KachiWachi
join:2004-02-12
PA, USA
| reply to dick white
Re: [billing] New DSL Rate Hike
In my experience, it doesn't work that way.
They aren't smart enough to make things effective as of the date of your next billing cycle (the easy way)...they will make things effective immediately (the hard way).
Since everyone is billed a month in advance, the Billing Department will credit you for your unused service (current month-to-month plan), then re-bill you for your new plan....with a possible "partial use" credit/charge...as of the date the "new service" actually takes effect.
It may take months for them to get the actually billing straight!
Sorry...not for me. I already went throught this once...never again.
I was just reading my TOS...and it does say that you are allowed to "take advantage" of any "special pricing promotion"...but only once during any 12 month period (Section 13.5 in my TOS...which is Version: 1003).
So Verizon really isn't doing anything *special* for us at this point.
Thanks. |
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dick white
Premium
join:2000-03-24
Annandale, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| said by KachiWachi  :... They aren't smart enough ... It may take months for them to get the actually billing straight! True, the billing departments throughout Verizon (landline, DSL, and cell) are notorious for their ineptness, with many months required for their "credit in the next billing cycle" to finally come out where it should (including credits for the late charges assessed by the system when you don't pay in full for things you didn't order). But given that they've decided to all of a sudden raise the price for their long-time loyal customers to 40% more than they are charging new customers for the same service, you do what you have to. I'm not as concerned whether they make the effective date today or next month.
dw |
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lobster11
join:2004-01-19
Brunswick, ME
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to KachiWachi
I'm willing to join in a joint complaint to the Maine Attorney General's office about dishonest business practices by Verizon. I also signed up for the permanent month-to-month rate about 3 years ago. I had 1.5 then and still have it.
I thought at the time it was dumb of Verizon to offer a permanent monthly rate, but I did verbally confirm it before signing up. |
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Geese1
| reply to dick white
said by dick white :True, the billing departments throughout Verizon (landline, DSL, and cell) are notorious for their ineptness, with many months required for their "credit in the next billing cycle" to finally come out where it should (including credits for the late charges assessed by the system when you don't pay in full for things you didn't order). But given that they've decided to all of a sudden raise the price for their long-time loyal customers to 40% more than they are charging new customers for the same service, you do what you have to. I'm not as concerned whether they make the effective date today or next month. dw Exactly. I've gone through many problems with the Verizon billing, the worst being when they lost a payment we made to them electronically using their own online system (one reason we always pay by physical check now)! So I'm used to them screwing up, and in fact I expect it.
I even told the representative that I'd probably have to be calling back soon as any time anything is changed on the billing side, inevitably something happens to my service. She, of course, assured me this wouldn't happen, but I'm not holding my breath.
It's a hassle, but in the end I always end up with numerous credits and free months of service due to Verizon's screw-ups, so I guess it's not all bad... 
And if it happens again in this instance, you can bet I'll end up with even more free service/credits. |
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mattmill
join:1999-09-03
Brunswick, ME | reply to lobster11
I'm in on the Maine Attorney General complaint if you want.
matt
Brunswick, ME
--
Scout the Australian Shepherd »www.mainemillers.com
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rlmars
join:2003-07-22
Beaverton, OR
·Verizon FIOS
3 edits | reply to Jerome925
I also received the e-mail,but it was in their spam folder, if I had not checked I would not have received it--unbelievable. My rate was to go too $33.99 a month
I called billing and they showed me at 768/128, even though i have had 1500/128 for a couple of years plus, and the could not change the records. they switched me to tech support, and I got somebody with an east Endian accent who could not really underst that I wanted provising to correct my records, I then talked to presidential appeals who took the information and said they would forward it to Verizon DSL, and they would call me.
I then called the retention number 800-358-2076 from one of the posts before. This number was not for my area, and they switched to to a retention operator for Oregon (She gave me this #877-500-8951). I explained the situation and she looked up my records which showed the 1500/128--surprised me that she had the correct info.
