AARP Eye Center
- AARP Online Community
- Games
- Games Talk
- SongTheme
- Games Tips
- Leave a Game Tip
- Ask for a Game Tip
- AARP Rewards
- AARP Rewards Connect
- Earn Activities
- Redemption
- AARP Rewards Tips
- Ask for a Rewards Tip
- Leave a Rewards Tip
- Help
- Membership
- Benefits & Discounts
- General Help
- Caregiving
- Caregiving
- Grief & Loss
- Caregiving Tips
- Ask for a Caregiving Tip
- Leave a Caregiving Tip
- Entertainment Forums
- Rock N' Roll
- Leisure & Lifestyle
- Health Forums
- Brain Health
- Healthy Living
- Medicare & Insurance
- Health Tips
- Ask for a Health Tip
- Leave a Health Tip
- Home & Family Forums
- Friends & Family
- Introduce Yourself
- Our Front Porch
- Money Forums
- Budget & Savings
- Scams & Fraud
- Retirement Forum
- Retirement
- Social Security
- Technology Forums
- Computer Questions & Tips
- Travel Forums
- Destinations
- Work & Jobs
- Work & Jobs
- AARP Online Community
- Help
- General Help
- Consumer Cellular is a bad choice
Consumer Cellular is a bad choice
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Printer Friendly Page
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Consumer Cellular is a bad choice
Why do you continue to promote Consumer Cellular? They did not treat me fairly after I joined them on your recommendation.
I moved my cellular service from AT&T thinking I would get a better price with better service. I also needed a new phone. After buying a new Consumer Cellular Apple Iphone and having their service for nearly 4 weeks, I decided to discontinue my relationship with Consumer Cellular because I had continued problems with its service. When I went to move my service back to AT&T and to activate the new apple phone I got through Consumer Cellular with AT&T, I learned that my new phone was locked and needed Consumer Cellular to unlock it. Consumer Cellular informed me that in the contract that was displayed on their web page, it says that if I buy a new Apple Phone through them, I can’t have it unlock for six month after I purchased it. This means that, even though I can cancel my service at anytime, I can’t unlock my new phone for six months, locking me into a relationship with Consumer Cellular for six months.
I hold you somewhat responsible for me being in this situation because you recommended them to me. Shame on you.
I was incorrectly charged on the sales tax. The invoice clearly states the tax is based on the billing address, and the rep incorrectly insists that it is based on the shipping address.
Ok, well, thieves can be found.
When you steal from us, we know how to find your call centers, ya **bleep** thieves.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
MikeR107445 We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with Consumer Cellular. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Christy C.
Today their new phone was provided saying, 'no sim card'. 1. called service and the agent was frustrated as she explained what we needed to do. 2. She said "go to walmart, by a sim card, install it, save the receipt for a refund from Consumer Cellular, OR WAIT FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL, or drive 15 miles to a service center in Largo Florida.'. WE WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE AGENT SAID "There is a sim card installed upside down." I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIE ON THE CONSUMER CELLULAR WEBSITE THAT THEIR RATING IS FOUR.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
@rcocciar , that was awful!!! 😱 Take care, Nicole 👵
[*** @rcocciar wrote 4/15/25:Today their new phone was provided saying, 'no sim card'. 1. called service and the agent was frustrated as she explained what we needed to do. 2. She said "go to walmart, by a sim card, install it, save the receipt for a refund from Consumer Cellular, OR WAIT FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL, or drive 15 miles to a service center in Largo Florida.'. WE WENT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE AGENT SAID "There is a sim card installed upside down." I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIE ON THE CONSUMER CELLULAR WEBSITE THAT THEIR RATING IS FOUR. ***]
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Thank You for the objective review. I have heard other service complaints regarding consumer cellular. I don’t understand the logic of being able to cancel your account anytime but unable to unlock your phone for 6 months. Contradiction in terms. Guess I’ll stick with AT&T.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Know this they have been trained to lie and become as crooked as the business is. They claim they record, ? Record and keep what they desire to be heard. I say do not trust these characters. If AARP and AT & T continues to endorse them without looking at all the facts, reviews and issues customers are encountering I would say we need to question their choices as well. Again DO NOT.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
I regret even thinking about going with Consumer Cellular. I went into Target to establish service and found that Target knows nothing about Consumer Cellular. The first employee essentially ran away when I mentioned what I wanted. Another guy came over and knew nothing about it, but tried to help by pulling out documentation from the electronics department desk. It wasn't enough to help him, but he found a phone number to call for assistance. After over one hour trying to make it work, they concluded my phone was not compatible and would not work. They wanted me to buy a phone, but I told them I no longer wanted Consumer Cellular and I left the store.
