Verizon has agreed to pay the state of New Jersey $795,000 and about $50 to each of roughly 1,100 customers in the state. Why? According to the office of New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, Verizon failed to deliver promotional items promised to FiOS consumers in flyers (you might recall one promotion where Verizon promised free televisions, then failed to deliver them). According to Milgram, Verizon also frequently wound up charging FiOS customers more money than the prices promised in door-to-door promotional materials, violating the Consumer Fraud Act and other state consumer protections.
A statement demands a number of things from Verizon going forward, most of which are just basic customer satisfaction concepts. According to the AG's office, Verizon must provide greater transparency in promotions, more accurate billing, an up-front estimate of a customer's first FiOS bill (including all sneaky fees), and must have a "reasonable" amount of the free promotional item they're giving away actually in stock."Consumers want crystal clear television when they sign up for FiOS and they deserve a crystal clear explanation of service terms and conditions," said David Szuchman, Consumer Affairs Director. "This settlement ensures that consumers will get what they are promised when signing up for FiOS service."
Now how about getting Time Warner to stop running the misleading ad where the actor says "You get every game of all 9 NY area sports teams in HD, with FiOS you don't." That ad is totally false. Only in very small print do they clarify on screen that only the games shown on HD channels will be HD. There is no MSG2 HD or MSG+2 HD so Time Warner can't bring you all games in HD.
Now how about getting Time Warner to stop running the misleading ad where the actor says "You get every game of all 9 NY area sports teams in HD, with FiOS you don't." That ad is totally false. Only in very small print do they clarify on screen that only the games shown on HD channels will be HD. There is no MSG2 HD or MSG+2 HD so Time Warner can't bring you all games in HD.
Interesting since there are HD channels for those stations. It's channel 747 (MSG+2 HD) and 727 (MSG2 HD) here in Manhattan.
It's okay though, NY1 obviously is the #1 reason to stay with TWC
It's misleading because Cablevision (who controls MSG HD) won't let FiOS use the feed. So it's not Verizon's fault. It's simply the cable providers who run the HD channels who are afraid to help the competition.
"cable providers who run the HD channels who are afraid to help the competition"
It is Verizon's fault that they didn't cut the deals needed to carry the games. Should CBS provide a feed to ABC because CBS won the rights to the SEC Championship game?
Bad comparison. Those are two networks and networks only. In this case, you have a network who also is a cable provider in direct competition with FiOS.
I'm simply saying that I find it hard to believe that FiOS won't pony up the $$ if they are given the same deal as a Comcast or Time Warner get. I wouldn't be shocked if CV is making FiOS pay much more than others for the right to carry MSG HD.
Reminds me of the way CV blocked FiOS from carrying MSNBC for a while.
"cable providers who run the HD channels who are afraid to help the competition"
It is Verizon's fault that they didn't cut the deals needed to carry the games. Should CBS provide a feed to ABC because CBS won the rights to the SEC Championship game?
And this is why Comcast shouldn't be able to buy a big network like NBC/Universal.
Verizon (former Bell Atlantic) hosed PA for millions in tax breaks and didn't deliver a damn thing.
Good for you Jersey. Now all you need is a Neutron bomb for Trenton. Man the politics over there are bad.
Disclaimer. I have no intention of hurting anyone, especially anyone holding elective office. Heck, I don't even like swatting flies, and I really do adore my kittens. I was just trying to make the statement that there are too many entrenched politicians in office everywhere. Please, New Jersey please do not sic your Nazi Storm trooper Gestapo-esque paramilitary enforcement officers on me. I do not possess a Neutron bomb, or any other implement of destruction, never have, and never will! Thanks
1100 customers * $50 = $55000 for customers. $795000 / 1100 customers = $722 per customer for the state. Go NJ.
feh.. that 795K to the state + the $55K comes to a whopping $850K..
in other words, pocket change to Verizon. No I take that back, $850K dollars is sofa change to them..
Which will filter down to its subs as a line item fee on your bill. financially penalizing a big company never hurts it, it just makes for more BS fees for customers.
1100 customers * $50 = $55000 for customers. $795000 / 1100 customers = $722 per customer for the state. Go NJ.
I AGREE! Those figures should have been flip-flopped! $50 to NJ and $722 for each RIPPED OFF CUSTOMER! IMO, I'd refuse to be part of the class action & sue them myself! $722 would buy a NICE tv for getting ripped off thoughout the year (if a customer actually paid higher rates & were scammed out of any benefits).
I wish they would do that with more businesses. I have a neighbor that works at a company (Parago) that processes rebates and promo offers for companies. The companies bank on customers not following up promotional offers.
I wish they would do that with more businesses. I have a neighbor that works at a company (Parago) that processes rebates and promo offers for companies. The companies bank on customers not following up promotional offers.
Verizon gained customers and business from their advertisements, and failed to live up to what was promised.
In cases like this where the company shows a disregard for what was promised and is not able to fix it within a reasonable time frame, the fine or punishment should equal the total amount received from consumers in that state plus an additional percentage for good measure. Say 20%. In other words, it should hurt them. This "fine" now is a drop in the bucket to what they've already made off of the lies.