My Vonage Nightmare! Finally Resolved
Vonage is an internet telephone service provider that offers local and long-distance telephone service at low prices. You are supposedly able to keep your own phone number and everything.
I signed up for it more than a month ago. The Vonage rep tells me I'm good to go and that it takes about 20-30 days to transfer the telephone number but issues me a temporary Vonage phone number in the interim.
Here's the scam: Your own phone number is not always available for transfer to the Vonage service but by the time you discover this (by design) your thirty day risk-free trial is expired and the price of your Vonage equipment goes up fifty dollars which you have to pay on top of a 40-dallar cancellation fee. In my case I knew ahead of time there was a possibility that my own phone number might not be available and the Vonage person lied to me and assured me that my number was indeed available.
In order to cancel their service, you have to speak with a Vonage customer service rep by telephone.
I called three times. Each time it took ten minutes to get through to a rep, the rep put me through an excruciating pitch on why I should keep the service, transfer it to a friend etc etc ad-nauseum. Then, the rep tells me I have to speak to someone else in order to request a refund/cancellation etc. After twenty minutes on hold with bad music the line goes dead. Three times they did this to me.
I tried to cancel by e-mail and they came back with some nonsense about being unable to process a cancelation by email--no doubt to avoid creating a paper-trail.
At this point I'm out $80 but I'm really getting in the mood for a pound of flesh so I'm letting everyone know to avoid this scummy rip-off company.[:(!][:(!]
I would appreciate any creative ideas you might have in order that I might "reach out and touch" these SOBs. Please be as creative, devious and nasty as you like. This is starting to feel therapeutic to me. Yes, a pound of flesh served bloody and rare--no bludgeoned.
Thanks,
Rusty
I signed up for it more than a month ago. The Vonage rep tells me I'm good to go and that it takes about 20-30 days to transfer the telephone number but issues me a temporary Vonage phone number in the interim.
Here's the scam: Your own phone number is not always available for transfer to the Vonage service but by the time you discover this (by design) your thirty day risk-free trial is expired and the price of your Vonage equipment goes up fifty dollars which you have to pay on top of a 40-dallar cancellation fee. In my case I knew ahead of time there was a possibility that my own phone number might not be available and the Vonage person lied to me and assured me that my number was indeed available.
In order to cancel their service, you have to speak with a Vonage customer service rep by telephone.
I called three times. Each time it took ten minutes to get through to a rep, the rep put me through an excruciating pitch on why I should keep the service, transfer it to a friend etc etc ad-nauseum. Then, the rep tells me I have to speak to someone else in order to request a refund/cancellation etc. After twenty minutes on hold with bad music the line goes dead. Three times they did this to me.
I tried to cancel by e-mail and they came back with some nonsense about being unable to process a cancelation by email--no doubt to avoid creating a paper-trail.
At this point I'm out $80 but I'm really getting in the mood for a pound of flesh so I'm letting everyone know to avoid this scummy rip-off company.[:(!][:(!]
I would appreciate any creative ideas you might have in order that I might "reach out and touch" these SOBs. Please be as creative, devious and nasty as you like. This is starting to feel therapeutic to me. Yes, a pound of flesh served bloody and rare--no bludgeoned.
Thanks,
Rusty
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the number thing goes for any phone company, including cell phones. also sometimes you may even have to pay to get it transferred. 0 -
Doesnt federal law say you can transfer you number from one company to another and not 'give it up' to the company that issued it; or is that just with cell phones?
Not familiar with vondage, but I would try to log-in online and then talk to an account rep and cancel the account w/ refund.
Dont let them win and give up. Make sure to tell the that they hung up on you so you could not cancel on time, which is what it sounds like.
Besides cant they just tell you immediatly about the number? I know you can if your creating a website and looking if the address has been used or not.0 -
quote:Originally posted by joker5656
the number thing goes for any phone company, including cell phones. also sometimes you may even have to pay to get it transferred.
Yep, I know! I knew enough to ask about the availability of the phone number before I agreed to sign up. They LIED in order to get me to sign up and now their giving me the run-around to bilk me out of about $140 before I'm out. They must figure its $140 more than they would have made from me if I just didn't sign up.0 -
Cant you report this to consumer affairs or the better business beauru or whatever they call it? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
Cant you report this to consumer affairs or the better business beauru or whatever they call it?
+1
Call the Better Business Bureau0 -
Vonage sucks anyway. i keep with the cell phone, no telemarketers, and i don't have to worry about not having a phone when the power goes out or my Internet, yes i to have tried them.
they should let you out without a problem, i keep calling, and bugging them. Being persistent may pay off.0 -
Been with Vonage for about a year. I pay $16.00 and change a month, period. Lots of good features came with. I transferred my original phone number right over, no problem.
No complaints here.[^]0 -
quote:Originally posted by 65gto389
Doesnt federal law say you can transfer you number from one company to another and not 'give it up' to the company that issued it; or is that just with cell phones?
Not familiar with vondage, but I would try to log-in online and then talk to an account rep and cancel the account w/ refund.
Dont let them win and give up. Make sure to tell the that they hung up on you so you could not cancel on time, which is what it sounds like.
