Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

D

Dr Dave

Registered
I have a built-in Lincoln cellular phone that is worthless! I don't remember exactly what it cost on the invoice, but I know it was well over a $500.00 option.

Now that the cellular phone providers are weening us off of the analog technology and into digital, they refuse to activate any new cellular accounts. I've tried all of the local carriers and none of them will activate my phone.

A few days ago, there was a thread from which the author was locked out of his car and wanted to know how to get in without calling a locksmith. I went to my glove box to retrieve a phone number to the Lincoln Commitment hotline. Since then, the thought had occured to me that they may be able to help me to find a solution to our phone dilemma.

I called them back this morning. They gave me a phone number to call for the provider that they have chosen to solve their car phone issues. I called that number and they told me, "Unfortunately, there's nothing that we can do. Lincoln has not committed to update your cellular phone to digital as of this time." I asked them if they kept a database of Mark VIII owners whom called to complain about this, and he replied, "No sir, The Lincoln Commitment hotline will register your complaint for you."

The phone number to the Lincoln Commitment hotline is 800-521-4140.
[font size=4][font color=red]Please join me by calling them to register your complaint![/font color][font size=2]
Make sure that you have your VIN number handy (on your insurance card) as they needed mine.
Maybe if enough of us complain, Lincoln will decide to recall our phones for a digital upgrade. Or maybe it's just a pipe dream............ sigh.

P.S.- While you have them on the phone, complain about the drive shaft and the rear window rubber lasagne.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

I really don't know anyone that keeps cell phones for more than a year or so. Based on this plus the fact the car is 6 years old or older I think you're beating a dead horse.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

I really don't know anyone that keeps cell phones for more than a year or so.
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Wow, you must have some rich friends!
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you get a new exciting cell phone for free these days. Just look around they have built in cameras, color screens etc etc. If you shop around you can get em for free as i said.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

Max, you're right, but I think he is referring to the phone "option" that is built in to the car. It isnt so much as he needs "any" cell phone, but he wants to make use of the phone that Lincoln charged money for as an option, that is essentially useless now. I am torn between my battles. I understand that it is probably a useless fight, and the time spent hoping, wishing, bitching, whinning, requesting, researching, (exhale) etc, it is probably easier to just go get a disposable(1 yr plan w/ free phone), and be done with it. However, my car also has the phone option, and with the built in "hands-free" set up, it would be great when the "car phone" laws change in my state, to already have a factory system that requires nothing more than the touch of a button to be in compliance. I do wish my car phone worked. it would be a great "toy" to have, and since it is already installed, why not make it work?
I will call and complain. Not because I am in need of it, but to help my fellow Mark VIII owners with their battles, and because deep down, I believe Lincoln "should" make it right. Once again.... they dropped the ball. They could have installed a system that was easily upgradeable, as I am sure the engineers are aware, technology advances in leaps and bounds, and to tie their own hands with a dead-end electrical gizmo in a high end luxury car would just prove how little Lincoln cares about its customer's future.
BlackIceLSC-VP LODNCA
http://mark8.org/lodnca
94 Black/Black M8
95 Champagne/Saddle M8
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

You cant expect lincoln, or any other car company to anticipate every innovation or upgrade. Especially in this case, cel phones are not their business.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

To arm you guys with a little more useful information, the 2002 Town Cars offered it (identical set up to the Mark 8 and in 2003 model year they had them left over ... The MSRLP was $1,295.00. However, if you ordered it in your 2003 Town Car, it was displayed on the window sticker as $1,295.00. However, at the bottom they deducted the $1,295.00 so, in effect it was FREE. Yes, they gave them away in the end. ONLY 2003s made in 2002 had them. NO 2003 made after January 2nd 2003 had them. However, 2002s went into production on March 25th 2002. So, cars made from that date, until December 22nd 2002 had them. Those folks too are probably at a loss.....to have service.

I still say, Dave, try AT&T Wireless.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

I still say, Dave, try AT&T Wireless.
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Sandy,

As I stated, I tried everyone!

Thanks for your input about the 2002 Lincolns. I called the Lincoln dealership today after I made this thread, but before I read your reply. They said what you said.

The same cellular phone technology that they installed on our Mark VIIIs, they installed on the 2002 Lincolns. That is reinforcing to my cause! If we complain, that will benefit everyone who purchased a Lincoln with cellular technology although it was apparantly outdated upon purchase. Now, in our case, it was still available when the cars were produced, but if Lincoln replaces the analog phones built in 2002, hopefully they will fit our cars too.

Everyone, please call Lincoln to complain. It was easy to get through each of the 3 times that I called them. I wasn't on hold for more than 10 minutes on one of the calls, and the other two went right through.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

My MK8 doesn't have the cell phone option. But my 2003 Chevy Silverado LT has the On Star option, and part of this is an analog phone {which I don't have activated}, it's about 6 times as powerful as my handheld, but the handheld has almost always been able to get out OK.
I got a letter awhile back from On Star that said that in 2008,the cell phone companies would no longer be required to maintain analog networks.

They dodged stating whether or not there was going to be any way to convert to digital.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

Dave, you are really wasting your time. Cell technology progressed and older cell phones were left in the dust. I have a box full of old cells that are usefull only as paperweights. There is, however, one thing you can use it for... emergencies! It is my understanding that any cell phone, even ones without subscribed service, MUST be able to call 911. Our Seville has an analog phone built in, it is unsubscribed, but I once did use it to call 911 after seeing an accident.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

The on-star package that I have in both of my chevys is satelite

I get 60 min a month free with my onstar service. I never really use it tho, unless of course I am in the middle of no where and neither of my cell phones get service. But the rest of the service is very handy, they even give you dinner advice and driving directions, never mind unlocking your doors for you and calling your cell phones if your alarm is activated.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

If anything, digital is a DOWNGRADE. Crappy sound quality, gawd-awful distortion or signal cutting out completely when you get below a certain threshold. It's the same with cable television. Analog is superior in every way except cost.
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

If anything, digital is a DOWNGRADE. Crappy sound quality, gawd-awful distortion or signal cutting out completely when you get below a certain threshold. It's the same with cable television. Analog is superior in every way except cost.
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I don't think thats the case. I read somewhere that the cell companies try to squeeze so many numbers and so much info in as few frequencies as possible in order to save $$ that we get poor reception, dropped calls, etc. The article said that if they opened up the bandwidth our cell phones would be as clear and as reliable as out land lines. The reason why analog seemed so much better is that there were far fewer phones in those days. Remember the days of $1000 mobile bricks in your trunk?
 
RE: Protest to Lincoln about our cell phones!

I believe that you have incomplete info on your On Star. According to a close friend who is a master tech at the local GM dealer{ he has ALL the GM brands!}, we have satellite on the theft recovery and other things that require GPS technology, but the phone is analog. This from a man who has had every tech school that GM offers.

Also I fail to see why On-Star wouild have bothered to send me a letter concerning FCC rulings on maintaining analog networks after a certain date if On-Star were satellite phone. I had the asme impression as you till he set me straight.
 
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