Verizon and 800-555-TELL, Part I
Steven J. Sobol
This morning, in ACV, I posted the text of an e-mail I sent to
Verizon's Executive office in Dublin, Ohio, the one that handles the
Ohio/Michigan market. The original message is available in ACV under
the thread "1800 555 TELL" but hasn't made it to groups.google.com
yet.
Basically, Linc Madison sent me a pointer to an FCC cite that you
can't charge toll charges on an 800# call (which Verizon does; uses
airtime plus a $1.25 surcharge listed under "TOLL"), and in ACV, a few
other people have mentioned that they don't get billed the $1.25.
This is the reply I got from Dublin, which actually arrived within a
few hours.
--------------------------------------------------------
Dear Steve Sobol,
Thank you for directing your comments to the Office of the President.
We regret to learn of the frustration that you have had with this issue.
Toll-free numbers, such as 800, 888, 866 and 877 are information
service numbers provided by landline or long distance carriers, such
as AT&T. They are free for use when accessed from the landline
network. This explains why no charges are accessed when these number
are dialed from your home telephone.
However, these calls generate a pay-per use fee to access these
services using our wireless network. Additionally, 800-555-TELL is
specific about charges when using this number from your wireless
phone:
"1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any phone
in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
charge their standard carrier fee"
For more information, please click on the link provided below:
http://www.1-800-555-tell.com/help/#free
Accordingly, the standard fee of $1.25 per use is valid. We hope this
information provides a better understanding.
We appreciate your business. As part of our Worry Free Guarantee if
you ever have a problem, it becomes our problem the first time you
contact us. Write to us again through www.VerizonWireless.com if you
have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Lisa
Verizon Wireless
Internet Executive Relations
"We never stop working for you!"
The above response is subject to the terms of your Service Agreement
and calling plan, which apply to all lines on your account. Please
read those materials for full details. Our liability is limited. In
the event of a conflict between this response and the terms of your
Service Agreement and calling plan, the terms of your Service
Agreement and calling plan will govern. Verizon Wireless's calling
plans, rate areas, rates, agreement provisions, business practices,
procedures and policies are subject to change as specified in the
Service Agreement.
Original Message Follows:
------------------------
mkt code Cincinnati-Dayton
zip code 44060
Full Name Steve Sobol
Message Body
Hello, Previously the VZW Exec Office in Dublin has told me that there
is no way I can get around being charged $1.25 in toll fees for
calling AT T's 800-555-TELL. I have now found out that not only does
VZW NOT charge the $1.25 in most of its market areas, it is, per the
FCC, ILLEGAL to charge a surcharge on calls to tollfree numbers.
Therefore, I will be complaining to the FCC, and I will continue to
call 800-555-TELL whenever I feel like calling, and VZW *will* credit
the $1.25 back to me. Not crediting the "toll" charges will result in
further complaints to the FCC. Continued problems will result in my
termination of service with Verizon Wireless and refusal to pay the
$175 early termination fee -- a contract between two parties isn't
legally binding if one of the parties is breaking the law, which you
are. You are governed by the laws stated at
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/900Fact.html Thank you.
--------------------------------------------------------
My reply:
--------------------------------------------------------
On Fri, 14 Mar 2003, VZW - Executive Office OH wrote:
> Toll-free numbers, such as 800, 888, 866 and 877 are information
>service numbers provided by landline or long distance carriers, such
>as AT&T. They are free for use when accessed from the landline
>network. This explains why no charges are accessed when these number
>are dialed from your home telephone. However, these calls generate
>a pay-per use fee to access these services using our wireless
>network. Additionally, 800-555-TELL is specific about charges when
>using this number from your wireless phone:
This is a load of bullshit. I already know from other people who are VZW
customers in other market areas that they do not get charged. However, if
you are going to ignore me, it's not going to hurt me. See, I'm moving to
California... and although there is no number portability yet between
cellular carriers, it doesn't matter because even if I stay with VZW I
have to change phone numbers anyhow. That eliminates the one best argument
for not switching from Verizon. So if necessary, I will switch and fight
the ETF in court.
