A cell phone fiasco -- this girl on the go left with mixed signals on why she owed big bucks with no way out. Quick -- how long is left on your cell phone contract? If you tried to cancel right now, would you have to pay a fee? When the fine print in one contract threatened to put one caller's conversation on permanent hold, she quickly dialed up "Help Me Hank".
Jessica Tyrrell and her cell phone -- talk about inseparable.
Jessica Tyrrell, Cell Phone User
"I usually carry it with me like this..."
And we do mean talk -- a medical job by day, bartending at night, plus an active social life all adds up to some serious minutes.
Jessica Tyrrell
"It's really important to me."
And after almost two years of non-stop chatting her phone was on its last beeps. So, Jess headed to the phone store, got a cool new upgraded phone and increased her minutes.
Jessica Tyrrell
"All was great all was said and done"
A few months later, her initial two-year contract was up, Jess decided to switch to another service. But when she called the company to cancel, they said she was locked in for two more years.
Jessica Tyrrell
"And I was like, ‘I know I'm not in contract with you for another two years.'"
The phone company said you are too, fax us your contract, that is what you signed up for! Jessica insisted no way, her contract says upgrade only.
Jessica Tyrrell
"And they were treating me like I was stupid."
She thought the fax would put them on notice, but instead she got this notice for a $150 early termination fee.
Jessica Tyrrell
"I know a lot of people don't think its a lot, I do, but I didn't owe it, maybe that's the bottom line."
But the bills kept on coming…
Jessica Tyrrell
"Every other week I was getting one."
When they threatened to send her to collection agency, Jess got off the phone and online.
Jessica Tyrrell
"I was like, ‘I'm going to e-mail Help me Hank.'"
So we looked closely at Jessica's contract, it clearly says upgrade only and what is more, she did not initial her agreement to a two year contract or an early termination penalty.
Hank on the phone
"Do check the contract, you just can't charge her that fee now, her obligation has ended."
We faxed them another copy of the contract and soon after they agreed the termination fee was terminated...
We tried to call Jess to tell her the news and once we got past the busy signal, she had one more thing to say.
Jessica Tyrrell
"Extremely happy that I didn't have to pay it because I didn't owe it."
Cell phone contracts are full of stringent rules and fine print, so make sure you know exactly what you're signing up for. If you're fighting a consumer battle maybe I can help.
