Discussions

I had services with a certain internet & tv provider for just over a year. I was on a 30% discount plan as I had a family member that worked there. I received my statement online on May 28th, for service for the upcoming month of June 6th to July 7th. As usual, I paid the balance in full.  
 
When I received my new bill on June 28th, the discount was gone, as well as they added the difference of the discount from the previous month to the new bill. My relative had left that job, without telling me.  
 
I immediately went to the other provider and got it switched over so that I only had three days of service with the old company for this current bill.  
 
They are saying the bill that I paid in full for the month of June was printed on the 28th of May, but my discount actually ended on the 29th of May so I am on the hook for those extra charges. The balance from the previous month on this new bill still says 0.00 as I HAD paid it in full.  
 
I would have NOT paid that bill, and would have immediately switched providers a month ago if I knew that was the amount I was going to have to pay. Why did they not send an accurate or new updated bill? Call me to let me know? Why am I responsible for their company's error? If I am paying a month in advance, that is like a contract, and by me paying it, it is me agreeing to that price. I would have had the option to cancel service, if I had I gotten an accurate bill.  
 
I should also mention throughout the last year I had countless issues of shows not recording, or just black screen when I tried to watch what had "recorded”, as well as spotty internet that would randomly cut out.  
 
These companies charge a fortune for their services, and seeing as I paid over $2250 to them, I am just a little irritated that I am being told there’s nothing they can do, that they “reserve the right” to be able to change bills & back charge me when they didn’t even bill me accurately to begin with.

So let me see if I am understanding your post.  
 
You were getting a discount due to a family member working for said company.  
 
Family member leaves job at said company and you now no longer receive a perk of THEIR job and you are upset?  
 
I’m pretty sure it says in the fine print they reserve the right to change the amount of your bill. I’m not sure why you think you would be entitled to still receive a perk from a family member that no longer works there?  
 
Yes rates are high, but I don’t think it’s fair to blame the company for charging you what sounds like their regular, non-discounted fees for services.

Maybe that family member should have let you know they no longer work there so you could have cancelled before hand. Yes you pay a month in advance but they don't know a month in advance that a relative was leaving. You are on the hook I would say.

I would have NOT paid that bill, and would have immediately switched providers a month ago if I knew that was the amount I was going to have to pay. I also have the right to discontinue service.  
 
Edited by Ashana, 2019-07-16 17:15:17

She really should have informed me, I agree. After I asked her about it, she said she was too busy and that was the last thing on her mind...  
 
Also she apparently had plans for over a month to move, so they knew about it. May 29th was her last day  
 
Edited by Ashana, 2019-07-16 17:10:48

I do not believe it is the fault of the company. I am sure the "family member employee" would have regulations agreeing to this. A close family member would have told you about it.  
 
But then again, if you did not know she quit, she was not a very close family member.

I can understand being a little upset. I think we all dislike being blindsided. In this situation, however, I would suggest that the majority of the blind siding was done by the family member and not the company. It sucks but, it is what it is. I would also suggest that, in the grand scheme of things, 30% of 1 months bill is a minor annoyance and not a catastrophe. I am glad you found out when you did and before it became a substantial issue.

So company A pro-rated your bill and only charged you the three days you had them, right? I don’t think it is one bit reasonable to expect the company to call you and inform you that your family member is quitting. Why would they want to encourage you to leave? The expectation is that the family discount is given to someone the employee at least is on contact with, so the onus is 100% on you and your family member in this case, if you wished to avoid paying full price for your service.  
 
The note about possible issues during the last year is irrelevant to the billing situation, that is something that should have been addressed during the service period.

i agree that service provider billing dates are confusing. I had planned to cancel and switch to a new provider and got stuck with paying 2 bills one month because of the confusion? i still dont understand it but the first company was insistent i still owed that month.

They are not responsible for your relative quitting. They would have no way of knowing they would quit and if you should be mad at anyone it should be your relative for not knowing. You are on the hook and I'm sure in the agreement it would say in the event of the family member quitting the benefits would end. Going in it should be common sense this could happen and the company does not owe any explanation or compensation especially because it was someone else's job.

While I know that the person is on the hook either way (as they say, ignorance isn't a valid excuse), I can see how the error can occur.  
 
I have dealings with both providers in the city and have run into this kind of confusion as well. Every other telco bill I pay is for the previous month's service. But for 1 provider, who seems to charge home services a month in advance. Normally not an issue, but a bit annoying when it comes to making changes. If I call in and make an adjustment now, the change won't show up until next month's statement. Unless I have my wires crossed lol.  
 
Why I just started writing the bills paid and confirmation numbers in a scribbler (along with dates paid and other pertinent info). Brought some sanity back into my record-keeping whilst still allowing me to go paperless.  
 
Well, sort of. Both providers still send a monthly paper bill. Funny how that is.  
 
Edited by Simonwalcal, 2019-08-05 10:25:01

I don't think anyone is going to feel bad for you since you were receiving a discount because of a perk of someone else's job. And the company is definitely not to blame. I'd talk to your friend. And if I was your friend and you complained about this even after I had given you my discount for who knows how long then I'd tell you to kick rocks.  
 
Now you have to pay like the rest of us.  
 
Woe is me lol.