I will be contacting the FCC as promised, I will be contacting
media outlets here, and you guys are going to be the ones with the bad
PR and fines from the FCC. Sorry to inform you of this fact, but if you
don't have enough of a clue to realize that the FCC ALSO REGULATES
CELLULAR CARRIERS, you shouldn't be working for Verizon Wireless or any
other cellular company.
I will also be posting all of our correspondence to the Internet newsgroup
alt.cellular.verizon, where many other Verizon customers hang out. You
have been warned; anything you send to me regarding this subject WILL be
posted publically.
It is a crying shame that VZW feels they need to steal from me even though
I am already paying an average of $125 per month on my cellular bill. I
thought maybe it was a billing mistake since other markets don't have the
same charge, but the people I've talked to at your office insist on
defending the practice. Oh, well. Wouldn't be the first time I've switched
carriers; probably won't be the last.
Incidentally, don't ask me to reply using your web form, please. Not only
is it a royal pain in the ass to use, I can't quote your message back to
you to provide context if I use the website. The ticket number is included
in the subject of the message, and I've communicated via e-mail with many
other companies using the same ticketing system (the KMM##### numbers are
generated by a specific software package; I forget which).
Thanks,
SJS (Why don't you actually take a look at my account? You have the
account number. You will be able to see that I spend lots of money on you
and pay my bills on time.)
--------------------------------------------------------
Gee, I bet people wouldn't get charged for calling 888-480-4638 (my
tollfree number).
--
Steve Sobol/CTO/JustThe.net LLC/Mentor On The Lake (Cleveland), OH/888.480.4NET
"This country has a strong ethical foundation, but... I hesitate to say that
erosion has set in, but it is clear that more and more of what we are is being
built on sand and not on that foundation." - G. Waleed Kavalec, in SPAM-L
Joe Kaffe
"1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any phone
in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
charge their standard carrier fee"
"Standard carrier fee" What does that mean? How is it defined? Who defines
it? Where is it defined? How and who determines what the fee will be? How
can customers know ahead of time which numbers will incur such a fee?
danny burstein
>Getting a little hot under the collar Steven?
>"1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any phone
>in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
>However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
>charge their standard carrier fee"
Well, first of all, that ain't true. You can no longer call it from a
public payphone.
>"Standard carrier fee" What does that mean? How is it defined? Who defines
>it? Where is it defined? How and who determines what the fee will be? How
>can customers know ahead of time which numbers will incur such a fee?
"standard carrier fee" means, in this context, the regular airtime
charges.
--
_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dan...@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]
Joe Kaffe
"danny burstein" <dan...@panix.com> wrote in message
news:b4tfrs$25c$1...@reader2.panix.com...
> In <cbrca.11660$_F2.12...@news1.east.cox.net> "Joe Kaffe"
<kaff...@yahoo.com> writes:
>
> >Getting a little hot under the collar Steven?
>
> >"1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any phone
> >in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
> >However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
> >charge their standard carrier fee"
>
> Well, first of all, that ain't true. You can no longer call it from a
> public payphone.
>
> >"Standard carrier fee" What does that mean? How is it defined? Who
defines
> >it? Where is it defined? How and who determines what the fee will be? How
> >can customers know ahead of time which numbers will incur such a fee?
>
> "standard carrier fee" means, in this context, the regular airtime
> charges.
That's what I would take it to mean too, but evidently it means something
different toVerizon.
Mike
Prepay (nee' FreeUp) account.
I was charged the standard peak rate of 30 cents a minute... no extra.
FYI - Prepay account lookup uses a special system that updates
automatically right after the call is completed. This is possible
since it goes through a central "real-time" debiting system...
I'm in Southwest VA (Roanoke, VA SID 00502). But since VZW Prepay is
riding a different "billing system", as it were, I'd expect this
behavior nationwide on it.
Mike
Steven J. Sobol
> Getting a little hot under the collar Steven?
You bet. <g>
> "Standard carrier fee" What does that mean? How is it defined? Who defines
> it? Where is it defined? How and who determines what the fee will be? How
> can customers know ahead of time which numbers will incur such a fee?
