Cell Phone Bill Question

[HLAuburn]

I recently switched cell phone providers from ATT to Verizon.
On Nov 16, I moved (ported?) my # from ATT to VZW, but I actually called to cancel service (including my husband's phone that we did NOT move to VZW) on Nov 20.

So I get my final ATT bill and the "bill cycle" is from 10/15-11/14. However, the charges are for service 11/15-12/14. So if I understand correctly, cell phone companies bill a month in advance. The ATT bill is for basically 25 days of service after I cancelled.

I think that I should be responsible for the service between the start of the service month (11/15) and when I cancelled (11/20). So I've called 3 times and gotten 3 different stories. No one quite seems to get what I'm saying. I don't understand why it's so hard. What am I missing??

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[mnrose]

What did your contract with AT&T say? Were you still within the contract period? Is the minimum service period one month? If so, you used service, and therefore you'd be on the hook.

You say your husband is still with AT&T....so is this the bill for HIS phone?

And. while some cell companies bill a month in advance, some DO bill in arrears for SOME plans (arrears meaning you pay for service AFTER you've received it).

Keep trying with customer service. You deserve an explanation. Ask for a supervisor if you don't get an answer that you can understand.

 

[kimblebee]

I work for a communications company so maybe I can kinda help. Try calling back and asking for partial credits for the dates between Nov 20-Dec 14. Sorry if those dates are off, I'm doing this from my phone. You are correct that things are billed a month in advance. You are responsible for the charges in November while your cell was active, but that was only a few days. Be calm and polite, no matter what. Not saying you aren't being, bit the second the CSR hears sarcasm or rudeness, their desire to truly help goes down a little bit. It's wrong, but it's true. If need be, politely ask to speak to a supervisor. If they say no, ask again..everybody has a supervisor.

Good luck. Keep us posted. PM if you like

 

[Tozzie]

What did your contract with AT&T say? Were you still within the contract period? Is the minimum service period one month? If so, you used service, and therefore you'd be on the hook.

You say your husband is still with AT&T....so is this the bill for HIS phone?

And. while some cell companies bill a month in advance, some DO bill in arrears for SOME plans (arrears meaning you pay for service AFTER you've received it).

Keep trying with customer service. You deserve an explanation. Ask for a supervisor if you don't get an answer that you can understand.

No She said she cancelled her husbands phone but didn't move it to verizon.

OP Call back and ask to speak to a supervisor and escalate it from there

 

[kaytieeldr]

I wouldn't even start with a supervisor. Kimblebee offers excellent advice.

 

[sam_gordon]

Is there any benefit to going INTO an ATT store (if there's one close) with a copy of the bill? I'm wondering if it would be easier to explain face to face.

 

[msjprincess]

Looking online it looks like they may not prorate final bills. https://forums.att.com/t5/General-Account-Questions/Proration-of-Final-Bill/td-p/3854307

5.1 What Are The General Terms That Apply To All AT&T Voice Rate Plans?
You may obtain usage information by calling customer service or using one of our automated systems. Pricing/Taxes/No Prorationrices do not include taxes, directory assistance, roaming, Universal Service Fees, and other surcharges. Final month's charges are not prorated.

 

[LilyWDW]

Get out your contract and see what you signed and agreed to.

 

[mnrose]

Looking online it looks like they may not prorate final bills. https://forums.att.com/t5/General-Account-Questions/Proration-of-Final-Bill/td-p/3854307

Ah yes, the old "screw you" contract provision. If this is in your contract, OP, good luck to you.

A message to everyone KNOW THOSE TERMS before you discontinue service. IF that's what it says in your contract, you don't have a prayer of fighting it.

 

[low-key]

they get you coming and going

 

[LilyWDW]

Ah yes, the old "screw you" contract provision. If this is in your contract, OP, good luck to you.

A message to everyone KNOW THOSE TERMS before you discontinue service. IF that's what it says in your contract, you don't have a prayer of fighting it.

Heck, know your terms before you sign the dang contract in the first place. People don't seem to read contracts like this. They just sign without a thought as to what it may say. Once you sign, you are agreeing to the terms of the contract and saying "but I didn't know" won't help you a dang bit.