what to do -- billed sky high intl phone rate charges

[supernova87a]

Hi all, this is a little bit random, but I thought you all might have good advice since you probably call international more than the average person!

A friend of mine got socked with a huge (like several hundred $) phone bill because he found out that a person in his house (long story) was making calls to Hungary. The thing is the phone company really bends you over when you don't choose an international calling plan -- the rate was like $2 per minute, outrageous when you consider it should be like no more than 10 cents.

The question is this -- is there any way, aside from whining and pleading to the phone company -- that he can negotiate this? He's going to go after the person to get the money back, but I wonder if there are other options ?

Have you all encountered this problem before?

Thanks for your advice!

 

[her209]

they wont bend.

 

[Eli]

Tell your friend to disassociate with people who like phonesex with Hungarian men.


😉

 

[rival]

i dont think you can do things, get billed for those things, and then ask them to not make you pay...last time i checked anyhow..maybe amex will wave the $3k i owe them if i ask them nice enough

 

[whaleskinrug]

Try and see if they have a plan they can retroactively add you to. I got a $1400 bill a few years ago because I was billed at 1.20 rather than .17 minute that I was assured through my carrier. Apparently, I had been "slammed" -- luckily, by officially changing to the other carrier they reduced the bill to less than $200 (I then changed back again later to the preferred carrier). It took many tries but I finally convinced them that I thought I was with the other carrier (as did that carrier) and that I was unable (actually, unwilling, but I did not say that) to pay them the full amount.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: whaleskinrug
Try and see if they have a plan they can retroactively add you to. I got a $1400 bill a few years ago because I was billed at 1.20 rather than .17 minute that I was assured through my carrier. Apparently, I had been "slammed" -- luckily, by officially changing to the other carrier they reduced the bill to less than $200 (I then changed back again later to the preferred carrier). It took many tries but I finally convinced them that I thought I was with the other carrier (as did that carrier) and that I was unable (actually, unwilling, but I did not say that) to pay them the full amount.

Best to try that. Otherwise have your friend pay a guy named Vinnie with no neck 50 bucks to visit the offender. He will be out the 50, and it may be the rest too, but satisfaction will be had. 😛