I found out that I was owed money. I had a cell provider for a long time, January of 2002 through October of 2007. I was a loyal, content customer, I even bragged about how much I liked their customer service and service. When others were paying less for service, I was paying a bit more because of the satisfaction I found when speaking with customer service representatives. That is, until I moved to the middle of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy in the middle of nowhere, I grew up in an area of NY no so different. There is a drawback to the middle of nowhere, not enough customers to warrant good coverage between major towns. I jumped through hoops with this company to improve my service. I was encouraged by the aforementioned representatives to drive 2 miles north, south, east or west to obtain better coverage. I reminded them that I expected to have coverage at my house, I was informed that coverage in my house was never guaranteed. I should only ever expect to have coverage outside. I then walked outside with the phone and waited for the call with them to drop, which didn’t take too long. After several weeks of going round and round with various individuals with many titles like engineer, I was finally released from my contract. I ported to a new carrier and then the nightmare began. I received a bill indicating that I was being charged for early termination, when this company had in writing already indicated that there would be no charge once the engineers determined that coverage would not be improved. I got the feeling that the guy never drove through our town calling people and asking if anyone could hear him now. I called several times and thought the early termination fee was removed, but I should wait for the final bill before paying it. By the time the final bill arrived, the company was threatening to write off my bill and turn me over to collections. The final bill indicated that I owed far more than I felt I should, $95 vs. $45. I was happy to pay the $45, but was insistent that I would not pay the entire amount. I called the only outside number I was ever given for the company, besides *number if my phone was still from that carrier. I was stuck in a loop-enter your zip code, enter your phone number, sorry, the office is closed, we’re only open from 8-8, I was calling at 7:30. Actually, I was a returning a call I was disconnected from, and could only get through when I stopped entering my zip code and phone number. In a call last night, I tried to explain my complaint when my phone call was finally answered. I could not get the woman to understand that I simply wanted my month in advance deposit returned. She attempted to explain how it was already refunded and would not listen to me. According to my bill, I was charged for the whole month of November, which was not accurate, as service was canceled in October. Another line reflected a refund of November, which she explained was my refund of my month in advance deposit. That seems a bit shady to me. She then looked over my account and said the $95 charge was part of the $125 early termination fee and I would receive a check for $29 and change in March, since January billing was completed.
April 29, 2008: I keep receiving statements from Verizon saying they owe me money, but they never send it. I should be receiving another one this week or next. That will make the third statement without money. I don’t know if I want to call, I enjoying receiving statements that tell me they have my money so I don’t owe them any.