ANY ADVICE PLEASE?? HUGE VERIZON BILLS

firekraker72 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

Good afternoon all,

I have been using Verizon’s EVDO modem for my internet connection for 2.5 years now. When I originally signed up, it was advertised as "unlimited usage." Last year when browsing this forum I did notice that some people were complaining that many companies where beginning to charge them for over usage against the agreement. I did not pay too much attention at that time since it was not affecting me. However, now it is!

I live out in the sticks and this is our ONLY form of internet. My son and I use the connection to play World of Warcraft and my wife uses it to upload her photographs for her photography business.

Well, long story short, over the past two months my Verizon bills have been $600. I paid them thinking either my wife or son was over using their cell phones. However, after getting another $700 bill today my wife called and found out they are now charging us 25 cents per gig for over usage on the EVDO connection.

I remember reading on this forum how some companies were sued for doing such under handed things. Can they break my agreement and do this? I have not updated my modem or signed a new contract. I can’t seem to find the old discussions in the forums about this. Do I have any recourse? Please any advice would be great.

Brandon

bucrepus · EVDO User Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 34

Sorry to hear that. Does the agreement you SIGNED state in writing 'unlimited data' or it was just told to you / advertised as unlimited?(I used a tape recorder and got Alltel to say unlimited on tape). If it says unlimited data, then I think you have a good shot at getting the charges reduced. (unless you are out of contract) It not, welcome to Verizon. I have Verizon wireless phones and Alltel EVDO. When my contract runs out, I'm sure I will be capped on the Alltel EVDO end (according to their web page.) If you haven't made ANY changes within about the last year to your service, this rule should apply...
(If you did, the new agreement took over)

'To the extent any condition in your Plan expressly conflicts with this agreement, the condition in your Plan will govern. If at any time you change your service (by accepting a promotion, for example), you'll be subject to any requirements, such as a new minimum term, we set for that change.'

However, like Alltel, they may have sent out a new terms and conditions to modify your service. I assume you signed a 2 year contract, and you're out of contract. They can change what they want now without a material breach, but I would try to argue with them and reduce your charges..

For a safer CAP, try Wildblue or Hughesnet. Not to good for gaming, but better than dialup and $700 a month..

offgridmontana · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:30 am Post subject:

Yeah, I live off the grid and either Verizon or Alltel are my only choices for Internet in Montana. Verizon does have a 10 GB plan for 200.00 a month, which is still small in today's Internet of larger pictures, videos, streaming, etc.. 5 - 10 GB would have been great back in 2001!

My bill for the month has been 400.00 so far, and it will reset in a couple days. I already cringe at paying 200.00. But what to do? Get off the Internet and go back to pen and paper, sending pictures by USPS postal mail, or pay 15,000 to extend the power line to the property and a lifetime of SMART power grid to run a DSL or Cable Modem? Mad

I hate searching for Wifi spots, which many are not open and free like they used to be. It's fun being in the mountains of Montana and online, like I am now, but dread tomorrow when I can only pay half my bill and have an accumulated usage bill floating like a credit card. I really hate owing my soul to a large corporate cell company.

Licklog · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 23

Instead of paying those $200 bills, I would opt to add a second account at $60 per month for an additional 5G. Even adding a 3rd would still be cheaper for your usage.

Osage · EVDO User Joined: 01 Dec 2009 Posts: 61

To off the gridmontana,

While there is much to be said about the Licklog solution you may have another option I am considering retaining

As a Verizon brand new 3G customer, I still have my old $10.00 a month ISP for dial up.

And while I am temped to go hog wild downloading video and the like, I am still mindful of that 5GB cap. And because I have a spare lap top with a dial up modem, I can hook it up, do some of my downloads and email using it, while I surf the web using 3G evdo on my main computer.

If the Verizon daily use stats they feed me are accurate, I am just managing to stay below that 164 MB daily allowance. And everything, no matter how slow, can help.

The other thing to point out that the new 7.2 version of Verizon connection manager allows the use of wifi hotspots without it counting towards the 5 GB cap. Which helps me almost none at all, its easier to slup my lap top to a public library 15 miles away and join their fast network for free. But if I have a pile of downloads to do and am going to town anyway, I am sure planning to use that technique also.

Hopefully when 4G comes, we will all be free of that delimiting 5 GB cap.

uvarules · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject:

Just a thought.. You said you had been using the modem for 2.5 years. You didn't get sucked in to renewing your contract did you by taking them up on the free modem offer did you??

I'm on month to month now ( my bill says unlimited) and I want NOTHING to change..If my PC5750 craps out, I'll pay list first for a replacement. I never ever, ever want to come off month to month..

VZ certainly has the option of changing those terms by proper notification...but you DO NOT go from unlimited to 5GB without some material change on your part or notification on their part.