell, CC has gone from good to crap and I don't recommend them unless you like double talk, being lied to, waiting for hours on the phone to get a hold of someone to fix their mistakes. Yes, their plans are cheaper than most...which comes at a cost. The question you have to ask yourself is IF that cost difference is worth the PITA that it has turned out to be....
4 years ago
Neal Osan, 41
There is nobody home. To chat you have to wait an hour. You sign up for a callback and they text you. You dial that number and start at the back of the line. I am in their auto pay program. I buy a new phone. They want me to join auto pay. I don't because I'm already in autopay. Then they send me an email telling me I need to join autopay. I click the link, go to the website, fill out the data. And they tell me I'm already in autopay. They used to be so good with customer service. Now it is nonexistent.
4 years ago
Enrique Lugo Laguna Beach, CA
To Whom It May Concern:
My dad was the person using this phone line, who passed away.
A few days later, I received a final bill from Consumer Cellular.
A couple days later, I called and spoke with an agent and requested that Consumer Cellular waive the final fee.
Agent told me that that was fair and would probably do, but she needed to check with her supervisor. Her supervisor told her that he would not waive the fee and that the only thing he could do was reduce the invoice for a couple dollars and that this is all he could do for me – what an insult!
You may think that this is not a lot of money, but all of you know or will know that when sudden death occurs, every penny count and is not about the money but a principle of appreciation for a good customer, as my dad was.
I will publish on the web about this incident and notify all my followers, friends, and family—that Consumer Cellular is a company that does not empathize or cares about family members passing away.
As a good customer, I ended up paying the bill.
I will never work nor deal with Consumer Cellular again.
4 years ago
Linda Larned Fort Worth, TX
I had only had my Samsung Galaxy AO1 about three months when people could not hear me speak. Took to a you brake we fix place as they requested and tech said mic was bad. Lady I spoke to at Consumer was rude and did not listen, told me three times to remove sim card after me telling her I did not have another phone to insert into. Finally told her to just tell me where to take it to get fixed. Gave me wrong Target store and said I had to have an appointment when didn't. They did a factory reset. Worked for a month and then same problem, flash will not work on camera, didn't then either. Last night noticed phone was still on when set to go off after four hours. This morning phone is dead. Have not phone to call Consumer Cellular. I am 78 and this is more than a hassle to me. When charged if works, they probably will want to do another reset instead of replacing the phone. It is now about ten months old.
4 years ago
Kim R Pine Bluff, AR
My 85 yr old mother used their service for her home phone. She paid for the 1st wireless receiver which lasted about a year. We called their customer service when it stopped working (expect a 2 hr or more hold time) and they had to send her a newer model receiver and charged her $51. The new receiver did not work so we call them again and they sent a 3rd receiver (again charging her $51) and it did not work either. They continued to draft service fees from her banking account each month even though she had no service. We finally had to go to the bank to stop any future drafts from being taken out because they could not get her service cancelled. This company markets to seniors and they rip them off. Beware!
4 years ago
Brenda V Chandler, AZ
Been a customer for many years. Just received a bill for $5 extra which will NOW be required for all customers who do not pay their bill thru Autopay. This was never set up years and years ago, and told to us that it could happen, and now they want to penalize OLD customers who Never have paid their bills late. No offer to allow old customers to pay as they wish, without having to go on autopay to avoid the $5 fee, this is called a Grandfather Clause. Very not customer friendly. When you are older you are not used to doing things on Autopay , as well as being self employed and not knowing exact dates of when you get paid, so not wanting to set up autopay for any bills.
This is a SLAP in the face to well established customers who have been with the company close to a decade and now have to pay an extra $60 a year just for the WAY we wish to pay.
As a side note--this is a company that advertises and Holds themselves out to be Very SENIOR CITIZEN friendly. As you can see this is no longer true, IF it were ever True.
I called customer service as well, the rep was so rude and talked over me the whole time. I actually have never had someone that rude from their call center. I had to hang up on him, as I couldn't listen to him anymore. Any complaints I have sent to the company before have NEVER been answered, including MAILING a complaint to their main office. They bury negative reviews at the back of their review stack so no new customers can find them. I would definitely change companies IF my mom was not over 85. At this point it would be very hard to teach her a new phone or new service. Just another way for them to make money!!
