please wait
Verizon is stealing my money....
May 2, 2011 at 1:11am
...what should I do?
Here is my dilemma:
I've had a bundle package with Verizon for couple of years now and the service they provide is just awful. I can't complain much about the phone because I don't use it often (only my parents do) but the internet constantly is down. When I need to get something done, what happens? Internet goes down. I've had instances where I'm doing a presentation for some client over the internet and the internet just crashes. Of course I look like a fool but what does Verizon care.
I've called them a few times and they give me the usual rhetoric: you need to have a guy come out and look at the connection. I've had a guy come out and of course they couldn't find anything wrong because there is nothing wrong with the connection. Its Verizon who can't provide stable service. I've checked my router (even replaced it) and my connections--all of which are good.
Or, every night around midnight, the servers switch to a location about two hours south from my house. I understand why they do it but the internet I get at midnight is extremely slow and then there is the interruption again which I spoke about before.
Seriously, this is stealing money! I can't remember how many MBPS I'm actually suppose to be getting (for arguments sake lets say 3) and my connection is always considerably lower.
And like today, my internet has been down constantly pretty much all day. It comes on for literally 20 seconds and then goes down. Now that it's finally up, I can make this rant but I'm expecting it to go down again.
Can you file a lawsuit for this or do they have a clause in the acceptance agreement about this sort of thing?
Verizon, give me back my money!!!!!
Here is my dilemma:
I've had a bundle package with Verizon for couple of years now and the service they provide is just awful. I can't complain much about the phone because I don't use it often (only my parents do) but the internet constantly is down. When I need to get something done, what happens? Internet goes down. I've had instances where I'm doing a presentation for some client over the internet and the internet just crashes. Of course I look like a fool but what does Verizon care.
I've called them a few times and they give me the usual rhetoric: you need to have a guy come out and look at the connection. I've had a guy come out and of course they couldn't find anything wrong because there is nothing wrong with the connection. Its Verizon who can't provide stable service. I've checked my router (even replaced it) and my connections--all of which are good.
Or, every night around midnight, the servers switch to a location about two hours south from my house. I understand why they do it but the internet I get at midnight is extremely slow and then there is the interruption again which I spoke about before.
Seriously, this is stealing money! I can't remember how many MBPS I'm actually suppose to be getting (for arguments sake lets say 3) and my connection is always considerably lower.
And like today, my internet has been down constantly pretty much all day. It comes on for literally 20 seconds and then goes down. Now that it's finally up, I can make this rant but I'm expecting it to go down again.
Can you file a lawsuit for this or do they have a clause in the acceptance agreement about this sort of thing?
Verizon, give me back my money!!!!!
May 2, 2011 at 1:49am
You can't do a thing about it. It's called corporate corruption and every corporation has fallen to it. They'll stick you as long as they can because you can't stop them. I have this same problem with comcast non stop and had it with ATT. You can threaten to leave, you might even get a credit or a temporary "promotional" rate reduction, but sadly in the end you're screwed. I'm a consultant and I work at home often when I have some major tasks at hand that need peace and quiet... during that time I expect my resources to be available. I had this one month stretch where my internet went down for 10 - 12 hours at a time. I had a technician come out on several occasions to confirm there was absolutely nothing wrong... so I ripped into comcast over the phone and their answer? Upgrade to comcast business class ($50 more) to get next day resolution... which doesn't even fix the problem at hand... wtf?
This has become the major problem with the United States. I'm not sure about other countries but in the US, every corporation is corrupt... EVERY one, no exceptions! I remember the time I was doing some consulting for a company that I will not name that was in the warranty and insurance business... it's a big damn company, fortune 500. My consulting gig was to automate their CRM workflows and pbx systems so that it was actually EXTREMELY difficult for a customer to file a claim. So difficult that they estimated 90% of customers just gave up and dealt with it themselves which kept revenue up. Needless to say I could not complete this project with a clear conscience and terminated the contract when they asked me to remove the phone numbers from both their websites and invoices... My point is that we as consumers cannot do shit about it and the government will not defend it's citizens when the big companies line their purses with gold and silver!
