The evil U-Verse wrote:
I am quite dismayed, disallusioned, disappointed and disgusted with the horrific treatment from AT&T with regards to my U-Verse service. I had U-verse installed at my home in May 2011, where I reside part-time, since having to relocate 200 miles away, for a job opportunity. Being a victim of this very tenuous economy and earning far less that I once did three years ago, I lost track of my monthly payments. My last payment to AT&T U-verse was August 17th, when I traveled to my home to attend funeral services for my father. I planned to travel back on October 28th and called U-verse in advance, to inquire about my outstanding bill. I was told that I owed $362 and if I paid my bill in full, my service would be restored. I promptly paid it and was transferred to customer service after the payment was made in full. I was then told that due to a "soft credit check" that recvealed an unfavorable credit history (I was unemployed for 17 months) AT&T would now require an "UNREFUNDABLE" deposit of $450 before my service could be restored. I flabbergasted and insulted and explained that i wasn't in the position financially to pay the "UNREFUNDABLE" fee and asked that they restore my service based on the logstanding relationship that I've had with AT&T for over 12 years (wireless service). Nearly two hours later and after speaking with tree customer service representatives, I was told that my service would not be restored, until the deposit was received. I now have to resort to sourcing a new provider, as the deposit is unreasonable and unjust.
I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this horrific treatment from AT&T and if there is anything that can be done to reverse their decision to sever their relationship, based a couple of missed payments. I even suggested that I go on auto-pay, if that could ensure that my service would be restored and I wouldn't be subject to a $450 fee. I was told no, and no one seemed to care about my plight and offer to rectify the issue. I have disdain for the handling of my situation, which was partly due to the death of my father and an oversight.
The evil U-Verse wrote:
I vehemently disagree with your opinion. AT&T has virtually no exposure here. If you bothered to read my comments with any comprehension, I mentioned that I paid my $367 obligation in FULL. I'm merely voicing my disdain with the amount of the non-refundable deposit ($450). It's exorbitant, excessive and unfair. What they're attempting to do is weed out the average working class customers that are having difficulties in this depressed economy that many of us, through no fault of our own, find ourselves in. I do take some responsibility for missing a payment or two. All I've asked from AT&T was the opportunity to work through this issue with the provider that I've been loyal to for over 12 years. Your tone is resonant to the tone of the 1% that the Occupy Wall Street movement is tirelessly protesting against. Some of you just don't get it.
You can disagree all you want, but the fact remains that you did not pay your bill, thus you received the consequences.
While I feel for you because you were unemployed (hey I was for well over 2 years), I still managed to pay my bills, find odd jobs and if I had to cut things out of my life, I did so.
When I had to travel because my parents passed away (once in 2005 and again in 2010), I was still responsible enough to make sure that my bills were paid.
You had a ding on your credit. While it may not have been of your own doing (job loss), there is still a ding. They have the right to say that you must put down a deposit.
BTW, if you do go with another provider, you may have to put down a deposit as well. Caveat Emptor and all that.
texasguy37
