DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES, INCOMPETENT EMPLOYEES AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

[dazzlingrita]

I am dealing with a rebate issue as well. My sister referred me to AT&T after taking the time to show me the channel line ups etc. I had been a long time 20 year Time Warner customer. She was supposed to receive a $150 gift card for referring me but the incompentent sales rep and customer service reps, never clearly explained the process. I told them at the time I called in to discuss transferring that my sister had referred me. Neither the Customer Service reps or sales people clearly explained the process that she was supposed to sign upon some website and register before mys ervice was connected. So when she called in after the fact to folow up, they told her it was too late. Not only that but when she herself sigend up she got $100 gift card for signing up during some promotion but they didn't clearly tell her that the gift card was only valid for 1 month and would be forfeited after. Luckily she figured it out and used it in time but she and I both feel that AT&T uses deceptive business practices on their rebate and referral prgrams. By not explaining in detail the process up front and then telling customers after that fact, too bad and too late. Why would a gift card only be good for 30 days? Doesn;t even make sense. Lastly, when I called in to customer service t request info to file a complaint, I was told they have no formal complaint process and I should look in the phone book for the main At&t contact info??? I have sent request via Twitter multiple times to AT&T and Uverse asking for the info or for someone to contact me and still received NO response.This appears to be part of their tacky business practices from reading your post and I am still waiting to hear from someone or anyone on how to get this resolved. In the meantime, I have 2000 people on Facebook that I will be informing of some of these unethical practices as well as 1200 that work in my main office. For a company as big as AT&T totreat their customers like this is pathetic! I'm disgusted and annoyed. I will not give up until this is resolved. It's not the money that is the issue, it's the principle of the matter that my sister took the time to show me their services and convinced me to switch over after 20 years of being with Time Warner and they do not want to compensate her for the referral.

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

No need to post multiple times.

I would recommend that you send a private message to the escalation team at AT&T Customer Care, and someone will get in touch with you.

[MicCheck]

You have to sign up for the referral program. How else would they know you were referred?

The expiration date of rewards cards is clearly printed on the card when issued. I'm not sure how less-deceptive a company can get.

[dhascall ACE - Professor]

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MicCheck wrote:
You have to sign up for the referral program. How else would they know you were referred?

The expiration date of rewards cards is clearly printed on the card when issued. I'm not sure how less-deceptive a company can get.

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I iknow alot of folks who did not know that you have to join the referal program first, before refering someone.  What that means, is that if you have U-Verse and want to refer your neighbor, your milk man or brother, you have to enroll in the referal program before you can refer them.  That fact is not explained very well.   It would be easier just toi say "I was refered by Tim Martin, 222 E Main Street, Anywhere USA 12345."  Maybe that "loophole" keeps AT&T from paying referals out, each time (ie. you didn't sign up, first).

[MicCheck]

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dhascall wrote:

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MicCheck wrote:
You have to sign up for the referral program. How else would they know you were referred?

The expiration date of rewards cards is clearly printed on the card when issued. I'm not sure how less-deceptive a company can get.

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I iknow alot of folks who did not know that you have to join the referal program first, before refering someone.  What that means, is that if you have U-Verse and want to refer your neighbor, your milk man or brother, you have to enroll in the referal program before you can refer them.  That fact is not explained very well.   It would be easier just toi say "I was refered by Tim Martin, 222 E Main Street, Anywhere USA 12345."  Maybe that "loophole" keeps AT&T from paying referals out, each time (ie. you didn't sign up, first).

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I agree it's a complicated process. I think the main motivation for making it that way is so the "referrer" does all the work and the new customer places their order online, meaning AT&T doesn't have to pay a rep to sell the service or place the order.