Boycott Verizon (Verizon FIOS - A Very Bad Choice)

How can so many reps get it wrong?

2009-08-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

This link just reiterates my frustration. Verizon either has poor training or the reps just dont care what they quote. A company like Verizon should be held accountable for their actions and this deceptive practice has to stop!

http://www.goodexperience.com/2008/01/brilliant-video-of-verizons-ba.php

A humor break

2009-08-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

As I search the internet, I came across this website for Time Warner. I am not advocating Time Warner, but this was a really good chuckle.

Verizon FIOS doesn't have it and they certainly don't get what it takes to be in the customer service business.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/Barstow/campaigns/competitive/fios.html

8 on your side

2009-08-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I asked for help from 8 on your side in Tampa, FL. I know they can't guarantee they will investigate, but I really hope they do. The public has the right to know about Verizon's unacceptable billing practices.

The last straw!

2009-07-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today we get a bill for $133.34
At this point, I have realized that Verizon accepted the check and posted it to her old telephone account which was -0- balance when they received the check. So instead of posting it the correct account, they issued a refund on her old account number, but she has never received a refund check. In addition, they have reported her to the credit bureau for non payment on the newest account number.

This is the latest bill:

I am wits end with Verizon. I have tried to be patient, but I really feel that the State Attorney's Office should get involved because, in my opinion, Verizon should be fined for unacceptable billing practices. I wonder how many people out there get so frustrated and give up and pay the bill and never report it.

This company does not seem to have to answer to any regulation department. I did file a complaint with the City of Tampa, which oversees Verizon for these services, but the City of Tampa closed my case and simply referred it to Verizon.

It appears that The City of Tampa does not take complaints seriously.

Finally the .00 bill we had been looking for arrived.

2009-07-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

Well, we thought this was great. We got a bill that shows my grandmothers payment was posted.

But not so fast. Notice on page 3 it states Refund Check to follow June 22. I thought to myself what in hell has Verizon done now. It appears they posted her check to her old Verizon (phone line only) account which I guess was merged into the new FIOS account.

Verizon still can't get right!

2009-06-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

At this point I feel it is necessary to contact the news media - 8 on your side. I hope they run this story. People need to know that Verizon has aweful customer service and the customer has to put alot of hours into correcting a mistake Verizon made in the first place.

Today, this bill arrived. You will notice that I have written all over this bill from numerous calls to Verizon customer service.

Verizon credited what they said they would, but my grandmother's check was not posted, so we have to fax a copy of the cancelled check to the Proof of Payment center.

This is their legal dept phone number and fax number. No help whatsoever.

Here is a copy of the cancelled check. We thought all was well and that we would never hear from Verizon again. WRONG!

Verizon Executives Dont Care Either

2009-05-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the letter I wrote to Verizon Executive Offices and the Board of Directors. They have yet to respond. I don't think they ever will.

The May 16th Bill Arrives

2009-05-20T17:31:00.000-07:00

Check out this bill from Verizon that my grandmother got after returning the equipment.

This bill is for $334.56 which includes the previous amount for when she switched to FIOS. She was charged $119 as Early Termination Fee and some basic taxes and fees.

We called Verizon and was told that there were credits that had to issued and that the amount my grandmother should send to Verizon to pay this in full would be $133.34

Note: this $133.34 was for 3 weeks of service, that's the amount of time she had FIOS installed. Verizon is a total scam and ripoff.

A check was mailed for $133.34 to Verizon on the initial invoice that was received last month because that is what the Verizon representative advised her to do.

I tried to explain to the representative that the Account number is different at the top of the bill. She advised the check would get credited to the correct account.

Yeah right? Oh, there's more to this story. Read On.

Not all Verizon stores are created equally!

2009-05-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

I tell my grandmother that I will call Verizon and ask why they couldn't just simply remove the charges and she will be a happy woman. I called and was told the same thing my grandmother was told with the previous Verizon representative and manager. I was also told that my grandmother has cancelled her service that she would incur the termination fee of $ 179. I advised the Verizon representative that my grandmother was told she had 30 days to cancel without penalty. This was told to her by the salesperson that works for 2020 (possibly a subcontracted company for Verizon).

I told my grandmother that we would go ahead and return the equipment and deal with Verizon and work out a final bill with them later. I didn't have the time or energy to argue with them.

This next part is just unbelievable:

I started out on Verizon's website to locate a place to return the equipment. Here's the website I was on: https://www22.verizon.com/foryourhome/fttprepair/nr/common/SupportDetail.aspx?case=settop_dropoff#Florida

The, 111 South Dale Mabry Hwy. Tampa, FL 33609 location was close to our house, we decided to drop the equipment off there. Once inside, we were greeted by the manager, who explained that we could not return the equipment at this location because it was not a Verizon Mega store or Super Store or something of that nature. At this point I am getting pissed off.

The manager tells me that I have to return the equipment at this location:

3611 W. Hillsborough Ave.
Suites 206 & 208
Tampa, FL 33614

So my grandmother and I make the long haul up Dale Mabry to Hillsborough. We finally get a receipt for the equipment returned.

First Sign of Trouble

2009-04-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

The first bill arrived today and as expected it seems quite high. But given the fact that this is new service and Verizon bills in advance, it is expected. What was not expected, is to be charged for a service that was not used. My grandmother was billed $14.99 for Setanta Sports, $54.95 for WWE WRESTLEMANIA 25, and $4.99 for Changeling. I realize that my grandmother may have pressed the wrong button on the remote, but she did not watch these channels in their entirety. I am still not convinced that she was the cause of these being billed on her account, but Verizon states that the computer never makes a mistake, so they refused to remove the charges.

She called the Verizon customer service department at 1-800-837-4966 and she spoke with a representative that told her the charges could not be removed. The Verizon representative advised her that it is "strict" policy that these charges can't be removed not even as a first time courtesy. She then spoke to a manager who advised her the same policy mumbo jumbo. She advised the representative, who was rude to her, that she is canceling the account.

Note: It took my grandmother 45 mins to reach a live agent. To me, this is totally unacceptable, but given my opinion that Verizon sucks, no wonder they have long hold times.

Granny orders Verizon

2009-04-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

My grandmother orders FIOS because the salesmen are in the area and convince her that the signal in HD is much better than her current provider, Brighthouse. Once I found out that she has order the service, I explain to her that my aunt on my mother's side used to work for GTE and she states that Verizon is a screwed up company. My aunt goes on to tell me that Verizon has the worst customer service department in the country. I have to agree with what I had to go thru with my grandmother and trying to cancel the FIOS. But here is our story.