Besides cant they just tell you immediatly about the number? I know you can if your creating a website and looking if the address has been used or not.
65gto389
They CAN tell immediately whether their system can use your existing phone number--that's why I'm reasonably sure they just lied to me.
I have no intentions on giving up and thanks for the encouragement. I think the chronic call-dropping by the Vonage reps is designed to frustrate me--and if so, it's working! The way they managed to have my "risk-free trial period" expire was by telling me it takes at least twenty and up to sixty days to transfer the phone number. This way you don't even investigate the problem until you are weeks beyond the "risk-free" period.0 -
Send them a written Notice to cancel , do this By reg. / cert. Mail with a return recpt.
On the bottom of the letter type the following,
CC: Joe Blow , Attorney At Law
Attorney Address
Be sure an include your Attorneys contact phone number
Make sure you post in ypour letter that You demand this service be canceled on a set date or before.
After that time you will not be liab. for charges on that account, And that you will expect a full refund of monies owed you.
Also keep a copy of the letter & the recpt. from where you mailed it & where they signed for it.
Dan0 -
quote:Originally posted by lt496
Been with Vonage for about a year. I pay $16.00 and change a month, period. Lots of good features came with. I transferred my original phone number right over, no problem.
No complaints here.[^]
IT496
I'm sure it is a good service and a good value -- if you get your own phone umber. That's why I tried to use them. Even ant this point, I would like to use their service but not if it means changing a phone number I've had for twenty years. My beef is with their technique for scamming potential customers who make it clear that they won't buy the service unless they can keep the original number. I'm glad your getting good service[8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by danlittle
Send them a written Notice to cancel , do this By reg. / cert. Mail with a return recpt.
On the bottom of the letter type the following,
CC: Joe Blow , Attorney At Law
Attorney Address
Be sure an include your Attorneys contact phone number
Make sure you post in ypour letter that You demand this service be canceled on a set date or before.
After that time you will not be liab. for charges on that account, And that you will expect a full refund of monies owed you.
Also keep a copy of the letter & the recpt. from where you mailed it & where they signed for it.
Dan
DanLittle
Thanks! I am so addicted to electronics that good old US Mail didn't occur to me--I'll definitely do this too!0 -
Did you pay by credit card?
Contest it.0 -
They did lie to you rustynail (thats what I meant). Dont give up on it and tell them you will be calling the "BBB" or your attorney on this.
They will probably chuckle at this under their breath knowing that most people will make empty threats. My best advise is to follow through on this and NOT give up.0 -
quote:Originally posted by pickenup
Did you pay by credit card?
Contest it.
pickenup
I did use a credit/debit card and my bank will probably be able to reverse the transactions--but not before I serve up some proof of fraud or lack of good faith dealings and so forth. They say if you marry for money, you'll earn every penny! Point is, I'm going to earn every penny of my refund at this point. I'm just so angry that I feel like drinking alcohol but venting here is a better option for me. Good idea though, Thanks[;)].0 -
If you want to cancel you account, here's a surefire way to do it. When you talk to the rep again, Tell him at the start " My name is xxxxx xxxxx, and I am obligated to inform you this call is being recorded. I am attempting to cancel my service with xxxxx." That has never failed me yet. Try it!
Got Guns?0 -
I love Vonage.[:)] Make you feel any better? 0 -
I don't like thier stupid TV commercials but 16.00 a month don't sound bad. [:D] 0 -
America On Hold pulled this same crap with cancellng service- got their butts busted in court. The BBB has no real teeth (just my opinion) Contact the authority that licenses public utlities in your state, file complaint. THEY have teeth. If you call Vonage again, DO record it, and DO tell them you are recording. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 11b6r
America On Hold pulled this same crap with cancellng service- got their butts busted in court. The BBB has no real teeth (just my opinion) Contact the authority that licenses public utlities in your state, file complaint. THEY have teeth. If you call Vonage again, DO record it, and DO tell them you are recording.
11b6r
Good memory -- I had the sa,e recollection about AOL and I mentioned that to the Vonage rep I last spoke with. I spoke with a lawyer tonight she said the bank would reverse the transaction but Vonage would likely trump that by making a nasty credit report entry. Looks like I am going to pay the SOBs to close and then try to use FCC and Division of Finance to force a refund later. Oh well!
Anyhow, now I'm out for blood. I think I'm going to make a web page in their honor and post links to it on every blog I can. Its only slander if its not true.....Right?0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
I love Vonage.[:)] Make you feel any better?
I'm sure I would too! Its a shame they can't deliver their services with my existing phone number--I feel doubly screwed! I'm glad it worked out for you though[:D]0 -
Don't pay them. THAT will get their attention!
JM[:(!]0 -
Cingular and I had a run-a-round back a few years ago. They had billed me for over $700.00 in roaming charges for calls I made at my house and place of business (never left the city). Anyhow, each month I would call and they would say it would be taken care of and off of next month's bill. Each month there they would be again. I started getting nasty phone calls and threatening mail about my "overdue balance". I jotted down names, times, and dates for future reference. At one point they even said "just pay the bill and we will get it straightened out and refund your money." Finally asked to be released from the contract, but it would have been $150.00 apiece for three phones since I had a year left on contract.
