Verizon vs AT&T vs Me

One of the decisions I have had to make since moving to Ohio was how badly I wanted to keep AT&T as my cell phone provider.  You see, I do not get coverage at the house or even in the surrounding 5-10 miles.  It is sketchy at best.  Verizon, however, offers good coverage. 

It would seem that given that little information, the decision would be an easy one to make.  However, there were a few factors to consider.  1)  I had been with AT&T for several years.  2) I was due for an upgrade in a month or two. 3) I had a plan that allowed for unlimited data usage.....Overall, I REALLY wanted to stick with AT&T.  But, I had to have reliable coverage.  A phone wasn't much use if I was missing calls or unable to use that unlimited data. 

So we decided to find out what my options were.  Basically, there were none.  I was stuck.  So I decided that *if* I could have the early termination fee waived then I would get out of AT&T and purchase a very nice phone from Verizon.  I called them again.   I talked to a retention specialist.  They reviewed my options.  They assured me the fee would be waived.

I was ecstatic, well, at least felt better about leaving.  I still lamented and complained.  And said how good they were on facebook.  But I knew it was for the best.  So I left. 

Here it is a week later.  I have my new phone.  I am loving it.  I have accepted the decision and am adjusting.  Then I looked at the final AT&T bill.  There was the early termination fee.  Now the retention specialist had said it might show up, but to just call and tell them it had been waived and we would get it refunded.  So we called.  They said there was no record of it.  They said we had to pay.  They said they never negotiate that fee. 

I am now pissed.  The thrill of a new phone is gone and my happiness is over.  I will be calling them every day for the next couple of weeks and possibly going to court.  I will be recording my phone calls.  I am *not* a happy camper.  At the very least I will be notifying consumer affairs and the BBB. 

Ugh.  Just one big stain on the road to happiness and adjustment in Ohio.

A FOLLOW UP........I called AT&T again the next morning, hoping I could better reason with a new shift....turns out I didn't even have to reason or beg or plead or anything.....I just mentioned the charge to the lady and she said let me look, looked,  and refunded the charge.  No fighting, no talking to a manager.  I decided the day shift was better trained.