IMHO it means nothing. It's the operator of the service talking,
trying to avoid people getting pissed off about charges on their bills
that they think shouldn't be there. Of course, I don't think this is
TELLME's problem, I think it is Verizon's.*
*[I was corrected in alt.cellular. AT&T is not the sole owner of the
service, they own part of TELLME which owns and operates 800-555-TELL.
I don't know if the correction was also posted to
alt.cellular.verizon.]
Linc Madison
<sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote:
> [quoting a letter from "Lisa" at VZW's Office of the Prez]:
>
> Toll-free numbers, such as 800, 888, 866 and 877 are information
> service numbers provided by landline or long distance carriers, such
> as AT&T. They are free for use when accessed from the landline
> network. This explains why no charges are accessed when these number
> are dialed from your home telephone.
>
> However, these calls generate a pay-per use fee to access these
> services using our wireless network.
This sounds very much like "Lisa" wants you to believe that Verizon
Wireless pays a pay-per-use fee when you call 800-555-TELL from their
network. That is not the case.
Furthermore, the fee does not apply to all 800, 888, 877, and 866
numbers, and the description of all toll-free numbers as "information
service numbers" is false. They have singled out certain specific
toll-free numbers for surcharge billing.
> Additionally, 800-555-TELL is specific about charges when using this
> number from your wireless phone:
>
> "1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any
> phone in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
> However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
> charge their standard carrier fee"
In plain English, when calling from a cellphone, you are using AIRTIME.
"Their standard carrier fee" does NOT include any surcharge for the 800
number. The "standard carrier fee" is the included minutes in your plan
if you have them available, per-minute airtime charges if you have
exceeded your plan minutes, or roaming airtime charges if applicable.
> For more information, please click on the link provided below:
>
> http://www.1-800-555-tell.com/help/#free
>
> Accordingly, the standard fee of $1.25 per use is valid. We hope this
> information provides a better understanding.
I still understand that the charge is in clear violation of FCC 96-289.
What I *REALLY* don't understand is why TellMe (a.k.a. 800-555-TELL)
puts up with these shenanigans. It certainly harms their business, so
they should be suing Verizon.
--
www dot LincMad dot com / Telecom at LincMad dot com
Linc Madison * San Francisco, California
Steven J. Sobol
>> network. This explains why no charges are accessed when these number
>> are dialed from your home telephone.
>>
>> However, these calls generate a pay-per use fee to access these
>> services using our wireless network.
>
> This sounds very much like "Lisa" wants you to believe that Verizon
> Wireless pays a pay-per-use fee when you call 800-555-TELL from their
> network. That is not the case.
Wait. It gets better. About a month ago, maybe two or three, during my
first go-round with VZW Exec about this issue, I said (and I'm
paraphrasing here) "you have no business charging toll charges on a
call on which you don't get charged anything to connect the call."
After a week of saying that, someone from the Exec Office finally told
me "yes, we do." After that, I stopped pursuing it because I know
that's a lie, but don't know how to conclusively *prove* that it's a
lie.
> Furthermore, the fee does not apply to all 800, 888, 877, and 866
> numbers, and the description of all toll-free numbers as "information
> service numbers" is false. They have singled out certain specific
> toll-free numbers for surcharge billing.
Of course they have. I can make calls to my own tollfree number and
not get charged the $1.25.
>> For more information, please click on the link provided below:
>>
>> http://www.1-800-555-tell.com/help/#free
>>
>> Accordingly, the standard fee of $1.25 per use is valid. We hope this
>> information provides a better understanding.
>
> I still understand that the charge is in clear violation of FCC 96-289.
>
> What I *REALLY* don't understand is why TellMe (a.k.a. 800-555-TELL)
> puts up with these shenanigans. It certainly harms their business, so
> they should be suing Verizon.
