Dealing With Outrageous Bill

[Niyi]

Dear Forum Participants,

Would be glad if I could have your thoughts on the best way to handle the issue below.

I have a package which includes 400 talk-everywhere which I subscribed to from VM to enable me connect with my family back home in my Country. I reached this decision having evaluated the convenience and the cost-effectiveness of the package which basically was around 18 pounds compared to average of 30 pounds I was incurring from Lebara with fewer minutes. Last month I got a letter from VM that I have overshot my Talk-everywhere allowance for more that 400 pounds within two weeks. The argument was that I finished my TalkEverywhere and the system by default moved me into Premium payment. If this revelation left me bewildered, the attendant cost and the amount I would have to cough out depresses in all sincerity and I hoped I never subscribed to this products in the first place. I have made several calls to VM Customer Service, but they seems to be adamant pointing it to me that it is my total responsibility to manage my account. All my entreaties, that as a business entity, they owed their customers certain level of responsibilities as well, why cant I be prompted or alerted before this get to this level. I found there excuses funny and I made them to understand that a little control on Customer's account will go a long way in minimising the attendant stress this type of this oversight can bring. Yesterday night, I found out that VM in their wisdom have locked me out: Broadband, telephone and television are no longer working. My letter to the Complaints Section has not been replied. What do you think I should do?

[New to cable]

Unfortunately as harsh as it seems you're probably best off paying your bill. Once the account is clear you could try writing in and explaining your position to see if you could get a partial credit.

But ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure you keep a check on the costs phonecalls you're making. Or any other chargeable services on your account EG Pay per view.

[Niyi]

Thank you for the advice. Just in the process of effecting the payment. I reckoned this is part of the culture shock!