I signed up for a family plan in June with AT&T Wireless. I was told by their agent at that time that the San Francisco Bay area was part of my home calling area. He showed me on the calling map that even though the area wasn't shown that far south, he pointed out on the brochure that maps were not always updated. This was one of the main reasons I signed up with AT&T. After a trip to the Bay area, I was pleased to see that I was not roaming according to the phone. I was surprised to see charges for roaming of $ 160.00 plus dollars. AT&T claimed I was roaming and that I should not have relied on the agent that sold us the plan. They say that anything the agent say's is not binding on them. Well, under that logic, my commitment to the agent for 2 years of service shouldn't be binding either.
After researching my service agreement, I noticed the dispute arbitration clause. I asked AT&T how to start arbitration and they sent me forms to do so. After calling AAA (American Arbitration Association) I found out some interesting things. They say that AT&T sent the wrong forms (intentionally), they sent the wrong address to AAA (intentionally) and they sent the wrong information regarding costs (intentionally) as they always do. Consumer's cost for arbitration is $ 25.00 for any claims under $ 1000.00, yet AT&T makes it sound more like $ 250.00 to $ 500.00 AAA also stated that AT&T doesn't respond to their requests. I submitted the proper forms, to the right address, with my check for $ 25.00 to AAA. After a little over 1 week, AAA returned my check with a letter stating that due to AT&T's lack of cooperation, they will not accept any arbitration disputes regarding AT&T Wireless, and the demand that AT&T remove AAA as the arbitrator in AT&T's service agreement. Fired by their own arbitrator. Thats impressive. I contend that 1) AT&T Wireless allows misleading sales methods by their agents. 2) AT&T Wireless intentionally neglects to tell you when you are roaming in their service area (they get all the roaming charges). 3) AT&T Wireless does not deal in good faith regarding their own service policies. Therefore, I am looking for as many people as I can possibly find that have experienced any or all of the problems I have listed above. I propose a class action lawsuit with remedies in the form of refunds for all monies paid to AT&T Wireless by customers who have been cheated and lied to and then dealt with in a shoddy, misleading way. I propose that AT&T Wireless allows any users to leave their sub par service prior to contract end without any early cancellation fees. I propose that AT&T Wireless pays any and all damages incurred including, but not limited to roaming charges and all attorney fees. Please respond to this if you feel you have experienced any part of this outrageous rip-off. Perhaps a new class action suit will make AT&T Wireless unattractive to any prospective clients, and bidders in their current effort to sell the company. Please e-mail in if you want to help get this going and put "AT&T Ripoff" in the subject line.
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