SBC fixed my DSL, but they raised my monthly bill!

ingeniero1 · 08-20-2005, 03:48 PM

REFERENCE: Under the "Modems" forums I had a thread called "DSL Blues".
To make a very long story short:
My DSL worked OK from about Feb 2003 until early 2005, with just a few bumps along the way. Starting in April 2005, it got really bad, then I had DSL for just a few minutes a day, and then none at all. A technician came to the house several weeks ago, and fixed the problem. I have had a good connection 100% of the time since.

Today I received the August bill, and it is higher. After about an hour on telephone with three SBC reps, here is what they said was the bottom line:

My SBC-DSL service originally was their 'starter DSL'. They no longer offer this 'cheaper' service to my house, so they switched me to a better service, which is more expensive, and for which they have no 'specials' right now.

I told the lady (she was not nice) who told me this that SBC had renewed my contract for a year in February 2005, for $20/mo, and that is what SBC is obligated to honor. She said no, SBC would not do that. Furthermore, she said, no one at SBC would change that decision: It will now be $40/month, and I either pay it, or leave it.

I spoke with her for several minutes, and finally had to hang up.

I just sent SBC an e-mail. I just can't believe it. If this indeed is the case, my next step is a letter to the Attorney General in Missouri.

What do you think about the whole thing?

Thanks for your time

Alex

ang_hammarad · 08-20-2005, 07:29 PM

Do you have anyone else at the house that could get dsl service....say as a "new customer"?
New customers can get pro speed(3 Mbps) for 24.95....See sbc page.

If you don't get anywhere, the place to send a letter to is the Public Service Commision...PSC

**johnwill** · 08-21-2005, 07:29 AM

SInce the PUC probably moves slow, I'd send the letter right away, then work on resolving the issue other ways in parallel. Of course, I doubt that SBC is the only way to get DSL at your location, look into alternatives.

ingeniero1 · 08-21-2005, 09:25 PM

"I doubt that SBC is the only way to get DSL at your location, look into alternatives."

This had not occurred to me at all; I was under the impression that DSL and SBC went together. I most definitely will look into it - Thanks!

Alex

**johnwill** · 08-22-2005, 05:32 PM

If you have DSL service to your house, there are doubtless a bunch of 3rd party DSL providers just itching to help you spend your on-line money.

citizen j · 08-27-2005, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwill

If you have DSL service to your house, there are doubtless a bunch of 3rd party DSL providers just itching to help you spend your on-line money.

As long as you aren't coming out of an RT, 3rd party providers are a good option. Check for http://speakeasy.net availability (not the cheapest but they are top rated)

08-20-2005, 03:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
ingeniero1 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 28 OS: WinME, XP	SBC fixed my DSL, but they raised my monthly bill! REFERENCE: Under the "Modems" forums I had a thread called "DSL Blues". To make a very long story short: My DSL worked OK from about Feb 2003 until early 2005, with just a few bumps along the way. Starting in April 2005, it got really bad, then I had DSL for just a few minutes a day, and then none at all. A technician came to the house several weeks ago, and fixed the problem. I have had a good connection 100% of the time since. Today I received the August bill, and it is higher. After about an hour on telephone with three SBC reps, here is what they said was the bottom line: My SBC-DSL service originally was their 'starter DSL'. They no longer offer this 'cheaper' service to my house, so they switched me to a better service, which is more expensive, and for which they have no 'specials' right now. I told the lady (she was not nice) who told me this that SBC had renewed my contract for a year in February 2005, for $20/mo, and that is what SBC is obligated to honor. She said no, SBC would not do that. Furthermore, she said, no one at SBC would change that decision: It will now be $40/month, and I either pay it, or leave it. I spoke with her for several minutes, and finally had to hang up. I just sent SBC an e-mail. I just can't believe it. If this indeed is the case, my next step is a letter to the Attorney General in Missouri. What do you think about the whole thing? Thanks for your time Alex

08-20-2005, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
ang_hammarad Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 36 OS: OS 10.3.9	higher bill Do you have anyone else at the house that could get dsl service....say as a "new customer"? New customers can get pro speed(3 Mbps) for 24.95....See sbc page. If you don't get anywhere, the place to send a letter to is the Public Service Commision...PSC Last edited by ang_hammarad; 08-20-2005 at 07:30 PM.

08-21-2005, 07:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,703 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	SInce the PUC probably moves slow, I'd send the letter right away, then work on resolving the issue other ways in parallel. Of course, I doubt that SBC is the only way to get DSL at your location, look into alternatives. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

08-22-2005, 05:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,703 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	If you have DSL service to your house, there are doubtless a bunch of 3rd party DSL providers just itching to help you spend your on-line money. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

08-21-2005, 09:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
ingeniero1 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 28 OS: WinME, XP	"I doubt that SBC is the only way to get DSL at your location, look into alternatives." This had not occurred to me at all; I was under the impression that DSL and SBC went together. I most definitely will look into it - Thanks! Alex