I signed up with Sprint when I moved to a new residence about five years ago, was told I could also have a cell phone at no upfront cost and would receive only regular monthly bills starting on a certain (reasonable) date.
I keep detailed notes on everything, date, time, who I spoke to, what was said, etc. I learned to do that when I was in law enforcement.
FedEx delivered the cell the next day, I got it charged and activated, etc. So far no problem.
The NEXT day, I received a bill for over $266.00 due immediately, so I called customer service. The rep said she didn't know anything about $266 but I did owe $180.00 something, she had no idea what it was for, BUT, it was due immediately.
I hung up, called customer service again, got someone else who apologized profusely and agreed to cancel my (cellphone) account and remove it from my bill. He did send a prepaid bubble-wrap envelope to mail it back in. I mailed it back, they had to sign for it, and they have always acknowledged having received it.
BUT, it was on my bill for five months and I called every time. I spoke to 19 different people altogether, some nice, some a disgrace. I paid all legitimate bills and have proof, but, after five months cancelled my regular phone also and went with a local company, which was ok for a while.
When they started playing games with my bill, I cancelled and called Embarq, knowing they are just Sprint with a new name.
Anyway, Embarq signed me up, phone and high-speed internet. Was promised a first bill on or about a certain date, for approiximately XX amount of money and I agreed.
Well, the high-speed never worked right for more than a day, had to call cust/serv sometimes 2 or 3 times a day for the same problems. It would work for an hour or two and mess up, so I cancelled the highspeed after one week.
About ten days later, way ahead of schedule, I received the first bill, which someone in fantasyland must have gotten from reading chicken bones or something. It was double what I was promised when I signed up, not including the 'termination fee' for cancelling the internet after only one week of almost no service.
I called cust/service, got someone who could not explain the bill but assured me it was due immediately. I told him to cancel my account immediately and that I would pay what the sign-up rep told me plus taxes and that was all.
Next day, no phone and that's ok.
After that, I receiced a few bills from Embarq, then from a collection agency, which I just toss without opening.
I pay all legitimate bills and no more. My credit is shot because of them, and I really don't care. I will not, under any circumstances, pay a thief to rip me off.
There are some fine people at Sprint/Embarq who are very much appreciated. Then are there the morons, who, well, never mind.