YOUR COMMENTS

Just received yet another bill from Fairpoint showing "Past Due Charges". Here's the problem...the bill say that you have 4/6/09 to pay the bill, then they issue new bills on 4/3/09. If you are shooting for payment on the due date -- you're going to be a late payer. I just hope this isn't affecting my credit.
- Linda, Manchester, NH

I just found these extra charges on my bill today. I have been dealing with FairPoint for a long time now and they have been nothing but trouble... I have to call them every week it seems and am usually on the phone all day trying to get through to customer service, who has hung up on me several times.

So, it looks like I get to spend yet another day calling them just to stop these crammers which shouldn't have been there in the first place. Yay.
- Tim, Ellsworth, ME

Verizon did Fairpoint NO favors during the switchover. FairPoint is correcting the billing issues. This is the largest telecom cutover in telecommunications history, and one that is converting information from Verizon which was many decades old, to a new database that will, in the long run, service customers better.
FairPoint is not happy about how this has all played out either. It has been very challenging trying to put out all the fires, but they are coming close to the end of the major issues and looking forward to providing awesome service and making customers "raving fans". If you check their track record in the other states they service, their record for customer service is fantastic and it will be here too.
The new database didn't jive well with Verizon's old and outdated database, but when the dust settles, you will have a better company serving you than Verizon was. Verizon didn't care about the small businesses or building out services in rural Maine, NH and VT. They sold this market segment because they wanted to concentrate on the Enterprise accounts in Mass and CT.

Fairpoint is dedicated to our market segment. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Have patience and compassion for a company who is trying to do what's right: Build out a new network (NGN) for ME, NH & VT, give customers phone, internet and IP-TV, streamline billing and bring the three states technology that they wouldn't have seen if Verizon was still in town.
It's been a rough ride, but it will get better and FairPoint will be good for us.
For those of you who have hung in there, thank you. For those of you who haven't, I hope you give FariPoint the chance to win you over in the future.
- Chris, Manchester

I had similar problems with Fairpoint.

1) Make sure to use the "fraud" when you call them. The first guy I talked to won't remove the charges and threatened me with a Theft of Services complaint.

2) Even after you put the (currently) free cramming block on you phone, continue to monitor it. This month I found a bill for VOICEMESSAG (sic) for $8.23 on my bill. We pay for voicemessaging elsewhere so this was addition and it was with the cramming block on.

3) All complaints have to start with a single person William. I did call the PUC and I wonder how many more there are out there.

Watch them like hawks. Call the PUC when there is a problem. These people are evil.
- Mark, Goffstown

How much do you suppose the cramming block costs per month?
- Chris, Salem

Wow, get a grip. 12 complaints out of hundreds of thousands of customers? And, they removed the charges when asked. Which one of you have ever been that perfect? Over and over requests were made to prevent FairPoint from taking over Verizon lines because they are a tiny company from the south and everyone just stood there with their thumbs in their mouths. Few people showed up at hearings. Now, you start complaining? Whiners of New Hampshire unite. Have a tea party or something. Go get a union job or something so that you can pay your bills. Next you will be wanting to flog the power line companies for not pruning the trees that you wouldn't let them prune. Oh, I forgot, you already tried that.
- William, Deerfield

Ummmm to Ellen, Bedford Nh...

You dropped FIOS anticipating bad service from FairPoint? FIOS is still Verizon haha.
- Brian D, Goffstown, NH

I'm not sure how long this company can maintain themselves in New England. Their service has been abominable, far less than Verizon was delivering prior to the sale.

My folks have it in Vermont, they have consistantly lost their DSL service, the billing has been torqued, and Customer Service has simple meant long waits on hold.

While I despise the Comcast machine, I switched, and at least now my services work.
- Stuart Dunmeyer, Manchester

Too funny! In this case people WANT the government to step in and regulate Fairpoint so that they get better service. So much for letting "the free market" manage itself!
- Bob V, Manchester

to - RG, Manchester - Did you NOT read the article where it says the FCC REQUIRES fairpoint to allow access UNTIL the customer calls and blocks it.

Use your brain or keep your comments to yourself!
- Tracy P, Fremont, NH

I got two Fairpoint bills yesterday. Somehow I now have 2 accounts for the same phone number. One bill said I had a past due balance of $124.00 (even tho last month's bill said I had a credit of $45.00) and the other bill is for a "regular" monthly fee. What the hell is going on?!
- winnie, manchester

"FairPoint customers can request a cramming block be placed on their accounts so they would not be billed for unauthorized charges..."

IF Fairpoint was concerned about its customers ...
IF Fairpoint valued its customers
IF Fairpoint wanted some good PR

why would they do this WITHOUT customers having to ask for it?

Isn't that common sense?

Why would you want to or willfully pay for anything that you didn't order?

So if there's anyone that wants to pay part of my bills that I can tack on to your Fairpoint bill, just speak up!
- RG, Manchester

We all know the state PUC hates us, now we know the FCC hates us too. Who in their right mind would think it's a good idea to force phone companies to allow third party charges on their bills? Our government is corrupt. They only serve themselves, and their corporate sponsors. All of this has happened because the people have no say.

Switching to Comcast is one way out. But just wait.. if they put Fairpoint under, Comcast will tighten the screws and become the monster that Fairpoint is now. Why wouldn't they? The government isn't going to stop them.
- Alex, Nashua

OUT WITH FAIRPOINT! I think Fairpoint is the worst company and should be forced to go out of business! I had been trying to be patient with them after calling five times because my Internet has been off more than it has been on and still is not right. Do you think these cheapskates would offer me a credit for my DSL service - no! ANd I have to agree there are small fees and inexplainable fees on their bills. They are horrible and do not deserve to be in business!
- Misty, Concord, NH

Cramming would be bad enough, but what about the LEGAL stealing that telephone companies & the feds do every month?