A couple of months later I started getting collection calls from Consumer Cellular and when I explained the whole situation to them they refused to issue a credit. They even acknowledged case notes indicating "customer has a phone that is not compatible." Now, four months later, the balance has been turned over to collections and my credit score has dropped as a result. Numerous calls to both Target and Consumer Cellular have been of no help. I don't know who to blame more for this debacle, but both of them should be ashamed of not getting this resolved. I talked to Target again today and it appears that I may have found someone that will get this resolved, but I felt that way before and it never happened. I better get a sizable gift card from Target to compensate me for all of I have been through.
Bottom line, don't even think about using Target or Consumer Cellular for mobile service.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
DO NOT do it. They claim you get a month free, they sale you the minimum plan and the you look and are charged for a 5g byte plan, they setup you with the understanding of the lowest plan and as I followed up I was in a $50 plan, they are a bunch of crooks. I called Consumers affair and these people have numerous complaints against them. How do companies like AT & T and other reliable companies engage with Consumer Cellulars. Best name CONSUMER CROOKS. The people are trained like puppets in a string and my encounter in the beginning was like if knowledge in performing their duties. I should have know then nevertheless you live and you learn. The grass on one side sounds and looks better but I tell you do not believe what is being shown on TV. Who knows the people maybe paid to do a short gig. Please do not do it bad news bear.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
i agree target is worthless they said it would be easier if I did it from home even though I was there already and then they said they can’t transfer it because they needed a transfer pin and by law they said I had to do it even when I said that they did that 3 month ago with no problem he then said the guy was probably new but then I told him that it was him that did it and he kept lying about the new law etc they just don’t want to help but when a younger lady said they needed to transfer to consumer cellular as I walked away he said to her no problem I’ll take care of you I then responded I will call your boss he just waved me off
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Hello @BradS601356 here to help. We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with one of our benefit providers. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Daniela R.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Hey @AARPConsumerCare - Daniela R.
I might be wrong but I don’t think one can get An AARP Consumer Cellular plan at Target.
Right?
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
My comment was to add another experience with Consumer Cellular. My signing up with them was not through AARP and I did not imply in my comment that AARP was responsible for this fiasco. I blame Target and Consumer Cellular for this mess. Target is the root cause of the problem, but it is unfathomable that Consumer Cellular refused the write off a $35 balance based on the facts and the clear notes they have in their records. I remain firm in my assertion that Consumer Cellular is not a good brand and I want to make that known to as many mobile users as possible.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Exactly! I trusted Consumer Cellular ONLY because of their endorsement by AARP. What a mistake.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Other
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
Hi, here to help! I am sorry to hear of your experience with Consumer Cellular. It is not uncommon for cell providers to have a waiting period prior to unlocking a device. Unlocking a device typically has eligibility requirements which include a certain amount of time the device has to be active with their company. For example, a T-Mobile device on a pre-paid plan has to be active for at least 365 days.
If you feel as though your service issues are not being handled appropriately or are experiencing difficulties, you can always contact AARP for help if there's an issue with an AARP provider. Please use this link (https://help.aarp.org/s/) to contact us by phone, chat or text.
- Description of your issue
- Mention that you are requesting an escalation
We look forward to hearing from you!
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report
For the past 6 months I have been receiving threatening emails from Consumer Cellular, the latest received March 8th for a payment due March 11th: "Payment is due in 3 days...a friendly reminder (?) of $51.49 is due in 3 days" and it "offers" me a few ways to pay, all involving providing my credit card info online. I told them from the beginning that I would need to pay using a check, and they have never NOT CASHED my checks!! The fact that I have not yet even received my bill this month (or other months) makes it impossible for me to pay using a check. Creepy. And signed, very personally, Consumer Cellular Customer Service. This is "customer service??" I have excellent credit and pay my bills on time, if not early. It did not used to be this way. Are they in Texas now?? My son is looking into another provider.
"I downloaded AARP Perks to assist in staying connected and never missing out on a discount!" -LeeshaD341679