Two years ago, we had the minimal yellow page ad available at a rate of $186.00 per month for our company. We don't need the business referrals obtained from this source since we have a huge patient volume from other sources and we are phasing out the yellow page ads. We asked our rep to be sure to send us phone books since we last received them in 2000 and had NEVER SEEN OUR AD IN PRINT!
This past year, (after still never receiving phone books and calling and requesting them multiple times) we received a call from our rep telling us that we had a limited time to get our paperwork "in order" for our ad. (Apparently they had consolidated accounts and he was pressed for time). At this time, I assured him that WE WERE NOT INTERESTED IN ANYTHING MORE THAN WHAT WAS FREE TO US for being SNET customers.
This man was not happy with this and kept saying we were running out of time but he sent us paperwork to sign and return. It was stressed to us that the deadline was getting near and we had to hurry. The papers were signed and mailed back immediately and a recorded phone call was also done to record and document the refusal of any paid yellow page advertising.
Last month, my company received a bill for monthly advertising - $228.00! We called SNET and spoke with Don who told us they would investigate and get back to us. Don called back and said they had reviewed their files and couldn't find anything to validate my refusal so we were locked in for the year and had to pay. I was told we will go to collection since we won't pay the bill. (It's now up to $482.51 for September and October with collection charges and interest fees).
I have no signed contract documenting my approval of the rate change which I have received and signed in the past and according to SNET's records, the rep was never able to reach us to discuss our advertising! (Then what papers did I sign and what company recorded our message refusing advertising?!)
I called on 10-1-02 and spoke with Lisa at 800-922-3238 and she informed me that it is our word against theirs and since they can't find any paperwork, they are going with the old contract from one year ago. I have no recourse according to her. She refused to let me speak to a supervisor, she told me, "there isn't anyone for you to talk to".
I will be writing to the Attorney General, BBB and anyone else I can think of to complain.
I would appreciate any help I can get with this problem.
Practice Administrator
Beth
Stamford, Connecticut
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