It's the sad truth... It's rare to succeed in a class action suit and the results end up getting you a few dollars after the greedy lawyers actually take about 70% of the winnings in "fees"... more corruption! Reminds me about a month or so ago I received a notification that I qualified for a class action suit with Chase... my winnings were like 12 bucks and it turns out they actually stuck me in several hundred in fees over 5 years that I didn't notice.
And here's another story, my wife signed up for a trial at LA Fitness, a nation wide gym chain and you put a $50 deposit that was refundable as long as you canceled in 20 days... my wife canceled in 10 days and they denied receiving the deposit even though we had paper work signed by the damn manager.. turns out this was a common practice for this company and the only thing that anyone could do was file a complaint with the better business bureau so they stuck me for $50... same month I receive a bill from my county saying I owe $150 in fees for not getting my dog the required shots on time even though I both filed the paper work with the government and my vet had it on file 2 months before the deadline. I was forced to pay the damn fee thanks to their software glitch or pure incompetence and they refused to even try to reconcile.
I could go on and on...
This has become the major problem with the United States. I'm not sure about other countries but in the US, every corporation is corrupt... EVERY one, no exceptions! I remember the time I was doing some consulting for a company that I will not name that was in the warranty and insurance business... it's a big damn company, fortune 500. My consulting gig was to automate their CRM workflows and pbx systems so that it was actually EXTREMELY difficult for a customer to file a claim. So difficult that they estimated 90% of customers just gave up and dealt with it themselves which kept revenue up. Needless to say I could not complete this project with a clear conscience and terminated the contract when they asked me to remove the phone numbers from both their websites and invoices... My point is that we as consumers cannot do shit about it and the government will not defend it's citizens when the big companies line their purses with gold and silver!
It's the sad truth... It's rare to succeed in a class action suit and the results end up getting you a few dollars after the greedy lawyers actually take about 70% of the winnings in "fees"... more corruption! Reminds me about a month or so ago I received a notification that I qualified for a class action suit with Chase... my winnings were like 12 bucks and it turns out they actually stuck me in several hundred in fees over 5 years that I didn't notice.
And here's another story, my wife signed up for a trial at LA Fitness, a nation wide gym chain and you put a $50 deposit that was refundable as long as you canceled in 20 days... my wife canceled in 10 days and they denied receiving the deposit even though we had paper work signed by the damn manager.. turns out this was a common practice for this company and the only thing that anyone could do was file a complaint with the better business bureau so they stuck me for $50... same month I receive a bill from my county saying I owe $150 in fees for not getting my dog the required shots on time even though I both filed the paper work with the government and my vet had it on file 2 months before the deadline. I was forced to pay the damn fee thanks to their software glitch or pure incompetence and they refused to even try to reconcile.
I could go on and on...
Last edited on May 2, 2011 at 1:55am
May 2, 2011 at 2:09am
You are definitely right; and what's even more amazing is that I'm not surprised a company engages in these ridiculous practices to make it harder for customer to file complaints. I can't blame you though because everyone needs to make a living and also, you shouldn't feel bad.
I find it very surprising when people say there is no or very little corruption in the U.S. when in fact there are overt examples in front of the people. Like the examples you've mentioned especially about the LA fitness. How can you lie to someone like that. Do corporations have no shame?
For example, Congress passing the budget at the very last minute, or sending a letter to SONY about the PSN outages. Someone explain to me, what good is this going to do? It seems Congress jumps in at the last minute to make themselves seem like the hero. Seriously, what is becoming of our government. It's not a government of the people but rather of corporations.
Edit:
And also, if I want to have a technician come over to my house, it's $150 flat plus and additional dollar amount based on the hours they spend working.
I find it very surprising when people say there is no or very little corruption in the U.S. when in fact there are overt examples in front of the people. Like the examples you've mentioned especially about the LA fitness. How can you lie to someone like that. Do corporations have no shame?
