satellite bill I'm not paying it

[dealingsdone]

Well I had my BK discharged about 6 months ago...NOW I have a satelllite company that has been terrible. They have not worked with me at all regarding improving the service i've called 9 times over 3 months to resolve one thing or another...meanwhile they have snuck some additional fees on my bills for the past few months. I've been paying all along, but frankly I feel ripped off and don't want to pay their damn bill, and I also don't want to return any of their equipment (boxes). I pretty much can't stand the company. I imagine if I follow through with not paying them they will ding my credit (which is already ruined obviously). They have my bank account number because they insisted on having it before Satillite was installed, but I'm going to change account numbers if that is what has to be done.

I am just venting here, but what would you all recommend. I"m pretty much determined to make them grab their ankles for being such jerks.

Thanks,
Dealingsdone

[Meatstick]

I would recommend that you close the account and then pay the final bill.

I would not just walk away and not pay as you will take a huge hit on your credit if you have something new show on your credit report after filing BK. Not very good thinking at all.

Good luck !

[GettingGoing]

I agree with meatstick. They will charge you $500 per box plus a ton of fees. It will eventually turn into a collection for a few thousand dollars. It may be difficult to work with them however its best that you dont hurt your credit any more. Good luck with this matter.

[ecsclb1724]

call and say you'd like to close your account... you'll be transferred to the cancellation department that will pretty much give you whatever you want to stay

[dealingsdone]

i can't cancel without incurring a large cancellation fee...they have provided terrible service and overcharged me and have access to my bank account and can pull money out whenever they want to. I'm done with this idiots. I don't think I want good credit anymore, just not worth the hassle. I think I'd rather screw over businesses that try to screw me over. They can waste their time chasing me. I don't need credit anymore in my life and am not likely to need much of it in the future either.

[Flamingo]

i can't cancel without incurring a large cancellation fee...they have provided terrible service and overcharged me and have access to my bank account and can pull money out whenever they want to. I'm done with this idiots. I don't think I want good credit anymore, just not worth the hassle. I think I'd rather screw over businesses that try to screw me over. They can waste their time chasing me. I don't need credit anymore in my life and am not likely to need much of it in the future either.

Cool heads always prevail. Friday morning call them and tell them you are going to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau if you don't hear back from someone in a supervisory position that will listen to your complaints. Tell them you will contact your local newspaper with your complaints and will also write a Letter to the Editor as to their shoddy service. Learn how to complain proactively to get attention and answers. If you have been late with payments, however, that is your fault/responsibility and not theirs and if you keep up the attitude you now have, you will never straighten your credit out.

[catleg]

If you have had the satellite service before the date when you originally filed for bankruptcy, then the contract is potentially voided by the bankruptcy action.

Now, this could be a problem if you didn't list the contract on your BK schedules, however, legally I think in theory your BK petition could be amended to include them.

So, assuming your stop paying, you potentially have a defense at least against any early termination fees, and chances are they would give up collections or negotiate a settlement given your situation.

But I agree with the other posters here, you need to learn how to stand up for yourself and argue with these big corporations, as difficult as that can be. Cancelling service and talking to "retention" is one good possibility. There is a website called planetfeedback.com which can be used to complain to big companies about service; essentially it is the same thing as writing a letter to the Big Co and addressing it to "Office of the President". The people who answer these letters are typically troubleshooters with the power to fix problems that get handed off among the lower level complaint centers in a company without a resolution.

When you bury your head in the sand with companies like Satellite companies, health insurance companies, gym memberships, etc. then the normal collection machinery just rolls on and on.

[gmk]

I agree with catleg's synopsis. If you persist with the company, you can beat these folks. Cable is a regulated industry (I'm not sure about satellite) and there is a state and oftentimes a local regulatory agency that I've found to be reasonably responsive.

In Georgia I had problems with my cable reception and they sent out the usual slew of cable guys to no avail. To add insult to injury I was billed for a couple of their visits. Read red cheeks. After inquiry I found out that the consumers interest was championed by the city hall clerk so after she got involved things started to happen and I was put in contact w' the regional chief. When all was wrapped up, my neighborhood got completely rewired and I received three months free cable.

One last aside, watch out for his one. I had complained about my Inet speed. The cable guy comes out gets on my PC and first runs the "speakeasy" speed test to Los Angeles. He goes around, fiddles with the connections and says that the connections were loose at the wall. They weren't, I had checked them prior. He then comes back and runs the speed test again to Atlanta and unsurprisingly a dramatic boost in performance is obtained. Great job, $35 bill. When I told he regional VP that one he sure seemed surprised. Probably not, someone has to train these folks in the finer art of skulduggery.

[Exployer1234]

I agree with everyone. I think you have to find someone who will listen in the company. Ask for a supervisor and if that person does not listen go to the next person in command. If that person refuses to listen ask who the President and CEO is and what their mailing address is. Send a letter to them and explain what is happening. I have had success doing this in the past with a former phone carrier. The last thing employee's of any company want is for you to make a complaint to the president of the company.

Also how much longer is left on the contract?

[LadyInTheRed]

If you take the excellent advice you've been given to communicate further with the company, be sure to keep copies of letters and logs of your conversations. If you get sued, you'll have evidence to show there were problems with the service, you made efforts to get the company to resolve the problems before you canceled your service.

[dealingsdone]

well I guess you guys have talked me down a bit...i'll return the boxes to the idiots, but i'm not paying anymore bills and penalties for breaking a contract these guys suck! I'm hoping to not have to change my bank account number to stop them from debiting at will.. What can I do?
Thanks,

[Flamingo]

well I guess you guys have talked me down a bit...i'll return the boxes to the idiots, but i'm not paying anymore bills and penalties for breaking a contract these guys suck! I'm hoping to not have to change my bank account number to stop them from debiting at will.. What can I do?
Thanks,

When you return them, put yourself in control and ask for a complete breakdown of charges due and an appointment to speak to a supervisor. Make a listing of your problems/bad service with dates, dates of phone calls, names of who you talked to, etc. which will help your situation and impress the hell out of the supervisor. Best of luck to you.