About to be unplugged
In a few minutes I am going to be unplugged from the world.
So, just in case you are planning ahead in your life take note. What name is your telephone account in? Decide which partner plans to live the longest and put the account in that person’s name.
A technician from AT&T is scheduled to arrive this morning and disconnect the existing DSL line. Then, he or she is supposed to install a brand new DSL line and plug. If all goes well I should be back on the internet this afternoon.
This is happening because I called AT&T to change the telephone billing to my name. It had been in Robert’s name for years. They informed me that if I changed the name on the account they would disconnect the DSL service. What? I was told it would take five days, at least, to get a new service in my name.
Finally, a supervisor told me I could have a whole new line put in just for DSL. This will cost something, but as soon as it is working I’ll be back. The rate on the new DSL line is less expensive than the bundled rate we had been paying. That’s odd.
This is happening because I called AT&T to change the telephone billing to my name. It had been in Robert’s name for years. They informed me that if I changed the name on the account they would disconnect the DSL service. What? I was told it would take five days, at least, to get a new service in my name.
Finally, a supervisor told me I could have a whole new line put in just for DSL. This will cost something, but as soon as it is working I’ll be back. The rate on the new DSL line is less expensive than the bundled rate we had been paying. That’s odd.
So, just in case you are planning ahead in your life take note. What name is your telephone account in? Decide which partner plans to live the longest and put the account in that person’s name.
posted by Christine Thresh at 9:01 AM
10 Comments:
thats ridiculous! why do they have to make things soooo difficult?
I have a friend whose spouse is in critical condition in the hospital. She called the cable company to ask about the billing and they refused to talk to her because she was not Roger. This makes no sense to me. Shouldn't both be on the account?
Gerrie,
I would advise your friend to have her husband call the service and give permission for a change of name and service billing. Perhaps someone who "sounds like him" can give permission.
I ran into this problem after Robert died. I called to have the name on the account changed. They said they had to speak to him to get permission. I told them he had died. They said they could change the billing to my name for the phone, but they would cut off the DSL because he was the one who signed up.
It is very strange. I have paying the bill for the last 25 years.
It is going to cost $200 to get the DSL in my name.
The technician has not shown up yet. That's why I am still online.
Aren't they just the most thoughtful people in the world? Talk about compassion. I'd talk to a supervisor (I know how awful those waits on the phone are) but I would - and tell them that they are overcharging for bereavement - see what they think of that. There is always someone that can make changes to account charges - if you can just find the right one.
Hope you are back with us soon!!
I too lost my husband a few months ago and have been trying to change some of the accounts around. Everything seemed a little easier 17 years ago when I lost my first husband, so I do know what needs to be done - I just wish the companies knew as much. Good luck to you. Sarah
I'm not hooked up to the new DSL line yet. The tech guy was here all afternoon. My main line from the street was acting up. Another man came and climbed the pole to run a new line.
The new DSL jack was installed and I have a new modem. But there were problems back at the switching office so I have to wait for another day or so.
We called (tech guy Francis and I) and asked that they NOT cut off my old DSL tomorrow.
I hope everyone has this figured out.
Oh, goodness.
So it's not enough that people are having to deal with grief and the practical impact of losing a loved one; they have to be put through the wringer in other ways as well. How "nice" that there's an institutionalized lack of compassion.
I sympathize - twenty years ago when Floyd died I wanted to change the name on the cable TV account, but they required a $50 payment! I talked to several "higher ups" and they were adamant. So, for fifteen years after he died the account was in his name. When a new cable company took over I tried again and "no problem" - it was changed with no charge. It did take about 18 years to get the bank to stop sending info to him, even though I had been able to close his account. Weird stuff. People die every single day, one would think they would have that figured out.
Del,
AT&T told me that I would be committing a FRAUD if I continued my telephone service in Robert's name.
That worried me.
The Powers that Be are often mad, in their approach to practical matters. At least you get to pay less!
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