TellMe probably doesn't know. I haven't called the FCC yet. I am in
the process of bending the ear of a certain tech writer who currently
contributes a lot to C|NET News.com - and I should probably bend the
ear of someone at TellMe too. I think they'd be very interested in
finding out about this.
danny burstein
[ big snip ]
>I still understand that the charge is in clear violation of FCC 96-289.
and a whole bunch of other laws. In fact, hmmm... I wonder if this would
come under the same FCC regs that say a wire carrier can't cut you off for
refusing to pay "900" or other added services. Probably not, since
wireless companies live in a world of their own. But worth a try.
>What I *REALLY* don't understand is why TellMe (a.k.a. 800-555-TELL)
>puts up with these shenanigans. It certainly harms their business, so
>they should be suing Verizon.
It's just barely possible they're getting a kickback on this. Unlikley,
but possible.
David L
> This oughtta be fun.
>
> This morning, in ACV, I posted the text of an e-mail I sent to
> Verizon's Executive office in Dublin, Ohio, the one that handles the
> Ohio/Michigan market.
> Thank you for directing your comments to the Office of the President.
>
> We regret to learn of the frustration that you have had with this issue.
>
> Toll-free numbers, such as 800, 888, 866 and 877 are information
> service numbers provided by landline or long distance carriers, such
> as AT&T. They are free for use when accessed from the landline
> network.
Interesting, in California. My "Verizon User Guide" is quite clear
about Toll free numbers, "800,855,866,877 and 888". "Billed for
airtime only."
Maybe there was a typo or something and they got confused with
1-900;-)
This wouldn't be the first case of regional executives, acting
imnproperly to boost a divisions income or stifle competition, from a
free service. Won't be the first one to go down either.
What does Verizon National have to say?
Better yet what does the local news station consumer's editor have to
say?
Appears to be the same boneheaded, arrogant, monopolistic mentality
that keeps Verizon from allowing national 511 travellers calling, like
the other major Cellcos.
Go Steven, Go!
-----
David
Mike C
"David L" <davi...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:e1705cb3.03031...@posting.google.com...
J on the phone
Verizon for accessing 1-800-555-TELL. There is no legitimate reason
for such charges.
Yesterday, I contacted 1-800-TELL-ME regarding the situation and asked
that the information be forwarded to their legal representatives if
that was not already the case. In the interim, a non-tollfree access
number is available for those of us who are not charged extra for long
distance. The number is 408-678-0035.
It will be interesting to see if Verizon will decide to charge us
$1.25 to call a standard number if they see a volume of calls heading
that way.
Rodger N. Bird
FCC. I am also sick and tired of this BS.
Start of Verizon reply:
Dear Rodger,
Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website.
We apologize for the confusion regarding this situation.
Unfortunately, 1-800-555-xxxx numbers are considered informational calls.
We are bound by the FCC to charge $1.25 for these calls.
We hope this information is helpful.
We appreciate your business. Thank you for using Verizon Wireless
products and services.
Sincerely,
James
Verizon Wireless
Customer Care
"We never stop working for you!"
The above response is subject to the terms of your Service Agreement and
calling plan, which apply to all lines on your account. Please read
those materials for full details. Our liability is
limited. In the event of a conflict between this response and the terms
of your Service Agreement and calling plan, the terms of your Service
Agreement and calling plan will govern. Verizon
Wireless's calling plans, rate areas, rates, agreement provisions,
business practices, procedures and policies are subject to change as
specified in the Service Agreement.
Original Message Follows:
I've been charged $1.25 in the past for each call to 1-800-555-TELL. Go
to their web page "http://www.1-800-555-tell.com" It clearly states:
"Call 1-800-555-TELL for Free!" I also called them to verify that this
service is advertiser-supported and Verizon IS NOT CHARGED when I call 1-
800-555-TELL.
I have called Verizon a few times with this complaint. Once I got a
credit, once I got dumb excused and once the phone representative put in
a ticket and said I would get a response on my next bill. I have not
received any response.
It is totally unfair of Verizon to charge for this 1-800 number. It's an
800 number. There are no additional connect fees charged to Verizon which
would justify charging additional fees. FYI, I am not the only person
unhappy with your billing $1.25 for calling 1-800-555-tell. Check out the
Internet newsgroups. I have a tollfree number to check my voicemail on my
office phone. I do not get charged $1.25 for calls to it. Perhaps your
billing system has a bug and sees all xxx-555-XXXX numbers as a
direcctory assistance call? Please look into this problem.
