Extremely upset with Verizon Fios price and bait and switch

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I signed up for a $119 package from Verizon Fios, my bill came in this month at $190/month? Now I have 2 HD boxes so I knew it would be a little bit more, but what. the. hell? I called them on the phone, they were only able to remove the overseas calling charge for $5 a month. I feel like I'm a victim of bait and switch.

I'm thinking of jumping ship to Comcast since I never had this sort of trouble with them, great service and great customer service actually.

Anyone have any advice? I've burned a hole in my stomach stewing about this.

[QuarterMillionMan]

If you're not locked into a 1 year or 2 year agreement, tell them you are cancelling and return all the equipment. The $119 quoted package price may have been only for the service and not including the equipment, other fees and taxes.



I cancelled my internet with Time Warner and returned my modem. I was paying $60 a month for internet. I then went with Boost Mobile's broadband for $50 a month after buying the wifi device for $25. I recently went back to Time Warner for $14 a month internet (lowest price and slowest speeds but perfectly fine for my usage) after buying a used wifi modem for $19 on eBay. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do to reign back in the prices from getting out of control.

[bjl584]

The Fios salespeople are quite aggressive. They have a table set up at Walmart and "attack" me every time that I am there and walk past them. Fios isn't available where I live, so it's a short conversation. I tell them that my town doesn't have Fios, and I keep walking.

I have Comcast, and so far so good. I know that after 1 year the price is going to go up, but I'm planning on calling them to renegotiate when that happens.

[snafu]

Weird Tolkienish Figure, your health is far more important than a $ 70. loss @ Verizon. If you let these life challenges affect you in a serious way you will pay an enormous price in loss of health, way in the future. If possible, cancel the contract and use some other provider.

[autoxer]

Anyone have any advice?

When you call them and are prepared to cancel, then all of a sudden they are willing to offer you a better price.

[msomnipotent]

I had the same problem with Comcast after I switched from WOW. I specifically asked about taxes, and they didn't tell me about the access fees, sports (that I don't watch) fees, and what not. And the "free" installation included a $30 technician fee. They also charged for equipment I didnt ask for, like extra HD receivers for the bedrooms.

Look on the back of the bill and see if they are charging for equipment you don't have, installation fees that will not be on subsequent bills, and fluff like line insurance.

[FLA]

I know we are getting the screw from Time Warner so I've been talking to people about Verizon Fios and looking over their site. Every single person regrets their choice and the main complaint was padded bills nowhere near the quoted price. I figure that's what I get with Time Warner so why change?

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

When you call them and are prepared to cancel, then all of a sudden they are willing to offer you a better price.

Yeah, like a car dealership, you get screwed unless you are willing to walk.

I guess.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Full details:

Fios TV, Internet & Phone Bundle
Your bundle includes Fios TV Preferred HD, Fios Internet 75/75 and Fios Digital Voice Unlimited
Bundle Price$119.99 2/19 - 3/18
Your monthly price after the discounts shown under Your Discounts were applied.
Additional Services, Equipment & Discounts
Services
Security and Cloud 75 GB11.00 2/9 - 3/8
Equipment
(Rent): 2 TV Equipment Package19.98 2/19 - 3/18
(Rent): Digital Adapter7.99 2/19 - 3/18
Discounts
Multi-Device Security and Cloud Bundle Discount-11.00 2/9 - 3/8
Subtotal$27.97
Equipment and additional services to personalize your Fios service.
Requested Change in Service
Cancelled Services
Extreme HD TV removed 2/9
(64.99 per month for 10 day refund)-21.66
Fios Internet Bundle Discount removed 2/9
(29.99 per month for 10 days)10.00
Fios Digital Voice Bundle Discount removed 2/9
(14.99 per month for 10 days)5.00
Added Services
Fios TV Preferred HD added 2/9
(54.99 per month for 10 days)18.33
Fios Internet 75/75 added 2/9
(35.00 per month for 10 days)11.66
Fios Digital Voice Bundle Discount added 2/9
(14.99 per month for 10 days)-5.00
Subtotal - 10 days$18.33 2/9 - 2/18
Partial month charge or refund for services added or removed prior to the bill date.
Fees & Other Charges
Taxes, Governmental Fees & Surcharges
MA State Sales Tax2.18
911/Disability Access Fee2.50
Verizon Surcharges & Fees
PEG Grant Fee3.17
Federal Universal Service Fee3.66
Regulatory Recovery Fee - Federal.08
License Fee.11
Franchise Related Costs1.80
Verizon Property Tax Recovery Charge2.29
Fios TV Broadcast Fee2.65
Regional Sports Network Fee4.99
FDV Administrative Charge.99

[bjl584]

Holy laundry list of fees!!

I'd be upset too.

I wonder how many of those fees could be waived or reduced if you called and complained?

[msomnipotent]

I doubt they will do anything about the fees at the bottom of the list. My fees are higher, but it appears you have more of them. My franchise fee is $6.38, the broadcast fee is $5, and my state taxes are higher. My sports fee and 911 are slightly lower.

Can you get rid of the multi device security and cloud bundle? That seems to be a rip-off at almost $30 a month.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The cable company does not tell you the final price. They give you the "sexy" price to lure you in. Years ago I did Time Warner's triple play for $79 (for one year). The final price with all the taxes, fees, and equipment rental was about $129. I remember the guy uninstalled my HD TV box and replaced it with the HD-DVR TV box. I tried to stop him from doing so but he then said that the install would have to be cancelled and another appointment would need to be arranged. I decided to just continue with the installation. Only later when I received my bill did I notice that the HD-DVR TV box came with an additional $12 rental fee for the recording device which I never used. Albeit the package deal is a terrific deal but after the introductory period ends (usually 1 year) it is best to get rid of the excess fat. After the introductory period ended they told me that I was actually saving money with the bundled pricing but I took matters into my own hands and experimented with alternative internet and TV options and found I could get cheaper prices unbundling. These are my current prices, TV is $61, internet is $14, phone is $3 (Magic Jack $36/year), for a total of $78 a month and that is with all taxes and fees included.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I pay ridiculous fees I think like $10 a month for just internet. But comcast is the only provider so MONOPOLY. Ridiculous. All depends where you live. I hate the cable companies.