 |
 | 
Tarheels Fan
Premium
join:2006-01-05
1 edit | Re: New customers only? Looks like this is being sent to existing customers. This organization must be run by a bunch of morons. You can't enforce an ETF on existing customers...
Edit:: Spelling | |
|
| | 
GOLFnSUN
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·Comcast
| Re: New customers only? said by Tarheels Fan  :Looks like this is being sent to exsisting customers. This organization must be run by a bunch of morons. You can't enforce an ETF on exsisting customers... I wonder how many Lingo customers will cancel before the 23rd? This warning may actually encourage a mass exodus of customers.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk? | |
|
| | | 
S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
·Comcast
| Re: New customers only? Maybe Lingo is up to something else, like having this a prelude to bankruptcy. If they knew there was going to be a mass exodus anyway, what better way to milk your existing customers.
This is only a hypothesis!
--
The "Lifetime" channel is responsible for 83% of all divorces...Robert Ginty | |
|
| | | |
| | 
Jeffrey
too dark too early
Premium
join:2002-12-24
Dix Hills,NY
clubs: | This is insane if this is for existing customers. I'm almost speechless. | |
|
| | |
| | | 
ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs: | Re: New customers only? An ETF forced upon customers is a bit different Burris. | |
|
| | | dentman42
join:2001-10-02
Columbus, OH
 ·AT&T Midwest
| said by burris :said by Tarheels Fan :Looks like this is being sent to existing customers. This organization must be run by a bunch of morons. You can't enforce an ETF on existing customers... Edit:: Spelling Why not? ViaTalk raised the bogus fees and taxes for existing customers under contract, and then reluctantly adjusted them, but only for those customers who complained.. Sounds like a Sprint PCS tactic. | |
|
| 
Tomek
Premium
join:2002-01-30
Brooklyn, NY | Isnt't that like involuntary extension of contract? | |
|
| Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
| this could burn them if the contract when someone signed up doesnt have provisions for them to alter the terms like this. you could cancel and refuse to pay the ETF and if they tried to collect and the contract you agreed to at service start has no provisions for them to modify it in this way they would be in breach.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
|
| | old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA | Re: New customers only? I wonder if the contract has one of those provisions that allows the carrier to make any change? | |
|
mlundin
join:2001-03-27
Lawrence, KS | Works for me... I'll just never sign up in the first place. | |
|
| 
jchambers28
join:2007-05-12
Alma, AR | Re: Works for me... That's 2 of us | |
|
SteveLV702
Premium
join:2004-04-22
Henderson, NV
·Clearwire
| so cancel before contract goes into affect thats why you always read the Terms of Service first which probably states somewhere in there that they can update the terms of service as long as they give you notification. But if you don't agree to the New Terms of Service you can cancel your service before it goes into affect without any penalty. | |
|
K Patterson
Premium,MVM
join:2006-03-12
Columbus, OH | Lingo's terms and conditions not revised. The terms and conditions on their web site were last revised on July 25, 2007, and do not reflect the announced changes. | |
|
pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA | Only In America... ...Do we have to pay a company NOT to do business with them. Lingo is hardly the first and they won't be the last. Vote with your wallet. | |
|
| 
PolarBear
The bear formerly known as aaron8301
Premium
join:2005-01-03
·CableOne
| Re: Only In America... said by pabster :Vote with your wallet. Indeed. If everyone did that, today's corporations wouldn't be able to screw consumers like they do.
This is a line I live by, from commenter Trai_Dep @ www.consumerist.com:
"one should consume with a higher purpose in mind: when you buy a product, you're supporting the whole operation. Spend judiciously." --
There comes a point in your life when you get tired of fixing everything and wiping everyone's ass. But it’s not giving up. It’s realizing that you don’t need certain people and the bullshit and drama they bring to your life. | |
|
Bezel
@snet.net
| Lingo Current TOS If Customer subscribes to a residential calling plan, and cancels the Service for any reason or for convenience within twelve (12) months of the Activation Date. Customer will be charged a disconnect fee of $59.95 per account (the "Disconnect Fee"). The Disconnect Fee becomes due and payable immediately and will be billed directly to Customer’s credit card. If Customer has multiple accounts, Customer will be charged the Disconnect Fee of $59.95 per account for each account cancelled. A disconnect Fee shall not be charged to Customers who purchase Lingo approved Equipment from retailer. Cancellations will only be accepted via phone through Lingo’s Customer Care Department at the toll-free number listed on the first page of your invoice, and will be effective upon the date that you call. Lingo is not able to schedule cancellations for a future date. | |
|
| fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: Lingo Current TOS said by Bezel :
. A disconnect Fee shall not be charged to Customers who purchase Lingo approved Equipment from retailer. The "fee" being charged, in my opinion, is fair. However, how they are stating it, in my opinion, is not.