4 years ago
Stev Haris Boardman, OR
CC is reasonable when you do not use the service much. When I was using my phone to buy a home, it was expensive, the data would slow to a stop every evening, the wait to talk to a person was typically over 30 minutes. It even charged me over $8 because it took 3 extra days to port my phone number to another provider after being with CC nine years.
4 years ago
E Jay Vancouver, WA
I have been with Consumer Cellular for years, and it had excellent customer service until the original owners/founders sold the company in 2020 to a venture capital firm. Consumer Cellular went from wonderful to horrible. Impossible to talk to anybody, and today at 12:30 pm I asked for a call back time and was informed that the first available call back time would be tomorrow at 11:30! Customers who signed up for CC Go Lyft service, be aware that Consumer Cellular places the ride request for you and does not have the staff to do this in a timely fashion. Saturday I used CC Go to get a ride from Portland, OR to Vancouver, Washington. It took a while to get the connection to Vancouver, but I got it. Coming back from Vancouver after the event I attended ended at 4:00 pm, I stood on a street corner for over30 minutes being told all the operators were busy. I called again. After 20 minutes somebody answered and told me they could not hear me an hung up! I then down loaded the Lyft app and was trying unsuccesfully to set it up, when thankfully one of the staff from the event recognized me and asked if he could help me. He set up the Lyft app, and a car and driver showed up right away. I do not know what I would have done if it was not for him. CC Go was marketed to seniors as was Consumer Cellular, but the new owners have thrown us away and will not give us the help we need. I will be looking for a company will respect me as a customer like Consumer Cellular used to.
4 years ago
Mo Montgomery, TX
I wish I could give it a minus 10. Just bought the phone and service. Took 6 hours to hook up the phone. Had to call and leave a message and wait for an hour for each call back. It took an hour each time. Have to admit t mobile was difficult to transfer my number, due to the family plan I was on. But the worst part was the last service rep. She finally got T-Mobile to transfer my number, but it was 6:05 pm (closing time is 6:00 pm). Did not know that. she hung up on me and now I have no cell service no t mobile or consumer cellular. She dId not bother to call back. Had to drive to my daughter’s house (30 miles), to call cc back only to find out they close at 6. Left me with no service. So much for caring. If I have an emergency, I am out of luck thank to consumer cellular She was also very rude.
4 years ago
LC Pittsburgh, PA
I am a long term customer of Consumer Cellular. I was satisfied with the service and had little reason to contact support. That all changed.
I have been receiving almost constant adult content spam to my Consumer Cellular number. Found out it is also going to children. Someone in a similar situation told me her company was able to put a block on her number and it all stopped. I contacted Consumer Cellular and was told they can do NOTHING. If you expect your cellular provider to provide some basic protection options against this type of content being sent to your phone, do not choose Consumer Cellular.
4 years ago
Raymond Gray Littleton, CO
I notified Consumer Cellular that my elderly father passed away on November 7, 2021.
I am still receiving collection notices for "data/service provided" after his death. He hadn't used his phone for a year plus prior to his death because he was unable to do so.
I contacted customer service and canceled his service after his death and, received another collection notice yesterday for service provided for Dec '21 and Jan '22.
The gentleman I spoke to had a very arrogant attitude about the whole issue and kept saying the service was provided and whether it was used or not was irrelevant.
I can't believe they are billing a dead man for cell phone service. Consumer Cellular is short on experienced personnel but their problem isn't the customer's problem however they are making it my problem. I would not recommend Consumer Cellullar to anyone and will be cancelling my servicer and going to another provider even if I have to pay more. I expected more empathy with this considering a man died.
