‘We Got Scammed’: Washington Costco Customers Get $1,600 Phones Through AT&T Sales Rep In The Store. Then They Talk To Actual AT&T Representative

Two AT&T customers are calling the company out after claiming they signed up for a plan at Costco after being told they would get $1,600—only for AT&T to later claim that the promotion was no longer active and they wouldn’t be getting the money.

In a video with over 92,000 views, TikTok user Torri Ann Webb (@torrisunshine) explains how she and her partner signed a contract, only for AT&T to decide that they’re “just not gonna honor it.”

2 Customers Say They Were Scammed Out Of $1,600

The beginning of the video shows Webb’s partner, who is on the phone with AT&T. According to the AT&T representative, the promotion that Webb and her partner signed up for at Costco, which offered them $1,600 for switching from Verizon, expired about two weeks prior to them signing up for plans. The worker says there is nothing she can do about it.

This is despite the fact that, according to Webb, their contract explicitly states they are entitled to this promotion. The promotion in question appears to be the one announced in February of this year. Through the promotion, the company promises to offer up to $800 per line in order to pay off a new customer’s existing provider.

“As a company, if we have that contract, wouldn’t you guys want to try to honor it so you don’t get sued, since it’s a contract that’s signed?” Webb asks.

The AT&T representative responds by deflecting the blame to Costco. And so, the pair decide to go to Costco to resolve the situation once and for all.

The Plot Thickens At Costco

Once Webb and her partner get to the desk at Costco, they are greeted by a television advertising the very promotion they were just told was expired.

However, this worker seems confused. He calls his manager in order to try to resolve the situation. He also notes that he sold several more lines for this promotion on that day alone.

After several calls to AT&T, Webb and her partner are able to confirm that the promotion was indeed no longer active. In the end, the AT&T worker simply suggests trying to resolve the problem through arbitration.

“It very clearly states that we are going to be getting our money back, up to $800 per line. And we did everything we needed to do,” Webb explains. “This is happening. And we are, I guess, gonna go through arbitration and try to get our money back. But it’s insane it’s currently happening right now at Costcos all over America.”

It’s Not Just Costco

If this promotion is no longer active, someone should tell AT&T themselves. At the time of writing, if one visits AT&T’s official portal for this promotion, att.com/switcherpayoff, they will find that the promotion is still being advertised.

Granted, this site could still be leftover from people who bought the promotion during the eligibility window and are simply visiting the site to redeem it.

Still, the terms of the agreement on the site may favor Webb. So long as she and her partner have truly met all of the eligibility requirements, they may have a case that they are entitled to the promotion.

AT&T’s main arguments appear to be that the promotion expired and that the contract issuer was a third party.

However, if the contract was with AT&T, it explicitly stated the $800 reward, and she complied with all listed requirements, this could be considered a breach of contract if the company decides not to pay her and her partner.

Second, she could also argue that the offer itself was deceptive, especially given that it was still being advertised. Unfair or deceptive acts in commerce are unlawful, according to 15 U.S. Code § 45.

That said, fighting this might not be easy. In order to resolve the issue, she should start raising the problem with everyone involved. This includes AT&T customer service, Costco member services, the FCC, the Better Business Bureau, and, if desired, her state attorney general. If needed, she can also pursue the issue through arbitration. Though she may find more success going through these other channels first.

Commenters Aren’t Happy

In the comments section, several users claimed to have experienced something similar, with some offering potential solutions.

“My in laws were scammed by AT&T at Sam’s. They were told the same lies!” exclaimed a user.

“AT&T is a scam. This sounds like a class action in the making,” declared another.

“I just was offered the same promotion with AT&T at BJs today. So glad I didn’t go through with it. Not cool @AT&T,” offered a third.

BroBible reached out to AT&T via email, Costco via media contact form, and Webb via email.