First, James and I had fun with our new playgroup this morning at Tunnel Voyage. It's our new Hippo Place, I think. He had fun running around, climbing, sliding and playing in the ball pit. And I actually got to talk to some of the other moms. This group does about 3 things a week, so we should be able to keep busy. And, of course, there is a monthly Mom's Night Out, which is always a highlight!
Now, here is a copy of the letter I have sent to the FTC and FCC. You don't have to read it. The basic idea is that US Cellular "done me wrong" and I am NOT happy about it. I'm sure nothing will come of my complaint letters, but it makes me feel better. I may submit it to Good Housekeeping, too. Don't cross a SAHM -- I'd so much rather bash US Cellular all over the internet than do laundry and clean the bathrooms during James' nap.
"We have had phone service with US Cellular for a few years. We liked their service and told others so, and got new phones and contracts when our old ones ended. We signed up for the nationwide calling plan, after looking at the coverage maps and seeing that they have coverage listed in both the Kansas City and Dallas areas, where we had family that we visit. (Of course we knew there was coverage in our home in the St. Louis area where we lived at the time.) We have since moved to the Kansas City area, and are finding that we do not get good coverage here -- we are frequently cut off, our reception is very poor, and (unrelated to reception) my phone turns itself off without warning or reason and without me realizing it. (On this last point, my fiance almost called the police one night to check on me, because he couldn't reach me, I didn't realize my phone had shut itself off, and I was home alone with a 2-year-old.)
I looked at US Cellular's web site to find a local store to try to change our phones to local numbers, to stop the roaming, only to find that the nearest was 64 miles from my zip code. When I called US Cellular, they confirmed that there are no stores or towers here and that I would continue to have poor reception. However, unless I knew someone who wanted to take over our contracts (do you know anyone who doesn't already have a cell phone plan who would like to take over one that doesn't work?) we would have to pay a $285 early termination fee.
I understand that I signed a contract. However, I feel that US Cellular misrepresented their services by including Kansas City in their coverage map, when they knew they did not have adequate coverage in this area. I would not have signed a 2 year contract if I had this information. I spoke with 3 people at the company about this, one of whom was a manager. I was not getting anywhere in resolving this, and in the middle of the call my phone cut out. Again, I have a 2-year-old (and I am in a wheelchair), we do not have a land line, and I now feel trapped with a phone that doesn't reliably work for the next 19 months. I feel that this is wrong on their part for misrepresenting their coverage area and is unsafe for me and my family.
Thank you. (I'm sorry this was so long. I am very upset.)"
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3 comments:
You have every right to be upset...you may get somewhere with the complaint letter..take it to a higher level if you need to!!
Have you managed to get out of the contract yet? I *SWEAR* I just read about this happening to someone else recently, and I think they were able to get out of the contract. I wish I could remember where I read it...
Ditto what Rachel and Sarah said. And not like this would be the easiest way to handle it but you might try calling the better business bureau or if you can get their corporate number. When my mom died we had to give Verizon a death certificate...unreal.
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