We are all smart enough to know that the $99 disconnect fee is because customers are given some free-bees up front. And, to be honest, they are totally fair for once unlike cellular providers who go over board.
On Lingo's site:
Over $100 Instant Savings!
• FREE Linksys Adaptor - $50 value
• FREE First Month - $21.95 value
• FREE First Activation - $29.95 value
They are basically charging you for the free stuff they gave you up front when you disconnect. However, I find it a little wrong that they want 2 years time. However, its clear their business model is a loss at 12 months.
I personally think "disconnection fees" are questionable at best especially IF they charge an installation/activation fee.
So long as they clearly state there is a disconnection fee, ie: early termination fee, I see no issue with this. Additionally, if people don't want to pay the fee, don't take them up on the free offer. I'm sorry, but I can't sit here and cheer on with people and bitch about this when its clear that the fee is tied directly to the free equipment, first month, and activation.
So saying that, why complain? Why not just buy the equipment and pay full price and make this a non-issue? What I hear from some of the people in this particular forum is that they're not happy that they get free stuff AND have to stay a customer for a period agreed upon for doing so.
Cancellations will only be accepted via phone through Lingo’s Customer Care Department at the toll-free number listed on the first page of your invoice, and will be effective upon the date that you call. Lingo is not able to schedule cancellations for a future date. I have a SERIOUS problem with this. This was an AOL move that never gained favor by anyone that mattered. AOL would always cancel your service the day you called and simply didn't allow you to say "no more billing me" starting the next bill date. What this does is garner the provider free time/money back. This is very much like a telephone, cable, or satellite provider canceling service and having to send a refund check for $0.30 cents knowing damn well it cost more to give the 30 cents back and not keeping it. Why? Because it wasn't theirs to keep in the first place. So, by not being able to schedule a future cancellation is in my opinion, fraudulent at best. I'm also sure that you're able to call in, wait on hold for a reasonable amount of time, and get your service canceled on the first attempt? Probably not with out a hour or longer hold time. (Again, another issue I have - cable TV was cracked down on hold times rightfully so, why does any law maker allow this to happen elsewhere?) They need to have a method of cancellation outside a telephone call.
I think the cancellation system could be improved. If you go on line and request cancellation, they could send you a letter, to the billing address on file, with a code that you go to their website and enter the code on the day you want to cancel; I'd be fine with that.
All of this, in my opinion is fair and reasonable. The fact that simple solutions like this are not being demanded or implemented by our elected officials is yet another reason why we have a failed government of the people. (Yea.. side tracked there but still.. its totally in line with what providers like Lingo, Vonage, et all, are up to these days)
The way I see it, providers like Lingo and even Vonage, are playing a CLEAR gamble game with the consumer which puts the odds on the house. That's gambling where I come from and gambling is a regulated industry. | |
|
mworks
join:2006-06-13
Faison, NC
| LIngo isn't worth using anyway I had the absolute worst experience with lingo of any company I have ever used. The first month I lost the ability to call anyone local to me. Anyone within the same county could not be called , it would route it to a recorded message saying they had problems.
I called tech support and they promised it would be fixed in 24 hours. Two days later it still was not fixed. I spent over two weeks just trying to get service problems corrected till I called and canceled the service. Then they refused to cancel it . For FOUR months , they continued to bill me. When I got the credit card company involved they threatened me with their TOS saying they had the right to continue billing for those months and then wanted to charge the disconnect fee.
I would NEVER recommend them to anyone .
Use a two cans and a string.
You would be better off ! | |
|
| 
buddahbless
join:2005-03-21
usa/canada
| Re: LIngo isn't worth using anyway SO TRUE I used Lingo years ago when they first started up and gave them the benefit of the drought but there service was such a bunch of crap that I had to cancel. ( read my post: Lingo- the laughing stock of broadband voip) there features were great but service was no where near acceptable for there price . If there unlimited north America package was $5-10 per month , or $60 prepaid per 1 year agreement is the ONLY way id consider there service again. all there system issues is not worth the price there asking. id be better of using Skype ($30 for 1 year of service). However now with this new 24 month contract, I would not even bother, Lingo can go belly up and id be the first to dance on there grave! | |
|
| 
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA
·Mediacom
1 edit | I tried them twice so far. Both times canceled within 30 days and never received any refunds. First time I tried them they told me they could not provide local area code a week after I signed up. The last time it took FIVE days of calling to cancel. The people that can cancel your account apparently work one day a week.
