Angry Peri

[Perianne]

I got my new bill for my iPhone service from Verizon. $20 increase for no apparent reason.

I went to the Verizon store and told the young smart-alecked person that I did not want to pay for the increase. He looked at my account and said I have unlimited data, and they decided to increase unlimited data by $20 per month. I asked why? He said "because". I told him I didn't use data and I didn't want to pay more money for something I didn't use. He said "Then you shouldn't have chosen a smart phone, should you?" I told him he was a "smarty butt" and I walked out!!!!!

I then went across the road to AT&T to buy from someone else. They said it would be a few minutes. I waited about 10 minutes and left.

I then went a few stores down to Target to buy one of the cut-rate plans. No one would wait on me. If I go to Lowes, or just about anywhere else, I have someone wanting to help me within seconds. So, I left and came home.

I got onto the Verizon website and clicked on the help button. A nice customer rep came on and helped me find a plan that suited exactly what I needed....at a decrease of $30 per month! Now I am paying $50 (plus taxes).

So, I got very angry but it worked out in the end.

[PixieStix]

I was talked into a U-Verse upgrade with AT&T. I was told that there would be no fees, no install fees, no equipment fees, EVER. As long as I stay with AT&T. I was told that the total would be 117 per month, I said heck yeah.

I got online to pay my bill on Friday, it was $192.00. I was livid. I am now looking for a new internet, service. A new phone service, and cable is of no use to me.

I told them, you do realize that people do not trust you (AT&T) right?

She said do you want to talk to a retention specialist? I said NO!. They were the ones who lied to me, not 1, but 4 different "retention specialists" :rolleyes:

[Perianne]

I am glad AT&T made me wait. I was ready to discuss a deal with them.

[gabosaurus]

I went to Verizon first and told them that I wanted a plan that locked in the price for the length of my contract. They told me they didn't do that. I told them that if they were going to lock me into a plan for two years, that I wanted a plan that didn't change price if I didn't change the options. They looked at me dumbfounded. So did AT&T.

My husband called AT&T and negotiated a shared plan for three phones. Said he would pay only if the price didn't go up. When they agreed, he demanded a contract. Uh oh... Went through three different levels of sales people. Dropped hints that he was a very influential and powerful person. Got the contract through e-mail. Signed and returned it.

[jimnyc]

ATT here as well. We have some family plan for 3 phones. I don't think we get unlimited data though, something more like 10gig per month. I don't think I've ever used more than 1gig total, and that's because I was on vacation. But I do think for the price we pay that we SHOULD be getting unlimited, so that I don't ever have to worry about it.

[Perianne]

ATT here as well. We have some family plan for 3 phones. I don't think we get unlimited data though, something more like 10gig per month. I don't think I've ever used more than 1gig total, and that's because I was on vacation. But I do think for the price we pay that we SHOULD be getting unlimited, so that I don't ever have to worry about it.

The help woman looked up my data usage. .04 Gbytes average. And that is usually because I am somewhere and bored. I rarely use data for anything since I am not a man and I don't look at naked women.

[SassyLady]

I have Verizon unlimited data on a plan with two phones. I found out that if I didn't have it on Wifi I would use more "data". So, I just have to make sure that I have a wifi connection and use less data. However, I was camping recently and had no wifi so somehow used up all my "unlimited" data.

According to the alert from Verizon, the cost would be $20 for every 1gb over my "unlimited" data allowance. Guess I needed to read the fine print about what "unlimited" really means.

[Kathianne]

I have Verizon unlimited data on a plan with two phones. I found out that if I didn't have it on Wifi I would use more "data". So, I just have to make sure that I have a wifi connection and use less data. However, I was camping recently and had no wifi so somehow used up all my "unlimited" data.

According to the alert from Verizon, the cost would be $20 for every 1gb over my "unlimited" data allowance. Guess I needed to read the fine print about what "unlimited" really means.

I'm on AT&T U-Verse with my brother, SIL, and niece. It's $150 per month, includes 5gb data per month. We tend to go over by 1 gb per, pay $15 for that. I've been the user due to the wi-fi issues I've had here. Thus I pay the extra.

My kids send lots of videos and group messages that can't be viewed without data on, even with wi-fi available-it takes the data.

