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What law is that?
At the moment, Cox provides my internet, cable, and phone service. I
ordered a package deal, but they insist on sending me 2 bills, 1 for
phone service and 1 for cable/internet until I establish "good credit"
with them by having service for 12 months with no more than 1 late
payment.
When I found this out, I was told that I could simply write 1 check and
there would be no problem. Usually, it's not a problem, but about 1/3
of the time, they screw up and apply everything to one account or the
other.
I've had internet and phone service bundled together from other
companies and they never billed me separately for the phone.
Cox claims it's the law, although the rep was unable to tell me if it
was state law or federal law (and finally simply said it's "their
policy" - which is what I was complaining about in the first place - I
guess she forgot she was trying to shift the blame).
Another rep told me it was FCC regulation, but was unable to provide any
proof of that.
The last 2 months, I've sent them a check and about 2 weeks after it
clears my bank, the automated phone messages telling me I'm late start.
How can I establish 12 months of on-time payments if they keep screwing
up like that?
And why doesn't my excellent credit record mean anything to them? Are
they too cheap to run a credit check?
And if there is a law or regulation requiring this, what is it and what
is its intent?
None of my payments have been late, but several of them have gone on
record as being late because even though both account numbers appear on
every check I've written them and have been sent in with both bills with
the amount paid clearly indicated on each one, someone applied it to one
account.
Cox: "Mr. Helm, you have an overdue balance of $41.35 on your cable
bill, but you didn't receive a phone bill this month because you have a
$41.35 credit."
Me: "Yeah, and I suppose you're going to slap me with another late fee
because you screwed up again, aren't you?"
Cox: "Sir, we can only give you one credit every 12 months for that."
Me: "But it's your fault"
Cox: "May I suggest you sign up to have the money automatically
withdrawn from your checking account"
Me: "I can't even trust you to apply the payments I send in properly and
you want to be able to withdraw funds directly from my account? Are you
drunk?"
Cox: "Sir, there's really no reason to talk like that"
Me: "Just apply the credit from my phone bill to the cable bill."
How stupid are they?
My advice - don't get Cox.
I'll be dropping them as soon as I line up alternate TV and internet
service. I could really give a rat's ass about the home phone. I never
answer it and all the numbers I usually call are in my cell phone so I
use that about half the time even when I'm dialing from home.
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"Mike Z. Helm" wrote:
What law is that?
At the moment, Cox provides my internet, cable, and phone service. I
ordered a package deal, but they insist on sending me 2 bills, 1 for
phone service and 1 for cable/internet until I establish "good credit"
with them by having service for 12 months with no more than 1 late
payment.
It could be LOCAL law for the phone service or for the cable.
But it's probably just that they don't like you.
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On Wed, 07 Jul 2004 08:44:28 -0700, "Arthur L. Rubin"
<ronnirubin@sprintmail.com>
"Mike Z. Helm" wrote:
It could be LOCAL law for the phone service or for the cable.
But it's probably just that they don't like you.
That must be it.
I felt like a shmuck for allowing myself to be placated with the promise
that they would apply the roughly $40 credit balance to the roughly $40
past due amount the other day.
Note: I did indicate precisely how much money was supposed to go
towards each account, both on the check and in the payment slip you're
supposed to send in with your bill.
This was clearly their mistake and it was not the first time they have
done this.
I just found out that despite their promise to correct it, they now say
they cannot and I still have a credit on my phone and a past due amount
on my cable/internet.
I asked how long it would take to cancel my service. They said they
could do it tonite. At least that's better than past providers who
insisted they couldn't cancel for a couple of weeks during which time
I'd be billed of course.
I don't really care what they say now, there is NOTHING they can do that
will make me continue service with them. Well, a written letter of
apology and a credit for 2-3 months service might appease me, but
they'll never do either.
How badly do they think they can @$#* with people and retain them as
customers?
Do other people put up with this kind of #@($?
My only worry is where do I turn if the other oligopoly turns out to be
just as bad?
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Just say no to Sheriff Joe
End the corruption now
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