Long story short I called the Attorney General's Office. They faxed me a complaint form which I filled out and faxed back the same day. Got a call from a regional VP of customer service the following day. No more contract and no early termination fees. Four months of no credit on my bill, harrassing phone calls, and threatening mail was enough for the AG to leverage a release for me!![}:)]0 -
The preferred communication for legal purposes is the written letter. As suggested above the certified letter, canceling service for lack their fulfillment of the contract will always win in court.
Send the certified letter, get the return of service, and stop paying them. If they send a collection company after you, send them copies of the letter and return of service. If they ever contact you again tell them you will add their company to the lawsuit for harassment.
You don't need to answer their immature antics with your own antics.0 -
quote:Originally posted by susie
Cingular and I had a run-a-round back a few years ago. They had billed me for over $700.00 in roaming charges for calls I made at my house and place of business (never left the city). Anyhow, each month I would call and they would say it would be taken care of and off of next month's bill. Each month there they would be again. I started getting nasty phone calls and threatening mail about my "overdue balance". I jotted down names, times, and dates for future reference. At one point they even said "just pay the bill and we will get it straightened out and refund your money." Finally asked to be released from the contract, but it would have been $150.00 apiece for three phones since I had a year left on contract.
Long story short I called the Attorney General's Office. They faxed me a complaint form which I filled out and faxed back the same day. Got a call from a regional VP of customer service the following day. No more contract and no early termination fees. Four months of no credit on my bill, harrassing phone calls, and threatening mail was enough for the AG to leverage a release for me!![}:)]
Susie
Thanks, Atty Gen never crossed my mind--sure, why not?[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Alpine
The preferred communication for legal purposes is the written letter. As suggested above the certified letter, canceling service for lack their fulfillment of the contract will always win in court.
Send the certified letter, get the return of service, and stop paying them. If they send a collection company after you, send them copies of the letter and return of service. If they ever contact you again tell them you will add their company to the lawsuit for harassment.
You don't need to answer their immature antics with your own antics.
Alpine;
I don't like to lower myself to the level of my opponent. The problem is they could place negative credit entries on me which means a lot more to me that $170. I can't afford to let it go either because I'll end up drunk or something. I appreciate your observation. Since i have apparently stooped just a bit I must say I'm enjoying the hell of of trashing Vonage[}:)]0 -
"I feel like drinking alcohol"
Why not try a Rusty Nail?
Going to the Attorney General is a good idea. Scamsters like Vonage are scared to death of the state AG because if he gets enough complaints, he will file a class action suit and they will lose millions.
Contact those scamsters and notify them in writing that you are contacting the AG.
It works, my fiancee and I were getting taken by over $3K by a scamster credit card company. We found out the state where they were licensed as a bank, which was New Hampshire. I got hold of a rep from these jerks over the phone and told him to make the account right in seven days and I didn't mean business days, or I would send the entire file to the New Hampshire AG certified mail. We got the credit on the account in three days, and the dispute had been going on for 11 months.
I would not do business with a company like Vonage that has such stupid, annoying ads in the first place.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"I feel like drinking alcohol"
Why not try a Rusty Nail?
Going to the Attorney General is a good idea. Scamsters like Vonage are scared to death of the state AG because if he gets enough complaints, he will file a class action suit and they will lose millions.
Contact those scamsters and notify them in writing that you are contacting the AG.
It works, my fiancee and I were getting taken by over $3K by a scamster credit card company. We found out the state where they were licensed as a bank, which was New Hampshire. I got hold of a rep from these jerks over the phone and told him to make the account right in seven days and I didn't mean business days, or I would send the entire file to the New Hampshire AG certified mail. We got the credit on the account in three days, and the dispute had been going on for 11 months.
I would not do business with a company like Vonage that has such stupid, annoying ads in the first place.
allen griggs
Thank you for pointing out that I named myself after an alcoholic cocktail! I must have done that subconsciously since I've been on the wagon for nearly sixteen years[:D]
I like your idea about sending them a letter (certified) essentially threatening a complaint to the AG and class-action suit. I also think I'll mention that I'll b building a web-page advertising for potential participants in that suit. that might get their attention as well.
What is starting to scare me is that I'm really starting to enjoy this mission I'm on--like the Rebel who finally has a cause![:D]0 -
FCC or FTC. 0 -
I've had Vonage for around a year.
But I kept my land line service in case the internet/cable or power is down. We don't use cellphones much.
$16+/month for 500 minutes which I've never gotten close to. Even if I did, its only .03+ per/min after that.
I use my landline for incoming calls and don't give the Vonage number to anyone.0 -
We have had vonage for a couple of years now. Got in when the price was less than $20 per month. Free long distance and it works great over my comcast network. It cut out all those scam local and federal taxes added on to the regular phone bills.
We also lost our old phone number but managed to get used to the new number. Yes, I do believe it is a scam when they tell you they can get your old number transfered, plus the old phone company is very pissed off at the business they are losing and they don't cooperate at all.
But who cares, its hundreds of dollars cheaper per year!![:0][:0]0
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