Many who visit your site will be wondering how this could be true. It would seem to be heresy to defame the BBB. However, for years I have been disturbed by the BBB saying the record of the company is "satisfactory" when I know the company is corrupt.in 1981, when I complained to the BBB about a corrupt mechanic that ripped me off, the BBB sent a copy of their letter to the mechanic. One of the things it said was "knowing that the customer isn't always right". What?!! SAy again? Pardon, your slip is showing. The customer is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS right? Comprende? We ALL know that. We pay the salary of the companies in business.
I continued to be disturbed by BBB statements that they do not prosecute, did not sent copies of companies responses, etc, for years. Now usacomplaints.com, has cleared the air. Now it is clear. One of the sponsors of a BBB event {as listed in the column some where} is AT&T. AT&T has become on the most vile, ruthlessly corrupt companies in the past 25 years. It is far, far cry from the "Ma Bell" that took care of my great-grandfather, grandfather and my father.
The following is what the BBB originally mailed to me when I had a dispute with AT&T, which is still ongoing. The first is an e-mail from the NJ BBB showing that AT&T has an unsatisfactory record and why. The second is what I found on the bbb.org website two months ago. Comparing this with the e-mail from the NJ BBB will show that it was not possible for AT&T to resolve all the complaints lodged against them. AT&T has overcharged many customers, myself included. What they did was lying and deliberate promise breaking. Others have been defrauded by AT&T and have suffered much more hardship and harassment than I have.
Also, it pretty obvious that AT&T had more complaints vs. Them than the NJ BBB and that the number of resolved complaints vs. AT&T have been inflated. And the BBB lied! The e-mail I received stated clearly: "We will be reporting to consumers that the company has an unsatisfactorybusiness performance record with the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey." The e-mail is not very neat, but I am leaving in the original condition so that all can peruse that it is genuine. The public can check out that this is a genuine e-mail addressed to me regarding the fact that I turned AT&T in to the BBB in an effor to make those shysters behave and make restitution.
I hasten to add that the "records" regarding AT&T have been transferred to Atlanta, GA. But all the complaints have supposedly been resolved! The chances of this is so remote that we can safely say that the BBB bore false witness. There were thousands of complaints. The BBB simply artificially lowered the number of complaints:
" The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB."
We will let the readers determine whether it was in the realm of possibility for AT&T to resolve all the fraud, lies, stealing, broken promises and extortion charges vs. That evil, sodomite corporation.
The BBB expunged all of the complaints from the record. Any one checking out AT&T with the bureau now will not see all those investigations and charges by the attorney generals of several States!!! The BBB must go. The bad they are doing is immeasurably more than the good. They are misleading potential customers. They are tantamountly directly prospective customers of good companies to bad companies. The reporting and subsequent expunging of AT&T's stealing, extortion and nefarious practices follows for the perusal of all:
Thank you for contacting the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey. We closedyour complaint with AT&T on 1/26/06 with no response from the business. Yourcomplaintwas been closed as "Unanswered". We will be reporting to consumers that the company has an unsatisfactorybusiness performance record with the Better Business Bureau of New Jersey. To pursue your complaint, please contact Federal Communications Commission888 225-5322; 2025 M. Street N.W., Room 6202, Washington, DC 20554When a BBB receives a complaint, we present the complaint to the businessand request its assistance in working out the problem with the unhappycustomer.
Most companies are grateful for the opportunity to resolveproblems with their customers since it often means their patronage will bepreserved. BBB members agree to respond to consumer complaints presented by the BBB, and lose their membership if they do not. Most other companies, regardlessof whether they are BBB members, also cooperate with the BBB.
However, some companies do not want to work with the Bureau and/or theircustomers to resolve complaints. Because the BBB is not a government or lawenforcement agency, the Bureau cannot force a reply from a company; nor canit administer sanctions. However, a company's unwillingness to respond tothe BBB or a customer will be noted in the company's reliability report theBBB provides to the public. The customer is free to pursue otheralternatives such as legal action.
