Did I get scammed, or wasn't I paying attention?

[hedgehog]

So my cell phone company calls me several times trying to get me to renew my contract at a lower monthly rate and offering me a free new phone. I don't want a new phone, my old phone works fine. I don't want a camera phone; I use a camera to take pictures. But I'm too polite to just hang up, and the connection is pretty bad. I can only get 2 out of 3 words. The caller rattles on something about keeping my number with the new phone, but I'm not really paying attention since I have no intention of switching phones. There doesn't seem to be any point in not reducing my monthly bill, so I tell them fine, renew my contract and send out the phone.

So the phone comes and I set the box on a shelf. I get double billed the next month, which I figure is one last bill for the old contract and the first bill for the new contract. The following month I check the bill moree closely and realize I'm bering billed for two lines even though I never activated the phone. I call up the company, but they tell me I am past the 30 day remorse period and can't cancel the contract without penalty.

So my question is, is this something unique to me or part of a bigger scam?

[Greyhound]

1. See this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1027547

Everything is becoming a scam because there are no penalties for it anymore.

[hedgehog]

2. That thread inspired my thread. I know enough to be suspicious of getting

anyhting "free", but I've done business with this company for 30 years! I noticed that they've recently merged with or been absorbed by one of the baby bells. Maybe that has something to do with it!

[Robbien]

3. The only thing I ever say to phone telemarketers is

"take me off your call list".

They have to stop talking and stop the calls.

I hear one is never supposed to say the word yes when talking to phone telemarketers. Even if they ask you a question such as are you having a good day. Any yes to any question is saved and used as evidence by them that you agreed to their offer.

[hedgehog]

4. Purportedly this was my cell phone company. That's why my alarm bells didn't go off.

I'm really wondering if this is part of a national campaign and if other people got caught the way I did.

[Robbien]

6. My phone company use to call and make all kinds of offers to me

so I expect your phone company is doing this as just standard operating procedure. Are others getting caught like you did, I say yes, you betcha. It is why phone companies continue to keep making those calls.

[mnhtnbb]

5. When my 17 yo son answers phone and it's a telemarketer he tells them

we don't have a phone and hangs up!

[geek_sabre]

7. I'd go with "not paying attention"

Never agree to something you can't hear! Ask for the offer in writing. Don't expect any company to have your best interest at heart. Just because you're a loyal customer doesn't mean they won't go for that extra buck.

[pitohui]

8. never talk to a salesperson on the phone not even to say yes or no

it is a scam, they can piece together anything you say now to make it sound like you said "yes" to the scam

inform your state attorney general of what happened and for future reference do not pick up any phone and talk to anyone you don't already know unless you expect the call (say it's from your doctor's office or something)

the only safe conversation you can have w. a telemarketer is to hang up immediately without voicing ANY words

[givemebackmycountry]

9. Can you tell us who the carrier is?

Because if it's the company I work for, maybe I can do something for you.
I can run interference for you and if you did get scammed - maybe void this deal altogether and get your account credited.

Let me know who the carrier is and if it's US, I will send you a PM.

[hedgehog]

11. I have written to State Attorney General Cuomo already

Nothing like living in a state where the Attorney General's post is a step to higher office! Our guys work for us 24/7! The company is Sprint-Nextel.

[tammywammy]

10. I'm gonna vote "not paying attention"

Sorry.