us cellular is bad news for the deaf

W

wplynchjr

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Just thought I'd share this with you. My sister who is deaf, has a family plan on this carrier. She has three phones with them one for each of her kids so they could text msg back to her on her sidekick as a way to communicate. (The kids are hearing.) Unfortunately, one of the phones broke so her husband, also deaf went into a retail store to get it replaced. Because they did not understand what he wanted, they opened up a new account! He thought didn't know this and started to get billed. He called them on the relay service to get it fixed and they said " no problem, we're sorry. Ignore the bills and we will correct it." Yeah, right. The phone was turned off for non payment after a few months and has not been able to get it resolved. Being the good brother in law, I decided to go in person and get this resolved with my sister. Again with the apologies and they said they would fix it. That was last week saturday. I've since been on the phone with them for about 5 hours total talking to 10 different peopl who keep telling me that they need to talk to him direct, even though they know he is deaf and I am authorized to handle this on his behalf. I asked them for the TTY number and they gave me the Wisconsin relay service! Calling them back, I spoke to a supervisor named Brian who told me it's our fault because "We told u what 2 do and I can't understand why you deaf people can't follow simple instructions. We need to talk to your brother in law on the relay service. Those deaf people know how to use a phone don't they." I swear to god if I was there I would have killed him. Not knowing what to do, I impersonated my brother in law through the relay service. After being on hold for 30 minutes and transferred about 6 times I finally got someone to help. She tells me it's going to be 72 hours before the service is restored and 20.00 to reactivate. I'm ready to put her in the same grave as Brian. She tells me I need to talk to resolution dept to fix the 20.00 charge, but they all left for the weekend. (Bet if I wasn't on hold for 30 minutes I could have talked 2 them!)

Anyway, it only took 20 minutes to restore the service. I feel bad about lying, but come on! They took advantage of my brother in law because of his handicap and I felt justified somewhat. Anywhay, has anyone else had this type of experience? I'm so tempted to file a suit againt them for discrimination or unfair busines practices.

Bill
 
*huggies* u are a good bro in law and ur sister and her hubby are really lucky to have someone like u!

unfortunately we DO have to deal with this kind of BS regularly -- i know i have when i have to get a few things done over the fone and i would get hung up on or get attitude from those who i was talking to and etc etc -- ive complained abt this to my mom or older sister and they dont really believe that i have to deal with this -- i have told them try it themselves and as far as i can tell they havent -- apparently they dont believe discrimination against the deaf is rampant :roll:

if i was u i would file a complaint and put in the open that u had impersonated ur brother in law (with HIS knowledge that is and if he was there with u at the time of ur TTY call) and they will shit their pants :lol:
 
Bill,
Geez, I wish that you are my brother-in-law !!!
you've done the right thing I'm getting
quite disturbed about them taking advantage
of deafies. Thanks for sharing and doing
the action rather than doing nothing !
 
I know how you feel. My friend had the same problem last summer. He ordered something online and the company wouldn't take his credit card. The credit card company does not make outgoing calls, but said that the business had to call them. The business also doesn't make outgoing calls, but said that the credit card company had to call them. He was stuck. Jeez! Heh!
 
if u don't mind, what's the name of carrier ?
 
I bought a blackberry from cingular web site. I have trouble with my hands so sent it back to the address listed on their web site for internet orders. I sent it with plenty of time to get the refund I waited a month and nothing so called them and the girl says maby it hasent been put into the computer yet. I was transferd to about 4 people and that guy hung up. So my mom called and ask for the supervisor and she said well you sent it to the wrong place and we did not get it in time so will have to pay like 50.00. I paied bec I dont have time for the shit they do. My mom spent about another month arguing with her but the supervisor won't return calls so it was a big clusterfuck !
 
Back
Top