They are being fined $25 million dollars for charging people for services they did not approve. It would not surprise me if they were found to charge phantom fees. For 3 years I was a customer and I was either charged a penalty fee or my account extended for 2 years for any stupid change. I was also charged an obscene overage when I used my phone in PR even though it was within the network. You know it's really bad when they make AT&T look good. Unless you are in love with the iPhone, stick to Sprint and T-Mobile. Or even better, prepaid phones!
I have been a customer for many years and never had a problem. The one or two times I got a weird data fee when I never use data I just called them up and they removed it from my bill with no questions.
mitt
You'll most likely be getting a $2 to $6 credit on your bill. They're refunding a total of $50 million and paying $25 million to the guberment. Do they still extend your contract for 2 years when you add a feature?
sounds like the fetid spirit of MCI Worldcom is still alive and well and lurking in Verizon
having been a long time Nextel customer....when Sprint bought them and started f**king up things with the network and moreso with customer service....that was when I was convinced to go to Verizon and I have not had a problem with them...
now...that being said...the different authorized indepedant retailers/resellers for the various companies like Verizon, don't necessarily have full access to know exactly what they should be charging and to whom and when and I have seen where there is more of a potential problem in dealing with those guys and getting overcharged for various things...because they are there and in it for just as much as anyone for to make their own bones and cash....so they prey apon the unwise and the impulsive
This is sort of old news now (first news was posted Oct 4th), but they publicly announced that if you were eligable for a refund it would be on average $2-$6
This probably goes beyond resellers adding features that people didn't want. I've pretty much jumped around all mayor wireless companies, except T-Mobile, throughout the years. I was least satisfied with Verizon. Tons of billing issues and, like I said, extending my contract for any little change.
Quote from: duccarlos on October 29, 2010, 08:07:47 AM
This probably goes beyond resellers adding features that people didn't want. I've pretty much jumped around all mayor wireless companies, except T-Mobile, throughout the years. I was least satisfied with Verizon. Tons of billing issues and, like I said, extending my contract for any little change.
well...technically speaking...a change in the contract and terms and services provided is a change in the contract and therefore means technically...a new contract is in order...it isn't rocket science...the contract isn't to the phone...though there are phone bonus's or incentives when you sign a new contract...
is it right...from a consumer POV...no...from a business POV...hell yeah it is...sorry, but I happen to look at it from both ways, even though you may not....
I would understand that if everyone was doing it. All other competitors allow you to make just about any change you want. I can add just about any feature or even change my plan for a month without extending the contract.
I've never had any problem adding/changing features on my Verizon contract without having it extended. The only time it has ever been extended was when I added another line (and that line is added for 2 years) or purchased a new phone and requested the lower price therefore you get a two year contract.
I've had all the major carriers and in this area, Verizon seems IMHO to be the most reliable for the areas I've been in; never had a problem with service at all (even underground)
Quote from: duccarlos on October 29, 2010, 08:38:51 AM
I would understand that if everyone was doing it. All other competitors allow you to make just about any change you want. I can add just about any feature or even change my plan for a month without extending the contract.
the carrier or contract holder has the option at their discretion to void the contract should the services or terms change and issue a new contract...some do...some don't...plain and simple...
Quote from: dolci on October 29, 2010, 08:41:38 AM
I've never had any problem adding/changing features on my Verizon contract without having it extended. The only time it has ever been extended was when I added another line (and that line is added for 2 years) or purchased a new phone and requested the lower price therefore you get a two year contract.
I've had all the major carriers and in this area, Verizon seems IMHO to be the most reliable for the areas I've been in; never had a problem with service at all (even underground)
Granted, this was back in 2005 when I last used Verizon. All carriers extend your contract if you "upgrade" your phone. When you add a new line, they don't extend your contract on your main line, just that new line.
Quote from: zooom on October 29, 2010, 08:58:15 AM
the carrier or contract holder has the option at their discretion to void the contract should the services or terms change and issue a new contract...some do...some don't...plain and simple...
I'm not commenting on their right to do anything. I am commented on my horrible experience with Verizon as a provider and the fact that they are being forced to not only pay their customers back for their billing practices, but also a fine. Also note that I received a check a few years ago reimbursing me for some other billing issues during the time I was a customer.
I haven't had any problems with Verizon since I switched to them in '06.
It must just been the illiterate minorities they were trying to screw?!
;D
So getting a small refund is Verizon's early X-mas present.
Quote from: duccarlos on October 29, 2010, 09:58:46 AM
So getting a small refund is Verizon's early X-mas present.
dont worry, they will find some new "legitimate" fee to get the money back ten fold.
for instance, i have heard a rumor that they are going to start charging an administrative fee to anyone who does not pay there bill through a direct withdrawal (from your bank account.) havent seen this show up on my bill yet......hope it doesnt, because i am not willing to let them into my account.
I can't see them doing that. Pretty much all wireless companies suck when it comes to their normal day to day. Little things like this just make your life that much worse. And these companies know that they can get away with it because what are you going to do. Are you going to get rid of your cellphone?
Quote from: duccarlos on October 29, 2010, 10:19:30 AM
Are you going to get rid of your cellphone?
I was thinking about this the other day..how many people have a line in their home anymore to use if they were to get rid of or lose your cellphone??
I haven't had one for a few years now.
I have one because I work from home and use it for conference calls and to send faxes. If someone calls my landline, I know it's a telemarketer.