Cingular Treo 650 Goes AWOL

Just wanted to comment that Cingular has had ridiculously bad service for me (caution: long post ahead) in regards to the Treo 650. I'm currently a Sprint customer and decided to opt for the GSM version because of the few added benefits, however, I've been so shocked by the lack of service (and when service is present, intelligent service), that I am staying with Sprint. When I was purchasing the phone from Cingular, I was told 4 different answers for what the data plan was that I could get (everything from 9.95 to 44.95) and told by one person that I couldn't buy the phone except from a special California person. Ooooookay. So I order it eventually with a 19.95 plan assuming this will work. Now it's been a few days since I put in my order, so I call to check up...get put in a wait line. Ok, fine, normal. 10 mins go by, 20 mins, 40 mins, 80 mins...finally at the 104 minute mark it clicks (they had hung up). Aaaaalright maybe there was a glitch. I call back, at the 45 minute mark it clicks and goes off. Hmmm. I call back the next day, 20 minute hold time didn't seem bad in comparison, but the person who eventually picks up is whispering...literally whispering. I say "Ma'am can you speak up?" Her response: "What? No." Click. Hung up. Oh man was I pissed. So I call back Cingular (wait in the customary hold line), and finally get a guy on the line...and promptly tell him to cancel my order. He looks up my information, and says "OK that order has been cancelled." Me: "Are you sure?" Him: "Yes." Ahhh ok, finally. Now I will just go to Sprint and pretend its all a bad nightmare. One problem: next day, the phone arrives at my doorstep. Sigh. So I call back, wait in the hold line, and finally ask the woman to return it. Now I need the return department. Hold line again, get someone. Now I need the return line shipping label department. Hold line again, finally get someone...my shipping labels will be there very soon and she is very sorry for all of the bad service. Needless to say it's been a week thus far since I have requested the shipping labels. Cingular has about 3 days before I call my credit card company and deny their entire charge. Maybe that will wake them up. Heading to the Sprint store tomorrow to pick up their version.

Just thought I would vent and contribute to the "What is Cingular doing...?" discussion. The phone is stunning..and this site has been a very good resource for me in both convincing me about its merits (I used a SPH i500 before the Treo) and showing all the cool programs and gadgets that go with it.

I think there is more to the story than being backordered beyond ability to even register new orders. Based upon conversations I've had with Cingular e-sales personel, they have been deluged with returns due to faulty units and have not been able to swap out the bad units for new good ones as the recent shipment of 5000 units to e-sales was recalled to palmone due to factory defects and the next shipment to e-sales isn't due until March 5 (5000 units). Then there is another shipment due around the 8th or 10th of I think I heard 11000 units and that still won't fix the defect return problem completely since they will no longer allow current treo 650 owners to order replacement units until they fulfill the backorder of replacements numbering as of yesterday, over 6800. With only 5000 due on 3/5 they will not take more replacement orders until maybe 3/8. I'd be happy to answer any questions.

When they say 'other channels' does that mean T-Mobile?

So concerning Cingular do you think than they are satisfied with the current sell-through of Treo 650?Is demand above their own expectations?Or are they just angry because of all the costs induced by the bad units???
Thanks

Judging from this, it sounds like I would have to switch to Sprint to get a Treo 650. Cingular is having too much trouble with the GSM model Treo 650, and the unlocked GSM phone is too expensive. Meanwhile, Verizon has decided not to carry the 650, because they want all their future smartphones to support EVDO, which the CDMA Treo doesn't have.

And I *really* don't want to switch to Sprint...

I can say that I had similar issues with Cingular personnel on decifering the data plan. I finally did find someone that knew for certain the correct plan. When it was time to place the order, Cingular was uncertain of stock levels so I ordered through TreoCentral, it came two days later than promised. But has been working beautifully since it arrived just over two weeks ago. I have used the voice and data services now in the US, Canada, Spain and England. This is an awesome product and definitely worth the wait, the 600 was not a great fit for me but the 650 is a tremendous improvement.

Gualti, the Treo 650 DOES have support for both EV-DO and EDGE. Not sure where you're getting your info, but Verizon took longer than any other carrier to carry the Treo 600 - July I think it was, so my guess is that they are holding off and hoping that the glitches get worked out. Seems like this is T-Mobile's tactic too. Both these companies I guess feel like it's a trade-off. You don't get all the initial sales and buzz from the new release, but on the other hand you don't get all the bad press and bad feelings from customers thant Sprint and Cingular are getting. I don't know which is the better strategy at this point, I'm just glad my Unlocked Treo 650 seems to be working ok...

Sorry Levi I am not one who said all these things on the Verizon model my message is the one just prior to that one.

I called Cingular Friday evening to order a 650, it shipped this morning, so I guess they've got them back in stock again.