[Drummond]

Maybe, Peri, you have mobile phone needs (we call them that, instead of 'cellphones' .. to me, that's an Americanism !) .. which makes entering into a package, or 'contract', necessary or desirable. Me ... I've never seen the need for any of it.

Do you have 'Pay As You Go' arrangements in America .. where you're not limited by contract, but just pay as you choose to .. be it to top up your balance on a regular basis, or just whenever you choose, and that's the end of it ?

Of course, our phone companies are different .. we don't have Verizon at all. Here, it's British Telecom (BT), or Vodafone, or TalkTalk, or 02 ... companies like that.

TalkTalk was hacked online, by the way, and hackers got themselves personal data about that Company's customers .. another reason, I'd have thought, for going into any arrangement that's as non-committal as possible ?

[indago]

I got my new bill for my iPhone service from Verizon. $20 increase for no apparent reason.

I went to the Verizon store and told the young smart-alecked person that I did not want to pay for the increase. He looked at my account and said I have unlimited data, and they decided to increase unlimited data by $20 per month. I asked why? He said "because". I told him I didn't use data and I didn't want to pay more money for something I didn't use. He said "Then you shouldn't have chosen a smart phone, should you?" I told him he was a "smarty butt" and I walked out!!!!!

I then went across the road to AT&T to buy from someone else. They said it would be a few minutes. I waited about 10 minutes and left.

I then went a few stores down to Target to buy one of the cut-rate plans. No one would wait on me. If I go to Lowes, or just about anywhere else, I have someone wanting to help me within seconds. So, I left and came home.

I got onto the Verizon website and clicked on the help button. A nice customer rep came on and helped me find a plan that suited exactly what I needed....at a decrease of $30 per month! Now I am paying $50 (plus taxes).

So, I got very angry but it worked out in the end.

So, after all this, are you saying it pays to be angry?

[Perianne]

So, after all this, are you saying it pays to be angry?

I suppose in a way it paid, or didn't cause me to pay more than I was agreeable to paying.

[Perianne]

Maybe, Peri, you have mobile phone needs (we call them that, instead of 'cellphones' .. to me, that's an Americanism !) .. which makes entering into a package, or 'contract', necessary or desirable. Me ... I've never seen the need for any of it.

Do you have 'Pay As You Go' arrangements in America .. where you're not limited by contract, but just pay as you choose to .. be it to top up your balance on a regular basis, or just whenever you choose, and that's the end of it ?

Of course, our phone companies are different .. we don't have Verizon at all. Here, it's British Telecom (BT), or Vodafone, or TalkTalk, or 02 ... companies like that.

TalkTalk was hacked online, by the way, and hackers got themselves personal data about that Company's customers .. another reason, I'd have thought, for going into any arrangement that's as non-committal as possible ?

I've had this cellphone so long that I am not in a contract. But I do have to pay for service.

[glockmail]

ATT sucks. I had them for my work land line for about ten years and their service was terrible. They NEVER got my yellow page ad correct, even made silly spelling errors on it, always got my address wrong. I finally decided to go all cell and had them transfer my calls to it- it took them at least four rings on the land line before it rang on my cell.

After a year of that I decided to have my number, the one that was advertised for ten years, transferred over to an internet service that was $10/ month instead of ATT's $80. They dragged their feet on that for 6 months. When they finally rescinded they charged me over $1000 for cancelling an annual service before the end of a contract. It was a deal that they had sold me on a cold call while I was driving and I never got any printed documents, and plum forgot about it. I paid it because I have an 850 credit score and $1000 isn't an incentive for me to ruin that.

Then they sicked the marketers on me. Every two to four weeks someone would call me asking me to switch back. I told them not to call me several times. After about the 6th time I asked the guy why do you keep calling, and he explained that ATT uses several private marketing firms and if you get on one's DO NOT CALL list that has no effect on the others.

I literally received dozens of these calls before they petered out, now only twice a year or so. Every time they call I just ask for my $1000 back, explain what they did to me in the past and let them hang up on me.

AT&T IS THE WORST COMPANY IN THE WORLD AND I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THEM AGAIN.

[Gunny]

I got my new bill for my iPhone service from Verizon. $20 increase for no apparent reason.

