Jenifer
Portland,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 07, 2005
They can and do bill in advance for service. At least, that's the way it works in Oregon. I pay one month in advance for a certain number of minutes, and am charged whether I use them or not. Overages and miscellaneous fees cannot be billed in advance, but monthly service certainly can. You were probably billed a month in advance, plus a pro-rated amount for the portion of the month that had already gone by.
M
Winston-Salem,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 07, 2005
They DO have the right to bill ahead your FIRST month, but AFTER that, the rest of the bills are Post-Pay. What you also might be seeing are 2 bills lumped together, depending on your due date vs. your bill cycle date and WHEN you activated your phones, and you are looking at least a $25-$35 activation fee PER phone. The last bill I just got is for service through 11/16, so it's post-pay. They CANNOT bill in advance for minutes you have NOT used yet. That would be unfair.
Jenifer
Portland,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, December 06, 2005
I have NEVER had phone service that wasn't billed in advance. Nor did I pay in arrears for cable, rent, car insurance or daycare. In fact, 90% of the bills I pay ARE in advance. They have every right to bill you in advance for your monthly service. I am not saying they are the greatest cellular company, because I know their service is terrible, but I am saying they did nothing wrong with your bill.