Three Words...
Wolf Blitzer...DUH
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Something old, nothing new...
I like to think I'm a rational individual. Joe Average. But why do large companies seem to think that Joe Average (the people that kep them in business) are the first people to screw over. My Scenario is this:
I had phone service with a company named Trinsic (aka Z-Tel, but they changed thier name). On 6/10/05 I cancelled my service with them. I decided on changing services, since I have found similar services at 1/2 the price (AT&T Callvantage, for those who want to know). Now this service, requires that you pay your bill in ADVANCE. (for example, I am billed on 6/16 for services through 6/30). First of all, what I would like to know is, why am I billed the FULL amount for the month, when I had cancelled my service 6 days before. But we won't get into this.
So now, my statement dated 7/1/05 shows up, with a credit. On this bill is also printed the statement "If you have recently terminated service with Trinsic Communications, your final bill will reflect any outstanding charges or credits. A refund check will automatically be forthcoming within 30-45 days if your accounts final balance is a credit amount."
Fine...I wait.
My statement dated 8/1/05 shows up, with a credit. On this bill is also printed the statement "If you have recently terminated service with Trinsic Communications, your final bill will reflect any outstanding charges or credits. A refund check will automatically be forthcoming within 30-45 days if your accounts final balance is a credit amount."
Fine I wait.
On 8/18/05, I call to follow up on MY MONEY, to find out what is wrong. I am told by the customer service representative "no one put in a ticket for it" (i.e. I didn't ask for it). Mind you this is now 2 months after I had canelled, and over the 45 days, for my "automatic" payment. I was also told that it would be another 30 days before I see a check.
Well we are now at 9/8/05. They have 10 more days to go.
So what's this about?? Let me ask this question...If I owed them money for over 2 months, would I still have PHONE SERVICE? This seems to be a new trend with companies holding onto your money, after you cancel service. Put it off as long as you can...they make interest on holding my money, and if they're doing it to me, I'm sure they're doing it to someone else.
And this is not the only one...Comcast overbilled $150+...have to wait 60 days for credit...AT&T wireless...part of a class action suit for overbilling at the end of contract...Verizon 30 days, still no check for my overpayment....
But if my payment is .01 cent short, I have bill collectors calling me, termination of service letters sent, and I love the latest one by Comcast...they overbill me $150+ (by taking it directly from my bank account), then they send me a disconnect notice, because they dont show that they've already overbilled me $150+ and that my current month is now past due (which once again, isn't becuase they take it directly from my bank account)....so they've been paid 2x for august and 1x for september...AND THEY THREATEN TO TURN ME OFF WHEN THEY OWE ME $150!!!!
And when I don't pay a bill (rare), or pay it late (rare as well), I get hit with interest....wheres my interest on the approx $300 I have outstanding with several companies for over 30-90 days???
Hey Congress, listen up, Joe Average here...you want my vote....make large corporations abide by, AND PAY, the same rules and fees they charge to thier customers.
If the shoe is on the other foot, I am sure that you'll be making a few extra dollars every year in TAXES, due to companies paying individuals INTEREST ON THIER OWN MONEY!!!
I like to think I'm a rational individual. Joe Average. But why do large companies seem to think that Joe Average (the people that kep them in business) are the first people to screw over. My Scenario is this:
I had phone service with a company named Trinsic (aka Z-Tel, but they changed thier name). On 6/10/05 I cancelled my service with them. I decided on changing services, since I have found similar services at 1/2 the price (AT&T Callvantage, for those who want to know). Now this service, requires that you pay your bill in ADVANCE. (for example, I am billed on 6/16 for services through 6/30). First of all, what I would like to know is, why am I billed the FULL amount for the month, when I had cancelled my service 6 days before. But we won't get into this.
So now, my statement dated 7/1/05 shows up, with a credit. On this bill is also printed the statement "If you have recently terminated service with Trinsic Communications, your final bill will reflect any outstanding charges or credits. A refund check will automatically be forthcoming within 30-45 days if your accounts final balance is a credit amount."
Fine...I wait.
My statement dated 8/1/05 shows up, with a credit. On this bill is also printed the statement "If you have recently terminated service with Trinsic Communications, your final bill will reflect any outstanding charges or credits. A refund check will automatically be forthcoming within 30-45 days if your accounts final balance is a credit amount."
Fine I wait.
On 8/18/05, I call to follow up on MY MONEY, to find out what is wrong. I am told by the customer service representative "no one put in a ticket for it" (i.e. I didn't ask for it). Mind you this is now 2 months after I had canelled, and over the 45 days, for my "automatic" payment. I was also told that it would be another 30 days before I see a check.
Well we are now at 9/8/05. They have 10 more days to go.
So what's this about?? Let me ask this question...If I owed them money for over 2 months, would I still have PHONE SERVICE? This seems to be a new trend with companies holding onto your money, after you cancel service. Put it off as long as you can...they make interest on holding my money, and if they're doing it to me, I'm sure they're doing it to someone else.
And this is not the only one...Comcast overbilled $150+...have to wait 60 days for credit...AT&T wireless...part of a class action suit for overbilling at the end of contract...Verizon 30 days, still no check for my overpayment....
But if my payment is .01 cent short, I have bill collectors calling me, termination of service letters sent, and I love the latest one by Comcast...they overbill me $150+ (by taking it directly from my bank account), then they send me a disconnect notice, because they dont show that they've already overbilled me $150+ and that my current month is now past due (which once again, isn't becuase they take it directly from my bank account)....so they've been paid 2x for august and 1x for september...AND THEY THREATEN TO TURN ME OFF WHEN THEY OWE ME $150!!!!
And when I don't pay a bill (rare), or pay it late (rare as well), I get hit with interest....wheres my interest on the approx $300 I have outstanding with several companies for over 30-90 days???
Hey Congress, listen up, Joe Average here...you want my vote....make large corporations abide by, AND PAY, the same rules and fees they charge to thier customers.
If the shoe is on the other foot, I am sure that you'll be making a few extra dollars every year in TAXES, due to companies paying individuals INTEREST ON THIER OWN MONEY!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
