Telephone Service - AT&T outrages and unfair rate charges

Outrageous Calling Card Charges

AT&T

From:

Date: Monday, December 18, 2000 10:42 AM

Sent To: Email User 12/18/00 10:42:44 AM

_____________________

For a one month period between August and September this year, my wife used a Bell Atlantic calling card to make long distance calls on AT&T's 1-800-CALL-ATT line.

This was purely a mistake and unfortunately we didn't catch the mistake until after less than five (5) hours of calls were made. The total billed to us was $684.27.

The average rate was $2.32/minute and many of her calls were one minute which were charged $6.18.

As you can see, this is an outrageous amount of money to pay for less than five (5) hours of calls. In fact, this amounts to a mortgage payment for me.

I have three children, a mortgage, two car payments, school loans (both for me and my wife), and on and on.

Unfortunately, AT&T feels they are justified in charging me a mortage payment for less than five (5) hours of phone calls.

In an email response, AT&T customer service stated the following: "Like any business in a highly competitive industry, we occasionally adjust our rates to ensure we're aligned with current market conditions. Factors in this pricing decision include our costs of doing business, the value our services provide and our need to invest in the future. Based on adjustment guidelines and the calls in question, I must reinforce the decision that was previously made. Your concern has been given proper consideration, and at this time, no adjustment is warranted on your account. You are a valued customer and we appreciate your business."

This tells me that

(1) AT&T is in more dire need of that $700 to overcome costs of doing business than I who has five mouths to feed,

(2) that the value of the service provided by AT&T for less than five (5) hours of calls was worth $700, and

(3) AT&T needs that $700 to invest in its future more than I need it to provide my children with college educations.

I am certain that AT&T would appreciate receiving $700 for less than five (5) hours of long distance service.

I have offered to pay what an AT&T calling card carrier would pay without a calling card plan. That amount is $367.55.

I believe this is the best way to settle this matter.

However, I have not received any cooperation from AT&T.

I will be continuing to mail letters and make phone calls until this is settled.