4 years ago
Buzz Mclusky Newport, NH
Consumer cellular is also not the provider for you if you're looking for honesty. I am unfortunately a current consumer cell subscriber because of the low price. However, I got what I paid for. When I first became a subscriber c.c. upgraded my plan (and the price) because I was going over my plans' limit, despite having wifi at home and work where I did the majority of my online "surfing". Furthermore c.c. lied to me about long-distance calls, saying that it would cost an extra per minute, plus a roaming fee. From day one I was lied to when a c.c. recording told me the long distance number does not exist or my plan does not include long-distance. The number has existed for over 50 years and still does. I regularly receive calls from that number. Therefore c.c. lied about the long-distance service. Finally, one year later, a c.c. support person actually went over and above and told me that I needed a new SIM card. Therefore c.c. lied to me about long-distance calling or their incompetence with keeping up with updates was preventing c.c. with supplying the service I was paying for. When the one customer service rep solved my problem (every other c.c. customer service rep. lied to me when he/she said my problem was solved and I can make long- distance calls. For over a year this was the only solution I got.) In the meantime, I had yet another issue w/ c.c. and called customer service (insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result). I was greeted with a recording saying based on the number I am calling from, do I want to activate a new SIM card? My reply was no but my service was shut off (despite my negative answer) because apparently service has to be shut off to activate a new SIM card. I received my new SIMcard four days later. For four days I was without any form of immediate communication since I don't have a landline. Thank you for making the decision to switch to a competent provider so easy.
Richard MC
4 years ago
Pamela Comstock Gresham, OR
For simple needs, ie: phone and text, Consumer Cell. seems to be fine...but, I'm going to address the horrible customer service: The phone I purchased from CC a little over one year ago started having issues...since CC could not fix it, and I did not buy an extended warranty, I purchased a new phone from them. Well, Good Luck trying to reach customer service trying to set up the new phone....My husband actually set it up by trial and err...still trying to fix glitches, but here's where CC is failing: Customer service is so poor. You cannot reach them! I set up the (supposedly) call back, and four times now, when my phone rings, and I answer it, there is no one on the other end, and you get the great joy of starting all over again. Keep in mind before this all happened, I spent about six hours of wasted time on the phone w/ unprepared customer service reps that do not have the training, or perhaps the skill to help with phones that are not working properly and the rep. doesn't have the skill to help. Actually found where my phone which wasn't working properly could have been factory reset, but not one rep. wanted to do it. Much easier to sell a new phone to someone of my limited knowledge. So, please keep in mind the customer service is lacking to being dang near non existent...I am still waiting for the "call back" and it is now 4:15 p.m. I started calling this morning at 9:30 ....still waiting after their service hanging up on me from their supposedly call backs. Customer service is a joke.
4 years ago
Jenn Carew Brockton, MA
On 1-2-2022 I received a call at the bank I work for from a mutual customer. She stated she had spend well over and hour with consumer cellular and after everything they went through the issue was actually on the end of the bank. After taking my time to look through this issue with our customer I found nothin that could be found in our system and began a three way call to help assist our 80 year old customer figure out the issue with trying to pay her bill. After 45 min on hold we got in touch with one of your reps. She was very kind and was able to determine that the fault landed on Consumer Cellular end. it appears the payment system that is used had been down and was unable to take ACH payments at this time. The customer would need to call back and process her payment tomorrow. Before dropping off the call I requested that the $29.00 bill be waived for the amount. After being placed on hold again the rep came back and stated her manager could do $5.00. We asked to speak to the manager. After being told she would transfer us right over because the initial attempt did not work we were placed on another hold. As we sat on hold for an additional 15 min you would here a clicking noise interrupting the call. I stated that it was more than likely the manager tapping into the call to here what we were saying. On my recorded line you manager or rep called me a jerk. When she finally came back on the line the manager began by stating she could not speak to me. I stated that $5.00 credit for over 3 hours of wasted time was worth far more than $5.00. She refused and stated the system would not allow her to do so. Which we all know if a lie. There is always someone with an override. You just need to find the person that wants to take the time and help. She began to speak to our mutual customer in a tone as though we had interrupted her day. When I had a