Thank you, Rodger
In article <140320031840374658%nob...@example.com>, nob...@example.com
says...
Steven J. Sobol
> Below is Verizon's response to my email. I think the next stop is the
> FCC. I am also sick and tired of this BS.
Keep posting evidence to this thread, guys. It's all being archived by
our friends over at Google Groups.
Linc Madison
N. Bird <rbi...@peoplepc.com> wrote:
> Below is Verizon's response to my email. I think the next stop is the
> FCC. I am also sick and tired of this BS.
>
> Verizon reply:
> Unfortunately, 1-800-555-xxxx numbers are considered informational
> calls. We are bound by the FCC to charge $1.25 for these calls.
Absolute outright intentional, deliberately fraudulent *LIE*. Not a
misunderstanding, not an innocent misstatement, but intentional fraud.
It's a lie, and they know it's a lie. Go to the FCC web site and file a
complaint. <http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html>
In fact, VZW is not even permitted to charge* you for 1-800-555-1212!
[* other than basic airtime charges]
> We hope this information is helpful.
Yes, very helpful. Just not helpful in the way "James" at VZW intended.
Thomas Zielinski
anyway... right??? well let's see how much verizon enjoys us all
calling the non-800 number at THEIR expense!
-Tom
PS... i just called for the first time, and played around with it for
like half an hour... it's the friggin coolest thing ever, and I could
find so many good uses for it!!! I'm going to use it ALL the time
now!
6...@volcanomail.com (J on the phone) wrote in message news:<594e5d58.0303...@posting.google.com>...
Steven J. Sobol
> PS... i just called for the first time, and played around with it for
> like half an hour... it's the friggin coolest thing ever, and I could
> find so many good uses for it!!! I'm going to use it ALL the time
> now!
Me too. First time I used it was to buy movie tickets over the phone
at the Regal Cinemas theater we usually go to to watch first-run
movies -- very convenient. It's too bad the other theater chain in our
neighborhood (Atlas, with two locations ten minutes from our house)
doesn't accept plastic.
David L
> number is available for those of us who are not charged extra for long
> distance. The number is 408-678-0035.
>
408-678-0035 works! Apparently a local number to Tell-Me's Santa
Clara, CA operations center.
Good temp work-around/back-up for those that have free LD.
-
David
David L
> From Thomas Zielinski (ju...@oddbite.com):
>
> > PS... i just called for the first time, and played around with it for
> > like half an hour... it's the friggin coolest thing ever, and I could
> > find so many good uses for it!!! I'm going to use it ALL the time
> > now!
>
> Me too. First time I used it was to buy movie tickets over the phone
> at the Regal Cinemas theater we usually go to to watch first-run
> movies -- very convenient. It's too bad the other theater chain in our
> neighborhood (Atlas, with two locations ten minutes from our house)
> doesn't accept plastic.
I played with Tell-Me too, nice.
Wow, I can get door to door driving directions very quickly on the fly
as well. Cool! Wonder if stock quotes are as quick? Will have to set
up a custom page.
If they just had a directory look-up...
Between traveler's info 511 (817-1717 Local SF Bay Area) and Tell-Me I
don't need Verizon's painfully slow, keypad intensive wireless web for
the few simple wireless tools I'd use!
-----
David
DOUBLE J1426
call 411 or 555-1212 from my house phone there is a charge of , I
believe, .99 for the call. It has always been that way , atleast here in
upstate NY
Linc Madison <nob...@example.com> wrote in article
<150320031427266162%nob...@example.com>:
[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]
Mark Rogo
Please bury Verizon at the FCC. They have got to be kidding with this
drivel.
The letter back from them is comical.
Mark
"Steven J. Sobol" <sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote in article
<slrnb759un....@amethyst.nstc.com>:
[posted via phonescoop.com - free web access to the alt.cellular groups]
DTR
a 2 10 min calls during my peak time.
