Verbal Contract with phone company

[x_harmoni_x]

I had Centurylink in FL for my tv, phone and internet service. I canceled their service at the end of December because the price for tv almost doubled. When I called to cancel I was told I was in a 24 month contract. I never signed anything and have no bills showing a contract start or end date. I have been in conact with their customer service via facebook who is still telling me I owe them $247. When I do searches on verbal contracts I find that in FL they can't be for longer than 12 months. Does that apply to this kind of contract?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

First, Facebook is not how you should be contacting their customer service department. Call them. Ask them to show where you agreed to a 24-month contract. I'm betting they will be able to.

 

[x_harmoni_x]

First, Facebook is not how you should be contacting their customer service department. Call them. Ask them to show where you agreed to a 24-month contract. I'm betting they will be able to.

Facebook was the only way that I could get conversations in writing. I refuse to have a phone conversation with anyone since they will not grant me access to the recordings.
When I asked for the contract information I was told it was on all of my bills under "a 24 month promotion". No where did it say contract.
The facebook rep did resolve my other 2 issues, they corrected my final bill (I was being charged a early termination fee twice) and got me the prepaid return equipment box that the phone rep never sent me.

 

[quincy]

Facebook was the only way that I could get conversations in writing. I refuse to have a phone conversation with anyone since they will not grant me access to the recordings.
When I asked for the contract information I was told it was on all of my bills under "a 24 month promotion". No where did it say contract.
The facebook rep did resolve my other 2 issues, they corrected my final bill (I was being charged a early termination fee twice) and got me the prepaid return equipment box that the phone rep never sent me.

If you want all of your communications in writing, send formal letters (certified, return receipt requested). Ask to be sent a copy of the contract for service that shows you agreed to a 24-month commitment.

 

[x_harmoni_x]

This is supposedly my contract:

 

[quincy]

So you received a discount by signing a 24-month contract.

 

[Zigner]

You happily paid the bill for 12 months - that's a pretty strong indicator that you had no problem with the agreement.

 

[LdiJ]

I had Centurylink in FL for my tv, phone and internet service. I canceled their service at the end of December because the price for tv almost doubled. When I called to cancel I was told I was in a 24 month contract. I never signed anything and have no bills showing a contract start or end date. I have been in conact with their customer service via facebook who is still telling me I owe them $247. When I do searches on verbal contracts I find that in FL they can't be for longer than 12 months. Does that apply to this kind of contract?

If you want all of your communications in writing, send formal letters (certified, return receipt requested). Ask to be sent a copy of the contract for service that shows you agreed to a 24-month commitment.

And if you were committed to a 24 month contract they should have been committed to that same contract as well, therefore they should not have been doubling your prices.

 

[Zigner]

And if you were committed to a 24 month contract they should have been committed to that same contract as well, therefore they should not have been doubling your prices.

Careful there - the discount was on the equipment, not necessarily the service.

Let me clarify: It's obvious that the OP's promotion had varying expiration dates. Part of it expired in Dec of '18 and part expires in Dec of '19.

 

[quincy]

And if you were committed to a 24 month contract they should have been committed to that same contract as well, therefore they should not have been doubling your prices.

It depends on the terms of the contract what the rate for service is. Many companies offer an introductory rate and discounts for the first 12 months IF the consumer commits to 24 months, at which time the rates can change.

 

[x_harmoni_x]

You happily paid the bill for 12 months - that's a pretty strong indicator that you had no problem with the agreement.

The tv bill almost doubled for the month of December. I went from paying $153 and change to $220 and change. That is why I canceled. I couldn't afford that price hike.

 

[x_harmoni_x]

Careful there - the discount was on the equipment, not necessarily the service.

Let me clarify: It's obvious that the OP's promotion had varying expiration dates. Part of it expired in Dec of '18 and part expires in Dec of '19.

Right, and the rep from Centurylink is saying that the one promotion for 24 months was my "contract". How can one promotion amount be a contract when the others that expire at different times are not? This is definitely meant to be deceitful and confuse the consumer.
I have absolutely nothing else showing a contract start or end date. Just "promotions".

 

[x_harmoni_x]

It depends on the terms of the contract what the rate for service is. Many companies offer an introductory rate and discounts for the first 12 months IF the consumer commits to 24 months, at which time the rates can change.

Right, my argument si that the amounts were not disclosed. Nothing was listed as "introductory". And when I agreed verbally to a 24month contract I received no new contract with my first bill and was told new "promotion" would be available after the first set of promotions expired.
When I tried to get new promotions, the only offer was to change my tv service from prism tv to direct tv which technically would have voided the contract anyhow, but they would have allowed it because I was still a customer.

 

[Zigner]

And when I agreed verbally to a 24month contract I received no new contract with my first bill and was told new "promotion" would be available after the first set of promotions expired.

Yeah, that's how it works. When the current promotions end, you can then get whatever new promotions are in effect.

When I tried to get new promotions, the only offer was to change my tv service from prism tv to direct tv which technically would have voided the contract anyhow, but they would have allowed it because I was still a customer.

Right - they would have agreed to an early end to the contract. There's nothing wrong with that. A contract can be changed when both parties agree to the change.

 

[Zigner]

The tv bill almost doubled for the month of December. I went from paying $153 and change to $220 and change. That is why I canceled. I couldn't afford that price hike.

$153 to $220 is not "almost double" - it's less than a 45% increase.