Should I sue?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238284)
Walnut Creek, California
August 7, 2020 12:07pm CST
For the 17th time in the last 20 years, the phone in my Montana cabin did not work this Summer. I pay about $250/year to keep that phone up. The phone number has been the same since before I was born. I'm old enough to remember when it was a party line.
This Summer, the phone failure cost me more than $10,000, as I couldn't contact anyone to tow me and my leaky radiator into town. Driving it to town caused overheating, which led to valve issues. I love my new truck (my first Chevy), but didn't expect to be getting my beloved Xterra repaired, nor to be buying a new truck.
Yesterday, I called Century Link to ask how they are going to compensate me for the failed phone. I'm actually thinking of suing them, since both financial loss and mental anguish were involved.
After four transfers, and much time on hold yesterday, they recommended I call a certain telephone number. It was the number I originally called! When they tried to transfer me a fifth time, the line went dead. They had (accidentally, I assume) hung up on me. After an hour and a half.
What would you do in this situation? Should I let it go? Just cancel the service? (There's no cell phone service there.) Demand 17 x $250 and then let it go? Sue the heck out of them? I have not decided.
12 people like this
13 responses
@snowy22315 (208801)
• United States
7 Aug 20
I would consult with a lawyer and see if you have a case, if you don't I would at a minimum go through the BBB. They are pretty good about getting companies to compensate you.
7 people like this
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
7 Aug 20
@snowy22315 BBB, here I come. Step one is to find where Century Link's HQ is.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Aug 20
Go to the main office, jump up and down, scream and holler and threaten to rip their throats out?
Look into getting a satellite phone?
Learn smoke signals?
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
8 Aug 20
@TheHorse Just do as I did... fast talk your way out of there.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Aug 20
@BarBaraPrz If I could wind up at the women's prision I worked at, I'd be fine. They actually had a gourmet chef there. But I'm male, dang it, and I'm not willing to go all Bruce Jenner.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
7 Aug 20
I would try something. Send a letter documenting the entire saga, including dates of calls. Include your list of what you've paid for no service and what it has cost you.
Let them know you are seeking a lawyer's advice if they can not offer satisfaction.
Polite but firm.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
8 Aug 20
I could not, would not, should not let it go! If you can't get anywhere with the telephone company, I definitely would consult an attorney. If he says you don't have a case, find out who the powers-that-be are at the company and write a scathing letter. They don't like it when you bypass customer service and go for the throat.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
9 Aug 20
@LindaOHio What kind of business was it?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
9 Aug 20
@TheHorse Yes, good idea. I complained once to the BBB and heard from the company immediately. They don't like when you post a negative review. My complaint was that I called and called; and they never returned my calls.
1 person likes this
@piyushbhatia1 (11695)
• India
8 Aug 20
@TheHorse it is better to ask for money back.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238284)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Aug 20
@piyushbhatia1 I do wonder if they will pay for the truck repairs that were their fault.
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
8 Aug 20
The Customer Service of the phone company is not behaving well. Don't they have any Online complaint section?
You can ask some company(s) to start cell phone service in that area of Montana.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
16 Aug 20
@TheHorse Communication in hilly regions is a bit difficult. Some hilly states in India do have optical fibre cables in the last 20 years but there could still be certain issues.
@CinnamonGrl (7086)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
7 Aug 20
That sort of b.s. makes me crazy and raises my blood pressure. What a terrible time for the phone to fail. Ugh. With no cell phone service, I don't think you really can cancel it. Does CenturyLink have a physical office you can show up at?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Aug 20
I sometimes think the only ones who win when someone sues are the lawyers involved. Snowy's advice was good.
@Dena91 (17038)
• United States
7 Aug 20
Contact a lawyer, most time they will give a free consultation, to see what your options are. Being that they haven't held their end of the agreement that you have been faithfully paying for you may grounds for a suit. Chances are a lawyer speaking on your behalf they would be less likely to "accidentally hang up on"
Keep us posted as to what you choose to do.
1 person likes this
@akanetuk (2132)
•
8 Aug 20
Most of these companies do not understand the frustration customers go through, legal actions will make them sit up.