She offered to change my bill to $19.95 for six months and then $29,95 for the next six months.
Problem solved--God it's difficult working with Verizon--retention seems the way to go. BTW, I was connected almost immediately without waits on both retention hookups. |
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SandShark
So it goes
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-23
Santa Fe, TX
clubs: | reply to Jerome925
It's ridiculous that loyal customers have to jump through hoops like this. In my case, they're not the only game in town, so I'll need to decide if they're worth the effort or not. Right now, I'm leaning towards "not". |
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penawab2007
join:2007-03-28
Old Town, ME
| reply to mattmill
said by mattmill :Must be regional on the pricing. I have been with them just over 4 years at $29.95 and ........ is changing to $35.99 per month.* Your new rate will take effect in no less than 30 days and you will see the new rate within two billing cycles. .... here in Maine ... matt Dude, for that kind of money you should get GWI and much higher speeds (of course dependent on the variables.) Brunswick is in GWI land though right? I plan on it as soon as my dirt cheap promo is up. I'd advise to, GWI hasn't had capacity issues to date, but watch, when Fairpoint comes in, their gonna get crazy volume and have to list customers seeing how they're using allot of court ordered shared equipment, but all the same they're service is 10 time sbetter. Penewah |
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Jimbo
@verizon.net
| reply to Jerome925
I have had Verizon 3.0 since it came to town, a few years now, at $ 29.99 p/m, now it's going up to $ 35 in my email.
AT&T dsl at the same speed has been at 19 and 24 p/m, AT&T also has 6.0 speed for 28.99 and not a word from Verizon to be at all competative.
WHY is this ???
Thier DSL prices are going up while others are going down and the speeds are increasing.....
When will thier speeds increase to 5.0 or so, locally I can get 6 or 10.0 for as little as $30
Jimbo |
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JTS33
join:2003-05-03
USA
| IIRC, the $29.95 month-to-month with no contract offer started in June '04. I signed up for it on 6/29/04 and got the e-mail about the rate hike on 6/28/07. So, coincidentally or not, the rate hike e-mail was on the last day of my 3rd year on this plan. |
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KachiWachi
join:2004-02-12
PA, USA | Same here-
$34.95 with a $5 credit for $29.95 month-to-month (June 2004).
It took me until February 2005 before the billing was finally straightened out (that's nine months!). |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Hollis Hosting
·Verizon Online DSL
·Fairpoint Communic..
| reply to KachiWachi
I didn't receive price increase email but was double billed in May. When I called billing rep said Verizon was switching from billing in arrears to forward billing. No big deal but would have been nice to know. They might even have notified me but there is so much junk mail in every bill I may have missed it.
Then asked about renewing our contract. Rep started talking about new rate but stopped and mentioned we were long time customer, since 2000. Said because of my frustration over the billing problem she would update the account for new subscriber rate of 19.99 for six months reverting to old rate of $29.99 for rest of year. I said I was happy with the price but not the process. The end result is they wind up getting less revenue from me over the next twelve months then if they just continued me month by month.
Seems to me Verizon has made staying a customer more difficult and frustrating then it needs to be. I spend a lot of time here at BBR and stay up to date on Verizon. Folks that do not are at a disadvantage and it looks like they often wind up paying more then they need to or have to threaten to quite to get lower rate. You shouldn’t have to play that game.
Especially here in VT, NH, and ME with Verizon attempting to sell to FairPoint I would have thought they would be doing more to keep customers happy. I’d prefer a simply billing scheme with no futzing around with contracts once you hit a year. Until something better comes along to our rural area I’m happy with Verizon DSL, don’t ruin it by silly business practices.
/Tom |
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rody_44
Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA | reply to Jerome925
its pretty clear verizon just needs you on a commitment. |
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Ryno
The Wanderer
Premium
join:2001-04-07
Danielsville, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to Jerome925
ok, now I'm pissed to.
I just got this email, and I reupped my year 3 months ago. How can they tell me I'm getting changed when I signed up for a year 2 months ago?