chance I stated i would drop off the call to allow the customer to set up a security pin. I did mention to the manager that she sounded irritated and that our time was wasted and she has not reason to be irritated. I stated she should do right by your customer and waive the bill to avoid her spending anymore time on an issue she did not cause. Again we are talking about an 80 year old women. When I said I was going I muted my end of my call to listen. What you could hear was the manager attempting to assist the customer with an agitated tone and the other rep snickering at our customer, on a recorded line. They were basically laughing at this women for having a challenging time with a cell phone. This behavior was disgusting and wrong. I dropped off the call. I am speechless that this kind of behavior would be accepted at your company. I also work for a call center and understand the aggravation of taking customers one after the other while they each rip your face off. Regardless I am still required to remain calm and profession because this is the field of work I chose to be in to pay my bills. She is an 80 year old women that spend 3+ hours of her day just trying to pay her bill. She is on a fixed income trying to get through each day just like the rest of us. We would all expect a little respect and courtesy. That did not happen today. I cant imagine how calls are handled if that is the behavior of a manager. Customer service is not for everyone
4 years ago
JL Mauldin, SC
Had to discontinue service with CC and switch to another provider. Spent 3.5 hrs total 1st day because their Rep “Chris” (inconsiderate, negligent, idiot!) who dropped both our phone services (before they were ported) and then deliberately dropped our call because he was so confused what to do. Had to call back to restart cellular services and repeat with another rep. Then, 2nd day to finish the porting/transfer of service, the porting numbers they gave us would not work. Took me and the new provider a total of another 2.75 hrs on the phone with their reps as to what is wrong on their end. CC sent multiple porting numbers trying to get their system to work. Consumer Cellular is a TOTAL MESS and most of their reps seem ignorant as to fixing their own system problems. A total of 6.25 hrs dealing with CC trying to port our 2-phone service over to Spectrum. (Guess they were really pissed at me leaving after 7 yrs. and wanted to really screw-me-to-the-wall, and they did!) If it were not for the persistence of Spectrum Mobile, we would never have gotten our numbers ported over to Spectrum.
"Consumer Cellular’s system and their inadequately-trained reps are not worth the lower cost service they advertise."
4 years ago
paul morte Lawrence, KS
I was required by consumer cellular CC to get a new phone due to their going to 5-D. This has been an unmitigated nightmare. I have been unable to get C C to connect the new phone to their system since their employees do not have the skills/training; and consequently now I have 2 phones, neither with service. Their service previously had been good with respect to billing issues.
4 years ago
Hugh LaGrange DeRidder, LA
After being faithful customers for two years with two phones, we replaced those phones to meet their requirement to have phones that are 5g compatible. Then we purchased another factory-unlocked 5g phone to add to our plan that was listed as compatible, but for some unknown reason it isn't. Technical support could not overwrite the glitch, nor could the "manager". So we decided to switch plans to another company. My wife's phone transferred just fine. When I tried to switch mine, I was advised my factory-unlocked phone was locked to Consumer Cellular's service. The customer service representative gave us the run-around with illogical responses, such as a non-iPhone would be locked to their service for 30 days, unless it was purchased through them. My new factory-unlocked 5g-compatible phone was with them for almost 60 days and my wife's new factory-unlocked 5g-compatible phone was with them for less than 30 days. So why was mine locked to their service and hers wasn't? Now I'm without a phone for 1-3 days, even though the process has been "escalated". Being disabled, having children and grandchildren, this is totally unacceptable. And they want us to come back? I don't think so!
4 years ago
Richard Bernhard Bethlehem, PA
I had ordered a iPhone 13 from
Consumer Cellular. Terrible Experience. When the iPhone 13 arrived there was no SIM card installed and the area where you would slide in your SIM card there was no tray located inside the SIM card slot. It was just a open hole . Then I called Consumer Cellular after waiting 30 minutes to speak with technical support. They were surprised to hear about no SIM card installed inside my iPhone 13. They sent me a SIM card in mail which I received on December 27th. I placed the SIM card in the IPhone 13 and called Consumer Cell on my IPhone 6 which was working great. Waiting 30 minutes for tech support to reply at which time a person named Russell replied at 5:24 PM on December 27th and said how can can I help you Richard. Can you activate my IPhone 13 he replied I can help you with that as I was talking with Russell on my iPhone 6. That was connected with. Consumer Cellular. Russell than said give me a minute to activate your iPhone 13. I replied sure. Well since then I haven’t heard from Russell ever again.
