#7 (7 of 9 for June 9, 2000)

sneaky switch on wireless bill

Bell Atlantic

From: Anthony Guida Email User

Date: Thursday, June 08, 2000 03:33 PM

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In August 1998, I signed up with Bell Atlantic wireless... a 1 year contract. I was dissatisfied with the service, but not wanting to pay the penalty for cancelling early I waited until after the anniversary date in August of 1999. Then, I cancelled the contract, returned the phone to the local Bell Atlantic store and moved on to another carrier. But I continued to receive monthly bills. I still do, almost a year later. Calling the company's 800 number several times proved fruitless. They couldn't even confirm I returned the phone, though I have a receipt. Now they say that during my year I accepted some "promotional rate", that this act started a new contract, meaning my cancellation was premature, and I owe them over $200 in penalty. I had no idea that accepting the promotion meant a contract change. I think that's absurd, sneaky and bad business. I will not pay it and I want someone at this user-unfriendly company to see the light and erase it.