ALL DISTANCE ONLINE
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Monthly Price $40.00
* Unlimited Nationwide (domestic direct-dialed long distance) calling
* Unlimited Local Calling
* 12 popular calling features (for example: Caller ID, Call Waiting ID, Privacy Manager, Three-Way Calling)
* The Message Center
* Product available online only
Dear Potential AT&T Customers,
I spoke with a customer service manager for AT&T (Brandy). I believe she said she was in the Reno office. She was not very helpful or warm, but she confirmed that even if you changed plans on the exact day that your billing cycle changed, you would be charged a back pro-ration.
This is a WARNING: if you are paying $50 a month and try to switch to save on long distance and receive other services, you will end up with as much as $30 or more in addition to that bill, and there will be NO credits. I also had an additional $12 charged for voice mail, which was supposed to be included in the $40 plan. Brandy said she would credit me for the extra $12. Gee, thanks, Brandy, for giving me back what was not supposed to be charged anyway. How about giving me credit for having to take time out of a busy day to tell you to take the $12 off?
Basically, in this difficult economic time, there is no real monitoring and regulation yet for AT&T and other phone services, so it is best if you are aware of these tricky charges and the double talk. The phone customer service claims ignorance of the online products, and the online people do not connect their information to the phone customer service representatives. Do NOT create an unnecessary financial hardship for yourself if you can help it by jumping on board with AT&T bundle packages with misleading switching or startup charges. You should change only if you are prepared to come up with an additional 50 or 100 dollars for that next bill, which will show up in a couple of weeks or so.
They will not take responsibility for these proration charges, so just be warned and prepared. If you can stand to be cheated for about two months' worth of service, then upon averaging these charges you will see savings in the future months. I hope this helps you and keeps you out of a financial bind. Do not be afraid to bundle with Comcast or TimeWarner cable with digital phone service if the deal is sweeter. You can always return and be cheated later by AT&T.
Good luck to all customers needing affordable and honest phone service.
What AT&T could do to try to help customers, if they want to be honest: AT&T should be required to give the exact amount of additional charges, minus 4 or 5 dollars in taxes, that will appear on the next bill. No exceptions. They should be held to that amount as quoted. Something should be sent by mail or email confirming those exact charges and when they will be due before charging the customer. A flat changeover charge would be best.
I wanted a credit for the increase (pro-ration). Brandy said that was impossible. I said so is AT&T. Thank goodness for more options.
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