I signed up with Nextel in San Diego. Service was marginal at best. Paid over $150 for phone and accessories. Moved from La Jolla to new home near downtown. There was no cell phone service into my new home (nor within a two block radius).
Waited patiently (2 months) as Nextel tried to resolve, while paying my regular bill for no service. Their engineers notified me that indeed, there was no service into my home or area. They couldn't fix the problem. Of course... I canceled. Can't pay for something you're not getting! It's also not like I moved to the sticks - I moved 2 miles out of a major metropolian center.
Nextel charged me the $250 cancelation fee! After trying numberous times to explain the situation over the phone, they refused to recind the fee. They sent me to collections. My 780 perfect credit score with Equifax went to 650.
On the advice of a friend, I went to experian's site and put the item in dispute. Two days later, Experian took Nextel's non payment claim off of my credit report. Yes! Justice. My score should go back up soon. I spoke with their collection agency in Houston. They said to put the claim in writting and send it to them. So far so good. Collectors have stopped calling my house (they were also calling my parents house looking for me)
I have never been late on a bill or refused to make a payment. Nextel thinks it's a big corporate gorilla that can push little consumers around. Well, I am not just going to let them take advantage of me... Nor other people out there. They advertise nationwide coverage... Well, they should stand behind it. Sadly, they do not. They have taken no responsibility for their actions. If they persist, I will go to small claims court. It's easy to fill out the paperwork online and you get a date rather quickly.
Well, that's my story... Buyer beware, but you can fight back.
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