AT&T's network in Lafayette is so congested that from about 4pm until midnight about 1 out of every 3 calls i try to make actually connects, and even still 1/3 calls that i connect on get dropped. Is there any way that I can get out of my contract because they're not providing me with the service i'm paying for? I'm getting uber pissed about this as i've just had 3 dropped calls in the last 15 minutes (and it's only 3:30).

am i fucked?

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-out-of-a-Cellular-Service-Contract

If AT&T is anything like sprint, you'll want to call their customer service on the phone and talk to a representative in their call center, rather than go into a store. AT&T is the only major carrier I have NOT been with (Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) but from all these companies I have learned that calling their customer service line is 10x's more effective than going into a local store. Most of the people working in the stores are there to sell you shit; they really don't care about the problems your having, and if you come in with a serious problem and want it fixed that day, that takes away a lot of time they could be selling other customers a new phone, a new plan, upgrading etc. The people you talk to on the phone are paid to deal with you problems as their primary concern, not to sell stuff like store reps. So they're usually way more understanding, and at the very least can connect you with someone who actually knows wtf they're talking about, instead of dealing with an in-store "manager" who usually got to be a manager because he sold more shit than his peers, and thus cares about your problems, about as much as the service rep you talked to when you first walked in.

As to your claim, I would tell them very clearly what's going on, that it's an ongoing problem. I would also tell them that you've called and complained before (having a previous history, even if made up, about your current issues persisting will help you a lot) and the person before basically blew it off and didn't take you seriously. Tell them if it isn't resolved soon, like TODAY, you WILL be dropping your service, you will NOT pay any early termination fees for any line (because all lines on your account are having this problem) and if they try to take action against you, you will be taking your claim to the BBB. Furthermore, I would take a camcorder/cell phone that records video and for several nights in a row, record about a 4-5 minute video of you trying to dial calls and show your phone to the camera dropping each call or not connecting. This way, if it gets really heated and legal action is involved at some point, you will have proof that your service was a POS and therefore you had grounds to do what you did when AT&T wouldn't help you. Remember, strong (not profane, but stern) language helps, and let the person know that you know they're not the one to blame specifically, but you are extremely frustrated and fed up with this ongoing problem, and you will NOT be getting off the phone with them until this issue is resolved, regardless of the outcome.

Red_Skin_Pride;618819 wrote:If AT&T is anything like sprint, you'll want to call their customer service on the phone and talk to a representative in their call center, rather than go into a store. AT&T is the only major carrier I have NOT been with (Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) but from all these companies I have learned that calling their customer service line is 10x's more effective than going into a local store. Most of the people working in the stores are there to sell you shit; they really don't care about the problems your having, and if you come in with a serious problem and want it fixed that day, that takes away a lot of time they could be selling other customers a new phone, a new plan, upgrading etc. The people you talk to on the phone are paid to deal with you problems as their primary concern, not to sell stuff like store reps. So they're usually way more understanding, and at the very least can connect you with someone who actually knows wtf they're talking about, instead of dealing with an in-store "manager" who usually got to be a manager because he sold more shit than his peers, and thus cares about your problems, about as much as the service rep you talked to when you first walked in.

As to your claim, I would tell them very clearly what's going on, that it's an ongoing problem. I would also tell them that you've called and complained before (having a previous history, even if made up, about your current issues persisting will help you a lot) and the person before basically blew it off and didn't take you seriously. Tell them if it isn't resolved soon, like TODAY, you WILL be dropping your service, you will NOT pay any early termination fees for any line (because all lines on your account are having this problem) and if they try to take action against you, you will be taking your claim to the BBB. Furthermore, I would take a camcorder/cell phone that records video and for several nights in a row, record about a 4-5 minute video of you trying to dial calls and show your phone to the camera dropping each call or not connecting. This way, if it gets really heated and legal action is involved at some point, you will have proof that your service was a POS and therefore you had grounds to do what you did when AT&T wouldn't help you. Remember, strong (not profane, but stern) language helps, and let the person know that you know they're not the one to blame specifically, but you are extremely frustrated and fed up with this ongoing problem, and you will NOT be getting off the phone with them until this issue is resolved, regardless of the outcome.

i've called the tech support line and they've told me that my issue is directly caused by network congestion. they keep telling me they are working to relieve it but i'm getting fed up, it's been nearly a month now of this shit.

If customer service will not work with you file a complaint with the BBB. It works. I got out of my Sprint contract doing this. They wanted me to pay the early termination fee of $200 and wouldn't budge. Not 3 hours after filing my BBB complaint my phone was ringing nonstop with Sprint reps apologizing and waiving the fee. BBB then called and asked if the problem was taken care of and if I was satisfied with Sprints resolution. My guess is these companies don't like the hit they get from BBB complaints and will do anything to make them go away. I really just wanted a Droid phone and didn't want to wait another year for my contract to expire.

j_crazy;618822 wrote:i've called the tech support line and they've told me that my issue is directly caused by network congestion. they keep telling me they are working to relieve it but i'm getting fed up, it's been nearly a month now of this shit.

Then as DualCore said, I would call them back and tell them you expect to be let out of your contract without an early termination fee. If they won't do this, file a claim with the BBB. If they're admitting to you it's something on their end (network congestion) and not something you've done, you have grounds to terminate the contract without being charged a fee.

To get out of Sprint in 2003..I just told them I was moving to an area that didn't have their coverage. They waived the early termination fees and shut off my service.