danielw@wyn386.mi.org (Daniel Wynalda) (09/24/90)
I smell a rat! Recently I got a notice in the mail from ATT that they will begin billing their long distance directly, rather than sending the billing through Michigan Bell. This seemed like a fair thing to me, so no problem. Last week I received my billing for the month of August. We normally run up a bill of $1200-1500. My Michigan Bell bill appeared normal - all calls for AT&T were summarized with appropriate discounts etc. Even the "cheap days" were discounted as well. Two days later I got a formal apology letter in the mail from Michigan Bell. They accidentally kept some of my AT&T calls in the billing system and it was "Michigan Bell's computer" that was in error. They requested I NOT pay the AT&T portion of the bill, and I should pay the AT&T bill I would get soon. Today I received my AT&T bill - Call for call the two bills are identical. Times are identical and I can trace the lines more easily. The Michigan calls are separated from the Interstate calls on the AT&T bill, but here's the rub. The AT&T bill is $100 HIGHER than the Michigan Bell AT&T summary. I called and questioned WHY THE BILLS DIFFER. Here's AT&T's explanation. 1. I am on the PRO WATS and PRO MICHIGAN plan. These plans are not eligible for the "reduced rate days" because I already get a discount. My first question is WHY NOT? 2. Each call cost SLIGHTLY MORE on the AT&T bill than on the Michigan Bell bill. Here explanation for this was "between the time my Michigan Bell bill was issued and the AT&T bill was issued the rates were increased by 2%". My question is -- why shouldn't I be billed for the rates that were in effect WHEN I PLACED THE CALL? Anyone who'd like to enlighten me and the Digest would do me a great favor. I am still awaiting a return call from AT&T regarding getting NOTICE OF CHANGES IN RATES. Let's see if they will put it in writing. Daniel Wynalda | (616) 866-1561 X22 Ham:N8KUD Net:danielw@wyn386.mi.org Wynalda Litho Inc. | 8221 Graphic Industrial Pk. | Rockford, MI 49341