Do you have to pay AT&T if you move and they do not provide DSL in your area?

Question

I lived in a town and had AT&T for my phone and DSL.

When I moved to the middle of the woods and mountains, they have no DSL available here. I do not have my own personal computer even hooked up here. I use my boyfriend's computer under his name. He has another service that comes with his phone service.

I cancelled my AT&T DSL and phone service when I moved here, yet AT&T is trying to charge me a $100.00 fee? Can they do that?

If they would have provided DSL in this area I would have continued their service and hooked up my own computer here.

It seems like they should be paying ME a fine, cause they cannot provide me what I was paying for!

HELP!!

Answer 1

This question ultimately depends on what your contract with AT&T says. You can call them and ask them to send a copy to you. Read it over and find out what the contract says about moving, early termination, etc. Look for language about penalties and for the actual term of the contract (the period during which you both are bound by the terms of the agreement).

My best guess is that you will be obliged to pay the $100 fee in lieu of the contract (big businesses normally cover their rear ends that way). However, there might be language in the contract to the effect that in the event they cannot provide the services, you aren't responsible for either the full length of the contract or the penalty fee.

Finally, depending on your state or country, there could very well be law that protects consumers in your situation. But probably not.

Answer 2

You may have to pay the fee, depending on whether you enetered into a contract committing you to a specific amount of time, i.e. 1 year contract. If so, there may be a clause in your contract demanding $100 early cancellation fee.

However, look to see if there is a clause stating whether your dsl is transferable in the event you move (typical). If it is, then you have a very strong argument that they have breached the contract since you are RAW (ready, able, and willing).

Fight had enough and you should be able to get them to remove it.

Also, threaten to report them to the Federal Trade Commission. Good luck!

Answer 3

I used to work customer service for SBC/Yahoo DSL, if DSL is not availible you still have the option of using dial up. You do not wish to use dial up then the fee they charge is appropriate. Since you cancelled you phone service with them as well yes the fee is appropriate because you broke your contract with them.

I know it sounds unfair but it is how they are at time, however if you call customer service i'm sure that you can try and work something out with them to have them waive the cancelation fees.....Good Luck.

Answer 4

You probably signed up for a contract to receive AT&T DSL for a certain period of time. When you terminated the contract early they charged you the rest of the contract or an early termination fee. More then likely you will have to pay it. You signed up where you lived, they are not responsible to provide their service in every corner of the world you could concievably move to.

Answer 5

Look at your original contract if it has not come to the end of term you may very well be liable for termination fees or be required to pay until the end of your contract. You caould work with AT&T for an alternate service contract such as dial up to save money but yo do need to contact them to fix this ASAP.
Customer support: http://localization.sbc.com/loc/controller?ltype=support

Answer 6

Sounds like it is a cancellation fee. Sounds illegal to me but I cannot say for sure. If I were you I would ignore the bill and see what happens. If they press it, write them back and ask for the portion of your contract that authorizes them to charge this fee. No wonder people never liked the phone company.

Answer 7

dont try to fight them..You owe you agreed to a contract for one year probably. I fought and fought with them...pay off your blance but make it in payments, they will turn you in to a collection agencie trust me they did it to me after they agreed to something then decided they wanted to change there mind.
They are heart less