Following is AT&T's BBB reliability report, which shows an "unsatisfactory"record: AT&T900 Route 202/206Bedminster, NJ 07921View Location MapLocal Phone Number: (800) 222-0300Membership Status: This company is not a member. TOB Classification: Telephone Service-Long DistanceAdditionalTOB Classification (s): Advertising-TelephoneInternet ServicesTelephone Companies The information in this report has either been provided by the company, orhas been compiled by the Bureau from other sources. Customer ExperienceBased on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with theBureau due to unanswered and unresolved complaints. The company has resolvedmost complaints presented by the Bureau, however, some complaints remainunresolved or unanswered. When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's sizeand volume of business.
The number of complaints filed against the companymay not be as important as the type of complaints and how the companyhandled them. Closed ComplaintsNumber of complaints processed by the BBB in last 36 Months: 6171Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 1013Complaints ConcernedAdvertising Issues: 37Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 21; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond:15Sales Issues: 2394Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 1485; Unresolved: 62; Company did notrespond: 847Delivery Issues: 10Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 6; Company did not respond: 4
Repair or Service Issues: 14Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 7; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 6
Guarantee or Warranty Issues: 5Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 3; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 1
Product Quality Issues: 10Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 6; Unresolved: 1; Company did not respond: 3Refund or Exchange Issues: 208Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 152; Unresolved: 6; Company did not respond:49; Unpursuable: 1
Contract Issues: 13Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 11; Company did not respond: 2Customer Service Issues: 528Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 354; Unresolved: 28; Delayed Resolution: 3;Company did not respond: 143
Credit or Billing Issues: 2952Outcome of all complaints -Resolved: 2037; Unresolved: 237; Delayed Resolution: 1;Company did not respond: 676; Unpursuable: 1
Additional Business NamesAT&T Communications SystemsAT&T Equipment DivisionAT&T World Net Service. Additional Telephone Numbers (800) 222-0300.Government ActionsOn Dec. 2 the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance wasentered between the Commonwealth of Kentucky and AT&T ConsumerServices.
The Commonwealth alleges that from July 16 toOctober 14 the company made or caused to be madeunsolicited telephone calls to Kentucky residential phonenumbers that appear on the current Zero Call List, aka as NoCall list. AT&T denied any willful wrongdoing and agreed tocease making telephone solicitations to Kentucky residentialphone numbers on the Zero Call List and agreed to pay thecivil penalty assessed.
On May 5 Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist filed alawsuit in Leon County Circuit Court. Crist says AT&Twrongfully billed consumers for unsolicited services and triedto coerce them to sign up for the same services for which theywere requesting refunds. The AG urges Florida consumers todiligently check their phone bills, regardless of whether theyuse AT&T or another company for long distance services. Cristasks consumers to report the incident to his office at866-966-7226.
On May 24 A Florida court has ordered AT&T to refundwrongful charges to Florida consumers no later than June 15.According to the order issued by Leon County Circuit Judge, AT&T must process these refunds based on the company'sinternal records so that consumer do not have to call torequest refunds. If, however, after June 15 Florida consumersbelieve they are still being improperly billed or unfairlycoerced into additional services when calling AT&T to requestrefunds, they should notify the Attorney General's Officeimmediately at 1 866-9-NO-SCAM (1 866-966-7226).
On May 6 Minnesota Attorney General filed suit againstAT&T. The suit claims the company violated state consumerprotection laws. It seeks an injunction to force AT&T to stopthe billing practice of charging non AT&T customers. About 800,000 consumers nationwide have been erroneously billed. AT&T is promising refunds or credits in 60-90 days, even if consumers do not call to complain. Consumers who wantto talk to an AT&T representative can call 1- 800 222-0300.
July 1 according to New York Attorney General EliotSpitzer, AT&T has agreed to pay refunds to as many as 311,000New Yorkers who were improperly billed. As part of thesettlement, AT&T Communications of New York will also reformits billing procedures, provide consumers with additionalinformation on telephone services and pay $400,000 in penaltiesand costs. Consumers have 45 days during which they mayregister a complaint and request reimbursement from thecompany.
On August 4 Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers filed anamendment to a 2003 agreement between AT&T and the OregonDepartment of Justice. The amendment to the year-old settlementconcerned a new monthly fee that was allegedly tacked ontoconsumers' established pay-per-call plans without giving propernotice.
