if you have fios tv....

[va599]

On Feb 8th or 9th 2010, I tried to add 2 channels, the Outdoor channel (307) and the Sportsman Channel (308) to my fios lineup. I was told for an upgrade fee of roughly 15 dollars I would receive the two channels and would also increase my internet speed, going from 15/5 to 25/25, what I bonus I thought.... Initially, nothing happened and I had to make calls on Wednesday 2/10/2010 and Thursday 2/11/2010 to find out what the delay was. I finally on Thursday I was getting the 25/25 speed as promised, however I was still not getting the two additional channels that prompted the change. I called on Friday 2/12/10, and was informed that the package FiOS TV Extreme HD(2009 Edition) had been discontinued, and I was not eligible to get my two channels, I needed to have FiOS TV Ultimate HD (2010 edition). The rep on the phone explained that several people had been calling in and were mad about changes to the fios TV plans, after they had make modifications like myself. The rep asked me if I wanted to switch to the FiOS TV Ultimate HD 2010 package, which then I could now get my two channels, the Outdoor channel (307) and the Sportsman Channel (308) . I explained that I do not have an HD TV and was not interested in another upgrade and wished to revert back to what I had seeing that I don't have an HD TV, and was completely frustrated at this point. Here is where bad goes to worse, first I was told that now I am locked in with a two year plan having nothing to show for my change, I say fine and get put on hold and go through a series of phone transfers to hopefully revert to my old plan. I find out tonight 2/14/2010 that my TV package has dramatically changed, costing me a loss of roughly 40 channels and one year extension on my contract and my new 30 some odd HD channels are of no value to me, since I have no HD TV.

Look at the difference and tell me if you would be happy.....

Plans Summary

FiOS TV Plan FiOS TV Essentials (old plan) FiOS TV Prime HD (new plan I am stuck with)
Total # of Channels 272 235

Total # HD Channels 8 46

My experience now makes me wish I had never signed up with Verizon Fios, if this is the way business is done. The bill rep noted on my bill that if I wanted to terminate my contract at the end of one years time, maybe the notation would have them waive the early termination fee.

There has to be something to remedy this situation to take the sting out of this one. I try to add 2 channels, and now am strong armed into an additional one year contract with 40 fewer channels and no warning this was happening. Evidently Verizon has lured in several people with an initially great channel package, but if you make any changes in your current TV contract and you will end up on the short end of the stick. I guess the honeymoon is over.....

[OakRidgeStars]

I have been considering making the switch from satellite to Fios, but I think I'll keep what I have for a while longer.

[allingeneral]

That sounds like a pretty crappy deal. Your acceptance of their contract was contingent upon their delivering services based on that contract. If you didn't get what you expected, then there is no "contract extension" in my opinion and they should let you revert without even a second thought. Call them back and tell the level 1 customer service rep that you have contacted your lawyer and that someone better fix this problem soon. I'm sure that will get you to a supervisor who, hopefully can help iron out the issue.

IANAL Good luck!

[GS78]

...... .........if I have someone hold the tin foil on the end of the left antenna just right.....I can still get the Andy Griffith show at 5 am.....weekdays.......... and with my glasses I have 20/20.........speed aint what it used to be though..........

[MountainCat]

There's a lot of bad going on there.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_law

That's the type of story for this website: http://consumerist.com/

[40shooter]

Verizon's customer service is a joke. I had a land line and DSL, The landline developed a problem with noist that we lived with for about 2 weeks. A call to Verizon got me an appointment another 2 weeks out. After much thought the wife & I decided we no longer needed the land line & called Verizon to have the telephone service terminated BUT to keep the DSL. The person we spoke to on the phone said this would be no problem. We get home that evening and discover we have no DSL at all. we call Verizon (via cellular) only to be told the DSL was a part of the analog line we had and the soonest it could be restored was over a week out.

Needles to say I am no longer a Verizon customer!

[va599]

Things to consider....Once you convert from your copper wiring to fios you cannot go back.....I will let you know how I make out and appreciate your advice...

That sounds like a pretty crappy deal. Your acceptance of their contract was contingent upon their delivering services based on that contract. If you didn't get what you expected, then there is no "contract extension" in my opinion and they should let you revert without even a second thought. Call them back and tell the level 1 customer service rep that you have contacted your lawyer and that someone better fix this problem soon. I'm sure that will get you to a supervisor who, hopefully can help iron out the issue.

IANAL Good luck!

[va599]

Thanks for the info...just sent it over to consumerist also!

There's a lot of bad going on there.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_law

That's the type of story for this website: http://consumerist.com/

[MountainCat]

Verizon's customer service is a joke. I had a land line and DSL, The landline developed a problem with noist that we lived with for about 2 weeks. A call to Verizon got me an appointment another 2 weeks out. After much thought the wife & I decided we no longer needed the land line & called Verizon to have the telephone service terminated BUT to keep the DSL. The person we spoke to on the phone said this would be no problem. We get home that evening and discover we have no DSL at all. we call Verizon (via cellular) only to be told the DSL was a part of the analog line we had and the soonest it could be restored was over a week out.

