Unlocking A Cell Phone

[sinsin2]

This works.

http://www.btinternet.com/~unlocksmith/guide4.html

[JJsushi]

TypicalAnonym said:

Unless something has changed very recently, AT&T is widely known as the one of the 3 big US GSM providers that flat-out refuses to provide unlock codes. No amount of talking to a supervisor is likely to help.

 

On the other hand, T-Mobile is known as the one that will provide the codes after you've paid your bill for a few months and you tell them that you are going abroad.

 

No idea about Cingular.

 

ATT will do it if you ask for retention. Tmobile will do it before you get your first bill if u tell them you are traveling abroad- the customer care rep will simply submit a request andthey will email u the code in a couple of days.

 

Never used Cingular which now owns ATT so I don't know.

 

Now maybe I am just lucky or very persuasive on the phone but both methods work for me

[Hugh_Hoy]

jjsushi said:

 

<snipped?

 

ATT will do it if you ask for retention.

 

What do you mean by "retention"? Over the last couple of days, I've addressed this unlocking issue with the reps in the ATT store and on the phone. Just get stone-walled by several different reps.

[Old Hippie]

I have AT=T, and I could not get them to help at all, maybe I lack "style and game" with them also... In any event, there are people out there who can unlock your phone, a lot depends on the manufacturer rather than the service provider...my unlock cost $20 from "a guy I know." If you are in the USA, check www.craigslist.org and do a search for mobile phone unlocking... or go to MBK in BKK I am sure someone there can help you...

[JJsushi]

Hugh_Hoy said:

jjsushi said:

 

<snipped?

 

ATT will do it if you ask for retention.

 

What do you mean by "retention"? Over the last couple of days, I've addressed this unlocking issue with the reps in the ATT store and on the phone. Just get stone-walled by several different reps.

 

Retention is the last stand in customer service department that you would speak to disconnect your account. In order to prevent you from canceling service you talk to a retention specialist who is authorized to give you special discounts, services and such that a frontline customer rep can't offer in order to pacify and keep you a loyal customer.

 

mobile phone companies spend alot of money in customer acquisition marketing so they really don't want to see a customer leave.

 

I never have a problem when I need something for my accounts and if I do reps will do what they can to pacify me, as long as it is reasonable. Also if I feel a rep is unresponsive to my requests I will hang up and call back at a later time. I don't really know what ATT criteria is to keep a customer. I am sure it has much to do with how profitable of an account you are and I am sure they have some sort of rating on your account. With ATT wireless selling out to Cingular I am sure their policies will or are in line with Cingular. I have no experience with Cingular.

[Hugh_Hoy]

JJ

 

Retention...kinda thought that was what u mean within the context of one of your previous posts. Just wasn't sure. I might give that a try...kind of like "telemarketing" in reverse. Friend of mine did that with Comcast/Direct TV. Worked for him.

 

Anyway, I'll get this "issue" resolved somehow. Lots of good responses and help from the board. And also, surprisingly, some interesting info on the ATT Wireless site itself where there is what appears to be an *unmoderated* forum :-)

[Guest]

Buy any phone with Tmobile OR better yet buy or find a cheaper phone in SEA that takes a sim card and use it in your home country with T-mobile.

Plus, you will have a cool phone that nobody else has and maybe get some farang skirt in the process....(really?)

cheers,

[mongatu]

Here's a couple of factoids that might be helpful in this area:

 

First, there is a site http://mobile.burn.com/index.jspmobileburn.com

which in the Nokia forum section, will provide you the unlock codes for self entry for Nokia phones at no charge (after you provide certain information about your phone to them which is required to generate the unlock code).

 

Second, be advised that currently all Cingular branded tri and quad band phones (i.e. "world" phones) are sold already UNLOCKED. (The one cool thing about Cingular.)

 

In my case, I went to an independent dealer in my local Chinese neighborhood, who was only too happy to sell me an unlocked Cingular branded Motorola quad band V400 when I used him to sign up for service on T-Mobile. Plus he gave me a discount and got me a rebate on the Cingular V400 phone from T-Mobile (can't say how he did that in a public forum) so my new factory unlocked V400 was essentially free.

[Old Hippie]

I got really bitchy with AT+T and still got nowhere. I told them I got the damned phone and service as a means of versatility, and their locking the phone violated the aggreement by not allowing me to use the phone over seas...what should they care as long as I paid my bill here etc...got no where, bitched a blue streak, was told if I canceled the contract, I would have to pay $300USD...I called a few consumer people who sympathized...but got no where...paid a guy in Oakland $20USD and problem solved...god I love the "homeboy shoping network and customer service dept..."

[Guest]

yes, AT&T are a bunch of nazi's.

congrats on your homeboy shopping expeirence...the last shred of community and networking available.