I have a bare-bones, local measured service line that costs me $6 a month. The stupid FCC subscriber line charge costs more than that! My $6 phone service has fees of more than $8 so that OTHER people can have a phone???? If it were up to me, I'd have the darned thing disconnected, but my husband wants it for the 911 capabilities.

It does crack me up that they can let outside companies charge you for stuff without your authorization. Anyone tried to get long distance on their phone line? You practically have to give a DNA sample.
- Donna S, Manchester

I'm SO glad I converted over to Vonage three years ago.

I've had the same rate for three years and have had unlimited calling in the United States. There's no such thing as "long distance" on Vonage.

Great quality, great service...I didn't even know who FairPoint was before these news stories started and I'm glad I'm not one of their customers.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

Cancelled Fairpoint back in early Jan. and just received another "final bill".
Talked to a consumer rep. who has nothing to do with the billing problems we are experiencing, but is taking the brunt of the scorn. Please be polite to them as they are only "the messenger".
Fairpoint is feeling the heat.
- Michael, Manchester

This is a good example why one should NEVER sign up for "automatic bill pay". They all want you to do it so we can "be green" and "go paperless" but once you've paid, you stand little chance of getting a refund.

Of course, Fairpoint doesn't even offer payments over the internet. So much for bringing technology to the north country!
- Richard, Manchester

Anticipating bad service in early December from Fairpoint,we dropped our Fios internet and telephone with Verizon and bundled three services with Comcast, installed Jan. 8th. We are still being billed by Fairpoint for the telephone and internet along with the overdue charges ( after multiple phone calls with long waits and some with rude Customer Service reps and unanswered e-mails) One can not even cancel service with UNFAIR point; maybe it is time to call for the cancellation of the PUC Commissioners!
- Ellen, Bedford Nh

Imagine how many fewer "victims" there would be if you people could just learn to read, and comprehend!

* The FCC requires Fairpoint to open their billing procedures to competitors.
* The competetors are the ones cramming your phone bill.
* FairPoint allows customers to request a cramming block be placed on their accounts so they would not be billed for unauthorized charges. Customer's must request it because the FCC allows the competitors to have access otherwise.

STOP WHINNING AND MAKE THE CALL TO HAVE CRAMMING BLOCKED.

end of problem!
- Tracy P, Fremont, NH

Doesn't anyone else think "Wow, this cramming should be illegal?" What's wrong with people today? Are we so numb at all the uncontrolled spending going on that we shrug this off as something that is right. Cramming should be against the law. You don't ask for services, you shouldn't be charged for it. This has happened to my Mom in Florida, only she didn't catch on for 3 months! The AG's office needs to sue these companies for false business practices. The law needs to be changed. Wake up people and make your voices heard!
- Holly, Concord

It is not just 3rd party companies adding charges to the bills. We have Fairpoint at work and our bill more than doubled because of the charges Fairpoint added on. I was able to get it fixed but had to call multiple times and be on hold for at least 45 minutes each time before getting to talk to a person and then it was not always the right person. At least with Comcast I rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes to get a person on the phone. For DM Hampton, maybe you had a promotional plan that ended? My package is $99 for phone, internet, and HD cable.
- Michele, Derry

According to the article, you can't blame FairPoint for this one. FairPoint complied with FCC regulations. The companies that put unauthorized charges on bills were Enhanced Services Billing Inc., OAM Inc. and USBI.
- Laura, Manchester

what a train wreck.any thing that fairpoint has done has happened to me.I went to comcast over one month ago,why dont all of you do the same.now lets see what will become of them. sorry fairpoint,its just business."WHAT A TRAIN WRECK"
- dennis r soucy, concord nh

My last FairPoint bill had long distance charges beginning January, 2008 to present. WATCH YOU BILLS!
- Rena, Lyman,

Why does everyone pay for cable when dvd's are only $1 from the red box and you have no commercials, can stop the dvd and start it at your leisure and it's commercial free with no re-runs? Plus you can watch the news on your computer.
- tracy, manchester

Maybe thats why the bills are being delayed and then sent out in waves? Getting a bill thats already past due and showing another month past due...people just pay them quick so they can seem to be responsible customers. They dont take the time to review and challenge charges because after all...they are past due already.
I would hate to think that Fairpoint would do anything like that...not them.
- John, Manchester

Comcast just came out with great deals that can lower your bill greatly!! Compared with fairpoint its ridiculous! Lower internet speeds......shared phone lines and waiting over an hour for ondemand to load!!!! Comcast has been nothing but perfect for me.
- VANESSA, MANCHESTER, NH

Pat, my Comcast bill went up $40/month this month, most of it phone related. Not sure how many people would rather go that route over Fair point, but your point is, well, fair.

I'm cancelling my Comcast land line today and reducing my cable TV package. Now, I'll be spending $40/month less than originally.
- DM, Hampton

We have a home in Coos county and Fairpoint keeps making mistakes on our bill in their favor. I have to watch them closely!!!!
- Jerry Allen, West Tisbury MA

You can have a block put on!!!! Why can't it be as simple as Fairpoint (or any other communication company) be required to have verification from consumer they are authorizing the charge. We had this happen to our service and while Fairpoint was very good about removing the charge it seems to me it would be much simpler if "third" party verification was required in the first place. You know like in the "old" days when you had to ask the phone company for services.
- Wayne, Goffstown

This Fair point deal has worked out well for NH...
Bad service, higher bills and now this.

To bad we did not know there was going to be so much trouble.

FairPoint is the best thing that could have happened for Comcast.
- Pat, Hudson