Like Alice, in another report, I too have used Verizon Yellow Page advertising for about 10 years. After signing a very simple contract with Verizon for a small out of area ad in 1995, I would recieve a courtesty call from a Verizon rep about two months before the ad ran out to see if I wanted to continue to advertise or change anything in the ad. They were always professional and helpful, never pushy.
I recieved my last Verizon statement on Feb 10. Idearc was the new gun in town. I made the decision during the end of 2006 that it was time to hang up my spurs and retire. I contacted my vendors and suppliers who I had done business with for over 30 years. We thanked each other for the support we had given over the years. Then it came time to call Idearc...
Having three more installments left on my twelve month contract I told 'Reggie' of Idearc that I wouldn't be renewing a new contract. He responded that my 'automatic renewal' had kicked in and I was on the hook for another twelve months.
Because I signed with Verizon in 1995 and wouldn't have signed up with any 'automatic renewal' clauses, I knew he wouldn't be able to produce a original complete 1995 contract. I asked if he would fax me the 'original contract'. What I recieved was the original (page 1) contract (1995), signed, with the current pages of terms & conditions (unsigned).
So I'm having to deal with the people from Idearc saying that I owe them. I'm telling them to look at the original Verizon contract that has no 'automatic renewal' clause, which they will not do. They just keep refering me to their web page for the 'new and improved' terms & conditions. The one I didn't agree to.
This type of divisive salesmanship, which in my opinon will only drive customers away, has names like "the evergreen clause" or "the dominance provision".
These tactics will only cause pain and suffering for this type of company. A look at recent legislation and states attorney generals going after 'Time magazine' and "YellowPages Inc." as well as the alarm industry shows that the time is near when these lopsided clauses in contracts will be banned.
In the meantime, I can only try to fight them. I will stop using the services of Verizon as well as its subsiduray MCI which I have been with for years.
P.S. Idearc's stock has been downgraded by S&P from stable to negative (junk) corp rating. Karma?
Timberline
San Jacinto, California
U.S.A.
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