Time Warner Digital Phone

[ArmyBengal]

To start, let me remind you that I'm located in the most southern portion of Afghanistan on the Pakistan border and cell phone reception is weak at best. That being said, there are some phone companies that their satellites just won't get good reception in order for the wife and I to talk, so we started using the Digital Phone service from TWC because the reception was good and for how much we spoke, the .25 cents a minute to Afghanistan was more the doable...

That was a few months ago when we started using them, so fast forward to this month and imagine my suprise to find a $1000.00 phone bill staring me in the face !!! When we called TWC to inquire to the "obvious mistake" on THEIR part, we found that the rates had changed from the .25 cents a minute to a whooping $1.07 a minute. When we asked when this happened (because we weren't notified) we were told rates change without notice.

Now I can understand the whole without notice thing, but you would think if they were going to almost quadruple the rates, you might want to let someone know. Not to mention the calls were being made to a Soldier deployed to a warzone. I also don't believe that should be the end all reason to assist in the matter, but it sure should be a consideration in trying to resolve the dispute (at least in my mind). Their resolution was to give us free cable for the month. WOW a whole $85.00 off the $1000.00 bill...

My point ?? Any suggestions on how to handle TWC outside of a killing spree once I return from my deployment ??

NOTE: THE KILLING SPREE COMMENT WAS A JOKE !!! Anyway, if anyone has suggestions or works for TWC, how about helping out a Soldier !!! Later...

WHODEY !!!

[kenyon1977]

First have your wife call the Red Cross, the nearest VFW, and Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is most likley to give a hand paying that bill.

When I was overseas it was a 1.50 a minute to call home so I called AT&T directly and they have a world plan were you pick one country for your wife to call. I ended up only paying 10 cents a minute. How ever if she calls ANYWHERE else even in the states it's like 25 or 30 cents a minute.

I also was able to call Wright Patt Air Force base and get the operator. The operator will then transfer you to a local call and that was free when I used a DSN line.

Tell Time Warner you're going to switch to satelite.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Seems like a crappy way to do business.

[ArmyBengal]

Paying the bill is not the issue whatsoever, it's the fact they jacked us on quadrupling the rate without notice. As for a DSN line, we don't have phones here. I have a personal cell phone that I use to make calls. We are the equivalent of an SF team and have little to no support. Hell, this internet line I use belongs to people that are better left unmentioned... However, I just think TWC is doing business not in the best interest of thier customers and as a Soldier deployed, I think it's BULLSH*T !!!

WHODEY !!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Paying the bill is not the issue whatsoever, it's the fact they jacked us on quadrupling the rate without notice. As for a DSN line, we don't have phones here. I have a personal cell phone that I use to make calls. We are the equivalent of an SF team and have little to no support. Hell, this internet line I use belongs to people that are better left unmentioned... However, I just think TWC is doing business not in the best interest of thier customers and as a Soldier deployed, I think it's BULLSH*T !!!

WHODEY !!!

I wouldn't pay them a dime above the normal billing you recieved earlier, and fairly negotiated for. What they did was the classic "Bait and Switch".

[B24]

That was a few months ago when we started using them, so fast forward to this month and imagine my suprise to find a $1000.00 phone bill staring me in the face !!! When we called TWC to inquire to the "obvious mistake" on THEIR part, we found that the rates had changed from the .25 cents a minute to a whooping $1.07 a minute. When we asked when this happened (because we weren't notified) we were told rates change without notice.

Rates change without notice??? Would they expect to get away with the same thing with their cable? I imagine they would have a ton of angry customers if their cable bill went from $85 to $350 without notice.

Does it say in your service agreement that rates will change without notice? Even if it does that's ridiculous. Raising the rates by 4x should warrant a notice. I wouldn't pay it. I'd do like Billy said and pay what you would have paid without the increase.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Rates change without notice??? Would they expect to get away with the same thing with their cable? I imagine they would have a ton of angry customers if their cable bill went from $85 to $350 without notice.

Does it say in your service agreement that rates will change without notice? Even if it does that's ridiculous. Raising the rates by 4x should warrant a notice. I wouldn't pay it. I'd do like Billy said and pay what you would have paid without the increase.

I forgot to add the part about CANCELLING my service! You see...this is why I have service with a Virgin Mobile prepaid phone. I have NEVER been bent over and f**ked up the ass with an unexpected monsterous bill. Every other major carrier I have tried (not prepaid) has tried to stick it to me in one way or the other. It's worth the extra few cents a minute not to have to worry about this type of corporate shenanigans.

[Scottishbengal]

This just f**king stinks - you should be allocated so many minutes per week when you're deployed in an action zone/theatre of operations, paid for by the government/military.

Not exactly a boost for morale for you or the mrs. this is just plain wrong.

Here in the UK any change of rates has to be notified, I can understand US corporate law would be different but even so this is just plain plain wrong, especially when someone is putting their ass on the line.

One of my mates, a Royal Navy Commando, is on his 3rd stint in Afghanistan, it's hard going yes, he chose the career yes, but hey, c'mon, play fair here, this is just NOT the way to do business and some publicity on this front maybe the way forward!!!

[Scottishbengal]

PS - If it helps take the worry away from you and mrs.armybengal I'd be willing to chip in to help cover the bill. PAX bro.

[Scott]

I always thought one of the biggest perks with going with a cable based telephone was long distance was part of the basic plan?

[ArmyBengal]

Once again, paying the bill isn't a problem, but thanks for the offer brother !!! Long distance and International calls are two different things... Anyway around, I will no longer be doing business with Time Warner Cable. Not that they care, but anyone who can blatantly disregard the service to my Country in order to make money sickens me to death. This is just an absolute slap in the face... F*CK Time Warner !!!

WHODEY !!!