<markrogoathotmaildotcom (Mark Rogo)> wrote in message
news:v7a4i9d...@corp.supernews.com...
Michael Kincaid
> Me too. First time I used it was to buy movie tickets over the phone
> at the Regal Cinemas theater we usually go to to watch first-run
> movies -- very convenient. It's too bad the other theater chain in our
> neighborhood (Atlas, with two locations ten minutes from our house)
> doesn't accept plastic.
It's also worth noting that some of the chains that aren't with TellMe
(online equivalent = Fandango) are with 777-Film (online equivalent =
Moviefone and Movietickets.com). Typically listings for all theaters
will be available from either one but ticket sales only from the one
they've partnered with.
Anyway, to keep this post on topic, I'm seeing TellMe calls billed as
normal minutes in San Francisco (Toll Free CL listed for the call
type/destination city column). Though I guess we've already
established that it's a regional thing. (I think the most likely
explanation is a bug causing all 555-xxxx calls to be considered
information. This was true until 1994, which is probably the source of
the misconception.)
http://611.net/NETWORKTELECOM/555numbs.htm
Michael Kincaid
> Me too. First time I used it was to buy movie tickets over the phone
> at the Regal Cinemas theater we usually go to to watch first-run
> movies -- very convenient. It's too bad the other theater chain in our
> neighborhood (Atlas, with two locations ten minutes from our house)
> doesn't accept plastic.
It's also worth noting that some of the chains that aren't with TellMe
Steven J. Sobol
> Anyway, to keep this post on topic, I'm seeing TellMe calls billed as
> normal minutes in San Francisco (Toll Free CL listed for the call
> type/destination city column). Though I guess we've already
> established that it's a regional thing. (I think the most likely
> explanation is a bug causing all 555-xxxx calls to be considered
> information.
I think it's a screwup too, and I think the people in the Executive
Office for Ohio/Michigan either aren't intelligent enough or aren't
honest enough to admit it's a screwup. (Or both.) After all, OH/MI
seems to be the ONLY market being billed this way.
Marc Sindell
"{fws} Frank" <wa2...@arrl.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:MPG.18dfbd202...@netnews.att.net...
>
> As a way to protest, maybe we all should use 408-678-0035. Both it and
> 1=800-555-TELL work just the same for me. Who knows, when VW changes
> billing systems, the charge will be for everyone. USE THE 408 NUMBER!
That could backfire. If a lot of people start doing it, VZW might start
charging extra for calling that number.
Marc Sindell
"Steven J. Sobol" <sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote in message
>
> I think it's a screwup too, and I think the people in the Executive
> Office for Ohio/Michigan either aren't intelligent enough or aren't
> honest enough to admit it's a screwup. (Or both.) After all, OH/MI
> seems to be the ONLY market being billed this way.
To me, it's all about having a sense of fairness, or, in this case, a lack
of such a sense on the part of VZW.
If customers feel they are being treated unfairly, even on these relatively
small matters, they are less likely to feel loyalty toward the company.
Geoff Brozny
"Marc Sindell" <marc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b559vd$252uqb$1...@ID-167069.news.dfncis.de...
if the try to charge me something other then regular minutes for a standard
LD call I will terminate service without hesitation, and refuse to pay the
$175 termination fee since they would be in breach of the contract, not me.
I really like verizons service, but if they start doing crap like that I'm
gone..
geoff
Steven J. Sobol
In which case I'd go after Verizon in court, and call TellMe and
explain what is happening and suggest they do the same.
Steven J. Sobol
> if the try to charge me something other then regular minutes for a standard
> LD call I will terminate service without hesitation, and refuse to pay the
> $175 termination fee since they would be in breach of the contract, not me.
> I really like verizons service, but if they start doing crap like that I'm
> gone..
Exactly what I've been saying.
Geoff Brozny
"Steven J. Sobol" <sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote in message
> From Geoff Brozny (nos...@glorb.com):
>
> > if the try to charge me something other then regular minutes for a
standard
> > LD call I will terminate service without hesitation, and refuse to pay
the
> > $175 termination fee since they would be in breach of the contract, not
me.