To make matters worse I call and go through all the BS of press 1 press 2 (yes/no/yes/no) only to get to a prompt telling me that department is only open during regular business hours.
This Su... |
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Crazyacex215
join:2007-01-07
Philadelphia, PA | reply to Jerome925
Yes my Year contract is u...now i can get out of this fucking hell hole they call verizon H.S. |
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venussuz
join:2005-01-13
Media, PA | SO glad I switched to Comcast 2 months ago! Cable is 2 to 3x faster, and the tech support rep I spoke to actually spoke English! Sure, if they roll out Fios in my area I'll switch, but for now it's Goodbye Verizon DSL, Goodbye Verizon landline. |
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lobster11
join:2004-01-19
Brunswick, ME
·Verizon Online DSL
1 edit | reply to penawab2007
The future is clearly not DSL, but cable and wireless broadband (wi-fi and wi-max). That's what Congress needs to be working on instead of letting the Universal Service Fund squander $billions annually subsidizing land-line!
P.S. the equivalent DSL from gwi.net (ME & NH) costs $55-60 per month with 5 mailboxes, compared to $30-37 from Verizon. Plus gwi.net favors land-line subsidies - what a joke! |
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Pete Starret
join:2004-12-29
Snohomish, WA
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Jerome925
I received this email on 6/27/2007:
Dear Verizon High Speed Internet Customer,
Our records indicate that you currently subscribe to a Verizon High Speed Internet plan and your one-year commitment has been completed or will soon be completed. We are writing to inform you that your rate for your High Speed Internet package is changing to $33.99 per month.* Your new rate will take effect in no less than 30 days and you will see the new rate within two billing cycles. Your service will automatically continue, with no term commitment or early termination fee.
If you are interested in other plans that may lower your rate, please go to www.verizon.net/greatrate or call 1-800-567-6789.
Verizon Online remains committed to ensuring that we remain the best value in Broadband and will continue to keep prices affordable to our customers.
Thank you for being a Verizon High Speed Internet customer. We appreciate your business and we look forward to continuing to serve you.
Verizon Online
*Additional surcharges, taxes and fees may apply. Your monthly price may be influenced by several factors including your speed selection, whether or not you sign up for a minimum term, whether your Verizon Online service is provided as part of a service bundle or package, and the premium online service you select.
Then on 6/30/2007 I received this Email.
Dear Verizon High Speed Internet Customer,
We mistakenly sent you an email this week advising that the monthly price for your Verizon High Speed Internet service would increase. That message was sent to you in error, so please disregard it. Your price will not be increasing as that email indicated. We apologize for any confusion our prior email may have caused.
Verizon Online
It certainly looks like another case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.
As a communications company, they appear to be anything but that!!!!!
Pete |
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Kelson
@verizon.net
| Interesting reading the various forms of notification. In my case (Delaware) I have had 1.5/256 for years at $29.99/month with a 1 year committment. I did not receive any EMAIL, but rather was notified in my monthly Verizon bill that it was time to renew my yearly contract or face increased month-by-month rates.
It was upon renewing my contract on-line that I discovered that both my speed would be increased to 3/768 and rate would be increased to $33.99/month. No other choices. What really disgust me is that I never get close to 3/768. Whereas before I would routinely get a solid 1.5 down, I now rarely see anything better than 2.2 down. Not worth an extra $4/month esspecially since the bottleneck in surfing seems to be the websites and not the bandwidth I may have. |
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borredo
Premium
join:2004-03-29
Allentown, PA
·RCN CABLE
·Service Electric B..
| Verizon doesn't offer 1.5 package, only a 3.0 and a .768.
If you don't need the download speed a lot of people are satisfied with the .768 deal. That would lower your price, to what I don't know? New customers pay $14.95 1 year commitment, existing customers pay anywhere fron $19.95, to $21.99 with a 1 years commitment for the 768/128 package....
Interesting that the prices vary as per location, who you get when you call, and how much you complain.
Is that anyway to run a business? LOL |
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