For example, Congress passing the budget at the very last minute, or sending a letter to SONY about the PSN outages. Someone explain to me, what good is this going to do? It seems Congress jumps in at the last minute to make themselves seem like the hero. Seriously, what is becoming of our government. It's not a government of the people but rather of corporations.
Edit:
And also, if I want to have a technician come over to my house, it's $150 flat plus and additional dollar amount based on the hours they spend working.
Last edited on May 2, 2011 at 2:12am
May 2, 2011 at 2:12am
Here's an idea.... why not quit verizon and go with a different provider?
They're only taking your money as long as you're giving them business. So stop giving them business.
They're only taking your money as long as you're giving them business. So stop giving them business.
May 2, 2011 at 2:28am
I was waiting for this post.
I know it would seem like the obvious choice but there are a lot of factors I have to consider. 1) I'm poor so I like bundle packages. 2) Verizon for me is the only good option because the only other good ISP in my area provides cable and there are reasons, which I wont go into, why I want to avoid it. 3) Satellite internet is impractical for me because i) it's really expensive and ii) they sell internet on a per usage basis, maybe like 5 gigs per week or something, and this isn't practical for me.
Again, I know this would seem like the obvious choice but there are other factors I have to consider.
I know it would seem like the obvious choice but there are a lot of factors I have to consider. 1) I'm poor so I like bundle packages. 2) Verizon for me is the only good option because the only other good ISP in my area provides cable and there are reasons, which I wont go into, why I want to avoid it. 3) Satellite internet is impractical for me because i) it's really expensive and ii) they sell internet on a per usage basis, maybe like 5 gigs per week or something, and this isn't practical for me.
Again, I know this would seem like the obvious choice but there are other factors I have to consider.
May 2, 2011 at 2:53am| 1) I'm poor so I like bundle packages. |
You get what you pay for. If you want discounted price, expect discounted service.
| 2) [snip] only other good ISP in my area provides cable and there are reasons, which I wont go into, why I want to avoid it |
I assume those reasons are worse than the things you're complaining about in your OP. So then it sounds like you're stuck with the lesser of 2 evils. =P
Still, it seems to me like there are 4 things you want out of an ISP:
1) Good price
2) Relability
3) Speed
4) Customer service
Sounds like Verizon is only doing 2/4 of the job for you. I would reconsider your reservations about the other companies, whatever they are... unless you really think those other companies will do worse than 2/4.
| 3) Satellite internet is impractical for me |
Satellite is impractical in every way imaginable. It's expensive, slow, unreliable, and just overall sucks. The only reason anyone would get it is because broadband service is unavailable in their area.
Take it from someone who was stuck with it for years.
Last edited on May 2, 2011 at 2:54am
May 2, 2011 at 3:16am| You get what you pay for. If you want discounted price, expect discounted service. |
I'm paying for the best internet Verizon offers. Even if I wasn't, the contract says that I should get XYZ and i'm only getting XY and not the Z even though I'm paying for it. It's not me but the company themselves who are breaching the contract.
The problem is that I lack the legal jargon to make a real case against the company. Ignorance...the bane of my existence.
| So then it sounds like you're stuck with the lesser of 2 evils |
Unfortunately yes! :(
On a more positive note, for the first time today, my internet has been coming without any interruptions for more than an hour.
May 3, 2011 at 11:26am
Switch providers immediately; that's the power consumer's possess to keep businesses in check.
May 3, 2011 at 2:21pm
+10 @ moorecm
My feelings exactly. If you dislike a company enough to complain about it like this, you shouldn't be giving them your business.
My feelings exactly. If you dislike a company enough to complain about it like this, you shouldn't be giving them your business.
May 3, 2011 at 2:32pm
Note that in some areas you do not have an option for your service provider. Until recently several surrounding communities where I live only had access to comcast services. Only in the past 2 years has ATT began laying cabling. So sometimes there really is no option.
May 3, 2011 at 2:34pm
Right but we've already established that wasn't the case here. He already said he had other options, he just wasn't considering them "for reasons he won't get into".
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