The Assurance of Voluntary Compliance amendment wasfiled in Marion County Circuit Court and admits no violation oflaw. Under the AVC amendment, AT&T is required to do thefollowing:- Send a written notification to all Oregon consumers whodiscontinue their service that they also must contact theirlocal telephone company. The notice must be sent within 15days of notice of termination.- Send a written notice to all Oregon consumers billed for theBasic Rate Long Distance Plan after January 1, explaining the new recurring monthly fee, the necessity tocancel services with both the long distance carrier and theirlocal telephone company, and the process and telephone numberfor the consumer to use to inquire about receiving a creditor refund.-
Provide restitution in the form of credits or refunds basedupon an agreed formula for up to 77,000 Oregonians. Submit restitution disputes that may arise from the agreedformula to the PUC customer services for resolution. Provide a separate toll-free number that consumers must callto inquire about credits or refunds and to notify AT&T thatthey have cancelled their AT&T service with their localtelephone company. AT&T has paid Justice $25,000 for its Consumer Protection andEducation fund bringing the long distance carrier's totalpayment to the fund under the 2003 AVC to $100,000.Report as of: 7/25Copyright: 2006 BBB of New Jersey, Inc.
As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse anyproduct, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-yearreporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising yourown best judgment.information contained in this report is believed reliablebut not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at anytime.
The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership inthe BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If acompany is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report. BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes. The name Better Business Bureau and the BBB logo are federally registeredtrademarks. Very truly yours, Melissa CompanickVice President of Operations & MarketingBetter Business Bureau of New Jersey1700 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road, Ste. D-5Trenton, NJ 08690609-588-0808 (Phone) 609-588-0546 (Fax)
Www.newjersey. BBB.org—Original Message—From: E R Rocky D* [mailto: (REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)]Sent: Tuesday, July 25 2:16 PMTo: info@trenton. BBB.orgSubject: Ms. Laura Rickenbach RE: Your letter dated 6-14-05 Greetings: The BBB is solely in the business of handling complaints about companies. The BBB has served me many, many times before and has servedcustomers regarding problems caused by companies many 100sof 1000s of times, if not millions. Therefore, I addressed to theBBB because it is appropo and the BBB handles these COMPLAINTSEVERY SINGLE TIME WITHOUT ANY KNOWN EXCEPTION ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. Are you trying to say that the BBB of NJ is illegitimate and totallywithout merit?!?! There is not the remotest possiblity that my complaintregarding AT&T is "outside the scope of the Better Business Bureau'sservices". Why did you say it? This is all the BBB does AND HAS ALWAYSDONE. Precisely what phase of the complaint was "outside the scope ofthe BBB". If there was something that was "outside the scope of theBBB", why didn't you itemize it if there really is something??!! I look forward to your very prompt, extremely long and phenomenallydetailed reply. Thank you very much!
By the way, I still have no satisfaction from AT&T. They still owe memoney. Please email me a copy of my complaint that I sent to you. Don'tsayyou "keep my complaint on file for future reference". Act upon it justlike you always have since your founding! Write AT&T so that they willknow they are causing customer ill-will and cease going to a collectionagency when they in fact owe me money! AT&T now owes me 250,000 for the lies they told and 30M for thehumiliation of them going to a collection agency when they in factowe me money! Thank you: Rocky D (REDACTED FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)
NOW FOR THE LATEST:
Greetings:
The following is from Trenton. Trention has transferred their records to the Atlanta BBB.
Http://newjersey. BBB.org/WWWRoot/Report. Aspx? Site=89&bbb=0221&firm=15000121
BILLING OR COLLECTION ISSUES
299 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
512 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
The above is not true. AT&T has not resolved my complaint. First, the BBB of New Jersey said that AT&T had not answered. Later, I discovered on their website that AT&T had a "satisfactory record" with the BBB of NJ. I had to submit my conmplaint over again! The NJ did contact ATT later and received a response from Mr. Justin Williams:
"Mr. D* has been informed that the charges were correct". So I documented with the BBB of NJ that the complaints had not been resolved nor even addressed by ATT. I wrote the management, then I wrote some of the members on the Board of Directors. I never received any responses.
The following is also on the Trenton BBB website:
"sales practice issues:
Resolved BBB Definition:
Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
1 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
3 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
9 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe."
REFUND OR EXCHANGE ISSUES:
Resolved BBB Definition:
Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
15 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
24 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
21 - Company resolved BBB Definition:
resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.
The complaint issues, but not within the BBB's timeframe
Consult the rock
SHANGHAI
China, People's Republic of
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