# 8 for October 28, 2000

MCI won't let me go!

Telephone Service, Other

From:

Date: Friday, October 27, 2000 10:34 PM

Dear Business: a consumer posted the following e-message at Complaints.com. Please respond directly to

the consumer, using the consumer's name and e-mail address (as per the From: field above). You may also wish to respond publicly on the Complaints.com site. Just locate this e-message posted in your business's conference and click on the "Reply to" link. (Note: a user registration is required before posting e-messages to the Complaints.com site.)

_____________________

Back in June, 2000, when I discovered that MCI had raised my rates to 17 cents a minute, I called and canceled my account.

I got some snippy little gal in customer support that said "well the rate increase was on your bill, so we have it in writing" and "we can do that anytime we want to." I asked that she completely close my account.

I told them I didn't want them for any service whatsoever. August 30th I received an confirmation that my service had been discontinued. I found another long distance service.

In the meantime, I received a call from some yahoo who wanted to know why I had canceled my MCI service and what it would take to get me back. I told him the story of the fine print on the bill (which I totally missed or I would've canceled my account sooner), and the snippy woman in customer support.

Further, I explained that it would take a years free service to get me to consider them again. August 22nd I received a bill from MCI for $6.14.

The charge included "Personal 800 Number Monthly Fee" which I had never had before I cancelled my service! I called 1-800-444-3333 and talked to Lora in Customer Support center. I said I had totally canceled my service in June. Lora said she would credit my account and totally cancel my account (again).

I received another call asking if I'd like to try MCI service again. I told him the story of the fine print on the bill (which I totally missed or I would've canceled my account sooner), and the snippy woman in customer support, and the other guy who wanted to know why I canceled MCI.

I told this guy to spread the word -- never call me about MCI because I'm never signing up with them again. (Now if I could just get unsigned from them, I'd be a happy woman.) September 22nd I again recieved a bill from MCI for 29 cents for Local Toll Service. What part of totally cancel my service didn't they understand? I called 1-800-444-3333 and talked to Anthony in Customer Service.

I explained the whole thing again... That I had canceled my service... totally canceled it... that I didn't want MCI as my service provider for anything... including but not limited to walkie talkies! Also that I already had local and long distance service providers in place with whom I was quite happy.

Anthony said he would credit my account and make sure my account was totally closed this time. Incredibly!! I received another bill on October 22nd for 11 cents. This is harrassment! I called 1-800-444-3333 and talked to Romy in customer service.

I requested that she put me through to her supervisor immediately. No supervisor was available. I demanded to be put through to her supervisor... but the best that I could get was a promise that "someone" would call me within the next 24 hours.

I got an escalatgion tracking number (for whatever that is worth) CSBOLO-42J28M. I'm still waiting for someone to call me. (Yeah, right.)

What does it take to cancel an account with MCI?