Nextel - told that because accepted a discount for "poor service" the computer automatically added 1 year to my contract - as a result, charged $ 400 early termination fee

Complaints.com received the following on March 14, 2003:

From: Lucy A. Arnold [Email User]

RE: Nextel - told that because accepted a discount for "poor service" the computer automatically added 1 year to my contract - as a result, charged $ 400 early termination fee

I had 2 Nextel phones that I agreed to a one year over the phone, verbal agreement. After several months of very poor service, I called and complained to Nextel. The representative reviewed my account and agreed that I had very low 2-way and cellular use and offered me a $20 per unit discount for the poor service.

Recently, I called Nextel to see if they could upgrade my phones to try to get better service, as I had been checking into other providers. All they would offer is for me to purchase a new phone to the tune of $300. I told the rep that they offer better incentives to new customers than to existing and she said there

was nothing she could do. On March 3, 2003 (my original contract was up in January 2003) I called to have both phones turned off. I was told that I was terminating my contract early and that each phone would be charged a $200 early termination fee. I asked when they had my contract coming to an end and she said not until September 2003. I was told that because I accepted a discount for "poor service" the computer automatically added 1 year to my contract and I must pay the fee.

I asked to speak with a supervisior, because of course, she could do nothing. The supervisior informed me that I should not have accepted the discount. That by doing so entitled them to add more time to my contract. OR... I could pay back all the discount money. Needless to say, the phones were turned off, they sent me a bill for $474.98. I have sent a check in the amount of $74.98 and omitted their $400 early termination sham fee and have also sent copies of my letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Attorney General Office in both Michigan and Colorado and the Better Business Bureau in both Michigan and Colorado. These companies cannot continue to munipulate and sham money out of people at their whim! No one wants to lose customers, but Nextel's customer service has no service at all. Lucy Arnold

Belleville, Michigan