Consumer Cellular Customer Service Issues

Hello, I am James T. and I recently became a customer of yours. Everything has been running smoothly with the service, but I encountered an issue with the payment options. Due to a fraudulent charge on my debit card linked to my checking account, I had to get a new debit card from Wells Fargo. When I tried to set up AUTO payments with your customer service, I was informed that I couldn't use my routing and account numbers for this. Instead, the only option available was to use the debit card number, which I just updated. I have had to deal with this same issue with 7 other companies, and it has been quite a hassle. Most companies I interact with accept routing and account numbers for auto payments, which is a more secure method. I am seeking an explanation as to why your company doesn't offer this option for AUTO payments, as it would be more secure for customers like me to use this method. Please respond promptly to my inquiry. Thank you. My email is arizoid@[redacted]. Best regards, James T.

As a senior with hearing difficulties, I am seeking a cell phone and plan that can accommodate my needs. Due to challenges with phone calls, especially with soft voices, I am looking for a solution that offers basic communication and texting capabilities at an affordable price. I reside in Washington State with the zip code [redacted] and am a member of AARP and AMAC, wondering if any discounts apply. My inquiries are as follows: 1. Which phones are best for hearing loss compatibility, including options compatible with your plans? 2. What plan would be most suitable for my needs? 3. Which phone offers the best volume at an affordable price within your system? 4. Will the phone ring while charging? 5. Do the phones come with chargers, and how can I obtain one if not included? 6. Can I keep my current home phone number? 7. How can I make a purchase, sign up, or get a prescription? 8. With the use of the AT&T system, is there coverage in my area? Wes J. [redacted] Teanaway Ridgeway, Cle Elum, WA [redacted]

I purchased the base and paid for a month of service. I connected my landline phone, waited for service, but even after multiple customer service calls and trying different outlets, I haven't had any luck. I made sure my number was released by my previous provider, and they confirmed it, but I still have no Consumer Cellular service. My number for transfer is [redacted] and my email is [redacted] I have no phone access and am considering contacting the Better Business Bureau if the issue isn't resolved today. I expect a refund for the month paid with no service and am willing to return the base for a full refund. Please activate my phone service promptly as I've faced challenges reaching customer service and receiving responses. It seems like the activation has been delayed, as my phone's light indicators remain inactive. I'm disappointed with the purchase given the lack of service and communication from Customer Service.

I would like to bring to your attention that the email address [redacted] is not available for contacting Consumer Cellular. Approximately a month ago, I changed my cellular carrier from TMobile to AT&T due to the lack of service on the Oregon coast, where I require a reliable connection. Even roaming does not function with Consumer Cellular. Recently, I encountered an issue during a medical procedure where an important call, which should have gone to voicemail, did not due to changing the carrier. This alteration eliminated my MMI code, which redirects unanswered calls to a phone answering service. Despite numerous attempts to restore the MMI code, I experienced an error message stating, "Call forwarding Connection problem or invalid MMI code." Speaking with a customer service agent proved unhelpful, as they lacked knowledge about MMI codes and call forwarding. Despite their attempts to provide an alternative code, the issue persisted. I even tried in safe mode, to no avail. As I am an IT professional familiar with cellular and landline systems, I suspect AT&T is blocking the registration of conditional call forwarding MMI codes. It is imperative for me to have access to voicemail messages, especially since I am departing on a month-long trip today. If this matter cannot be resolved promptly, I may have to consider canceling my Consumer Cellular service.

I recently bought a new phone on 8/23/[redacted], and everything was fine until Wednesday, 9/11/[redacted], when the screen on the outside of the phone went white with a black blotch. I reported this issue yesterday on 9/12/[redacted], and they assured me a new phone would be sent under warranty. However, later on, someone asked me to dismantle the phone to disconnect the battery to fix the problem, which I cannot do due to my age and hands. I expect the company to stand by their guarantee and send a replacement without such hassle. I have been a customer for over 10 years and expect better service. Please contact me today to resolve this issue promptly. Thank you.

