I signed up for a cell phone and explained that I was going to San Francisco for a month and needed a plan without roaming charges. The associate signed me up for a plan explaining that the network went from the Northern part of Mexico all the way into Oregon.

I thought "cool". So I use the phone for a month in SF and for almost another month in So Cal before I got my first bill. It was $75, which was less than the taxes and fees I paid every month for a home phone!! I was very pleased. I made sure to stay withing my minutes so I wouldn't get charged. Everything was great...or so I thought.

Then I get the 2nd bill and it's nearly $500!!! The 3rd bill that came after was nearly $400. At that point I stopped using the phone and my last bill was about $230.

I called the cell-phone company and asked what the hell was going on. I stuck to my minutes, I was within the range of my network. I asked how I could have roaming charges on my bills! They responded by saying that those weren't roaming charges but that I was "out of network" and was being charged for that.

Isn't that the same damn thing as roaming charges?? How in the hell do you know when you are using another carriers satelite? Apparently the coverage area was large but you had to be in certain "pockets" so to speak in order to connect with my carriers network.

This fuckin phone cost me about $1,500.00 and I had to pay it because I signed the contract.

Can anyone tell me what plans they'd recommend to avoid this theivery?

WOW, I would dispute those charges Supa or file a complaint. As I understand the cell phone industry is suppose to be undergoing a change due to these types of complaints.

Supposedly they promise to provide customer with these services.

_Provide ready access to customer service.

_Provide coverage maps, illustrating where service is generally available.

_Disclose the rates and terms of service in every advertisement that mentions pricing.

_Promptly respond to consumer inquiries and complaints received from government agencies.

_Provide consumers specific disclosures regarding rates and terms of service for every rate plan or contract.

_Abide by policies for the protection of customer privacy.

_Clearly state contract terms to customers and confirm changes in service when initiating or changing service.

_Separately identify carrier charges from taxes on billing statements.

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[This message was edited Thu Sep 11 13:56:18 PDT 2003 by sag10]

Wow. That's horseshit. Wanna say who your carrier is? I've had some bad bills, but nothing like that. Give em hell, the greedy mutherfuckers!!!

i had my go rounds with the cell phone folks too... i finally won...but i had to argue my way up 6 or 7 levels to the area manager...

i used the example...if i gave you a pen...and said...no - it yours to keep for FREE...

but then came back after you used it and said...im sorry...you owe me 500 $ for the ink :LOL:


believe it or not...they bought it !!!

you can get out of it...if you try hard ...just dont give up :HUG:

I tried in vain and ended up paying that fucking bill!!

They had my signature on the contract...that's all they really need. The carrier was Pacific Bell and I will never patronize them again.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Wow. Did they show u where in the contract it outlined the "out-of-pocket" areas??? That's so evil and wrong that they don't go over that shit BEFORE the contract is signed. And I thought the occasional $150 bill was bad!!!

Sorry, Richard. They always screw the good ones.

that sux big time. i'd contest it, see if you can recoup now that your credit rating is safe.

But does anybody have an answer? How do you know when you are out of network?

I don't. And those bastards didn't explain it when u challenged the bill? Wow. PacBell is truly evil.

justkelley said: