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got my first iphone 3g bill...arghhh...

It's impossible that the iPhone AIM app is using SMS messages. Case in point: I don't have a SIM card in my iPhone (it was unlocked by another iPhone users SIM card) and I use the AOL app all the time on my wifi network. I'd like to see how AT&T could bill me for that.

The AT&T employees simply don't realize the iPhone isn't one of the crappy phones they're used to working with.
 
JackSpearo said:
I downloaded the AOL instant messenger from the app store (the free application)

I thought it was fantastic, but the ATT guy just now told me on the phone, ATT considers it a text message every time you instant message

if you look on your data plan it says

SMS/IM

I never noticed it before :-(
Click to expand...

ARE YOU SERIOUS?????????????? I bet this will upset many. I won't even bother with that app now. :eek:
 
bambu said:
I was charged for text messages sent using Meebo on my bill. It shows up as MSN IM. If you can not take what I am saying at face value then I don't know what to say. Further more, the number of posts I have made is not relevant to this discussion. The only reason I registered here was to vent my frustration with AT&T's business practices. I find it amusing that people can not seem to believe it. Hopefully, this they billed me in error. Time will tell.

-Bambu
Click to expand...

Could we see a screenshot?
 
I thought the AIM app connected through the Internet, which would me covered by the data plan bill. I don't think (and hope, because I use it) that there is some other app on your phone that's incurring these charges.
 
If I AIM im and the other person it just on a plan computer that still would be under the data plan right? even though the other person on AIM doesn't have a Iphone?
 
AiralynRose said:
are you SURE that the person didn't text your phone from AIM and then you replied within the SMS application? It is impossible for them to get the messages out of the AIM app or the Meebo web app. Both of these are data. My online account says i've sent/received 1,000 text messages, and if AIM used text messages that would be FAAR above 1,000.
Click to expand...

Yes I'm sure. Those kinds of text messages were labeled as text messages on my bill. I emailed AT&T and I got this response:

Dear Miss Vong,

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail the new AT&T regarding your
being charged for AOL/IM and you feel that you should not be charged for
any of theose messages because you using an App from Apple. And this
should be charged as data. I am happy to help you with your inquiry.

In reviewing your email and account, I have found that any instant
messaging will be billed as text messaging not data due to the
following: Mobile Instant Messaging with AOL will use Text Messaging as
the messaging platform.


Miss Vong, we understand the significance of the relationships we develop
with our customers. You have been a loyal customer of ourssince 2005 and
you are critical to our future growth and success. We greatly appreciate
the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for choosing AT&T.

Sincerely,

Kellye Johnson
AT&T
Online Customer Care Professional


:confused:
 
I've been checking my data usage online and so far AT&T did not charge me anymore for IM messages.

Maybe it's been all sorted out? I guess we'll see when the next bill comes..
 
My Bill

iPhelim said:
Could we see a screenshot?
Click to expand...

Attached is a JPEG image of my bill. Since there were so many enteries I could not fit the entirety of the message section of the bill into the screen.


I have removed my personal information from the screen shot below.

-Bambu
 
called at&t as my cycle closed today -- said my usage on texting is exactly what it said online yesterday and that is ONLY texts sent/received and didnt have any charges for AIM.
 
Saw my bill today too and everything makes sense. I did notice, however, that my company 15% discount is now missing even though it still shows my affiliation and FAN # at the top of the ATT web page. Any notice this too?
 
C'mon people, really???!!!!!

cvong said:
Yes I'm sure. Those kinds of text messages were labeled as text messages on my bill. I emailed AT&T and I got this response:

Dear Miss Vong,

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail the new AT&T regarding your
being charged for AOL/IM and you feel that you should not be charged for
any of theose messages because you using an App from Apple. And this
should be charged as data. I am happy to help you with your inquiry.

In reviewing your email and account, I have found that any instant
messaging will be billed as text messaging not data due to the
following: Mobile Instant Messaging with AOL will use Text Messaging as
the messaging platform.


Miss Vong, we understand the significance of the relationships we develop
with our customers. You have been a loyal customer of ourssince 2005 and
you are critical to our future growth and success. We greatly appreciate
the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for choosing AT&T.

Sincerely,

Kellye Johnson
AT&T
Online Customer Care Professional


:confused:
Click to expand...


Yes, what she wrote is correct. If you use the AIM app from APPLE then you will be charged as text. If you use the app from AOL available on the App Store, you will not be charged.

This is really not that difficult to understand.
 
meelash said:
Yes, what she wrote is correct. If you use the AIM app from APPLE then you will be charged as text. If you use the app from AOL available on the App Store, you will not be charged.

This is really not that difficult to understand.
Click to expand...

AIM app from Apple? You meant the green icon with SMS written on it?
 
I would be superbly worried about this myself, but

1) I have unlimited texting, and
2) I know for fact that the AIM app does not uses your SMS plan because if it did, then how would it work on the Touch?
 
lol meebo does charge you? That would be insane.

I used meebo a few times, hope they don't charge me >.>
 
This seems simple to me. Next time one of you call AT&T simply ask a few more questions like the following.

• If I turn my airplane mode on and only use WiFi will I be charged even though I am not using the AT&T network?

• If I am outside an AT&T coverage area and using my own or someone else's WiFi will I be charged?

• (possible follow up to previous 2 questions) If I am not connected to the AT&T network how are my charges calculated?

• If I am using an iPod Touch which utilizes the same AOL software will I be charged and if so how will I be charged since service was never nor is possible to be established with AT&T for this device?

• If I am being charged for IM's sent over my own WiFi network how do I go about billing AT&T for using my network for their services?

I've always found that sometimes the best way to deal with uneducated customer service reps is to ask questions they can't answer. Be creative and keep asking them questions have them explain the whole IM charging process.
 
Next Tuesday said:
I have no clue why people just dont spring for the unlimited text/data plans.
Click to expand...

Exactly, $90+plus TAx to forget about everything... except international stuff.. I did have $1.25 for txt to my Canadian friends. I believe it's $0.25/txt..so..almost "Forget about it" mode..
MemphisDave
 
meelash said:
Yes, what she wrote is correct. If you use the AIM app from APPLE then you will be charged as text. If you use the app from AOL available on the App Store, you will not be charged.

This is really not that difficult to understand.
Click to expand...


I use the app from the Apple store.
 
AIM does not equal IM

AIM stands for "AOL Instant Messenger"

The built in "AIM" on the iPhone is not an instant messenger, its the text messaging service...
 
cvong said:
I use the app from the Apple store.
Click to expand...

But you said the IM app from Apple. And I assume you mean the App Store.

The one in the Apple store is not made by Apple, but AOL. The one made by AOL connects to the internet through either Wi-Fi or your Cellular network, which is covered by the $30 data plan (note the use of the word DATA). The one built into the phone allows messages to be sent to AIM users, but as a text message that is processed and sent over the Internet. That is why it applies as a text message.

IM is instant messaging.

AIM is AOL Instant Messenger.

IM sends texts.

AIM sends data.

And, as others have said, the fact that the iPod touch can use the SAME app as the one on the iPhone proves that it uses DATA not Text Messaging to send messages.

The iPod touch is not linked to a text account, yet users can still text on the phone IF they are connected to a wireless network, which has nothing to do with AT&T.

Maybe if you re-submit that letter to the woman at AT&T stating it was the AOL AIM app that you use, and that uses data (as proven by its use on the iPod touch), she may take the charges off.

However, if she says that you did not use that app to send messages to AIM accounts, then there is nothing you can do.

Another thing is that you said that it shows up as AIM/IM on the bill. The use of applications on the iPhone that use data do not show up individually on the bill; they all fall under the category of "DATA". That $30 charge added to your bill is UNLIMITED data transfer, but not messaging. You can send as much data as you'd like, but once you go over your limit in messaging, they will charge you overages.
 
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