My IPhone 13 was NEVER ACTIVATED AND my IPHONE 6 with Consumer Cellular I could no longer make ANY PHONE CALLS. How about that, now I can’t call Consumer Cellular to at least get my IPhone 6 working to make phone calls. Presently my Original IPhone 6 is not working to make phone calls and my iPhone 13 is not working at all.
You would think Russell would of tried to contact me, but he Never Contacted to Confirm it everything was working just fine.
Total Thumbs Down On Consumer Cellular
4 years ago
Quercus CA
Pass on this company. Customer service is a joke. Spent all day trying to get a number transfered from CC to another service. Automated service is impossible and you will wait an hour or longer to talk to a person. Then the rep will tell you what you want to hear, but the issue is not resolved. Hours wasted and still the new carrier gets a response of "delayed message" from them. Most changes from one service to another take less then an hour. CC doesn't use pin numbers, only account info which their system should be able to check within seconds. Number transfers should be done seamlessly. Stay away from these people.
4 years ago
Michael Sinnott Pompano Beach, FL
A total nightmare! Switched from Verizon to CC as it seemed price competitive.It was but not worth the awful customer service reps AND their supervisors. We had a disagreement about an international bill for $163- talked with 4 reps, 4 supervisors, and the CC FB page. They seem consumed with proving themselves right rather than trying to problem solve. Consumed more than 6 hours of my time AND theirs.I paid the bill and though I did not agree at all with them, it was not worth the headache to continue the battle.I am a senior citizen and found the entire CC experience unpleasant,unhelpful, and unworthy of any senior citizen’s time or business.
4 years ago
Vicki Warner Houston, TX
I have the unlimited text, talk & data....there is NO unlimited data, I pay overage every month and do not mind paying but I do mind when CC goes into my account and turns my data off without my permission!! I go right back in and turn it right back on and they continue to turn it off!
I am moving my lines to my biz account I have with ATT Elite, CC is not worth the hassle of ending up with no data even if you pay extra for the "unlimited" as they call it!
Do not go with them, not worth the absolute pain in my neck every month of having to call and deal with the poor excuse of customer service after they turn off your data in
your account when they think you have used to much and send you a text saying "they have done it for your safety'?? Really my safety? I am paying my bill not you!
STAY AWAY!!!
4 years ago
Frank Caywood Portland, OR
Since I’ve had this phone their coverage has been less than satisfactory. I noticed I don’t get coverage in any buildings. While others are texting away around me I get no service. I have to go outside to send a text. I have unlimited data but can never access the internet to look things up if I’m not by WIFI access. Finally I have never been able to get through to customer service to get help with my lack of services. I have been trying for the last two (off&on)months. Their app. Is useless and claims you can get direct access to help.
Can’t figure this out either. I pay over $50 a month and can only basically make phone calls when I’m not by a free WiFi’ connection. I’m canceling this phone service if I ever get through to talk to somebody. SMFH!!
4 years ago
Randy
Their new plan increased the fees of an existing customer like me. I have 2 lines (250 min talk) which were $15x2=$30 every month. The new plan is that line 1 is $15 with unlimited talk and line 2 is $19 with unlimited talk. Line 2 uses less than 10-minute talk each month. That means I do not need unlimited talk at all. I have to pay an additional $5 every month under the new plan, so I called Customer Service to go back to the old plan. However, it was useless. The operator simply said we can not go back to the old plan; moreover, they charge me Auto pay&E-bill fee, which is $5 each month. I have never paid late since I become a consumer cellular customer. I have to pay $10 each month. I understand the new plan for a new customer. I am a long-time customer. I am so disappointed. I will look for another carrier.
