P
pledaru
Guest
I am from India and I working in USA on work permit since August '99. I reside in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I had shifted to a new apartment on 30th, December, 1999. I never had a telephone connection on my name till then. Since I moved alone, I requested for long distance telephone service from AT&T, Ameritech being the local provider. When I requested for the long distance service, AT&T has offered me the one-rate-plan, which indicates that all long distance calls will be charged 7 cents/minute and international calls will be charged at 55 cents/min. So, AT&T confirmed me on 30th, December, '99 that I will be enrolled to the one-rate-plan. Till february, 2000 I didn't receive any bill from AT&T. When I called AT&T and enquired about the bill, I was told that my account has only $50 to be paid and AT&T will not send a bill till this crosses certain limit. I thought AT&T was trying to save some paper. On March 15th, I was called by AT&T and I was told that my bill was $4900. I thought, what the heck and inquired from AT&T where the things went wrong. Then I came to know that I was not billed according to the one-rate-plan of AT&T, eventhough I requested for it. I was charged 29 cents/min for long distance and $3.8/min for International calls. By the way, I was billed from 3rd, March and not from 30th, December, '99. So from 30th, Dec, '99 to march, 2nd, 2000 all my calls were not billed. According to AT&T my service started on March, 3rd. AT&T people says Ameritech requested long distance service on behalf of me and it didn't enroll the one-rate-plan. I argued with AT&T, but in vain. I clearly told them that I am ready to pay the bill if charged according to one-rate-plan. But AT&T is not considering my request and is obstinate on paying the full amount. I am not financially strong to pay $4900. If this bill is recalculated according to AT&T one-rate-plan, I should get around $1200 bill. Please advise me on how to tackle this situation. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.