Have FiOS? Pay attention to your bill! (Plainfield: sales, apartment)

[DowntownJerseyCity]

Signed up for FiOS at the end of September for our new apartment. When I called Verizon, I was under the impression that I was speaking directly with an employee of the company. As the rep and I were going over my order, he notified me that there would be a 10 dollar charge to my credit card for the install fee. I said fine to this and gave him my CC info. The next day there was a charge for 10 dollars to my account under "service VRZ install fee", which was expected.

Today I received the first bill from Verizon and I see there is this "15 dollar administrative and install fee", so I called up and told them the credit card as already charged 10 dollars to cover this. The woman told me this was not possible since they don't charge for anything before the first bill is sent. I flew into a panic, so I went back through my statement and see another charge for 29.99.

I called up Visa and they immediately canceled the card and have opened a fraud investigation. Long story short, Verizon uses a third party company named The Elephant Group based in So. Plainfield to book the appointments for most of the metro area. I googled the company and they are under rip-off report, fraud watch, and have countless complaints for fraud and misrepresentation.

Just a heads-up if you have FiOS to check your statements very carefully. Tomorrow I am canceling and going back to cable, since I think a canceled card and my account being placed under fraud watch is reason enough to dump them after 34 days of service.
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[AnthonyB]

I'm not a fan of Verizon, but the Elephant Group is a reseller. They also resell the cable companies, home security systems etc.

The warning should really be to be sure people are contacting the main company directly, not a third party reseller. Those guys are very aggressive in going after customers. I would also direct complaints about them to Verizon. If Verizon gets enough complaints, they may revoke their ability to resell.


As always, buyer beware.

[cocoaeve]

I have Fios and the only problem I've had with them is they double charged me for my deposit which was $125.00. I wasn't charged an istall or activation fee, thank goodnes..

I called Verizon and they quickly resolved it and put the money back into my account.

I haven't had a problem with them since but I pay attention to all my bills and how much comes out of my account.

I love Fios and my first bill was exactly what the sales rep told me it would be and I only pay $160/month which isn't bad for two regular boxes and one DVR box with over 1000 cang channels that I still haven't watched, lol.

I would call Verizon again and tell them that you are going to cancel your account becuase of this problem.and I bet they will do something to keep you.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by cocoaeve

I have Fios and the only problem I've had with them is they double charged me for my deposit which was $125.00. I wasn't charged an istall or activation fee, thank goodnes..

I called Verizon and they quickly resolved it and put the money back into my account.

I haven't had a problem with them since but I pay attention to all my bills and how much comes out of my account.

I love Fios and my first bill was exactly what the sales rep told me it would be and I only pay $160/month which isn't bad for two regular boxes and one DVR box with over 1000 cang channels that I still haven't watched, lol.

I would call Verizon again and tell them that you are going to cancel your account becuase of this problem.and I bet they will do something to keep you.

I know for a fact they will do something for him.

[KL72]

Originally Posted by cocoaeve

I have Fios and the only problem I've had with them is they double charged me for my deposit which was $125.00. I wasn't charged an istall or activation fee, thank goodnes..

I called Verizon and they quickly resolved it and put the money back into my account.

I haven't had a problem with them since but I pay attention to all my bills and how much comes out of my account.

I love Fios and my first bill was exactly what the sales rep told me it would be and I only pay $160/month which isn't bad for two regular boxes and one DVR box with over 1000 cang channels that I still haven't watched, lol.

I would call Verizon again and tell them that you are going to cancel your account becuase of this problem.and I bet they will do something to keep you.

I just signed up for FIOS and I'm worried about the TV and Internet taxes. They were not able to tell me how much they would be, except that it would be similar to other company's taxes, fees and surcharges. Comcast charges about $2/mo for taxes, fees, surcharges so if that is what it is, I'll be happy.

The deal I have is $90 for the first 3 months, and $116 for months 4-24, with 1 year agreement and $150 cash back. I have TV Extreme and 15/5 Internet, 1 HD set top box, 1 standard set top box, and 1 HD home media DVR.

Throw in Ooma for free monthly telephone (which is absolutely fantastic, I have it now for a few weeks), and I'm relatively satisfied with what I have and pay per month. Now I am still looking for an internet-based TV that is competitive with what I can get through a cable company, and I will be even much happier!

[ansky]

Originally Posted by KL72

I just signed up for FIOS and I'm worried about the TV and Internet taxes. They were not able to tell me how much they would be, except that it would be similar to other company's taxes, fees and surcharges. Comcast charges about $2/mo for taxes, fees, surcharges so if that is what it is, I'll be happy.

I checked my bill and here are the TV taxes I pay. I don't see any taxes listed for internet service.

Tax & Fees
State tax $1.54
Video Franchise Fee $2.26
CATV Universal Access Fund $0.32
Total Tax & Fees $4.12

I would never go back to Comcast. After canceling my service after moving it took them almost 6 months to issue me a refund for unused service.

[KL72]

Originally Posted by ansky

I checked my bill and here are the TV taxes I pay. I don't see any taxes listed for internet service.

Tax & Fees
State tax $1.54
Video Franchise Fee $2.26
CATV Universal Access Fund $0.32
Total Tax & Fees $4.12

That's not too bad at all, thanks so much!

[midagegirl]

I had one woman lie to me on the phone saying the digital boxes are included in the price which they are not they are 5.99 per box.

[cocoaeve]

Originally Posted by midagegirl

I had one woman lie to me on the phone saying the digital boxes are included in the price which they are not they are 5.99 per box.

One is included if you need additional it's extra. Same as Cablevision and Comcast.

[HeatherLynn822]

Originally Posted by midagegirl

I had one woman lie to me on the phone saying the digital boxes are included in the price which they are not they are 5.99 per box.

I don't think she lied.... the regular ones ARE free. The high def ones cost $5.99 per box.