MCI tries to scam on "late" fees
Written: Apr 15 '02
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Pros: None
Cons: Shady billing practices
The Bottom Line: Nothing redeeming - terrible service, terrible customer service.
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| bengalesse's Full Review: General Reviews of MCI Worldcom Customer Service |
MCI has absolutely the worst billing practice and customer service. I was using MCI as my cellular phone provider for exactly one year and cancelled the plan as soon as my contract was up.
The problem I had with their billing was that 10 out of 12 months the bill arrived at my home late, a day or two past the "due date." During the other 2 months, the bill arrived within 1-2 days of the due date so that even if I mailed the payment the same day, it would be late. I was accessed a "late fee" every month.
I called the customers service representative to complain every month. Each time I was on hold from between 5-20 minutes. The delay was due to the fact that they did not have 24 hour customer service at that time (I think they may have it now). I'm sure the delay was also due to the high volume of complaints they get from customers each month.
When I finally did get through to a representative, I was told that the delay in the mailing was due to the fact that the bills are not sent directly from MCI, but are channeled through a clearinghouse in Maryland. The bill is generated on a certain date (the date that appears on the bill) and that's the date it is mailed to the clearinghouse, not to the customer. It may take an additional 2 weeks before the clearinghouse processes and mails the bill. So, by the time, the customer gets the bill, it is either past due or close to it. I once asked the rep why they did not have a longer grace period if they are aware of the problem with the delay. She had no explantion.
The second problem with their billing is that it takes up to 2 weeks for them to process the payment once it is received. Between their delay on mailing and on processing, I doubt anyone was able to pay a bill on time. Again, it begs the question, why have such a short payment period and access late fees so ruthlessly if they are aware that the delays are caused by their own system. The only answer I can think of is that they are scamming people on late fees - counting on people not bothering to complain or not checking their bills.
When I called, they would reverse the late fees, but they always made it sound as though they were doing me a favor. Once time, they even made me fax them a copy of the envelope from the bill with the postal stamp to prove that the delay was on their end. I invested up to half an hour every month sorting out their billing mess.
I cancelled service the very same day my contract expired and I will never use MCI Worldcom again.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 39/mo
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Epinions.com ID:
bengalesse
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Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 0 members
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