Today, we transferred 2 phones and 1 iPad to Consumer Cellular. A friend sent a message to my iPhone ([redacted]/[redacted]), but it was received on my husband's iPhone ([redacted]/[redacted]). When he attempted to call me, my phone did not ring, even though email is functional. I reached out to your [redacted] number and left a message requesting a callback, but I am uncertain if any attempts were made, as my phone hasn't rung despite waiting for over an hour. I am looking forward to using your service, as I have heard great reviews, but currently, I am eager to resolve the issue with my phone. Thank you.

Earlier, I accidentally dropped my cell phone into a tall glass of Sprite. I swiftly dried it and put it in a bag of rice. I'm not sure how to remove the SIM card or if the phone will function properly after this incident. It was submerged briefly, but it's an older iPhone 4. I am open to purchasing a new phone if needed. If the SIM card is damaged, I'm unsure how to replace it along with possibly getting a new phone. My sister and my niece recently moved in with me. My sister is with Straight Talk, and my niece doesn't have a phone. I heard you offer two lines for the price of one compared to Straight Talk. Is there someone knowledgeable who can assist with both my phone issue and setting up two new lines on the account? I await a response from a representative. Thank you.

I purchased International T-Mobile SIM cards from Target for our Italy trip and set them up via Consumer Cellular. The cards worked at home, but in Italy, we're unable to get service. An error message reads "not registered on network." Despite trying various troubleshooting steps suggested on the website, we are dissatisfied with Consumer Cellular. We are contemplating switching to a different carrier. - Carol A.

I am having issues retrieving my voicemail messages. I have contacted customer service three times already, and a Target employee mentioned that others have faced the same problem. Even though the agent reset my voicemail twice, I keep receiving a message saying, "SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE, GOOD BYE." Instead of receiving voicemail setup prompts, it prompts me for a password as if it hasn't been reset. I currently have nine messages waiting, and it's Tuesday night. If this were a business situation, it would be unacceptable.

I am facing two issues with my Consumer Cellular service: voicemail and the discontinuation of cloud storage for personal items. Contacting Customer Service was challenging as the wait times were long. An agent partially resolved my voicemail problem, but I am still not receiving sound notifications. For help with my cloud storage concerns, I was directed to contact a local Target sales agent or pay for assistance from an independent Apple tech service store since the nearest Apple agency is two hours away. I am frustrated as the current voicemail setup on my new iPhone 6s is not fully functional. It calls back to my old AT&T number without sound or visual alerts for new messages, which is crucial for me, especially during travel or while coordinating with medical offices.

I am Doug R., a Consumer Cellular customer with phone service contactable at [redacted]. My wife, Kristine, and I both use your service. Prior to our trip to Scotland, we contacted your customer service to request phone chips for both of our phones to use for calls, texting, and internet while abroad for two weeks. The representative kindly assisted us in receiving and installing the chips. Unfortunately, upon arriving in Scotland, the chips are not working, leaving us in distress. Kindly reach out to us at [redacted] or [redacted] to assist us as we urgently need our phones to contact our bank for financial assistance. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Subject: Sticky Key Issue with Doro [redacted] Dear Consumer Cellular Support team, I am a user of the Doro [redacted], experiencing a recurrent problem known as the Sticky Key issue causing the phone to freeze. On September 30, I reached out to [redacted] to report this issue and express my concerns but have not received a response yet. I believe I have discovered a solution to fix the Sticky Key problem on the Doro [redacted], as it has effectively resolved the issue every time for me. If you are interested, please let me know, and I can share the details with you. Best regards, Robert H. [redacted] 10-5-19

On 10/5/19, in the evening, I received an "Emergency call only" message on my phone. After calling [redacted], Trey assisted me by suggesting a power off and on, and to call back if the issue persisted. Unfortunately, the problem persists as of 10/6, with the same message despite the battery being at 70% charge. I could not make calls to [redacted] or [redacted]. I have scheduled a callback on an alternative number for late afternoon EST, concerned about a larger issue. In the past week, there has been trouble with the charger connection, displaying a flashing "Connected"/"Disconnected" and beeping. Occasionally, the phone charges properly. As this is my only phone, any assistance would be greatly appreciated. - E. Schaaf

I purchased an Apple iPhone XR 64GB around 1.5 years ago and have been using Consumer Cellular as my carrier. Voicemail has always worked fine until the most recent upgrade about a month ago. After the upgrade, I have been unable to set up voicemail. Despite callers being able to leave a voicemail, I don't receive any notifications. When trying to set up voicemail with a password, I receive an error message saying, "Voicemail error. Try again later," which doesn't resolve the issue.

