I do not receive your bill for any reason, do not pay it within the first 4 weeks of receiving the invoice(it is mailed @3 weeks prior to the start of the new quarter), or do not pay the full amount, whether by intent or accident, the company WILL still pick up your refuse BUT will put your account on "suspension" and charge you, the consumer a $35 re-instatement fee. Sounds fine, because most companies providing a service can and do charge reconnect fees. In the case of Waste Management, the do not ever inform you in any way whatsoever on your original invoice that there is a reconnect fee if they suspend service for non-payment, nor do they mail out late notices. They DO NOT notify the consumer in writing prior to imposing this fee. You have to pay the fee or they will halt service. And you, their consumer, have no recourse. In my case, my city has an ordinance requiring it's citizens to have trash service. And the city has a contract with Waste Management. As a result, if I refuse to pay a bill, not only am I charged a fee for reconnect from Waste Management, but I could be found to be in non-compliance of city code/ordinance and can be fined by the city up to $125. Waste Management knows this, so they charge whatever they want, and then you are forced to pay, one way or another.

I signed a contract with waste management three years ago, and the third month after I signed the contract, this company charged me $75 more than the contract price, saying it was for the overflowing charge. I was so frustrated since this is a rental property and I can not be there everyday to watch my trash can, so I called this company to see whether I could discontinue its service, and the agent told me if I discontinue, I need to pay a 6-month liquidation charge which amounted to more than $650. I gave up and patiently waited for this contract to be over.

Near the end of the three year term, I sent a letter to this company saying that I don't want to renew my contract when the contract is over. By the way, to terminate the contract, you have to send this company a written notice at least 90 days, but not more than 180 days prior to the termination of the existing term, guess how many business men or women can remember to do that? But if you don't remember, your contract will be automatically renewed and if you want to break the contract, you need to pay that hefty liquidation damage charge!

Well, I did that and I called several times to make sure this company got my letter (whenever I call, the call always needs to be transferred and after the transfer, always an answer machine), finally I got a call back, and the agent told me she didn't get the letter! well, I called to confirm the address before I sent the letter, and I used return receipt requested certified letter, the tracking from the post office showed her office did get the letter! Then I was asked to send the letter again, ok, I sent it and also saying the last month's charge needs to be prorated since it is only less than half-month service, the agent told me she will prorate it. But when the bill came, not only I was charged for full month service, there was also an extra $75 removal fee which is not on the original contract either. I called again and again, the agent finally returned my call, saying she will give me credit for this coming month's bill, but when the bill came, NO CREDIT at all except more charges such as late fee, administration fee etc., which means I need to run this painful cycle of calling, leave a message, no response, then call again, leave a message... the contract was over on 6/12/2010, until today which is 7/29/2010, nearly two months passed, this company can not even give me a correct final bill. Just think about how much time I wasted on this!

Besides this customer service issue, this company has billing issues too. My contract price is $115 per month, for the past three years, this company constantly increases its charges and other hidden fees, by the end of the three-year term, I am paying average $165 per month, which is 43% more than the original contract price.

I just found out that this company has been chrging me for an extra trash can for probably the past 8 yrs. They use to charge me in a lump sum but recently the billing system changes in the City of South Gate and now they break it down, which is when i noticed the fraudulent charges. I contacted the compnay but they have told me that they can only refund me for 12 months. They told me but they have not given me a credit. I am thinking of taking them to court. Any thoughts?

Waste Management applied a lot of hidden charges to my new account. I guess it's their way of welcoming new customers?.. As far as I'm concerned, they can come and get their green dumpster!! I am not paying for a bunch of hidden fees that were NOT disclosed in the contract.

From Pleasant Hill to San Ramon, CA. There is always problem and poor service by Waste management. Messed up billing system (pleasant hill 2009 Feb). Moved to new place, they failed to clear trash can two weeks in a roll. Wait a long time to have someone answered only to give another empty promise.

Are we american stupid or what? why allow a company like this to monopolise garbage services. Tired of complaining about this company.