Watch Those Due Dates

For the past 11 1/2 years, I have been with the same cell phone carrier. I've always been happy with them, but lately, not so much. My lack of satisfaction started last January when I had to replace one of our phones. I went in to the cell phone store and got one, it had an advertised rebate and the salesperson told me exactly what to do and gave me the forms and everything else I needed, and told me I had 90 days to submit for the rebate - I added that date to my calendar in the store. Sounds good right? I procrastinated around a bit and went to fill out the rebate information to submit, 32 days after I bought the phone. That's when I realized that I not only did the sales person tell me wrong, as the form said I had 30 days, but the rebate had expired on 12/31/10! Four days before I bought the phone! Strike 1.

Then, I needed another phone for the other line. I went in to get it, and the first phone I got wouldn't "unlock" my SIM. They ordered me a new one, but never called if/when it came in so I didn't get that phone. They said I could get one for $9.99, but I had to pay an $18 "upgrade fee" for a phone that was not nearly as good as the one I had. I'd lose my ability to buy the phone I wanted at a reduced rate later on. Or I could claim the "insurance" and get that same phone for a $50 deductible. Yes, that makes TONS of sense! I ended up buying the same phone for $30 at Best Buy. Strike 2.

So, I get online to pay my phone bill today. And I noticed that my bill was "past due" and the next month's payment was listed on there too AND a late fee. WTH? Ever since I've been with this carrier my bill has been due on the 2nd of each month. Today is the 30th. So there's no WAY the bill could be late. So, I looked closer. The due date had changed to  10/23. I looked at last month's statement. It was due on 9/28, but I had paid on that date so it didn't change anything. I looked at the month before, and the month before. Apparently, back in May the due dates had started changing, but I never noticed it. I wasn't paying late, but barely on time. Eleven years with the exact same due date and NOW they change on me, it never even occurred to me that it would suddenly change. Its definitely my fault, for not looking closer at the bills. I was checking the charges, but not the due dates. Crap. I'm thinking this may be Strike 3.

Yes, I should have looked closer, but its very frustrating to me that after 11 years of being totally happy with the way this company has done business with me, their WAY of doing business has drastically altered. I've been less than satisfied on several other occasions this year, but haven't dwelled on it too much. However, when my contract is up, I'm definitely looking into other carriers. I'm just not a happy camper.