CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
A few weeks ago I asked for input on changing my cell phone provider. After sorting through all the options (the "V" company and AT&T are the only two carriers with decent coverage in our corner of the world) I decided to go with the new AT&T GSM system. Part of the decision was based on the fact that the rest of my family is on AT&T and so I can do all kinds of free mobile-to-mobile minutes. Overall it also costs less than "V". AND over the years the "V" people had consistently treated me like dirt when I needed help.

Things didn't change today when I tried to cancel our old "V" account. I went into the "V" store and told them that my contract was up on August 2nd and that I'd like to turn the service off then.

"Oh, you'll have to come back then," said the manager. "If we turn if off today there will be a $150 early termination fee."

"No, you don't understand," I said. "You don't have to turn it off today. Just set it up in the computer so that it turns off next Monday."

"There is no way to do that," he said.

"Sure you can. You guys are big time!" I replied, in my politest but firmest voice.

"No, we just can't. You'll have to do it on or after the 2nd."

"Well, I suppose you can't then... And that's one of the reasons we're not renewing." I walked out the door shaking my head.

Why is it that such a competitive business breeds such a customer unfriendly environment? It just doesn't add up.
 
By the way, so far the AT&T has worked great. Even the GSM sound quality is better than the digital signal I had with the previous provider.