Roundabout with AT&T
Posted November 24th, 2007 @ 05:29pm by Erik J. Barzeski
In the mail today I got a pair of envelopes from AT&T. I thought they were the rebate forms for the two RAZRs we have on our three-member Family Talk plan.
I had previously noticed online that two of our accounts had the Roadside Assistance ($2.99) on it. I called and had that removed a few days ago. On this little packet, it also said both phones had the "Media Basic Bundle" at $9.99/month. I've just now called and had that removed.
The salesperson who set up the accounts the first time had also promised me he'd be waiving the activation fees (since CellularOne == AT&T), but each of the packets lists a $26 activation fee, too.
And who knows what details are missing since I don't have a "packet" for my iPhone yet.
Basically, my bill should be:
$89.99 Family Talk 1400 Plan $ 9.99 Third Line $20.00 iPhone Data + 200 - 20% Discount
That's about $96/month (before about $20 in taxes and other fees). Apparently I have to call billing about the activation fees because customer service can't take care of it.
Fortunately, at this time, I believe both the Roadside Assistance and the Media Basic Bundle have been removed. I've set up automated billing so I'll have to stay on top of these kinds of things. I'm not too happy with the guy who set up the account(s) at this point, though.
I'll update this after I talk with Billing.
Donate Life
Posted 26 Nov 2007 at 11:59am #
Verizon seems to be no different. I had the same problem with using a Verizon "retail store" (turns out they are contracted franchises or some other non-corporate entity). I was told all the activation would be waved since I was adding lines and that I would get special promotional prices for one of the packages I was adding to my family plan. None of it happened and the line from Verizon corporate was, "those are independently owned and operated stores and we don't have to honor anything they said". Upon going back to the store to ask what the heck happened (and yes, I was as nice as possible), I was told I must be making it up and was told in no uncertain terms that my patronage was no longer welcome at their store. Another call back to Verizon customer relations yielded the same response as earlier.
And on top of it, starting with a power outage last month, Verizon signal strength is unserviceable at my home now and barely connects at work. Complaints on that issue have been responded to with "we are not able to replicate the problem in your area". This despite the fact that all of my neighbors and co-workers are having the same problems. Oh, and my phone is a piece of garbage! Ugh!
Posted 26 Nov 2007 at 12:07pm #
[quote comment="44592"]None of it happened and the line from Verizon corporate was, "those are independently owned and operated stores and we don't have to honor anything they said".[/quote]
One difference here is that I called AT&T themselves. I didn't set this up in a store. Hopefully that helps my case. Bummer for yours, though.
[quote comment="44592"]This despite the fact that all of my neighbors and co-workers are having the same problems.[/quote]
It's my understanding that lack of service in an area is an acceptable reason to break a contract without paying the fees. I haven't had to look this up - and it may require you to hire a lawyer (or threaten to) if they're not willing to let you out of your contract - but I believe the facts are on your side in that case. Heck, make a small video showing your signal strength and take it in. The first thing your lawyer would do is probably get affidavits from your neighbors and have you "document" the lack of signal.
Posted 28 Nov 2007 at 10:53am #
[quote comment="44594"]It's my understanding that lack of service in an area is an acceptable reason to break a contract without paying the fees. I haven't had to look this up - and it may require you to hire a lawyer (or threaten to) if they're not willing to let you out of your contract - but I believe the facts are on your side in that case. Heck, make a small video showing your signal strength and take it in. The first thing your lawyer would do is probably get affidavits from your neighbors and have you "document" the lack of signal.[/quote]
Unfortunately, Verizon has taken the same tact that Cingular and AT&T took with me years ago. "We see that you have been able to complete a few calls in your last several billing periods. We do not guarantee quality of service, only that service can be provided to our coverage areas. Since you have been able to complete calls in the area you are concerned about, failure to provide adequate service is not a valid reason to break contract." Well, that's basically what they all said. It's a load of BS. Of coarse, i can complete calls. It's a mobile phone frigtard! I can move to a better signal area! But around my home and my office, I get next to nothing. So frustrating. I wish those guys from the commercials (can you hear me now jack*ss?) were real so I could punch one of them in the neck.
On top of it, the phone sucks! The LG VX8300 is a piece! It has the music control buttons on the front. If you press them for too long it will display an error (I don't have the music package on my phone - I have an iPod, a real mobile player). While that error is up, the phone is essentially locked up until you clear the error. Since I keep the phone in my pocket, the phone gets locked up frequently, and I miss calls. When I called to ask about turning off the buttons, I was told, "go in to your music player and deactivate them there." I told them I didn't have a music package. They said tough crap; you're out of luck. The only carrier in my area that I haven't tried yet is T-Mobile. They'll get me next I guess.
Why do mobile phones and carriers suck so hard!?!?!?