Needles to say I am no longer a Verizon customer!

That's called naked DSL: http://www.google.com/search?q=verizon+naked+dsl

BTW: Sometimes with these companies, who outsource their tech support, you can use the spanish speaking option and speak to someone in the States (in English).

[Flavet]

599, In whatever jurisdiction you live there is certainly an office of consumer protection and there is also, in some department, the function that oversees the Verizon franschise. They exist for just such situations as this and in Fairfax County thet take the resposnsibility seriously. I expect they'll get you put right very quickly (until the end of your prior existing contract) if you'll get into discussions with them.

[va599]

I live in chesterfield county va...who would I contact? Thanks again for your help!

[/liveleak]

599, In whatever jurisdiction you live there is certainly an office of consumer protection and there is also, in some department, the function that oversees the Verizon franschise. They exist for just such situations as this and in Fairfax County thet take the resposnsibility seriously. I expect they'll get you put right very quickly (until the end of your prior existing contract) if you'll get into discussions with them.

[Flavet]

599, Chesterfield County will have a website. Go to that and it will show you various department names; you'll find it. OR google <chesterfield county, virginia>.

[novaglock]

We had Direct TV for many years with no problems. Last year Verizon sold us a Fios package deal, TV, phone and Internet. Couldn't wait for the contract to be up! Actually, we didn't. The contract expires the 22nd of this month but we had Direct TV re-installed last month. BTW - Direct TV has a deal to pay your early termination fee for you. It probably depends on your buying one of their higher tier services but it can't hurt to ask.

[zephyp]

Things to consider....Once you convert from your copper wiring to fios you cannot go back.....I will let you know how I make out and appreciate your advice...

That sounds like a pretty crappy deal. Your acceptance of their contract was contingent upon their delivering services based on that contract. If you didn't get what you expected, then there is no "contract extension" in my opinion and they should let you revert without even a second thought. Call them back and tell the level 1 customer service rep that you have contacted your lawyer and that someone better fix this problem soon. I'm sure that will get you to a supervisor who, hopefully can help iron out the issue.

IANAL Good luck!

Not true unless you rewire you house with fiber and strip the cable and copper. The house I just bought was built in the 60s. It had comcast cable wired in most rooms and verizon phone service (copper) from the street. I had verizon fiber ran to the house (free from verizon) from the street. I can drop them anytime and go to comcast. I can also get copper phone service. FIOS does not mean you forever give up the ability of those other services. Each one is delivered differently to your house but uses the same internal wiring. FIOS runs in my house over the same cable that comcast did for the guy that was here before.

[va599]

This is what I was referring to...
FiOS users say Verizon cuts copper wires, cheaper options

By Associated Press | July 9, 2007

PHILADELPHIA -- When Henry Powderly II ordered Verizon Communications Inc.'s FiOS fiber-optic service, he knew he was about to be connected to the future of telecommunications. He also got unplugged from its past.

Verizon's installer -- without warning, Powderly says -- removed the copper wires that used to carry his phone calls.
Verizon's new high-bandwidth fiber lines are fully capable of carrying not only calls but also Internet data and television, with room to grow. But once the copper is pulled, it's difficult to switch back to the traditional phone system or less expensive Digital Subscriber Line service. And Verizon isn't required, in most instances, to lease fiber to rival phone companies, as it is with copper infrastructure.

What's more, anyone who owns Powderly's house in the future will face higher bills with FiOS than another home with copper. Currently, Verizon's DSL plans cost as little as $15 a month. FiOS Internet starts at $30 a month.

"I was not given an option," said Powderly, a 30-year-old Long Island, N.Y., resident.

As it hooks up homes and businesses to FiOS, Verizon has been routinely disconnecting copper, many subscribers say. More than 1 million customers have signed up for FiOS. A Verizon spokesman said customers should have been notified at least three times: by the sales representative, by the technician, and in paperwork

Not true unless you rewire you house with fiber and strip the cable and copper. The house I just bought was built in the 60s. It had comcast cable wired in most rooms and verizon phone service (copper) from the street. I had verizon fiber ran to the house (free from verizon) from the street. I can drop them anytime and go to comcast. I can also get copper phone service. FIOS does not mean you forever give up the ability of those other services. Each one is delivered differently to your house but uses the same internal wiring. FIOS runs in my house over the same cable that comcast did for the guy that was here before.

[zephyp]

Shame on him for letting them take his copper wiring...not good and a dumb thing to do. If verizon did it without his authorization he should file a law suit...

[va599]

Follow up....I wrote a letter to the BBB and called Verizon back and was switched to the new package, with a $15 credit per month for one year and 35/35 for internet speed to the house....but am still in a two year contract, but now I am able to see my sportmans and outdoor channel so all is good!

[twerk]

I hate Verizon. I will never go back to fios again. Cox for the win.