Never again... | |
|
| 
gimme5
join:2002-12-23
Kissimmee, FL | I've had lingo for over 3 years now. It's been absolutely flawless for me. | |
|
| | rich95833
join:2000-03-08
Anaheim, CA | Re: LIngo isn't worth using anyway I have had Lingo over 3 years with no problems at all. So this change does not effect me and should not effect people who use the service as it worth the money you pay for it and you will not have a need to cancel. | |
|
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY
| i agree, cancel your accounts people! what next, an early termination surcharge (or a door charge to enter the place) if you don't order the extra value meal at Burger King and McDonalds?
this is VOIP, not cell phones.. the whole idea of this was to get away from companies that played this kinds of games! if lingo want to join em, then it's time to leave 'em! | |
|
| fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| Re: i agree, cancel your accounts people! said by tmc8080 :what next, an early termination surcharge (or a door charge to enter the place) if you don't order the extra value meal at Burger King and McDonalds? this is VOIP, not cell phones.. the whole idea of this was to get away from companies that played this kinds of games! if lingo want to join em, then it's time to leave 'em! You have a way out of the fee.. as they state, if you purchased the equipment from a retailer, ie: not take the free offering up front, there is no fee. To be fair, there are ways of not being charged *if you so chose to take that route*... The fee, as you can see, is for the $101 in free offerings they gave you up front. Even though I don't like the fees myself, I think it's a fair deal.
And the word "deal" is key.. they need to say that it's a special offer upfront and not call it a "disconnect fee".. they SHOULD say that their special offer is for 24 month customers.. take the free stuff, then there is a fee for early disconnection. Otherwise, it's full price".. At least their fee is reasonably tied to the amount you are getting. | |
|
| 
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| said by tmc8080 :what next, an early termination surcharge (or a door charge to enter the place) if you don't order the extra value meal at Burger King and McDonalds? this is VOIP, not cell phones.. the whole idea of this was to get away from companies that played this kinds of games! if lingo want to join em, then it's time to leave 'em! Just another way to make money off unhappy subs
--
When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
|
Ulmo
join:2005-09-22
San Jose, CA | Dunno what Lingo is, but I'm loving my no-commitment VOIP services from a zillion other companies, and saving a bundle from Comcast. Sure, I now have VOIP quality issues, but I don't mind, since I'm not living on my dumb telephone. | |
|
nitzan
Premium,VIP
join:2008-02-27
 ·ViaTalk
·Comcast
| Ridiculous. I encourage any and all Lingo customers to find another provider. Vote with your legs what you think about ETFs. Don't forget to cancel/change your credit card before you cancel - so Lingo cannot charge their ridiculous ETF.
(note: I am a competitor and definitely biased. I do however think that any provider who tries to retain customers by intimidation - we'll get you for $100 if you leave - needs to go bankrupt. There are a few honest providers out there, but Lingo is apparently not one of them. I advise you to take a look at the GBU and find an honest provider.)
--
Nitzan Kon, CEO
Future Nine Corporation | |
|
| |
squirrel83
cheers
join:2005-05-02
Missoula, MT | best service glad im not with now ahhh I am so glad I am no longer with them ... check out my review and they were a great service while I had them but because I had to move I no longer needed the service.
Once again one of the best services! | |
|
nixen
Rockin' the Boxen
Premium
join:2002-10-04
Alexandria, VA
·Cox HSI
·Speakeasy
| Doesn't This Give All Their Customers an Out? Didn't the telcos (cell phone providers) lose a case in the last couple years over bullshit like this? Don't changes to ETF policies make it such that, from the time the new policy kicks in, active subscribers have 90-days to cancel their service with *NO* ETF legally being applied?
--
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell | |
|
| dentman42
join:2001-10-02
Columbus, OH
·AT&T Midwest
| Re: Doesn't This Give All Their Customers an Out? said by nixen :Didn't the telcos (cell phone providers) lose a case in the last couple years over bullshit like this? Don't changes to ETF policies make it such that, from the time the new policy kicks in, active subscribers have 90-days to cancel their service with *NO* ETF legally being applied? The most that could probably be enforced is the terms the sub originally agreed to (ie the 12 month term with $99 ETF).
