Verizon Bait And Switch Internet
My friend helped me out by ordering a Verizon bundle for me back in March of 2011. The advertised bundle included Direct TV Choice Xtra + DVR, High Speed Internet Enhanced and Verizon Freedom Essentials Telephone Service. This bundle was called the Triple Play and was advertised on-line for $74.99 a month for the first year. Verizon has now changed the ad on-line and tells us that they will not honor the contract that was made with us even though we have the confirmation that they sent us when we ordered it. Their reason is that the phone service and the satellite service each cost almost as much as the total advertised.
They have offered to downgrade the internet service to dial up, and the phone service to Verizon Regional which will leave me with no long distance in order bring the price down to the advertised range but that is not what was contracted for. They have also offered to let us out of the 1 year contract that was signed with them but say they cannot do anything about the 2 year contract that was signed with DirectTV in the deal.
This is absolutely ridiculous. There should be some way that they can be made to honor the contract that was made with us to begin with.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
spc3rd
Williamsburg,Virginia,
USA
Another classic story with Verizon...
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, May 19, 2011
Your situation is one which is mirrored in the more than 2000 complaints against Verizon on the ROR website alone.
I do have a few comments. I clicked on the website link provided in your report to review what Verizon has shown there. (I am presuming this link is the one which advertises the bundled package deal your friend signed you up for). In the section regarding the PHONE service, I can find no place where it is stated that UNLIMITED LONG DISTANCE service is part of the package. It states that unlimited LOCAL calling and REGIONAL TOLL CALLING service are provided.
In researching DIRECT TV's Better Business Bureau rating (as of June 2010), they give it an "F" rating. You may also do a little researching about both "consumer & professional reviews" of DIRECT TV. There are a sizable number of unfavorable reviews out there. Aside from seeking an attorney's counsel, the only other things I would suggest are filing formal complaints with the BBB, your state attorney general's office, and the Federal trade Commission via Certified Mail.
You might also consider reading through other complaints here on the ROR site against Verizon as well. Frequently, businesses such as Verizon, AT&T, etc have some type of partnerships with 3rd party vendors. Usually the actual billing for the 3rd party services may be done by Verizon, AT&T or other primary business, but if you have a dispute regarding that 3rd party's charge(s), you almost always have to contact that 3rd party about it.
I hope you are able to obtain a satisfactory resolution!