Consumer Cellular

When I started with CC, I chose to bring my own phone. First, I had to check to see if it was compatible. On their web page, after you select to bring your own phone, it asks for the brand, model etc. It said that my (AT&T) phone WAS compatible. So, I switched to CC. Only later did I discover several problems, such as not being able to attach a photo to a text, nor being unable to text or call Europe. After well over 12 calls, NOTHING has been resolved. They have recommended several times that I buy one of their phones. I don't like that, as it's akin to bait & switch, which is , of course, illegal. I will be looking elsewhere and do NOT recommend consumer cellular.

I got my SIM card yesterday, called to get the directions to plug it in, was told that after I turned the phone off and on I’d be all set. I Turned it off and on only to find a text telling me it would be 2 ½ hours before it would work. After three hours (it wouldn’t work till then), I called my brother only for the call to drop moments later. It has been over 12 hours and I still can’t make a call. If this can’t be fixed IMMEDIATELY, What do I have to do to return to Sprint? This is my ONLY phone!!!! Is this typical of what I should expect from Consumer Cingular?

My wife purchased an Alcatel Go Flip phone. After a little over two months the phone failed one night as it was charging. We returned the phone to Consumer Cellular and they denied the warranty claim saying that the phone had been damaged by water. We have no knowledge of, nor do we think the phone was ever damaged by water. Don't buy phones from Consumer Cellular because they don't honor the warranties. We're being charged for a new phone of the same make because they denied us the warranty return. Interesting thing is, my wife was told they would not honor the warranty the first time she spoke to them about the phone not working without having any idea of what could be wrong with the phone. Upon a return call insisting the phone had not been damaged they came back saying the phone was water damaged after we sent it in. How do we know they didn't damage it upon return?? It is all very fishy, and it stinks.

If possible, I would give a "0" star rating. Consumer's Cellular customer service is no better than any of the industry leaders and I believe is actually worse. I went through a week-long process to port two cellphones to CC after buying SIM Card packages in a retail store as advised by the CC web site. By the end of the week, I had been told a different story by every single CC customer service representative about when and how the data portion of the plan would be activated. In the end, CC was unable to activate the data service at all. A smart phone is no better than a flip-phone without a data plan. So I once again ported (in 1-1/2 hours) the cellphones to a leading cellular provider. I returned to the retail store and was told that I have to obtain the refund from CC. So, I called CC customer service and was told that all but the state sales tax would be refunded to my credit card in a few days after my request was submitted to accounting. 10 business days later, still no refund. So I called CC customer service again and was immediately told by THAT CC customer service rep that there is no refund on SIM Card package purchases, only credit against future service. That despite a prominent label and text on the packaging that says "100% risk free guarantee." I then asked to be transferred to a supervisor who smugly told me that the consumer agreement clearly states that there is no refund on the purchase of SIM card packages. This despite the fact that you first have to tear off the strip with the "100% risk-free guarantee" label in order to read the consumer agreement. This is clearly an immoral and illegal deceptive trade practice. I plan to find a class-action lawyer to sue CC on behalf of me and every other consumer who CC has smugly ripped-off. They are not the slightest bit embarrassed about such a deceptive trade practice.

Popularity has created ways that are too long and a myriad of service problems which may not effect seniors with flip phones but do smart phone callers. I have been attempting to gain resolution on why my Samsung s8 phones cannot call Europe while a simple flip phone on the same crier can. No one gives call backs and no one appears to have any answers. Although I was quite happy with cc years ago I c as n no longer recommend.

I have had this service for less than 3 months. The coverage is ok. The problem is they notify you when you reach 75% of your data use that they will upgrade you if you reach your data limit. They do not notify you again at 90% or at the time they are increasing your data. The data does not roll over. So, I was charged for 5 gigs, used .3 of a gig and the data did not roll over. I called them and the Rep's response was "over is over" you have to pay the $10.00. I asked to speak with his supervisor and was informed none was available and they would call me back on the next business day. I was not informed when I signed up for this service that I would not be notified when I reached my data limit or that I would automatically be charged. They do not allow for the consumer to just go with out data till the next billing cycle.

I have had Consumer Cellular for four years. Until I took a recent international trip, I was very satisfied - excellent customer service, easy to use web site and account management, good rates if you aren't a heavy data user. If you plan to travel internationally, do not even consider CC as your phone carrier. Because they don't support international texting/calling on the AT&T SIM card, which is better for where I live and travel typically, I had to swap out to the Tmobile SIM, which I did three weeks before leaving on my trip. It was a major hassle. I was told I could then swap back to the AT&T SIM upon return. When I was in Europe, the nightmare began. After using my phone on a few occasions to send/receive texts, all of a sudden I was unable to send texts or make calls. And I was unable to access the CC website, as if it was blocked. Using my partner's phone, I contacted CC and was told it was a "system failure". She said that somehow my international service had been terminated - on CC's end. The rep restored my texting while I was talking with her. It took several more hours to restore my calling. This was very disturbing since the following day I was traveling solo in Europe for another few days and couldn't trust that CC would reliably provide service. Returning to the U.S. it was a fiasco to swap out to my AT&T SIM again, and required a supervisor to resolve the problem. When I sent a letter requesting reimbursement of the significant roaming charges incurred on my partner's phone while communicating with CC to resolve the problem they caused with my phone, I was told that they do not guarantee international service because of international towers, etc., etc. None of the supervisors, nor the "resolution rep", could explain why my partner's cell phone carrier had no problem providing service on the same day and from the exact place where my CC service was inoperable. And why I could connect to his carrier's web site but not CC's web site. At no time did CC accept responsibility for the problem, despite the first rep who took my call from Europe stating specifically that somehow CC had terminated my international service and wasn't sure how/why it had happened. I will be terminating with Consumer Cellular since I will be doing more international travel in the near future. And, because they lost my trust and good faith by failing to acknowledge their responsibility for the problem I experienced.

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!

Got my phone and it was packaged securely. Everything went flawlessly with transferring my data. Also, they don't charge crazy activation fees.

Very professional, the employees were highly educated on Consumer cellular products. They did whatever they could to make our deal work!

I really like how fast Consumer Cellular was in helping me to transferer everything from one phone to the other. Top Notch.

Customer service was great. I don't remember the woman's name from OKC. She was very informative and polite. She had very good energy.

It was extremely easy to pick out a new phone and place the order. Shipment was quick and it was fairly simple to transfer to the new phone.

Your customer service over the telephone is fantastic. No matter who you get all my questions were answered politely and efficiently

The people with CC were very nice and helpful during the switch. Only been a short time to check reception and do any comparing with past service.

Buyer beware. Stay away from consumer cellular. They are very nice when you first get the service. Shortly after you will realize the service is not great. When you call and question the service they basically brush you off. They don’t care. Then you disconnect service and they give you an attitude. Finally, they don’t prorate the final month. So if your billing cycle begins on the fifth and you cancel service on the eighth, they will charge you for the full month. That is legal as they are a postpaid service not a prepaid service. They are horrible.

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.