Disconnection Fee???

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 02, 2008 Posts: 3

I have 2 lines with Vonage. I just cancelled 1 of them as I no longer needed it. I was shocked to see a $39.99+tax cancel fee!

What a nice scam they have going. In all the years dealing with telcos, I never came across anyone charging to stop using their service. I'll probably now cancel the other line. I don't work with companies who charge you for nothing.

I'm filing complaints with the BBB & public utilities commision.

Posts: 373 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject:

Read your Terms of Service. It is spelled out completely in there.
It has a cancellation fee just like your cell phone, satellite TV and many other contracted services.

tos_ wrote:

6.5 Fees upon disconnection.
(a) Disconnection by you. If you attempt to disconnect service before the end of your current service term, you will be responsible for all the charges for your current term, including unbilled charges, plus any disconnection fee. In addition, if you disconnect service that is based on a commitment before the end of the commitment, you agree to pay us the applicable recovery fee.

(d) All of charges owed at the time of disconnection will be immediately payable. We will pursue collection for unpaid amounts on disconnected accounts and may report these unpaid charges to credit bureaus.

8.7 Disconnection Fee (Does Not Apply to Business Plus Customers).
You will be charged a disconnection fee of $39.99 per voice line if your service is disconnected, subject to state and local laws. However, if your subscription date is on or after February 1, 2007 and is disconnected after 2 years following your subscription date, the disconnection fee is waived. If your subscription date is on or before January 31, 2007, the disconnection fee is waived if your service is disconnected 1 year following your subscription date.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Dec 02, 2008 Posts: 3

First, I have no contract with Vonage. Companies that do charge a disconnect or cancel fee at least tell you upfront & don't bury it in the legal mombo jombo. I just want to get the word out there about this practice.

I've been recommending Vonage till now. But I'm totally against someone charging to STOP using their service.

Posts: 373 · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject:

IF you would do a search on cancellation fee, you will see that it has been reported and complained about for years.
Cell phone companies don't tell you up front about cancellation fees either. It is written on the contract.
When you signed up for Vonage, you agreed to the terms of service. If you didn't read them, that is your own fault.

Posts: 832 · Vonage Forum Evangelist Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 832

George_ wrote:

In all the years dealing with telcos, I never came across anyone charging to stop using their service.

Actually, Cincinnati Bell charged me a fee to remove long distance from my POTS line. They were charging me $5.95 per month for the privelege of being charged $0.10 per minute for LD. To stop the $5.95 per month charge, I was charged a cancellation fee. So other Telcos do charge this, as do cable companies (if you are under a discounted agreement), cell phone companies, satellite TV companies, the list goes on.

Posts: 229 · Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject:

I agree, I find the practice distasteful myself. Unfortunately it is the norm as opposed to the exception. This is why you ALWAYS need to read your contracts before you agree to them.