Southern Linc Contracted Created By Making A Purchase RIPOFF Birmingham Alabama
Just want to let everyone know that if you are a Southern Linc customer and you purchase anything from them (phone, charger, battery, extra minutes, etc) you have entered into a binding contract for one year of service. It does not matter if you pay full price and receive absolutely no incentive, nor do you have to sign anything. Merely making a purchase locks you into a one year contract. If you cancel your service for any reason, they will levy a 200 dollar "early termination fee".
You will not receive a bill for this, as a matter of fact, you won't receive anything until a collections agency calls you and starts demanding payment (it goes up to 260 when they call). They have an attorney filing paperwork on you at this point, and southern linc won't discuss anything with you.
I began using southern linc in 2001, and signed a one year contract. In 2004, I purchased a new phone (paid 250.00 for a 139.99 phone), paid cash, signed nothing. Canceled my service in early 2005.
Last month, I find out I owe 260 dollars for "early termination". I was told by the collection agency that ANY PURCHASE made from this company binds you into an unwritten contract. They don't have to provide anything in writing, nor can you appeal their decision. (I dropped the service due to poor coverage, and this is how they treat a customer of 4 years).
So I wanted to let everyone know that even if you buy a cell phone case from them, they will add a year to your contract. If you want to cancel your contract, you must submit a termination request in writing no less than 30 days prior to your anniversary date. If you file it 29 days, you just got another year tacked on.
Net result is that I paid over $500.00 for a 99.00 telephone, and I have as of today, converted 35 of my friends and family over to other wireless carriers. I think Southern Linc is a rip off and they are bitter because Nextel is taking their little empire apart one customer at a time.
DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THESE CON ARTISTS!
Jerry
Nashville, Georgia
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Rebecca
Nowhere,Other,
U.S.A.
How did they get your number?
#2Consumer Comment
Tue, June 26, 2007
They CAN NOT extend your contract just by looking at your face. You gave them your # when you bought the new phone. If you didnt get a deal on the phone, mores the pity, you should at least get something. Just so you know, I carry a Southernlinc, and love it, and used to sell other cell phones (that always got a laugh, cause one of the carriers I sold for was nextel), my point is that I couldn't renew, extend, or make any changes to a customers phone without there phone number and consent. If they were just buying a replacement phone, then I handed them the phone, they did a sim swap and out the door they went. No contract extension whatsoever.
As to the fee for ending your contract before it was up, that is standard and you will find it with any company. You will also find contract extensions are required, unless you pay retail for the phone, with all companys. They arent going to give the phones away for free after all.