I went to the Verizon store and told the young smart-alecked person that I did not want to pay for the increase. He looked at my account and said I have unlimited data, and they decided to increase unlimited data by $20 per month. I asked why? He said "because". I told him I didn't use data and I didn't want to pay more money for something I didn't use. He said "Then you shouldn't have chosen a smart phone, should you?" I told him he was a "smarty butt" and I walked out!!!!!

I then went across the road to AT&T to buy from someone else. They said it would be a few minutes. I waited about 10 minutes and left.

I then went a few stores down to Target to buy one of the cut-rate plans. No one would wait on me. If I go to Lowes, or just about anywhere else, I have someone wanting to help me within seconds. So, I left and came home.

I got onto the Verizon website and clicked on the help button. A nice customer rep came on and helped me find a plan that suited exactly what I needed....at a decrease of $30 per month! Now I am paying $50 (plus taxes).

So, I got very angry but it worked out in the end.

I have Verizon. I got Wifi through them with a 30 day free trial. They don't mention that $125 disconnect fee if you terminate. I told them to f*ck off. I have the $50 deal as well. I don't use data at all and I talk to about 3 different people. My hands are too big. I sit and watch the girls around here posting away on their phones. I still have a desktop. That phone would be space launched before I ever got through one post.

[Gunny]

ATT here as well. We have some family plan for 3 phones. I don't think we get unlimited data though, something more like 10gig per month. I don't think I've ever used more than 1gig total, and that's because I was on vacation. But I do think for the price we pay that we SHOULD be getting unlimited, so that I don't ever have to worry about it.

My daughter has AT&T and I DO like the service. I just ain't paying $200 a month for it.

[Gunny]

The help woman looked up my data usage. .04 Gbytes average. And that is usually because I am somewhere and bored. I rarely use data for anything since I am not a man and I don't look at naked women.

I think I played a song on my phone when I first got it just for the novelty. My average on Gbytes is 0.0. Up to me, I'd still have a flip top.

[Gunny]

I have Verizon unlimited data on a plan with two phones. I found out that if I didn't have it on Wifi I would use more "data". So, I just have to make sure that I have a wifi connection and use less data. However, I was camping recently and had no wifi so somehow used up all my "unlimited" data.

According to the alert from Verizon, the cost would be $20 for every 1gb over my "unlimited" data allowance. Guess I needed to read the fine print about what "unlimited" really means.

How does one use up their "unlimited" data?:laugh:

[Drummond]

I've had this cellphone so long that I am not in a contract. But I do have to pay for service.

Interesting. Here, we have differing tariffs. But, if I were to have a Pay as you Go phone, and used some of the top-up I'd added to the SIM account, all I'd pay was the charge of the call according to tariff strictures.

Extra funding commitments come in when you sign up to a set contract ...

[Gunny]

Interesting. Here, we have differing tariffs. But, if I were to have a Pay as you Go phone, and used some of the top-up I'd added to the SIM account, all I'd pay was the charge of the call according to tariff strictures.

Extra funding commitments come in when you sign up to a set contract ...

You don't get to add to pay as you go phones here. Flat rate. Want more, you sign a contract and buy a package deal you're locked into.

[gabosaurus]

I find it interesting that in England and most of Europe, you have to buy a yearly license for your TV. In addition to paying for most TV channels.
I pay for extra levels of TV service so my mom can come over in the afternoon and watch prime time programming and soccer from Germany. And still get it cheaper than those actually living there.

AT&T also has the best rates for international calling.

[Noir]

What on earth are you guys paying for? $150?!!! My current contracts $20 a month for unlimited* texts and internet and 250 minutes.

Even looking online at the most expensive 'get a brand new iPhone and unlimited everything' is only capping out at $90, and even that seems way excessive 0,o

*Unlimited truly means unlimited, no 'fair use' nonsense.

[Jeff]

I went to Verizon first and told them that I wanted a plan that locked in the price for the length of my contract. They told me they didn't do that. I told them that if they were going to lock me into a plan for two years, that I wanted a plan that didn't change price if I didn't change the options. They looked at me dumbfounded. So did AT&T.

