Complain about a product or service

Verizon Local Service

Mary of Arlington MA (12/22/08)
During a snow and ice storm this weekend, my Verizon land line started to crackle and then went dead for 12 hours. The next morning I could call out, but when people called in they got two half-rings and the line went directly to a busy. They couldn't even reach my voice mail. I called Verizon that day and again today. Even though their testing of the lines say it is probably their problem and not in my apartment or building,

I cannot file a complaint unless I agree to pay 91 for a repairman to cross the threshold of my door, and an additional 91 for the first half-hour of work, so we are talking 182. The repairman has to come to my apartment first, then work in the phone closet in my apartment building. For that my super has to be present since we don't have access to the phone closet. If the super is not present (and I cannot guarantee he would be since my super works on 5 buildings in various locations and might have an emergency in another property) ... then I have to pay another 91 for another Verizon repair visit.

I repeatedly tell Verizon that all this happened before and the super had to wait 2 days in my building for the Verizon repair person. It turned out that the problem at that time was in the Verizon line outside my building. This is the same problem again. But unless I agree to pay the charges, Verizon will not put the repair request in. They said their equipment will not automatically note the problem in their equipment and that they will not fix it, even though it is their problem, unless I file a repair request and agree to these charges.

 I've had it with Verizon. I'd rather put the 182 towards installing a cable-based phone service instead of towards repairs for a problem that Verizon says might be in their equipment. I have been unable to receive phone calls for 72 hours so far, over the holiday season, and I am waiting for surgery so I have medical reasons to need to receive phone calls.

Joe of Leominster, MA December 22, 2008

Joe of Leominster MA (12/22/08)
Lost both my phone lines to my residence 2 weeks ago during an ice storm. Filed a repair request with Verizon, they showed up the next day. After spending some time, the technician, for lack of a better term gave up and left. No explanation of the problem. Called again for a new repair request and got the you are not on the high priority list, if you don't like the service, cancel response. Also was told not to complain to my states DPU, as that won't help. On line requests (DSL still works) get filed, then deleted/closed the next day.

Loss of business, as one phone line is a FAX line.

Kenneth of Hemet, CA December 20, 2008

Kenneth of Hemet CA (12/20/08)
My phone service was disconnected in November due to non-payment. I called on December 19th to pay the bill and to my surprise it was over 240 dollars. I asked them why and they said In November, your phone service was temporarily disconnected and that because it was not a full disconnection, i would still be billed. They billed me for over 2 months that i COULD NOT use my phone service.

I talked to a customer support agent who said this happens all the time, and that they have a clause where if you have long distance service, and don't use it, you can be billed a fee because of it. How is this legal? Im absolutely disgusted with verizon's service, have been for years. They are the only way i can get internet in my area, and guess what, in order to have internet you have to have a phone line!

Donald of Newark, DE December 18, 2008

Donald of Newark DE (12/18/08)
I originally started to sign up on line for Phone, tv and internet service for phone line. I never completed the transaction. Prior to this problem.I cancelled phone service only on April 25,2008, retaining the phone number. This number is used for Jan to end of April ever year and has been the same for 11 years. Item 1: verizon started billing me for the 3 services on the Fe. 10thg statement.I called to correct this proplem and things went from bad to worse.

Next, my statement had a credit of99.27. Then Verizon started charging me a monthly amount alto I had cancelled the service as mentiond above. I have been phoning the billing department ever month trying to clear this problem. Besides the 99.27 credit, I have payed a totla of 251.43 invia checks and direct debit to my bank. Verizon is still deducting the monthly service fee of local calls only. Local service charges are 22.83 plus related charges (surcharges, taxes,etc) of 3.87 for a total of 26.70. This situation is just plain screwed up. Calling Verizon ever month is not solving the problem.HELP to sove this broblems is needed.

I have paid and charged more than should have been for the 4 month of local calling. The total cost for 4 month would amount to 106.80. It has been a year long, exhausting problem and we plan to back in Florida in January and will give serious consideration to going to a competitor.

Pauline of Greenbank, WA December 16, 2008

Pauline of Greenbank WA (12/16/08)
We had Verizon service in our area. We got the verizon freedom essentails package that includes, unlimited local toll, call waiting, caller Id, Verizon long distance. All for 63.95. My brother was in Kansas and last mo he called me collect and there was a charge on my bill for alot of money from ZPDI for the collect call. I paid it. I didn't think much about it until I got this bill. He called me on nov. 6 and we talked for 20 min. and I was charged 68.83. again on Nov. 11 for11 min and I was charged 50.92. again on Nov 24 for 12 min. and I was charged 52.91

for those 3 collect calls from a pay phone in Dodge City Kansas to me here for a total of 43 min. I was charged 172.66 plus 14.50 in taxes. When I got my srevice with Verizon I was not told my collect calls would cost me 4.00 a min. This is Highway robbery. On my statement it says it was billed thru ZPDI. I want these charges removed and I am scared to get my next bill because my brother called me collect at least 5 more times this month in Dec. I thought my collect calls came thru Verizon and not another company. Can you help me with this?

4.00 a min is outrageous. I'm afraid I'll lose my reg service if i don't pay this and I dont have the money to do so.

David of Glen Allen, VA December 16, 2008

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