T-mobile's Billing Practices

[WMUboy]

I have a complaint against T-mobile. I have had their wireless phone service for a month. They charged me for a few text messages on my bill. I never asked to receive the text messages, but they still are billing me for them. Their customer service was absolutely no help at all! They said they could not block text messages on my account.

[ZaphodB]

Call back and speak to someone else -- of course they can remove the text-messaging feature from your account. If you're getting unsolicited SMSes, that is illegal in most states. Here in California you can sue for $500 per message plus court costs -- I've done it.

[Matt]

Yes, I believe they can block all incoming text messages. I'm not sure how that affects the voice mail notification icon, which is in effect a specialized text message.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I know a while ago I was getting text messages I didn't want and Cingular disabled it for me. The VM indicator still worked afterwards. That was while I was still on TDMA, although I don't think it makes a difference.

-Jay

[ZaphodB]

Does T-Mobile still use the text message?! I thought they changed to the MWI months ago.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by ZaphodB

Does T-Mobile still use the text message?! I thought they changed to the MWI months ago.

In many major markets they have gone with the MWI instead of SMS but not in some... ie, mine, yet, anyway.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by ZaphodB

Does T-Mobile still use the text message?! I thought they changed to the MWI months ago.

I don't know the schedule for completion of MWI other than early 06. But it has been done in almost every makeor market. I've had it since August I think.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by Matt

I don't know the schedule for completion of MWI other than early 06. But it has been done in almost every makeor market. I've had it since August I think.

Yeah, I knew the KC area was pretty close to last on the MWI upgrade schedule. I don't mind that much, really. It took a little getting used to at first, since Western Wireless had an MWI, but I'm okay with it now.

[TmobileCustomerCareRep]

I am a customer care representative at T-Mobile, I'm that guy you talk to when you call tmobile. I was doing some google searching tonight when I got off work because I'm sick of having to tell customers (at least one a day) that there's no way to block SMS incoming (other than the innefectual SPAM filter). I was hoping someone out there would know how and I could get a heads up.

From our perspective however, there is NO way to remove the feature in any of the software systems we have. I have deleted the feature for customers, only to discover on a follow up that they were instead charged a 35c default SMS charge per message.

Hypothetically, A person's mobile number could be listed on a website and spammed by thousands of users, incurring a huge bill. Now I myself would recognize this as harrassment and attempt a credit (I'd need approval from stingy supervisors though). Less insidious amounts though, say 4$ worth a month, are never credited, even if the customer claims to never have used the service.

Sucks I know, but hey, I'm not about to get fired for issuing credits without approval. I have written two internal suggestions over 3 months and no response...

[doug6949]

Originally Posted by TmobileCustomerCareRep

I am a customer care representative at T-Mobile, I'm that guy you talk to when you call tmobile. I was doing some google searching tonight when I got off work because I'm sick of having to tell customers (at least one a day) that there's no way to block SMS incoming (other than the innefectual SPAM filter). I was hoping someone out there would know how and I could get a heads up.

From our perspective however, there is NO way to remove the feature in any of the software systems we have.

I have written two internal suggestions over 3 months and no response...

Hang in there. It will get fixed.

You are in a position where you can't change it because TMobile won't change it until enough people complain - or somebody initiates a class action lawsuit.

When TMobile spends more money on call center time than they earn from unwanted services they will fix the problem.

Browse the web for "tmobile text messages" and you will see how big this issue is becoming.

[EdwardP]

Starting with T-Mobile To Go in 2004 and migrating to postpay in 2005, I have never received any unsolicited SMS messages.

I have, however, received unsolicited voicemail messages. They were (1) not in English and (2) were from an area code outside of New England. It happened last week, again earlier this week and again this morning. I just Googled the phone number and three pages of results came up...

[tmobilewhiners]

Originally Posted by ZaphodB

Call back and speak to someone else -- of course they can remove the text-messaging feature from your account. If you're getting unsolicited SMSes, that is illegal in most states. Here in California you can sue for $500 per message plus court costs -- I've done it.

lol its illegal for the companies doing it NOT for tmobile....
tmobilewhiners

Originally Posted by WMUboy

I have a complaint against T-mobile. I have had their wireless phone service for a month. They charged me for a few text messages on my bill. I never asked to receive the text messages, but they still are billing me for them. Their customer service was absolutely no help at all! They said they could not block text messages on my account.

u dont ask to recieve text messages..its happens yup they cant block it. just like they cant stop someone from using your phone to make calls you arnt aware of if u leave it unattended. its a cell phone! suck it up! I hate when people like u call for the stupidest charge! is your time soooo empty and invaluable that you must call someone to complain about a measly $.15 cents!! cry me a river...
get over it. if u dont want to get text messages. then tell the dump people who text u too have them pay for it for u or tell them to stop..

Originally Posted by Matt

Yes, I believe they can block all incoming text messages. I'm not sure how that affects the voice mail notification icon, which is in effect a specialized text message.

yeah sorry we cant block it yet..beleive me...if we could...we would..anything to shut people up about a $.15 cent charge..


tmobilewhiners

[bobolito]

In the future, please add all your comments into one post. I had to merge your 3 consecutive posts.

[tmobilewhiners]

Originally Posted by bobolito

In the future, please add all your comments into one post. I had to merge your 3 consecutive posts.

omg are u kidding me! is your ___ so fat that you are overwhelmed by clickin in some extra links to move them so its easier for u too see? my god.. just delete the posts! what a lazy ___..man..

[RJB]

yeah sorry we cant block it yet..beleive me...if we could...we would..anything to shut people up about a $.15 cent charge..

\
I understand your pain about people complaining I really do....But without them you would not have a job

[RJB]

Originally Posted by tmobilewhiners

omg are u kidding me! is your ___ so fat that you are overwhelmed by clickin in some extra links to move them so its easier for u too see? my god.. just delete the posts! what a lazy ___..man..

How kind of you to express your thanks to bobolito for doing you a favor.

[bobolito]

[RJB]

Originally Posted by bobolito

lol................................