Hi,
The first thing we encounter when we call the cell phone company is that we have to navigate through an extensive electronic maze before reaching a customer service representative. After going through an excellent security screening process, we are cleared to discuss our account concerns with a representative. As soon as the itemized call detail is accessed, we realize numerous calls have been charged to our phones which were not made by us. The representative accommodates us and solves the problem by issuing us an immediate credit for the amount of the disputed charges. We then request that in the future, we are sent an itemized call detail with every bill. We are left with the impression that the billing mistakes are an isolated incident, and that we won't have to worry about our cell phone bill anymore. Thirty days later our second cell phone bill arrives. We are disappointed that no credit was given on the bill, and in fact, the amount of the credit shows up as past due. As we investigate further, we see that the any time minutes were not exceeded. However, there are mysterious $9.99 charges on three of the phones. Tomorrow, it's round two with the phone carrier.
Until then,
Alan
Showing posts with label cell phone bill disputes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cell phone bill disputes. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Experiencing Our First Cell Phone Bill
Hi,
After enjoying our new cell phones for the past thirty days, the inevitable first bill arrives in the mail. When we see the amount due on the cell phone bill we are surprised that it is considerably higher than the amount we budgeted for based upon the monthly charge in our contract. The first significant charges to our bill that we are not prepared for are the taxes, surcharges and fees. For example, in Seattle, Washington, on a plan with five phones, that has a basic monthly plan costing $144.00, additional surcharges and fees include:
1) Government fees and taxes
a) Seattle City sales tax services and usage $3.15
b) Washington State sales tax, service and usage $8.91
c) Washington State wireless 911: $1.00
d) King County wireless 911: $2.50
2) Surcharges and Fees:
a) Seattle City utility users surcharge: $6.35
b) Washington State B&O tax surcharge: 0.58
c) Federal USF non-LD surcharge: $2.45
d) Federal wireless number pooling and portability: 0.75
e) Federal E911 charge: $2.00
For a grand total of $27.69
As we delve further into our bill, we notice that our any time minutes limit has been exceeded by over 300 minutes. No one using the plan thinks that he or she exceeded the limit.
Tomorrow, our first conversation with the phone carrier.
Until then,
Alan
After enjoying our new cell phones for the past thirty days, the inevitable first bill arrives in the mail. When we see the amount due on the cell phone bill we are surprised that it is considerably higher than the amount we budgeted for based upon the monthly charge in our contract. The first significant charges to our bill that we are not prepared for are the taxes, surcharges and fees. For example, in Seattle, Washington, on a plan with five phones, that has a basic monthly plan costing $144.00, additional surcharges and fees include:
1) Government fees and taxes
a) Seattle City sales tax services and usage $3.15
b) Washington State sales tax, service and usage $8.91
c) Washington State wireless 911: $1.00
d) King County wireless 911: $2.50
2) Surcharges and Fees:
a) Seattle City utility users surcharge: $6.35
b) Washington State B&O tax surcharge: 0.58
c) Federal USF non-LD surcharge: $2.45
d) Federal wireless number pooling and portability: 0.75
e) Federal E911 charge: $2.00
For a grand total of $27.69
As we delve further into our bill, we notice that our any time minutes limit has been exceeded by over 300 minutes. No one using the plan thinks that he or she exceeded the limit.
Tomorrow, our first conversation with the phone carrier.
Until then,
Alan
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