Your Questions About Internet Business Phone Service
Mark asks…
What are my rights in breaking a rigged contract?
I signed a 2 year contract for fiber optic TV, phone & internet service in a discounted “bundle” package. I’ve since been overcharged 3 times because they decided not give me the bundle rate. They can’t be contacted by phone or email. It will cost $199 to cancel the contract. I refused to pay them until it’s corrected & now they leave threatening messages on my asnwering machine demanding more money. Is a lawyer the only way to go now?
Jere answers:
First, you should go the the Better Business Bureaus website, www.bbb.org. On their site you can research a company and see if they are a member of BBB, see if any complaints have been filed against the company, and a last know address and telephone number should be listed.
If you find the necessary information to contact the company, I would do so, make sure to ask to be on a recorded line for quality assurance purposes, do not use any foul language and present your issue in a courteous manner. If the customer service representative that you receive can not resolve your issue, ask to speak to their supervisor or manager. This may require a call back, so make sure you note the date and time you spoke with the customer service representative, any ID/name they provide you with at the beginning of the call, any reference number they provide you with, and what department they are in. You will need this information at a later time. Usually, a promise of a call back from a supervisor or manager is within 24 hours of your request. Make sure to add, that if you do not hear back from the supervisor or manager, you will be filing a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office, this should ensure you receive a call back. If and when you receive a call back, make note of the same information I provided above and once again request that you call is on a recorded line for quality assurance purposes. If your issue is still not resolved, go forth with placing a complaint with the Attorney Generals Office.
If you can not find the company on the BBB website I would go to your state’s Attorney Generals website. There you can file a complaint against the company, the department that would handle your complaint would be Consumer Affairs. Be very specific in your complaint to the details of your issue. This will ensure that your complaint will be investigated and resolved. Best of all this is a free service which assists you with legal matters. The Consumer Affairs Department, does all of the research and investigation and imposes what remedies the company must provide. To find their website type in your state followed by Attorney Generals Office. The website will look like this www.doj.your states abbreviation/consumer/. We will use Maryland as an example; www.doj.md/consumer/. Make sure to include all of the avenues you have tried to rectify the issue, including trying to locate them on the BBB website. The more precise you are in filing you complaint will result in the best outcome.
In conclusion, keep making your monthly payment that was greed under the contract, this will ensure not interruption in service and no cancellation in your contract. If you require additional assistance, please contact me.
Best wishes.
Richard asks…
What taxes and surcharges can I expect on a Small Business Fios Account for phone service?
Traditional phone lines charge a “dial tone charge” on top of any taxes, does a Fios Small business phone line also charge a dial tone charge? I am aware there is no such charge on residential lines once switched to Fios but does the same apply to Small Business Accounts?
Any insights on what additional charges in taxes and fees on top of their advertised prices would be great! I am specifically interested in the phone and internet surcharges and taxes on business accounts that switch to Fios. Thanks in advance.
Jere answers:
I took a look at their site, didn’t really see anything on it.
My suggestion would be to call customer support
1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)
Steven asks…
I am a married woman with an 8 year old in private school. Can I write off her tuition?
I work trade shows and other events. I have travel expenses which I know I can write off,plus,make up,hair care,clothing,but how can I write off internet,cell phone,and other things that I use to get my jobs and DO my jobs? There is no way for me to tally up what was a business call and what was personal…..nor can I determine how many hours I was working on the computer and how many I was…..ummm on here (0; I also want to know if I can write off my daughters school tuition? Also, what is this new tax credit related to home phone service? I also heard that it is about $60.00 return but this is the last year you can get this. We also own a home and any insight on what we can write off on that would be much appreciated!! Are there any secrets for people like myself that are self contracted workers? Ok, one more thing…..since I am writing a lot of things off and I make less that 50k can I do my taxes 4 free online @ the IRS website? If so, how do I do that?
I was told all my personal care items ARE deductable since I have to wear certain style business suits and attire for some events and I also HAVE to look a certain way and ,makeup,hair upkeep, and nails and part of my job descriptions. Is this not correct? If so I have about 50 ladies that are breaking the law. They even deduct boob jobs and gym memberships.
Can I efile even if I have paper receipts and numerous deductions? I did make less than 52k
Jere answers:
Makeup, Haircare,are not deductible on the Federal Tax return. Those are considered personal care items
Clothing is only if it is for a Uniform that you are required to wear and it can not be worn as every day clothing.
Internet and and cell phone only the portion in relation to your job
Daughters Tuition, NO, only Post secondary educational expenses (colleges, university) are deductible
The Telephone Excise Tax credit is a one time credit with a maximum deduction of 60.00 based on the number of exemptions claimed on your return.
Mortgage Interest on your home is deductible if you are Itemizing your deductions rather than taking the Standard deduction for your filing status.
Http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=164032,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p936/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p529/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch26.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/index.html
Sandy asks…
Is anybody out there actually going to buy an iPhone?
It seems like a ripoff considering how expensive they are and you’re only getting 4gb of space for music and movies. Yeah, you can surf the Internet, but that’s why we have laptops. Also, I’m not sure if it’s true, but while watching a business show on MSNBC yesterday, they mentioned that the phone service costs 100 dollars a month. To me, the iPhone doesn’t seem like a great investment.
Jere answers:
I’m not paying a $100 a month for mobile phone service. I don’t know how much they cost but if they are expensive (meaning more than a couple hundred) then I pass. They will come down in price and someone will notice every shortcoming it has and come out with something better and cheaper. I don’t need a phone with movies or even music on it. Going to internet would be good though. A camera can be handy.
Charles asks…
How much trouble can I get into for Prank Calling?
Hey well I use a Internet phone service called Skype to prank people, and conference call them together with businesses. My number isn’t displayed on caller ID. Is there any way that what I’m doing can be traced, and if so how much trouble can I get into for doing it?
Jere answers:
Ultimately, if the people you’re pranking are determined enough, the call can be traced but only through the company skype
hope this helps 🙂
and if you get the chance, please sign my guestmap, thanx 🙂
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