I Am Steamed

A few years ago I discovered that our phone carrier mysteriously "switched" and I couldn't figure out what happened.  Then I found out that someone had filled out one of those coupons that they sometimes have in malls where they have a new car on display. Supposedly it's for a chance to win the car, but the veeerrrry tiny print on the back says that by filling out the coupon you agree to have your phone carrier changed. I switched back immediately and never filled out one of those things again. It's not like my chances of actually winning the car were very high anyway.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

A few years ago I discovered that our phone carrier mysteriously "switched" and I couldn't figure out what happened.  Then I found out that someone had filled out one of those coupons that they sometimes have in malls where they have a new car on display. Supposedly it's for a chance to win the car, but the veeerrrry tiny print on the back says that by filling out the coupon you agree to have your phone carrier changed. I switched back immediately and never filled out one of those things again. It's not like my chances of actually winning the car were very high anyway.

I had the exact same thing happen with my phone service and have been careful ever since. We really don't have to worry about that happening with gas or electric though. Depending on where you live, you have no choices in who to use.

Oye!  At least they are handling it and aren't arguing with you.

They have a name for it, when someone comes in and switches you without your knowledge. I can't think of what it's called at the moment.  I had it happen with my home phone a few years ago.  I got switched from AT&T to ... some obscure company, I don't even remember the name and the long distance charges were like triple what I thought they were going to be and called AT&T mad (this was the old school billling where distance was added to a home line that was through a different company.) They said it wasn't them, i was no longer even a customer. I freaked out but AT&T took care of it for me.  They are usually just happy to have you back!

I'm sure you'll be good in no time.  But on that bill, I'd write down the name of the guy you spoke with, the time and date you called and make a note that he said only pay the actual bill and not the cancellation fee portion.  Cause if your account goes into delinquency that kind of stuff helps and they make idiot mistakes like that a lot at big companies like that.  "Hey I spoke with Bob on April 30 at 2:45pm in X department. He said....." I've learned to do that the hard way

 

Yes, definitely keep records of every conversation you have with them.  I never trust a utility company customer no-service person who says "just ignore that part of the bill and it'll be okay."  It never is, and you could accrue late fees.  I certainly hope this gets worked out for you in a timely manner, but I think 30-45 days is a long time to fix this kind of problem.  JMO.  If you get your next bill and the fees are still there, call them again, and log the call.  You can even record the conversation if you have an answering machine (as opposed to voicemail), just let them know you are recording the call.  If you get to a point where you feel resolution is not happening, report the incident to your state's Utility Commission.  Every state calls it something different, but every state has a department that regulates utilities and controls the licenses for those companies to do business in that state.  Too many complaints and a license is yanked, so utility companies take these complaints VERY seriously.  I had an issue a few years ago with my phone company that dragged on for 6 months and goodness knows how many hours on the phone, and every single customer no-service person I spoke to said they'd fix it.  They never did.  I filed a complaint with the state utility commission, and got a phone call from some "resolution department" at the phone company the very next day, and the charges were gone from my bill the next month.  Just something to keep in mind if you can't get a quick resolution.

Sera_J

.

They have a name for it, when someone comes in and switches you without your knowledge. I can't think of what it's called at the moment. 
 

I believe it is called "slamming".

I do accounts payable for a fast food franchise and regularly run into this with all our business phone numbers.  Many phone companies now will not allow your long distance accounts to be changed without written authorization and you can also request the block slamming/cramming feature to be activated on your account.  It is a free service. 

Lani is right - make sure when you call, you write down who you spoke to and when, and what they tell you. 

You don't really want me to get on my soapbox and rant about the telephone companies.  Suffice to say I hate them all.

sharismom

 

You don't really want me to get on my soapbox and rant about the telephone companies.  Suffice to say I hate them all.

I bundled my phone with the cable & internet and that knocked about $65 a month off the phone bill.  The only disadvantage to that is if you have a power outage and your internet is down, you won't have phone service either.

Joyce

Our cable company here, Charter, offers it.  I do not pay for internet at home - I have 10 hours free monthly.  As much as I am on the computer at work, I hardly ever turn it on at home.  And, our local Charter is horrendous.  Crappy customer service, and so many people who bundled have lost their phone numbers and haven't been able to use phone service at all.  They might be great elsewhere, but my feeling is that commercial one of the satellite companies had out a couple of years ago was right on the mark - Charter is the cable pig.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

It's not like my chances of actually winning the car were very high anyway

Don't be so sure Joyce.  A few weeks ago, one of my salesmen won a 2007 Shelby Mustang.  He bought a $100 raffle ticket and won it.

I know Reiant will really work to get this ironed out.  With all the difffernt electric companies in this area--CPL, TUX, Reliant,Strem, Accent, and a few othes aI can't think of, they each want to keep their customers and as the guy told me, they don't want to lose a customer, especially one that doesn't want to switch.  He gave me a "ticket number" wich is my reference each time I call.

We also had our phone switched a few yeas back, but had no problem getting it back to wehre it was suppose to be.

probe1957

Don't be so sure Joyce.  A few weeks ago, one of my salesmen won a 2007 Shelby Mustang.  He bought a $100 raffle ticket and won it.

Well, that lets me out. I don't see myself ever in this lifetime spending $100 on a  raffle ticket. But then, I could spend  two weeks in Vegas and never see the inside of a casino and have a great time.

Joyce