[Paxil]

Even though I loved DirecTV... to watch the Blazers last year I decided to switch to Verizon. I was promised a free LCD TV with my install. I was told this by the rep when I originally called about service... and he knew where I was and told me specifically that the offer was available in my area. We also had an extra TV outlet installed for the TV... which by now you can guess... never showed up. For the last 4 months our so we have called asking where the TV was and we were always told it would be here shortly. One person told us they couldn't send the TV until we signed our 2-year agreement... then saw that we already had... and told us again we should receive it shortly.

Finally, today we called and were told that the offer was not available in Oregon. Great. We paid $175 to break our agreement with DirectTV.. were promissed a free HDTV... had a jack installed for it... paid for it for a half year now all while they were telling us that it would show up... only now to hear it wouldn't be coming. And of course... we are stuck with that 2-year agreement with no way out.

Now... I like the product Verizon provides... but their customer service is the worst. They do stuff like say they will call you back... but don't... say they will transfer you to someone else... to get sent back into the queue for someone else... etc... =(

I'm thinking of taking them to small claims court... do verbal contracts stand in Oregon?

[Dan]

I believe thats called bait and switch. Contact the BBB, and see what they say. Do you have it in written form?

[DonCorleone]

Originally Posted by Dan

I believe thats called bait and switch. Contact the BBB, and see what they say. Do you have it in written form?

I agree, you should contact the Better Business Bureau. I have contacted them regarding a couple of problems I have had in the past (not involving Verizon) and got a positive outcome each time.

[loyalty4life]

Contact the BBB. I had a friend who was treated very poorly from Verizon. She contacted the BBB and got it settled. Here's hoping the best for you.

[ucatchtrout]

Who was the rep?

What is is phone number?

Where does he live?

There is a solution to every problem.

[blazermaniaisback]

Originally Posted by Paxil

I'm thinking of taking them to small claims court... do verbal contracts stand in Oregon?

I always throught it was in Oregon... now I'm not a lawyer so it might be good to contact one to ask.

[maxiep]

Become the squeaky wheel. Reasonable will only get you so far; at some point you need to let them know that you're so angry as to be irrational. You need to send the message to them that you'll take significant time out of your life and incur financial loss to dump this service.

Tell them you'll not only disconnect your service with them (no matter the cost), but you'll also print fliers telling your story and put them in the mailboxes of everyone in your area. Furthermore, tell them you work for a company with a large number of employees in Portland (Nike, Intel, etc.) and that you'll send out a global e-mail discussing your treatment.

And when someone says to you "I don't have the power to make that decision", ask to be connected with their supervisor. Rinse and repeat until you're put in contact with someone who can complete the agreement. Also, they'll have a record of who you spoke to when you signed up, which should be the person that made that promise. Above all, ask for a confirmation e-mail that you'll be receiving your television before you get off the phone with them. It's clear they won't live up to their word. Finally, ask for a rebate on the extra line for all these months, the installation charge for the line and a little something for your trouble. The goal is to get them to ask you the question, "What can we do to make you happy?"

Let us know how it goes.

[blazermaniaisback]

Originally Posted by maxiep

Also, they'll have a record of who you spoke to when you signed up, which should be the person that made that promise.

When they say "this call may be recorded..." Its always recorded. Ask them for a copy of the call when you first signed up. Most companies keep their calls.

[Paxil]

I know they must have call logs and notes from each time we called. But getting them to give that up... another story. I found these guys Metro Area Communications Division which allows you to file a complaint. I will also try BBB and then if neither of them work (and more pressure on Verizon) I will take them to small claims court. I will ask for the cost of the TV they promissed and the cost of the box for the last 5 months. If I have to part ways with their service I will want my install costs the $175 I paid to cancel DirecTV. It is irrelivent whether or not they had that offer or not... I was told they did and I based my decision on that. Every time I called they told me they did have the offer during that time and they would be sending it. I also wouldn't be suprised if I didn't call on Monday to find they will send the TV... insurance companies are doing stuff like that all the time now... denying every claim and seeing if you do anything about it. I wish the consumer had more options to deal with companies that are ripping you off.

When I sold my house a few years ago Countrywide wouldn't give me $5000 of escro money they owed me. They did the same thing... kept saying they send it... claim they did... claim they sent it to the wrong address... told me they'd fed-x it etc... etc... Finally I contacted the someone from the state that deals with mortage companies... and they made them cough it up.... but it was 7 months after they were required to have it to me. During that time I lost all the interest on that money. *******s.

[Dan]

ooh ooh, I know! I know!!! (although this might have been suggested already)

Write to the Oregonian and also to KATU for their "problem solvers" people.

[barfo]

Originally Posted by maxiep

Become the squeaky wheel. Reasonable will only get you so far; at some point you need to let them know that you're so angry as to be irrational. You need to send the message to them that you'll take significant time out of your life and incur financial loss to dump this service.

Tell them you'll not only disconnect your service with them (no matter the cost), but you'll also print fliers telling your story and put them in the mailboxes of everyone in your area. Furthermore, tell them you work for a company with a large number of employees in Portland (Nike, Intel, etc.) and that you'll send out a global e-mail discussing your treatment.

And when someone says to you "I don't have the power to make that decision", ask to be connected with their supervisor. Rinse and repeat until you're put in contact with someone who can complete the agreement. Also, they'll have a record of who you spoke to when you signed up, which should be the person that made that promise. Above all, ask for a confirmation e-mail that you'll be receiving your television before you get off the phone with them. It's clear they won't live up to their word. Finally, ask for a rebate on the extra line for all these months, the installation charge for the line and a little something for your trouble. The goal is to get them to ask you the question, "What can we do to make you happy?"

Let us know how it goes.

This is exactly the right advice. I have a friend who is very good at this, he sinks his teeth in and never lets go until they give in. It brings him a lot of satisfaction to get what's due him.

I, on the other hand, have no taste for that. I just accept that I've been screwed and move on. It's not worth it to me to spend my time on it - I'd rather think about something positive.

barfo

[Zybot]

Originally Posted by Paxil

Even though I loved DirecTV... to watch the Blazers last year I decided to switch to Verizon. I was promised a free LCD TV with my install. I was told this by the rep when I originally called about service... and he knew where I was and told me specifically that the offer was available in my area. We also had an extra TV outlet installed for the TV... which by now you can guess... never showed up. For the last 4 months our so we have called asking where the TV was and we were always told it would be here shortly. One person told us they couldn't send the TV until we signed our 2-year agreement... then saw that we already had... and told us again we should receive it shortly.

Finally, today we called and were told that the offer was not available in Oregon. Great. We paid $175 to break our agreement with DirectTV.. were promissed a free HDTV... had a jack installed for it... paid for it for a half year now all while they were telling us that it would show up... only now to hear it wouldn't be coming. And of course... we are stuck with that 2-year agreement with no way out.

Now... I like the product Verizon provides... but their customer service is the worst. They do stuff like say they will call you back... but don't... say they will transfer you to someone else... to get sent back into the queue for someone else... etc... =(

I'm thinking of taking them to small claims court... do verbal contracts stand in Oregon?

Contact the Oregon DOJ Consumer Protection/Financial Fraud Office and fill out a complaint. http://www.doj.state.or.us/finfraud/ You may be able to get an private attorney to rep you because Unfair Trade PRactice Act claims have an attorney fee clause.

[B_&_B]

Good advice from maxiep and Dan.

KATU and KGW do a lot of storys about people getting screwed over by various companys.

Keep us posted!