Alde’s Stuff

After spending 20 minutes trying to wade through the compartmentalized and siloed nature that is Verizon billing, I eventually talked to a Mr. Mukerjee (guessing he was in Mumbai) to dispute the erroneous charges on my bill. Then I talked to a Mrs Smith (the indignant agent would not give me her first name) to ensure that my account was canceled. This was on the 18th of August. Now I get the following voicemail in my inbox:

“This is Verizon with an urgent message regarding a letter that was sent to you recently and the potential interruption of internet access on your account. Think for your internet access can be as easy as using your charge card. Verizon offers convenient self-serve payment options including the ability to pay your bill using the recurring charge card payment method. To take advantage of this payment options, visit us on the web at www.verizon.net/myaccount or call us online 1-877-432-9409. If payment is not received. Your verizon online service maybe suspended and any outstanding debt will be referred for collection. Verizon thanks you for your prompt attention. Goodbye.”

So, I’m wondering why an automated call would come to me on the 27th of August, days after I canceled my account and was told my Mr Mukerjee that my account balance was $0.

I call that number; it’s a payment service, that charges you, get this, a $3.50 convenience fee. Whose convenience? I why do I need to pay to save you the time and processing of a check? For a bill I’ve been told I owe nothing. See, the email that Verizon Sent to me:

Thank you for allowing us to serve as your Internet service provider. We received your cancellation order effective 2008-08-20 00:00:00.0. We’re sorry to see you go and hope you reconsider. If you change your mind and would like to re-start your Verizon High Speed Internet service, simply call 1-800-567-6789.
…
Sincerely,

Verizon Online
Customer Care Team

Then I call into Verizon’s Payment Information and Payment arrangements line: 800-281-8584. Since I had a dry loop DSL, this completely FLUMMOXES their Voice Actuated IVR system, so much so I eventually just get an “Ok” from it, and a transfer…. To Residential Voice Line collections. Hey! Collections department… No, Lisa doesn’t want to talk to me, so she transfers me over to DSL collections… Where Monica Miller tells me, oh, Dry Loop DSL is another department… To which I get a “Please enter your 10 digit account number…” um, my account number is 13 numbers. I try the first 10, no go. I enter the last 10, no go. Eventually I get the “We can’t help you, please call again.”

So much for having the Network by your side.

Verizon, your customer service is horrible. I’d dare say it’s more horrible than my company’s, and JD Power doesn’t like us at all.