> > I really like verizons service, but if they start doing crap like that
I'm
> > gone..
>
> Exactly what I've been saying.
I'm very satisfied with verizon's coverage, customer service, etc, I also
never heard anything about 800-555-tell until this thread started, then the
other day I called it for the first time and spent about 20 min on it.. if
only I knew about it a few weeks ago when I was lost out somewhere south of
cleveland and could not find I-71, I woud of just called it up, and got
driving directions back home.. but I dont see what verizons problem is,
it's not like it is costing them something for us to place that call.
geoff
Thomas Zielinski
they like doing reports like this
:-)
-Tom
"Geoff Brozny" <nos...@glorb.com> wrote in message news:<b55fe1$oi7$1...@tribune.oar.net>...
Steven J. Sobol
> I'm very satisfied with verizon's coverage, customer service, etc, I also
> never heard anything about 800-555-tell until this thread started, then the
> other day I called it for the first time and spent about 20 min on it.. if
> only I knew about it a few weeks ago when I was lost out somewhere south of
> cleveland and could not find I-71, I woud of just called it up, and got
> driving directions back home.
You and Wotsisname. I forget who else it was. :) Look, people, I can't
be down in that area to give directions! I'm moving to the Left Coast!
Elector
"Steven J. Sobol" <sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote in message
Like I said before its no feat to not pay that Early Termination Fee since I am sure
Verizon has done something or another to get you off the hook. Please note that Verizon
subscribes to that "No Lawsuit" clause in there contracts and you must write to them at
the time of the contract that you do not opt for Mediation/Arbitration but rather Civil
Action/Court Filings to proceed.
I had a young lady one time point out that my threat of leaving (for poor service) will
result in ETF ($175) and Credit Bureau Reporting etc. and that I would have to be in
Arbitration. I faxed her at the office my letter and my contract where it stated I did not
opt for that service and would sue the hell out of them in court. I also pointed out the
breach of service voided their contract with me. Amazing how fast my problem was resolved.
For the shits and giggles aspect let me tell you that shortly after that I received
another new contract in the mail as a renewal and I called and said nice try, I did not
renew any contract and to remove it, and that I did not agree to their terms of
Arbitration etc. and the nice lady on the telephone said it was a mistake (sure it was)
and that it had been canceled. But this was many years ago. Times may have changed.
Elector
John S.
>LD call I will terminate service without hesitation, and refuse to pay the
>$175 termination fee since they would be in breach of the contract, not me.
>I really like verizons service, but if they start doing crap like that I'm
>gone..
I see, but charging for FREE numbers (ie: 800 numbers) is OK with you?
--
John S.
e-mail responses to - john at nationwide-online.net
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman
>specific about charges when using this number from your wireless
>phone:
>
>"1-800-555-TELL is a free service; available anytime and from any phone
>in the U.S. 1-800-555-TELL pays for all long distance charges.
>However, if you are calling from a cell phone, your phone company may
>charge their standard carrier fee"
>
>Accordingly, the standard fee of $1.25 per use is valid. We hope this
>information provides a better understanding.
No. It is not valid. The $1.25 is not VZW's standard fee. The
charge is illegal.
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman
>like half an hour... it's the friggin coolest thing ever, and I could
>find so many good uses for it!!! I'm going to use it ALL the time
>now!
Agreed. Very cool.
Dr. Joel M. Hoffman
>> charging extra for calling that number.
>
>In which case I'd go after Verizon in court, and call TellMe and
>explain what is happening and suggest they do the same.
What court has jurisdiction?
Steven J. Sobol
> No. It is not valid. The $1.25 is not VZW's standard fee. The
> charge is illegal.
I don't know if you caught the threads in comp.dcom.telecom, acv and
here, but they fixed the problem, which only existed in the
Ohio/Michigan market.
John S.
>
The FCC has jurisditcion. It is a federally mandated issue.
800 numbers are free.
Elector
"Steven J. Sobol" <sjs...@JustThe.net> wrote in message
And soon you will be in the California market. Now we'll be 3,000 miles away instead of a
500. ha ha But I know you'll still be there plugging away.
Elector