Freedom
10-19-2009, 01:04 PM
Several years ago, I started using a stenographer's notebook for notes of everything. I keep it by the phone and write down each time I have to phone a company, doctor office, etc. I take it with me to doctor appts and enter info there as well.
This was really helpful to ahve this in place once my Dad moved in with me. With all his various diseases, 3 pharmacies (VA, mail order and local) multiple doctors, 2 health insurances and one dental insurance, I needed to be able to look back and find things easily.
Last Friday, I finally made the switch from the digital cable company, to the FIOS service. I had to delay the change over by almost 2 weeks. I had the appt. all set for Oct 6th, and called my digital carrier. I was told I would have an early termination fee unless I waited until after Oct 14th. That wasn't so far away so I rescheduled. I wrote down the person's name, phone extension and what she told me, in my little notebook. Just as I always do.
Friday the Tech came out and made the switch, Saturday I turned in the TV set top box and remote with the "old" company. The person advised me there was a $180 early termination fee posted to my account, and I should contact Billing on Monday to get this sorted.
I just phoned Billing. Seems my contract ran through Nov 4th. According to her. So I told her, "I spoke with Gladys on Oct 1st at ext 1234 and she advised me I had to change the switch date to after Oct 14th to avoid that fee. I did that, so now I do not have the fee." I was polite, but I just kept repeating that. Finally, the billing person asked me to hold while she phoned Gladys.
She comes back on line and says, "Well, it is a grey area, but that is exactly what Gladys told you, and I understand why she said that, so I am going to have the fee removed."
YES!
You HAVE to keep notes of everything, please try to get yourself in the habit. This is not the first time my notes have been what saved me money!
Of course, it takes my TIME to get it all sorted. :D
This was really helpful to ahve this in place once my Dad moved in with me. With all his various diseases, 3 pharmacies (VA, mail order and local) multiple doctors, 2 health insurances and one dental insurance, I needed to be able to look back and find things easily.
Last Friday, I finally made the switch from the digital cable company, to the FIOS service. I had to delay the change over by almost 2 weeks. I had the appt. all set for Oct 6th, and called my digital carrier. I was told I would have an early termination fee unless I waited until after Oct 14th. That wasn't so far away so I rescheduled. I wrote down the person's name, phone extension and what she told me, in my little notebook. Just as I always do.
Friday the Tech came out and made the switch, Saturday I turned in the TV set top box and remote with the "old" company. The person advised me there was a $180 early termination fee posted to my account, and I should contact Billing on Monday to get this sorted.
I just phoned Billing. Seems my contract ran through Nov 4th. According to her. So I told her, "I spoke with Gladys on Oct 1st at ext 1234 and she advised me I had to change the switch date to after Oct 14th to avoid that fee. I did that, so now I do not have the fee." I was polite, but I just kept repeating that. Finally, the billing person asked me to hold while she phoned Gladys.
She comes back on line and says, "Well, it is a grey area, but that is exactly what Gladys told you, and I understand why she said that, so I am going to have the fee removed."
YES!
You HAVE to keep notes of everything, please try to get yourself in the habit. This is not the first time my notes have been what saved me money!
Of course, it takes my TIME to get it all sorted. :D