New Contributor II
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6 Messages
Cox Black Friday deal was free phone that wasn't free.
Cox Black Friday deal said sign up for two years and get a free S24 phone free, with approved credit. I was approved only to find out that the phone is financed through Citizens bank under my name for which I am responsible for the payment. Oh but have no fear somehow that account will get credited the payment as long as you are with Cox mobile and after 24 months (two years) it will be paid off. HOWEVER the credit happens for 23 months and I am responsible for the first payment, which for me is $66.68 because I have two lines (thus two phone). Besides all You have to pay taxes on the phones and pay the line connection fee of $10 per phone. So I guess free isn't free after all. I don't like it but I can expect that there will always be death and taxes, I guess even hidden fees. But how is paying $66.68 for a free phone free? I called and also chatted with Cox and Citizens Bank. Both say you have the make the first payment but cannot explain how that is free. Citizens says they only get/do a 23 month payment credit. Cox says that at the end you will see a credit but does not know where that credit happens or who it goes to (Citizens or Cox account). I asked for more clarification and got the same run around saying its a refund type thing. So I asked if i would get the credit paid to me and they just said no its a credit but still did not say which account or how I verify this in two years. I then asked them to simply credit my mobile bill for the $66.68 then there would be no confusion and they said they could not. I am think of going to the BBB for false advertising.
The good news is the mobile service so far has been fine.
StephanieS
Moderator
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634 Messages
7 months ago
Mpier1 I'd be more than happy to look into this for you. Please send me an email at cox.help@cox.com and include your full name, address and a link to this Cox Forum's post. Thanks!
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CurtB
Honored Contributor
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2K Messages
7 months ago
Cox News & Press Releases | Cox Communications
Where does it say you should receive a free S24 phone with no cost to you?
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WiderMouthOpen
Esteemed Contributor III
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3.5K Messages
7 months ago
Besides the free phone, what made you go with Cox Cellular? All they do is resell Verizon service who offer better service for cheaper. Cut out the middle man and go with Verizon or TMobile, based on which ever gets better service in your area.
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wls4gur
New Contributor II
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2 Messages
7 months ago
I had to pay $107 for two iphone 16 128GB and one iphone 16 256GB for the first installment. (Originally what I heard at the COX store was the two 128GB phones for free and the 256GB one for $100. They also showed the price tags on the website. So I will get $4.xx bill for 24 months for 3 devices) Today what COX and Citizen bank are saying is the $107 will be returned as a check within 24 months. What I was frustrated is that it was not what I heard at the COX store or read on the Terms and conditions. The Cox customer service could find any line stating that on the document and the Citizen bank does not know about the refund for the first installment. Something keeps changing from the original ads and what the COX store said.
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C12_
New Contributor II
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5 Messages
6 months ago
Estoy en la misma situacion
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HTC61
New Contributor II
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3 Messages
6 months ago
Hello Mpier1,
I have a post "Cox Mobile Discount Deal is a Fraud in Conspiracy with Citizens Pay" that goes into some deal about this scam. I have spoken directly with the Citizens Bank and Cox Communications Corporate Offices regarding this fictitious loan program. When talking to Cox or Citizens about the loan they refer to the other side as being responsible. They set up the program so they can blame each other so neither party claims responsibility for this scam.
Cox and Citizens have created these fictitious lines of credit as a means of locking the service for 24 months. The loan balance represents the full amount of the phone including the discount and is supposed to be reduced somehow each month over 24 months. The first month's payment, no one can come up with a real explanation for it, is supposed to be refunded to you at the end of the 24 months.
The absurd reason for this method is that Cox's system is not capable of tracking these service lock periods. What makes this explanation absurd is that their phone, internet, and tv system is capable of tracking lock periods. Therefore, in reality Citizen's is performing accounting services for Cox by tracking the remaining discount, but in the form of a loan that the customers are responsible for and impacts your credit score.
The result of this fraud is that there is a loan in your name and on your credit report with the line of credit amount as available credit and the loan balance. This loan will have a negative impact on your credit score because not only is there a loan with an outstanding balance and monthly payment, but also the line of credit probably is for an amount greater than the loan balance. The unused balance of this line of credit will be reflected as available credit on your credit report. So, you should check your credit score a month after this fraud goes into effect.
I have also discovered that Cox reps in the stores were intentionally not informed of the details of the financing program. Obviously, they withheld the information otherwise nobody would sign up for this fraud.
My next set is going to be referring this fraud to elected officials and regulators in order to see that legislation is passed locally and nationally to ban this kind of fraudulent transactions.
Good luck.
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