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Nextel - Billing Disputes

Nextel • "Flexible contracts" • Cancellation difficulties • Billing disputes • "Free trial" • Sales practices • Insurance • Business customers --- News • NYC Sues Wireless Phone Companies for Deceptive Advertising • Consumer Group Sues Nextel, Cingular • Class Action Suit Filed

"J" of Newport News VA (9/15/03):
I opened my account with Nextel in Febuary 2003. They charged me a $500 deposit and $313 for the phone to be paid up front. No problem. I paid this with two money orders. In April my service was disconnected for nonpayment of the two amounts. I called Nextel and they informed me they would do a billing inquiry and restored my service. The same thing happened in June.

This time, in September, I had reached my limit. I called my Nextel rep and he came to my house to help deal with this. We each called Nextel and each time we got a different story, different amount, different everything. The kicker in all of this is that they have a record of the money order numbers, who logged the money into the system, but, according to Nextel they have no record of the money orders being received.

I was also informed that if I pay them $470 plus a reconnect fee they will restore my service. This is Nextel math I assume because last time I checked $500 + $313 equalled $813. Someone tell me if I am wrong. I have also been told by Nextel that if I produce copies of the money orders they would restore my service but my reciepts where in a lock box that was stolen when my home was broken into a few months ago. I informed Nextel of this and even stated that I had the police report from this incident but they didn't care.

So you tell me, how can you have 13 digit numbers off of a set of money orders and the employee's name of who took them but no record of this, as Nextel has stated to me numerous times. Also why am I going to pay a reconnect fee for something that is not my fault. I ended my last conversation with Nextel by telling them that upon proof of this amount that they can not seem to find I would have that amount refunded to me and my contract ended with no charges.

This might sound odd but we would suggest that "J" pay the disputed amount, then file suit against Nextel in Small Claims Court, seeking reimbursements of the disputed amount and any legitimate costs.

Andrew of Highland Mills NY (1/29/03):
After moving from Canada and having no credit history in the USA I had to pay a $500 deposit for phone service in November to local dealer. In December a collections agency contacted me for payment of the $500 I had already paid -- and said that they had cut my phone off. I explained this was not my issue, it was Nextel's to collect from the franchisee. In January, I received a similar call threatening to cut me off again and the $500 had still not been forwarded.

As I was out of town on business, and away from my expectant wife, I had to pay the fee immediately to keep the service on. I tried to get another phone for my wife but was told that I would have to provide another $500 deposit. I had had enough. After the way I had been treated, and with them holding two deposits and cutting me off from my business and family without notice, and through their own errors.

I am now awaiting my refund, have cancelled my service ... I will lose the cost of my phone, a $200 fee for breaking the contract - even though Nextel did not keep up their end of the bargain. Nextel offered some free minutes, but would not waive another $500 deposit if I would have to pay if I wanted to buy my wife a second Nextel phone on the same plan.

We think Andrew should sue Nextel in Small Claims Court.

Michael of St. Louis (4/8/02):
I ordered a new cell phone. They required a deposit of $200 and took it out of my account. They never processed the order or sent me a phone. I was flat-out lied to about the order. They admitted that charging me and not sending me a phone was illegal. I've gotten a complete runaround and have spent countless hours dealing with them and I still don't have a phone.

I ordered the phone on Monday and was promised it on Wednesday. On Friday I went to Las Vegas for a wedding and absolutely needed a phone. Because they stole $200 from me and didn't send my phone, I was unable to use my $200 to get a phone from a legitimate company. It ruined my weekend because I couldn't get in touch with my friends to coordinate wedding events. It also has caused me problems at work not to mention the hours I've wasted being lied to and pushed around by Nextel.

Jazquelyn of Warner Robins GA (8/16/03):
Both of my sons have phones from Nextel. The younger one had his phone fall out of the boat on vacation and ruined it. We called Nextel and ordered a new one ... while we were ordering we asked the salesman if there were any present upgraded deals and he said yes. If we agreed to an extended two-year contract we could have a $199.99 phone for $79.00, we said fine.

I got my statement yesterday with several charges I wasn't clear on. I called and they couldn't even explain them to me. First of all they are charging everyone a Federal Programs Cost Recovery charge and I asked what that was and they couldn't explain. They said it was a federal tax. I'm already charged a federal tax. But they charged me another $20 over what we agreed on the phone for the new phone and charged me $99.00, plus shipping was supposed to be included according to them and they charged $12.00, which is no big deal, I can live with that.

But they charged me $35.00 for "upgrading" my phone. They had nothing to upgrade. I bought a new phone. What is this? I'm really getting screwed here and being a single parent, I have no one to help me with this and no extra money for anything that isn't really fairly charged to me.

Ricardo of Los Angeles (3/23/03):
I ordered a new cell phone with Nextel on Tuesday March 19, 2002 and I was told that I would be charged $200.00 for a deposit and $239.49 for the phone, I was ok with that. I used my Visa Check Card when I did the transaction and on March 21, 2002 the transaction was complete and I recieved the phone. On Saturday Morning I call my bank to check on my account and I was told that my account was overdrawn in the amount of $439.49, then was told that Nextel charged me again. I called Nextel Saturday morning in reguards to the transaction and no one at nextel wanted or they said could help me in this situation.

Ralph of Statesville NC (4/18/02):
NEXTEL will not send me a copy of my Jan. 2002 statement which they claim I exceeded my "anytime minutes" and charged me an additional $17.00; I have called for over six weeks, each time speaking with a different person, each person promising me a copy of said statement within 7 to 10 working days. Well, more days than those have passed since I started calling on Feb. 28th! I have written the president of NEXTEL and also the Atty. Gen. of NC where I live and of VA. where their headquarters is. I just simply want a copy of my statement.

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