The question is, even if you bought your equipment retail, when you cancel will they still try to hit you for the fee?
Always use a virtual credit card # that you can cancel at will when signing up for a service like this - and only set it up for the required amount. Any virtual card # program I've seen allows you to increase limits for existing numbers and extend expiration dates. | |
|
bbrlogue
Learning New Things Daily
Premium
join:2003-12-07
Alexandria, VA
| Good, stable service though I've been with them for almost four years and I didn't like getting the email. That said, just before getting the email, I window-shopped the alternatives but couldn't really find a good, stable one. In my close-to-four year of service, I've had less than five issues, most of them low to moderate severity.
I was actually going to switch their annual plan, but the change in ETF has made me think twice. I might still do it because I haven't seen a good alternative with as long a track record as Lingo (I was with Vonage for 3 years prior to Lingo, P8 for a few months, SR for a few months). | |
|
froghat
@mindspring.com
| Let them eat cake... I just called Lingo customer service. They were very matter-of-fact that yes, this did apply to me even though I am 6 months past the 12 month commitment I agreed to originally. When I asked about porting my number out, they said it would be unlikely that it could be done before the 23rd. When I said they had only given me 3 business days notice, they said that was the same as all customers had gotten, as if that would make it all better.
In other words, Lingo is giving me a choice: accept the new terms or forfeit the number I have had for 8 years now. I intend to cancel anyway because I won't give my business to a company that operates this way. Who knows - maybe when I reached my 24th month they'd change it to 36! | |
|
| bigjohn98
join:2002-01-13
Fort Lauderdale, FL
| Re: Let them eat cake... same here, just called them to confirm the new TOS applies to me (3 months past 1 year into it) and they said yes. I asked that I need to cancel to avoid penalties, and the CS said they cannot advise me on what to do..  I like to mess with them. anyway, who would you switch to? | |
|
| |
froghat
@mindspring.com
| Re: Let them eat cake... I have switched to PowerPhone. They get generally high marks on review sites and the deal is 24 months for $200 (plus taxes and such that bring it to $253). I reached someone at Primus's escalations department who said she would not charge a cancellation fee if I went directly through her. | |
|
nicky612000
join:2008-10-21
Long Beach, NY
| Lame Company I have done so and I would hope that everyone with an issue with this is opening a compliant with the Better Business Bureau »welcome.bbb.org/
The overall service has been good so far, but the customer service is horrible and I can't imagine they are attracting new customers with this new policy. The whole reason I choose Lingo is because the terms and conditions stated I only needed to stay on for 1 year, while Vonage was 2 years. I am 8 months in, so I am kind of screwed at this point.
| |
|
nicky612000
join:2008-10-21
Long Beach, NY
| Lingo Escalations I wrote to escalations@lingoinc.net and here is the response I got.
We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion the email that has caused you. The new terms were intended for new customers only and do not apply to you. We appreciate your business hope that you will continue to enjoy your Lingo service. Once again, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and please ignore the email notice you’ve received from us.
Thank you,
Lingo Executive Escalations | |
|
| bigjohn98
join:2002-01-13
Fort Lauderdale, FL | Re: Lingo Escalations wow, you have actually found an email address for them that works!! great! I will do the same, see what happens. when was it last time for you when it happens the way Lingo told you it would? Only if it benefits them!!! stay tuned. | |
|
| |
skipr76
@mchsi.com
| Re: Lingo Escalations I wonder if Nick612000 received his response as a result of filing a complaint with the BBB? I had intended to do so as well, but am waiting to see if they will do the right thing and honor their existing customers contract terms. I agree with many of the things said here. Recouping equipment costs, etc. But this email and tactic is a very bad business decision and I will vote with my wallet and shop a little more carefully next time. | |
|
| | bigjohn98
join:2002-01-13
Fort Lauderdale, FL | still no response from them. nothing unusual there. next stop - BBB. stay tuned. | |
|
| | |
froghat
@mindspring.com | Re: Lingo Escalations Try Irena Petrova at 703-639-4795 in Lingo's Executive Escalation department. | |
|
|
|
|
Lingo Raises Early Termination Fee And Duration
New customers only?
I hope the new ETF policy applies only to new customers activating after a future date specified by Lingo. Or on the other hand do they think they can make the new policy retroactive without some legal backlash?
·
·