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Broadband Bait & Switch

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Cable Guy

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Maryland

I live in a rural area and cable is my only choice for broadband. I called them and they wanted $55/mo, so I declined; too expensive.

I then was contacted by a door-to-door saleswoman who works for that cable co., and she offered me the service for $40/mo, so I accepted. I bought a cable modem, service was installed, I cancelled my 2nd phone line and old net provider, no problem. Then the bill came: $55. There was no miscommunication with the saleswoman. I have her price list with the $40 price on it, and she had explained to me that she was authorized to give better deals than one would get by calling directly. I have a friend who got the same bait & switch from the same saleswoman.

I called the cable co. & told my story to the manager, who just kept repeating "that deal is no longer offered". It seems to me I have a contract and they're in breach. (The saleswoman apparently doesn't work for them anymore; I suspect she may have been fired over this, but I don't know that.) Should I report them to the DA for fraud? I'm baffled that they won't make good. I refuse to pay the higher rate, and if I cancel, I'm out $100 for the equipment I bought and restarting my old services. What are my options?

Thanks,
John
 


stephenk

Senior Member
take the cable company to small claims court for the $15 difference. every month they don't lower the price, take them to court. you will win the difference plus your court fees. After a couple of times, you will get the lower price.
 

Cable Guy

Junior Member
I don't have a written contract, but it seems to me that the we had a legal contract since she gave me a price & I agreed to pay it, and I have written evidence of that price.

To take them to small claims court, I would have to pay the higher price & sue them to get the difference back. Wouldn't paying the full price ruin my case? Couldn't they claim that I "agreed" to the higher price by paying it?
 
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