Five minutes ago I finished a call to Verizon Wireless. As expected nothing was fixed, but they were very quick in trying to get money from me. Let me explain what happened.
About a year ago I signed a contract for two year with Verizon for mobile internet access for my computers. They gave me a small device (picture above) that suppose to work as a Hot Spot, so it has a dedicated phone number. My computers (and any computer) detects the signal and I enter the codes to access, so then I can have internet on the go; great!
The problem is the signal is so weak I have to be waiting and waiting for something to download, like a page I wanted to view. When I went to a Verizon store the only solution they gave me was an 800 number to call! So I pay for internet connection that is very weak and sometimes nonexistent!
Then, in May we went to Indiana (from Colorado) to watch the Indy 500. Naturally I took the little device with me so to have internet on the go. To my surprise it worked fine all the trip, which was great news. So great news I passed the limit of Gigabites allowed and incurred in extra charges. To fix the problem I switch plans to a bigger one, so to be within limits with my usage. Everything fine up to that point.
The problem started when I received the bill which supposed to increase from $50 to $80, yet I got charged $110! Then I received an email from Verizon stating my bill was $28, and the next one would be $50. So I sent the $28, only to receive another bill for $143!! This new bill of $143 supposed to be due on August 15, yet a couple of days ago I received an email from Verizon saying my account was Past Due!
So I called the 800 number in the Verizon’s bill to see what’s going on. The lady kindly explained me that the problem was the dates the changes were made; the previous balance plus the next balance plus the following month, together with the consequences of the Napoleon wars and the increasing tension created by the possible presence of Nibiru and blah, blah, blah! Short story, I owe them the bill and it is past due! Then she transferred me to another lady who was mostly interested in when I was going to pay the bill. I told her I will be sending the total amount in a check. She asked when and I said after I receive my paycheck. She asked when I receive my paycheck and I blew up! I told her that I will pay when I have money, and if Verizon suspends the service in the meantime, I will suspend the account with Verizon and go to another company. I receive a crappy internet connection and no solutions, yet the bill is bigger than it suppose to be and I am being pushed to pay, so I will pay when I have money and that was it.
Why is it that every time we have to call a company to ask about a problem with the service, first we have to wait an eternity, and then there is no real solution and we end up mad? Unfortunately I still have a whole year to go with the contract, unless I pay some difference that I’m sure will be very steep. But definitely, if I have another problem like this with Verizon and the internet connection remains so crappy, I will cancel the contract and pay whatever difference, just to get out of there!
Obviously I cannot recommend the services of Verizon Wireless; at least the service of mobile internet through a portable Hot Spot as they offer. So I’ll keep an eye in those other companies to see how much they charge and what are the reviews over their services. Maybe it is time to switch companies and see what happens.
Raul
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