May 5, 2004

SBC Communications Headquarters
175 East Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205

ATTN: William Daley

Re: Account Number XXX XXX XXXX XXX XX X


To Whom It May Concern,

Today I canceled my SBC Global and local phone line access. At issue? A “reconnect fee� of $32.30.

On my most recent bill, I was charged a “reconnect fee� for my phone that was never disconnected. After being bounced from customer service department to customer service department, and being told that my line had been disconnected for non-payment (also not true – I paid my bill in full – copies of all bills attached), I write this letter to express my extreme displeasure at this shoddy way of handling customers.

For disconnecting, I am told I will be billed at least $200 for breaking a legal contract. This letter is to notify you (with copies to my Ohio Senator and Representatives and, as necessary, to other authorities including the three Credit Reporting Bureaus) that it is not I who am breaking a legal contract – it is you: You have tried to extract fees from me for “services� you never provided. I refuse to pay this.

I am appalled at the way I have been treated, particularly over such a nominal amount. I am left wondering whether this “fee� is routinely assessed to consumers too busy to notice or too tired to challenge. Not so in this case: I will now take my telephone business needs elsewhere.

This letter puts you on notice that any collection activity or negative reporting of this to the credit reporting agencies will be prosecuted against you to the full extent of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and any and all applicable state and local code sections.

Corporate bullying in the nature of nickel-and-dime fees assessed to unwary consumers must stop in this country.


Hugshyhermit

cc: Senator Jeff Jacobson
Representative Jon Husted

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Boy, what a grumpy old fart!

Really, -- really! -- I was polite and professional with all the customer service representatives: I didn't raise my voice; and I told them exactly how I felt and exactly what I would do if it wasn't resolved. It wasn't resolved, and so I did as I said I would.

If it had been my Dad, he would have been screaming at them into the phone, veins-popping red-faced!

Anyways, I've cooked my goose. Calling around, no one offers service like SBC did in Dayton, or at least not at the low price (net "fees") I was paying. *sigh* Now I know how he feels.

I should have just paid the fee and shut the f*ck up about it, I guess.

And now I'm laughing because no wonder I'm single. Oh well.

Time for my prunes.