Qwest wireless customers must switch by Saturday to keep phone ...

About 6,500 Minnesota wireless customers of Qwest Communications International have until Halloween night to switch cell phone services or risk losing their phone number.

[Incredible70]

How long before the government steps in to stop this transition? After all, they have only had 18 months to sign the paperwork to switch...that clearly isn't long enough. This is to use a paid service...the nanny government stopped the same thing for FREE TV. Surely they won't allow the big business to change the phone number of these innocent folks!

[Tammy Baker]

praise be

[swschrad]

cell phones are very lightly regulated. the transition from reselling Sprint to being an agent of Verizon was massively promoted by Qwest. I can't see any reason except inertia or incompetence to have stayed on a dead horse this long, especially since you get a new, free phone on a bigger network.

simple solution, really simple ::= if you have cell phone service on a Qwest bill, take it and the phone to a Verizon store in a mall this week and convert. it's really painless. but write down any phone directory numbers stored in your old phone.

[Julia]

We're really pleased with Verizon. I have always had pleasant and helpful customer service and seem to know what they're doing. They have been awesome with my teenage daughter who is hard on her phone.

[KBB]

I am one of the many who chose not to switch to Verizon on the basis of principle. The rate is twice what I pay now with my "guaranteed for life" rates. What Qwest is doing seems a little underhanded -- cutting off it's customers so that they do not have to honor their "price for life" obligation. I have no respect for Qwest as a company and will be moving my internet and phone service when I get a chance to research the market.

Qwest gets an "F" in my book for lack of integrity in their business practices.

[Incredible70]

KBB wrote:

I am one of the many who chose not to switch to Verizon on the basis of principle. The rate is twice what I pay now with my "guaranteed for life" rates. What Qwest is doing seems a little underhanded -- cutting off it's customers so that they do not have to honor their "price for life" obligation. I have no respect for Qwest as a company and will be moving my internet and phone service when I get a chance to research the market.
Qwest gets an "F" in my book for lack of integrity in their business practices.

The last 17 months weren't enough time to 'research the market'? Please...

[Slim Shady]

hello click oopps forgot to switch

[KBB]

Incredible70 wrote:

<quoted text>
The last 17 months weren't enough time to 'research the market'? Please...

Sorry you seem so cynical -- some of us have more important things going on in life than switching back and forth between phone companies. I am a loyal customer -- I've had this same cell phone plan for more than 17 years -- probably more committment than you are comfortable with. I haven't replaced my cell phone plan yet -- I've got until 10/31/09 but then, I'm not the type that really needs to have a cell phone so that everyone can reach me no matter where I am. Maybe I'll go for a few months without one -- does that make you nervous? As far as my land line is concerned, I've been thinking about taking the plunge into VOIP (voice over itnernet protocol -- learned that through my minimal research...) My point is, I will be switching to another provider however, I haven't made an informed decision as to which company deserves me as a customer. I do know that it is not Qwest. Thanks!

[NoDOubt]

Quest is and always been a major pain in the derriere. I had phone and internet service with them years ago and they jerked me around to the point of no return. I wouldn't do business with this company even if was the last provider standing. Never again Quest!

[Incredible70]

KBB wrote:

<quoted text>
Sorry you seem so cynical -- some of us have more important things going on in life than switching back and forth between phone companies. I am a loyal customer -- I've had this same cell phone plan for more than 17 years -- probably more committment than you are comfortable with. I haven't replaced my cell phone plan yet -- I've got until 10/31/09 but then, I'm not the type that really needs to have a cell phone so that everyone can reach me no matter where I am. Maybe I'll go for a few months without one -- does that make you nervous? As far as my land line is concerned, I've been thinking about taking the plunge into VOIP (voice over itnernet protocol -- learned that through my minimal research...) My point is, I will be switching to another provider however, I haven't made an informed decision as to which company deserves me as a customer. I do know that it is not Qwest. Thanks!

So, what was it like back when everything was in black and white? You clearly use your cell phone about once a month, and probably still had a rotary phone on your kitchen wall in 1995. Here is a news flash for you...none of these companies cares about you. You are a check to them. I'm not sure why you think you are special, but you aren't.

And here's another flash for you...no one deserves you as a customer. I don't wish that curse on any company.

[KBB]

Incredible70 wrote:

<quoted text>
So, what was it like back when everything was in black and white? You clearly use your cell phone about once a month, and probably still had a rotary phone on your kitchen wall in 1995. Here is a news flash for you...none of these companies cares about you. You are a check to them. I'm not sure why you think you are special, but you aren't.
And here's another flash for you...no one deserves you as a customer. I don't wish that curse on any company.

We are talking about the same thing aren't we? Customer choice. It might come as a surprise to you that companies who provide good customer service will survive in this economy and those that do not will fail -- a valuable concept that you have not fully embraced. I'm sorry that as a consumer you do not feel as though you have any power in your investment dollars -- as a successful business person, I rely on the concept that my clients are looking for the best customer care they can find and with an overall satisfaction rate of 99%, my business is thriving even in this economy. I pity the company you work for because this is obviously a new concept for you.
BTW -- I actually moved to a princess style touch button phone in 1972 and a cell phone in 1992 a little ahead of my time!