[comp.dcom.telecom] Beware! MCI 800 Inquiry causes switch!

Paul.Schleck@iugate.unomaha.edu (Paul Schleck) (12/13/90)

Reply-to: paul.schleck%inns@iugate.unomaha.edu

A friend of mine called the 1-800 number to inquire about personal 1-800
service.  At the end of the call, she clearly stated that she did NOT
want to sign up for the service.  A few days later, she tr--i6ed to place an
operator-assisted call and got an MCI operator.  Further inquiries and
calling of the 1-700 number indicated that she had INDEED been switched
from AT&T to MCI!  The charges were about the same per call, so she
didn't raise a stink about it after they graciously switched it back.

Anyone else have any experience with this?  Is this a deliberate effort,
or simply some bungling MCI telemarketer putting her down for service?
It is my understanding that you can wind up with any old carrier at the
whim of the phone company, so one should be ever vigilant of what service
is doing their long-distance and make damn sure it's the right one.

This is just one more strike against MCI, in my opinion.  First they come
up with this screwy "Personal 800" service that THEY don't even
completely understand, then they engage in other questionable marketing
tactics (Is this called "slamming", or do I have the terminology
confused?).

My friend is quite happy with AT&T for its calling card and I am partial
to Sprint for its audio quality.  One thing we do agree on is that MCI
stinks!


Paul W. Schleck
pschleck@alf.unomaha.edu

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