Today I escalated my battle with Time Warner Cable (TWC) by crafting three sternly worded letters.  The first missive was a long tirade detailing how I’d been wronged and my three unsuccessful attempts to resolve what should have been a simple correction by telephone.  I included the documentation that I had previously paid through June 24 so the June 7 billing (3 days after cancellation) was completely bogus.

My second letter was to the CEO of TWC (with a copy of the correspondence mentioned above) noting that I had cancelled my service because TWC was no longer competitively priced.  I noted that high prices and poor customer service was a deadly combination, especially given the competitive market they serve.

The third epistle was sent to the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.  In this one I essentially allege that TWC is engaging in fraudulent business practices.  I came to this conclusion based on the fact that TWC knows or should know that may account was paid in full at the time of my cancellation (indeed, I was owed a refund).  That they billed me for July anyway I could attribute to a mistake or miscommunication except for the fact that they steadfastly refuse to make it right.  Engaging in threats (reporting an uncollected debt to the credit bureau) in an attempt to coerce me into paying a money I don’t owe and they know I don’t owe is just plain wrong.

Do I think this flurry of letter writing will make a difference?  Well yeah, I think they will eventually pay me what they owe if for no other reason than to shut me up.  I doubt the CEO will give a flip, but I think at a minimum the consumer has an obligation to let the big shots know their people are screwing up.  As for Consumer Affairs, I expect they will handle this matter in typical government fashion–nothing will be done.

To be sure, the amount of time I have invested in this matter is worth far more to me than the $42.82 TWC is trying to steal from me.  But as a matter of principle I refuse to be cowed.

In other news, I’m advised my blog should be updated, upgraded, and uploaded after a week of upheaval.  So far, I can still access the site and post.  I’m assured it is all going to be seamless.  My domain name will remain the same and all my history will be moved to the new blog host with nothing lost in transition.  Here’s hoping.

Oh, and I really want to give a shout out to Host Gator.  Once I’d signed up with them I was assigned to my own personal account rep.  She sent me a very informative welcome email and then actually called me to introduce herself and offer any assistance I might require.  Take note TWC, that’s the way to treat customers!