SBC's Pathetic Customer Service

It was just two days ago that I called SBC Communications (million complaints, here are 1,2 ...) about a huge bill ($205) for a residential phone line. I have DSL and a basic phone line and I never exceed $80 average per month. So you can see that this month was a shocker. When I transferred my service, I asked repeatedly that whether my contract would be renewed and the CS at the other end conveniently said "No".

I did not want to renew my contract because I want to try out Time Warner's Road Runner or other cable internet providers. I was informed of a transfer fee and was fine with that. When I called SBC, it took me a good 30 minutes to get to a high-school customer service drop-out person at the other end. Her fourth language was English so I had to teach her as I explained her my problem. She told me that I had to "pay the bill" regardless.

I explained her while clenching my toes that I will but I need to know why my contract was renewed when I was explicitly told that it would not be but she hell-bent that I had to "pay the bill" and was "sorry if somebody gave me the wrong information." So basically, companies have a license to spew lies as long as "some other associate/customer service person" gives the information. What did she expect - that I'll give her the associate's name in a second as to who "lied" to me?

Finally after hearing her muttering and her frustration sighs (she was frustrated more than me and I am the one who has to fork the money), she transferred me to an "advanced billing specialist." This specialist immediately transferred me to another customer service when I told her my problem - apparently she told me to hold and transferred me without any notice whatsoever.

After 4 hours and the phone glued to my ear, I gave up. I had lost hope with SBC. That's when the God of Mercy came down and granted me an "English-speaking" woman who at least gave me a $25 credit. I had by then obviously decided to cut SBC from my provider and life. I have vowed not to part a single cent of my bloody income to SBC. These guys are A+ crooks!