4 years ago
Christina O Riverview, FL
OK, so someone needs to take this review seriously!!! My husband and I both have Samsung Note 9's...they are only 2 to 2 1/2 years old and ever since CC have upgraded to 5G the phones are glitchy. Well today my husband's won't dial out or receive calls and he can't access his voice-mail. We called CC customer service and they stated that his phone is "out of date" and he needs to purchase a new cell phone...hmmm, funny because MY cell phone is the same thing and it still works on your network!!! My husband has END STAGE KIDNEY FAILURE and has to rely on his cell phone in cases of emergency!! We have medical bills coming out of our ears and your trying to scam us into brand new cell phones for this 5G crap network?!? Let's see, so in other words I should not pay my mortgage or pay these medical bills so I can purchase $2,000 worth of cell phones??? This is ridiculous and you all out to be ashamed of yourselves! I can understand if my phone was 4-5 years old but they are not...we are talking 2-2.5 years old! We even talked to a supervisor and you just don't care. No notification sent out to anyone! Your company is a joke. I hope retirees are prepared to shell out money because that's what they are going to tell you.
4 years ago
J. R. Alexander Fleming Island, FL
My phone service here in Northeast Florida - BOTH calling out and receiving calls - is UNRELIABLE, POOR and very frequently non-existent with Consumer Cellular - except for voicemail. The problem stems from the fact Consumer Cellular does NOT have its' own cell tower; but (here) uses AT&T and T-Mobile towers. I have been switched (by their Customer Service Reps) between the two with T-Mobile being the absolute worst. AT&T is not that much better and is the reason I canceled my expensive service with AT&T not knowing I was getting the identical POOR service, only cheaper. With the AT&T cell tower being approximately 5 miles away from my residence, I would expect at least GOOD service occasionally; but that's not the case. I would NOT recommend Consumer Cellular; UNLESS you live right next door to an AT&T tower.
4 years ago
Unhappy Camper Corte Madera, CA
I have used Consumer Cellular for about 7 years. They used to provide excellent customer service if you had any problems. Recently I added a new phone line to my account for my son. I tried to call them on a Friday to activate the new phone in September 2021. I called them three times, no one ever answered the call. I waited over 90 minutes total time for someone to answer. I then tried calling them the next day on a Saturday. It took them over 60 minutes to answer my call. The representative was helpful, but they no longer provide good customer service. Wait times have become outrageous.
4 years ago
Bonnie Halstrom Cortland, NY
The phone messed up within 4 months of receiving it, but they wouldn't exchange it! And when I dropped them, they charged my account for the balance??!! Wanted to bring my own phone, but they said they would still charge me for the balance!! And in order to find this out, I sat in a chat queue from number 91!! Called and was on hold for 37 minutes and finally hung up!!
Very poor customer service!!!
4 years ago
Robert Presley Austin, TX
Don't sign up for this plan unless you want to wait 30-40 minutes on hold on each and every call you make.
The enrollment is extremely lengthy and frustrating so I cancelled but still have not received a shipping label from them it hey said they would send men order to return the phone .
I gave them two stars only because their staff was friendly.
4 years ago
JL Azusa, CA
Recent upgrade Sep 2021-
I got a letter in the mail about my cell service with them.
Bold letter stating:
“DONT LOSE CELLPHONE SERVICE
ACT IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS!” UPGRADE NOW FOR $35.00.
(They are upgrading to 4G/5G and all 3G cells will lose service. That means i will lose service)
I call stated number 888-626-0989
and the very nice customer service guy tells me that the stated CC LINK 2 FLIP PHONE for $35.00 price was just raised to $55.05…”What!?”
I’m already having a hard financial time as a disabled senior and they tell me that the price just changed? The only way they can honor this is by giving me a credit on my next bill.
I planned on paying 35.00 plus all the taxes charged in my city zone, Los Angeles, Duarte Etc, each is around $2. +/- and now in order to save my long time cell phone number and service I have to pay (paid) over $60.00 today?
There’s something wrong when they have you in the corner and the only way to save your number is by paying almost double up front.
False Advertising!
Bold printing for price!
No fine print stating that this $35.00 price can change without notice within 30 days either.
J.L.
Sep 28, 2021
Temple City/Duarte Ca
4 years ago
