I find it interesting about how many other people are experiencing the same response that I've had with Verizon Wireless.
I moved to Florida and my phone was stolen. At the time, my contract was up for a two year renewal. I was on vacation and didn't use my phone that much, however, after a stressful encounter with the manager of the Boca Raton, FL service center - in which he wanted to charge me full retail price for the phone $279 (even though I was updating to a 2 year contract), he ended up giving me the phone for the advertised price in the store (of course requiring another two year contract). He didn't program the phone correctly, was rude, but I thought my problems were over.
Then I started receiving about twenty calls a day from "unknown number". My cell phone was being called by marketing companies. Many of which left messages.
The reason I was given that I couldnt' get into my voice mail was that my bill hadn't been paid. When agreeing to pay by credit card over the phone - they told me that I had gone over my minutes in the amount of $262.18!
This was ridiculous. I reviewed the bill and many of the calls were made to my cell phone number. When asked, I was told they were forwarded, then I was told he was wrong. I wasn't given a reason - but was told, if I considered upgrading to a more expensive plan that they would eliminate the $262.18.
He wouldn't consider my position at all. I could provide affidavits - if required - by an instructor to prove that I had been in class during a supposedly received 90 minute call. He refused to concede that Verizon could be wrong and my only alternative was to admit that I needed more minutes.
After four hours the night before and about 45 minutes - the customer service representative refused to dismiss the overcharges.
I have been through the wasted time of dealing with these phone companies who keep detailed records of every minute they can charge - but they can't provide you with the numbers who are calling. Or, they can't give you last names, or they don't understand the technology, or they refuse to give you alternatives which could assist you.
I was told they couldn't provide the records of the numbers which I questioned. Then, tonight, he conceded that he could with a subpoena or court order. This is similar to another complaint I read online.
Are there any attorneys out there who are interested in a class action lawsuit against these monopolies?
This, in my opinion, is a bait and switch. I feel that the companies put themselves in a position to overcharge. Most people do not have the time to fight these things. The last fight was with AT&T Wireless - and I literally spent over 12 hours dealing with the issue and had to go to a store and inform every customer in line of my nightmare - before the manager dealt with my problem. 3 1/2 hrs later she apologized profusely and agreed how difficult it was to correct a billing problem.
I am going to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency and hope that an attorney or someone else who is interested in filing a class action lawsuit would contact me. For that matter - anyone who has had any success and resolution - I would love some guidance.
Good for all of you to at least submit your experiences in writing. It is sad. Consider all the large companies taking advantage of the fact that the average person doesn't have time to fight these behemouths.
Good luck.
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