Why I am now billing Verizon for my time.

Verizon has a terrible understanding of geography.

Two months ago, in the midst of the epic battle I’ve mentioned before, I received a late fee on my bill, which is set to auto-pay, which led me to call customer service and ask how such a thing was possible.

“It looks like we credited your account,” she said.

“Yes, because you had overcharged me previously,” I replied.

“That credit somehow made it look like you didn’t pay your full bill,” she replied. “That’s how you incurred a late fee.”

“Verizon overcharged me, credited it back, and then charged me a late fee for not paying the full over-charged amount.”

“It looks like that’s what happened.”

Ain’t it grand.

And now we start back at square one, where it always begins, with the International Text Message Ripoff.

Another bill has arrived, and Verizon sent me a text to tell me they took my money. Once again, they took too much.  Once again, they charged me as if my nephew’s text messages to his friends in South Dakota were international, and therefore 25 cents a piece. Once again, I responded.

Because this has to be the sixth or seventh time this has happened.

[blockquote]Dear Verizon,

1. Review my account and see if you know where this is going.
2. Look at my bill and find the international text charges yet again on the 605-xxx-xxxx phone account. These alleged texts went to exotic locations, like OTHER 605 AREA CODE NUMBERS, i.e. South Dakota.
3. Read this blog post: http://www.loneprairie.net/2011/10/verizon-international-text-messaging-ripoff/
4. Prepare for another one being written.
5. Refund my money.
6. I am also informing you I am a freelancer and I charge $40/hour. I have devoted 20 minutes to going through my bill yet again. This is lost time and income for me due to your continued half-assery. I have never charged you in the previous six or seven occurrences, but at this time, I am formally billing you for my time. Please deduct an additional $13 from my bill, since I have to do your job for you.
7. Have a nice day.[/blockquote]

And so we go another round.

Do you know how long it takes to go through every single text message numbers of a college student to find out if the charges are bogus? A very long time.

I am willing to send them an invoice for the $13, if that helps.