Who's right, who's wrong?

Question

My phone was disconnected today due to non-payment. I paid the bill on the due date of Dec 1st by phone on the automated system. The payment was accepted ,but held for five days then sent back to my debit card b/c of the credit card companies b/c of zip code error. I corrected the problem within minutes and called the phone company to report the correction. I want my phone back on b/c I did correct the error within a reasonable time and contacted the phone company. My phone company however charges fees, shouldn't they be waived and my phone turned back on? Never use SAGE TELCOM. Things like this have happened before like this to me with this phone company, and they have turned the phoine back on before w/o fees. Shouldn't they do it again.

Answer 1

I would agree with the part where you say to NEVER use Sage Telecom. They did a number on me as well: I called and asked for the full pay-off so that I could change services, and they gave me (over the phone) only the past-due charges that would get my phone turned back on. I had become re-employed, and wanted to completely pay it off and told them so. I paid what they told me, began new service with Comcast, and ignored all other mail from Sage - 'cause I didn't want their ads, which was all they could send me because I KNEW I had paid off my bill. But no, when I finally got the bill with the red lettering on the outside, and opened it, and called them, I found that when I thought I had paid it off, I had only paid a small portion of what I owed. By that time, it was on my credit report and I didn't have the cash to pay the whole thing right away. There was more to it than that, but that was the final bit of fun they led me through.
Unfortunately, you have agreed to abide by their fee structure by signing up for the service and paying the bill. They do not have to waive fees, and I had a very difficult time even speaking with someone knowledgable when I called. Your best bet is to get a phone through a new company and pay Sage off as you can. They're brutal - I don't care how cheap they seem, it's not worth it when that's the service offered.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a record of late fees. Few companies terminate service after a single late payment. Regardless... was the error on your part or on the credit card company's part? If the error was on the credit card company's part, you may consider contacting their customer service and filing a claim for the late fees your phone company wants to pass on to you.

If the error with the zip code was your error, well, consider it a lesson learned.

You know, there are several IP phone companies now available through the internet. Some of which don't charge a fee for the service. Maybe you should consider one of those companies as your service provider.

Answer 3

Keep in mind that this was all handled by a computer program. If no payment on 12/1 then "disconnect". Talk to a customer service rep. and explain what happened. If you have been a good customer, and this is the first time this has happened, they may back out the charges, if not ask to speak to a supervisor. Keep a positive attitude while talking to them, you are asking for a favor, remember they are operating within the law and have done nothing wrong.

Answer 4

I had a credit card company who was giving a secondary processing address for mailing payments. From there the payments were forwarded to an actual processing center. Even though I typically sent my payment in 5-7 days in advance, during the holidays one year it got caught up in the holiday mail and was forwarded to the actual payment center 5 days after my due date. I argued and won that fight.

A few months later, this credit card company was slapped on the hand for doing just this to MANY people. I cancelled my card.

Check around with your local BBB and other information agencies. Check with the BBB in the city where this main headquarters is. You may not be the only person being subjected to this type of behavior. I personally would fight it and change companies if possible.

Answer 5

A very sick mama dog is an extremely stressful situation. And I understand your anger at some of the answers that you received. It is normal for you to want to vent back to these folks some of your anger and frustration. So, try to remain calm and keep your focus on your dog & pups. Don't let this cloud your true goal - a healthy dog. And yes, I would love to know this outcome. Kudos to you for your quick action in caring for 7 pups! It isn't easy! I wish that more people would realize that there are situations that stump even the best of vets. While the calicum issue is the most common with these symptoms, it is not the only cause. And your dedication to this dog and her pups is very, very admirable. So, you know that you are responding to this crisis in the best manner possible. You are doing all you can do in an extremely difficult situation. Let God sort out the rest. Peace

Answer 6

Maybe they're trying to tell you to pay your bills on time, that they do not want your business unless you are a good paying customer. If customers of mine had a bad payment record I may forgive them once or twice but it is my business the hurt when they don't pay on time and I would rather not have them at all if I had to keep waiting for them to pay.