E.T. Phone Home - But NOT with AT&T

Breaking News, Avery vs. AT&T.

A battle is brewing between one small customer with a 30.00 per month account vs. the goliath AT&T corporation who according me, (It's my blog I can quote myself), is "asleep at the switch."

The brewing controversy revolves around a deposit for service that the telecommunication company requested at the time of sign up. Although I didn't agree with the reason for the deposit, I complied by providing a credit card which according the credit card company records, was immediately charged by the wonderful folks at AT&T.

One week later however, AT&T has notified me that my deposit has not been received and that in fact, my long distance service is due for cancellation for non payment.

After spending the last 1/2 hour on hold I did manage to speak with or should I say "at" a person who is clearly answering the telephone from a land far - far away. OK, so I believe the world of commerce is flat and I'm not bothered by a call center in a foreign land. I am though annoyed when these call centers are staffed by people who don't speak English and don't have the company training required to process a problem from the clients point-of-view. After all, I am the client? Well when dealing with AT&T this doesn't seem to be the case. Not only did the idiot not address my concerns, he had the gall to ask me to complete a satisfaction survey at the end of the call. His advice to me was priceless from a customer service point of view.

"Do nothing if you think the second bill is in error and if the service gets turned off, only then call us to straighten out the problem."

Gee, I see there is one less brain surgeon roaming the streets of Bangalore. Well I suppose there is a bright side, I am not E.T. so I don't have to phone home.

7:30:PM Update.

1. Total time spent on this issue today about 2.5 hours.
2. Issue is still not resolved although AT&T admits receipt of the funds.
3. All calls made to this point NOT covered under plan and will be billed at standard rates *I most probably will receive a bill in the hundreds of dollars range. My TIVO has been calling NY City to update its software and programming guide, plus I've been talking like crazy to my friends all over the United States.
4. According to AT&T I FAILED to write a letter allowing them to add them as my long distance carrier. A letter? Well they never told me I had to write a letter.
5. There is no resolution to the problem. Telephone representatives could not escalate my concern. So, it's tough. Pay the money, write the letter, and then maybe they will figure it out. Isn't that nice?
6. My analysis, not worth the time, I will get my VONAGE issues under control and then say bye bye to AT&T forever.