I am requesting Consumer Cellular to cancel account #[redacted]04. I acquired a Tracfone in October [redacted] for emergency use during a trip to visit family, treating it as a temporary phone. I agreed to keep the phone activated for twelve months before being able to switch to another provider. Since I had no plans to continue using the phone beyond the trip, I overlooked the 12-month commitment. I am not in a position to buy an additional phone to complement my current number. I am open to purchasing a new nano-SIM or returning it to you, whichever is preferable for your company. I regret not being more organized before reaching out last month. I apologize for any inconvenience. After the holiday season, I would like to consider a new phone and number. For now, I understand I need to wait patiently. Please contact me via email to guide me on the next steps that are feasible for me economically. Thank you for understanding. Sincerely, S. Engle.

I am currently attempting to order a new Galaxy phone and service. I have chosen to pay the full amount upfront and can confirm that I have owned and resided in my home for over a decade. This is my second attempt to verify my order as the previous one was canceled due to verification issues. Despite being on hold, I am now experiencing silence on the line, and I am unsure if anyone is still available. The lack of information on the delay is frustrating. Although there is no contractual obligation, my patience is wearing thin as I struggle to confirm my order. The account associated with this issue is [redacted]50. It seems that ordering online was not the best decision, prompting me to try calling instead. While the representatives are polite, the situation remains unresolved, leaving me in a state of limbo.

Dear Concerned Party, I want to report my visit to the Target Store at Christiana Mall in Delaware on October 29, [redacted]. I was there to inquire about transferring my Verizon A50 cell phone to Consumer Cellular. My experience with Verizon left me dissatisfied, as they added services without my consent, raising my bill. At Target, I asked Consumer Cellular if my A50 could work with their system. After hours of troubleshooting, I learned it was not compatible. I had to choose between returning to Verizon at a cost or buying a Consumer Cellular phone. The cheapest option was the Motorola XT2005-5, which I found poorly made. Had I been informed earlier, I would have left and shopped instead. I am retired and on a tight budget. This experience has left me deeply disappointed, and I feel compelled to share my negative experience with others. Sincerely, Robert M. G. [redacted]

Hello, I hope you are well. I am reaching out regarding my fiancé, Gerald Bloomquist, who was a Consumer Cellular customer. Unfortunately, he passed away on May 13th, [redacted], due to bone cancer. Despite my efforts to stop the mailings, bills are still being sent to his address. Dealing with this loss is already challenging, and receiving these bills adds to the difficulty. Gerald, or Jerry, as we knew him, will be remembered for his kind heart and generosity towards others. I kindly request to close his account number [redacted]03. I hope this communication resolves the matter. Thank you for your understanding and assistance. Sincerely, Adeline Gray.

I'm struggling with getting basic help with my phone and services at the Target Store in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The technicians there either seem to be unavailable or unwilling to assist me properly. With limited computer knowledge as a grandmother, I find myself facing numerous challenges that I can't resolve on my own. Although the phone technicians are somewhat helpful, I feel they could be more supportive. I believe once these issues are sorted out, I will be fine, but it will take me some time to fully understand everything. Given that this is my first advanced phone, I may need some repetition to grasp it entirely. While I'm hopeful that I will eventually manage, my recent experience at the Target store has left me feeling disappointed as the technician I relied on is currently on vacation and the current staff is not offering much assistance.

I am very disappointed with how your company conducts business. We tested your phone a few weeks ago to see if we would have coverage in our area. Despite reassurances from Target that coverage had improved since we last tried your phone a few years ago, we ended up with no signal when we reached home. We promptly returned the phone the next day due to the lack of coverage. However, we were surprised by a bill recently and had to spend a considerable amount of time on the phone to have the charges removed. Our experience with your customer service regarding this matter has been frustrating, to say the least. It is disheartening to know that we are being charged for a service we did not use due to past issues. We had hoped that using your service would help us save money in retirement, but the reality has been quite the opposite. This situation has been very disappointing and frustrating for us.