AT&T Charging Fire Victims For Toasted Satellite Dish-couple didn't grab their dish as they evacuate

[The Straight Story]

AT&T Charging Fire Victims For Toasted Satellite Dish
San Diego couple didn't grab their dish as they evacuated

October 26, 2007
AT&T’s contract means what it says, and there are few, if any, extenuating circumstances that can change it.

A San Diego, California couple, who lost their home and everything in it this week’s raging brush fires, learned that the hard way.

Matt and Dannell Azola rushed back from their honeymoon cruise when they heard their neighborhood was threatened by the spreading fires. Matt says they were in their home for about two hours when they were told they had to leave.

In the aftermath, when they discovered their two-bedroom home had burned to the ground, Dannell said she called AT&T because she wanted to cancel her telephone and cable service.

“When I called, the customer service rep asked if I had remembered to pick up the satellite receiver before I left the house,” Dannell told a San Diego TV station. “When I told her no, that was the last thing on my mind, she said we would be billed $300 for the loss of the receiver and we should expect to see it on our next bill.”

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/10/att_fire.html

[williesgirl]

1. This is something even the MSM should jump on. Enough bad press and they'll reverse that decision.

rec'd

[Megahurtz]

2. WTF???

Who the hell has time to grab a Satellite Dish when a fire is rushing towards your house??? :wtf:

These phone companies are way out of control. Verizon included. :grr:

[roguevalley]

18. I dropped AT&T when I found out they would not give breaks to

kids calling home from Iraq and Afghanistan. They were even charging high rates on the cards. They will burn for what they do.

[JFN1]

3. Corporations are out of control

THEY ARE NOT OUR MASTERS, GODDAMMIT!!!!!!!!

[lpbk2713]

4. Seems like the Azolas should be able to turn the bill over ...

to their insurance carrier for reimbursement. Unlike other household items that they would have to guesss the value of their loss at, this one has a specific value they can claim. The bill from AT&T should attest to that.

[SacredCow]

5. There were a lot of stories like this post-Katrina....

but I never heard of any companies actually sticking to their guns when the chips were down. The person on the phone didn't have the authority to dismiss the charges, no doubt. It'll take a mandate from someone a good bit higher in the AT&T food chain....

[NYCGirl]

6. That's been resolved — to the customer's benefit:

http://consumerist.com/consumer/resolutions/att-wont-charge-couple-for-leaving-satellite-receiver-behind-in-flaming-house-315695.php

AT&T wrote in to say they won't be charging the family whose house burned down in the California wildfires for the satellite dish they left behind when fleeing for the lives

"This customer initially called AT&T to discuss other communications services. After she was transferred to Dish, the disaster policy Dish has in place was not followed. This customer will not be charged for service cancellation or equipment fees----that is our policy, and the policy of Dish, in times of natural disasters. We have spoken with this customer to clarify our policy, and we are committed to taking care of all customers affected by the fires."

[The Straight Story]

9. Awesome - thank you for the follow up (nt)

[damntexdem]

10. Ah, they changed their tune when they got bad net.

[AndyA]

7. Honestly, I can't believe anyone still does business with AT&T.

They have the WORST customer service anywhere.

They didn't hesitate a moment to let Bushco illegally spy on its customers.

They are big Republican backers.

I don't have anything to do with NSAT&T any longer. And that's a good thing.

I do agree that when this story gets out, if it isn't hushed up, the policy will change very quickly.

My heart hurts for all those in California who lost their homes and businesses, it's so sad. Same goes for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

[JFN1]

8. I'm with you

I quit all of my AT&T services earlier this year. If they end up buying Direct TV, I'll be switching to cable...

[bullwinkle428]

14. I'd love to get an iPhone, but I'd feel like I was selling my soul

to enter into a contract with AT& Bealzebub! I'm with Verizon which is probably not much better...who knows.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. I love my iphone

And AT&T is a lot better than Sprint. Much better coverage and the customer service is a LOT better.

[kas125]

17. But they are the only place to get

But AT&T is the only place to get Free Speech TV, which except for C-span, Countdown, Daily Show/Colbert, and the occasional Bears game, is all I watch. So, I keep my Dishnetwork and marvel at the irony each month when I pay the bill.

[Bitwit1234]

11. Doesn't that remind of the military??

when one of our military were blown up on the field and didn't collect all their equipment and put it in the ambulance with them, the military followed their pay checks back to the states and billed them for it.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. Now we know our priorities in case of a fire: Satellite dish, family, family pet... in that order

[ourbluenation]

13. here's your 5th. this is ridiculous and needs attention. thx for posting. n/t

[RufusTFirefly]

15. I heart corporations. n/t