My husband called AT&T and negotiated a shared plan for three phones. Said he would pay only if the price didn't go up. When they agreed, he demanded a contract. Uh oh... Went through three different levels of sales people. Dropped hints that he was a very influential and powerful person. Got the contract through e-mail. Signed and returned it.

Wow I must be really influential. I walked into ( nope I am lying ) they, Verizon sent me a E mail explaining how they could beat my price I was paying with Sprint. They wrote up a 2 year contract that wont change unless I change my plan, go figure, and I don't have to live in the land of fruits and nuts to be so influential. :laugh:

[Drummond]

You don't get to add to pay as you go phones here. Flat rate. Want more, you sign a contract and buy a package deal you're locked into.

Sorry to hear it ... we have all that you've described, and this IS the more popular way that people manage their phones. But we do have the alternative option, too, of just choosing when and how to pay, minus the restrictions a contract would stipulate.

With a non-contract 'Pay as you Go' phone, you pay the full cost of the phone first as a one-off payment, then this leaves you free to pay what you want, when you want, to fund phone calls you make. Many people avoid this BECAUSE they have to pay the full cost of the phone immediately ... but once you get over that hurdle, you attain non-contract freedoms ...

Here, you can buy 'SIM free' phones, where the phone is devoid of a link to any one provider, in an 'unlocked' form, which allows you to use whatever SIM from whatever provider you choose. Once the SIM is bought, then you pay as you want, in a number of ways. You can top up via a bank ATM, or by visiting a phone shop run by your provider of choice ... or you can set up 'ad hoc' payments online. Or, you can set those up for automatic top-ups if the balance goes below a certain point. The choice is entirely yours, with no contract limitations relevant.

We have shops here where, if you've bought a phone coded for use to a particular provider (Vodafone, say, for example) .. you can go into a shop and ask for your phone to be unlocked. Such shops have programming codes which allow them to hack the phone and remove its link to its provider .. this then allows you to buy a SIM in that shop for a rival company, 02, say, then pay your 'top up' fee. It's all 'done and dusted' in a matter of a few minutes. Where I live, I have two such shops within a 20 minute walk from me - they each specialise in phone unlocking, and advertise the fact on their shopfronts.

Anyone remember the Bourne film (I think it was Bourne Ultimatum ?) where Jason Bourne has slipped a mobile phone to Simon Ross, a Guardian reporter, at Waterloo Station, in London ? It would've been one of those .. a phone bought, top-up paid for, all set up for Ross to use the phone, then 'junk it' when he was finished with it.

Dovetailing into the plot of the film, such a phone would've had the added advantage of being 'untraceable' by the CIA, since you can just go into a shop and buy one with cash (possibly you'd be asked for details about yourself during the transaction, but there would've been nothing to stop Bourne from inventing them). Remember the scene where the number Bourne had rung was unknown to the London CIA office, and they couldn't intercept it ? A phone linked to a contract would've been registered on a database, and so would've been traceable --

[DLT]

I got my new bill for my iPhone service from Verizon. $20 increase for no apparent reason.

I went to the Verizon store and told the young smart-alecked person that I did not want to pay for the increase. He looked at my account and said I have unlimited data, and they decided to increase unlimited data by $20 per month. I asked why? He said "because". I told him I didn't use data and I didn't want to pay more money for something I didn't use. He said "Then you shouldn't have chosen a smart phone, should you?" I told him he was a "smarty butt" and I walked out!!!!!

I then went across the road to AT&T to buy from someone else. They said it would be a few minutes. I waited about 10 minutes and left.

I then went a few stores down to Target to buy one of the cut-rate plans. No one would wait on me. If I go to Lowes, or just about anywhere else, I have someone wanting to help me within seconds. So, I left and came home.

I got onto the Verizon website and clicked on the help button. A nice customer rep came on and helped me find a plan that suited exactly what I needed....at a decrease of $30 per month! Now I am paying $50 (plus taxes).

So, I got very angry but it worked out in the end.

Any time I get an employee that is anything but customer-friendly, courteous and helpful, I ask to speak to the manager (ie their boss). I then inform their boss what I think of their customer service and why I'm switching and leaving. It gives me, at least, great satisfaction. If the manager pisses me off, also, I then contact their corporate office and make an official complaint and report. If everyone did that, these creeps would not feel so empowered to act like aholes while representing that company.