Phone company

I recently attended a trade show and needed a phone line for the computer in our booth, I was told to call qwest to set it up. I was told from Qwest we would be charged $34.05 plus tax to have a phone line installed at the Motel convention center and to have it hooked up for one and a half days. The company took out $68.00 out of our checking account for a deposit, I happened to call three days later to see what the exact charges were and how we get the remaining of the deposit back. The phone line was not disconnected at that time, they now told me I had to call back. They could not tell me the charges since it was so new. I got the bill and it was over $250.00! They told me they did not record the phone call at hook up, are they just saying that? There were no long distance charges on this bill, I even restricted that when I got it hooked up. These charges were for hook up and business account monthly statement.

As a retired Bell System employee, I can just about guess what has happened with your telephone bill. The 34.05 was a pro-rated amount of a one month business service line. (I know they told you different, but they are probably not well trained in service order procedures.) The following items may appear on your final bill:

Installation fee, one time
Feature charge for LD restriction
Order charge to write up the order.

They should provide you with an itemized bill. If they do not, then call their customer service line and ask to speak to a supervisor. If that does not bring satisfaction, contact your state public utilities commission and file a complaint. (This assumes Qwest is a regulated telephone company in the city where the convention hall is located.)

"This is not legal advice, and you should contact a lawyer, if you feel legal advice is needed."