How I Finally Got Expensive VOIP out of my life.

RickLee · 05-01-2009, 07:12 AM

I once had a business need for occasional long distance calls to customers. Thought I'd try VOIP.

I bought a special wireless router that had VOIP line and I paid a subscription to a major carrier. They advertise on Wisebread, so I will not mention their name here. Let's just say they rhyme with YawnAge.

After several months I noticed my usage was way below justifying the monthly charge. So I called and cancelled the service. The agent confirmed the cancellation, and offered a consolation of 2 more months of free service as a parting gift.

I accepted with thanks...not knowing I HAD BEEN TRICKED. Two months went by and no charge from the company. But after that, charges began reappearing on my credit card!

I called them again. They said that by agreeing to the 2 month free period, I implied I wanted to continue with the company, and that I agreed to be charged once the "free period" was over.

I furiously refuted their story and I insisted they immediately and permanently cancel my line. After pleading with me to continue and insisting they are a business with integrity, they agreed to terminate the service. But they refused to refund the past months of surprise charges.

As a parting shot, they charged me a cancellation fee!

As a business owner myself, I was disappointed by the customer disservice of that particular company...and am relieved it's finally over.

RICKLEE
P.S. Thanks, Wisebread, for letting me vent.

Gootsy · 05-01-2009, 07:59 AM

Yawnage, lol that's good

.

I recently had to deal with a slimey CSR that works for my cable/internet/phone provider. He told me a bunch of lies about the competition, and lied to me about my fees/situation. I called the competition, then called my provider back and basically told them how this their CSR gave me 100 percent false information, and if they don't give me a good deal, i'm moving (no cancellation fee for these guys, lucky for me).

A few minutes on hold, and I ended up getting a below promotion deal, that'll be saving me about 31 bucks a month

.

Best part, they messed up first months bill, and it's $33 cheaper than the amount I agreed to pay! *grins wickedly*

hermione · 05-01-2009, 08:46 AM

If you feel strongly about this, I'd suggest filing a consumer complaint with the FTC and maybe BBB. Even if nothing comes of it and you don't get your money back, there'll be a record of a complaint against "YawnAge."

FYI: I put together a resource for consumers a couple of months ago with a list of links to government agencies for reporting fraud, unfair business practices, etc. It might come in handy: Consumer Safety Resources from the Government on SPAM, Scams, Fraud, Phishing and Identity Theft

TheAberdeenKid · 05-15-2009, 04:38 AM

Hi all,
This is my first post on this forum.

Have you looked into magicjack for your phone service, its only $19 a year and gives you the same phone service yawnage does.

05-01-2009, 07:12 AM	#1
RickLee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 119 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (17)	How I Finally Got Expensive VOIP out of my life. I once had a business need for occasional long distance calls to customers. Thought I'd try VOIP. I bought a special wireless router that had VOIP line and I paid a subscription to a major carrier. They advertise on Wisebread, so I will not mention their name here. Let's just say they rhyme with YawnAge. After several months I noticed my usage was way below justifying the monthly charge. So I called and cancelled the service. The agent confirmed the cancellation, and offered a consolation of 2 more months of free service as a parting gift. I accepted with thanks...not knowing I HAD BEEN TRICKED. Two months went by and no charge from the company. But after that, charges began reappearing on my credit card! I called them again. They said that by agreeing to the 2 month free period, I implied I wanted to continue with the company, and that I agreed to be charged once the "free period" was over. I furiously refuted their story and I insisted they immediately and permanently cancel my line. After pleading with me to continue and insisting they are a business with integrity, they agreed to terminate the service. But they refused to refund the past months of surprise charges. As a parting shot, they charged me a cancellation fee! As a business owner myself, I was disappointed by the customer disservice of that particular company...and am relieved it's finally over. RICKLEE P.S. Thanks, Wisebread, for letting me vent.

05-01-2009, 08:46 AM	#3
hermione Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: California Posts: 761 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts Reputation: (300)	If you feel strongly about this, I'd suggest filing a consumer complaint with the FTC and maybe BBB. Even if nothing comes of it and you don't get your money back, there'll be a record of a complaint against "YawnAge." FYI: I put together a resource for consumers a couple of months ago with a list of links to government agencies for reporting fraud, unfair business practices, etc. It might come in handy: Consumer Safety Resources from the Government on SPAM, Scams, Fraud, Phishing and Identity Theft __________________ My business: Franga Designs ~ My blog: Pecuniarities ~ My CafePress Shop: Mozartini ~ Follow me on Twitter!

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05-01-2009, 07:59 AM	#2
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 281 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (24)	Yawnage, lol that's good . I recently had to deal with a slimey CSR that works for my cable/internet/phone provider. He told me a bunch of lies about the competition, and lied to me about my fees/situation. I called the competition, then called my provider back and basically told them how this their CSR gave me 100 percent false information, and if they don't give me a good deal, i'm moving (no cancellation fee for these guys, lucky for me). A few minutes on hold, and I ended up getting a below promotion deal, that'll be saving me about 31 bucks a month . Best part, they messed up first months bill, and it's $33 cheaper than the amount I agreed to pay! grins wickedly

05-15-2009, 04:38 AM	#4
TheAberdeenKid Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Hi all, This is my first post on this forum. Have you looked into magicjack for your phone service, its only $19 a year and gives you the same phone service yawnage does.