Cox Communications - Cox Media THIS COMPANY ADDS EXTRA CHARGES EVERY MONTH WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR RECOURSE TO RESOLUTION!!!! Providence Rhode Island

I recently moved to Rhode Island. Before I made my move, I contacted my soon-to-be landlords, asking who they would recommend I get my cable/internet/phone from. They told me they bundled their services with Cox Communications. I called them at once to set up service. The agent I spoke with told me DEFINITELY my bill would amount to EXACTLY $162 per month for all my services. I was quite happy at that price.
Comes the day for installation, and they don't show up. They lied, saying my mother scheduled the wrong day. So, I couldn't contact anyone in any way, and I am physically disabled, without a car. Finally, 3 days late, the installer came. All went well there. It took quite awhile for me to clear my lines of telemarketers and people who were after the previous owner of these phone numbers (actually, they STILL aren't cleared and I've already had to change one of the phone numbers!)
Even though they were late, they charged me for a full month's service. The PROMISED $162 bill per month came out to be $258.53!!!!! Stunned, I called Cox. They said those were installation fees, something I was told nothing about. They said these extra fees, taxes, etc. would continue for 3 months. I demanded to speak to the original agent or someone who could help me. They assured me they would have the original agent call me, but he never did.
In the meantime, I am in an entirely new city, and I was NOT given any phone books! Therefore, I had to call information repeatedly to find anything I needed. Again, I was in NO WAY informed that there was a ONE DOLLAR PER USE CHARGE FOR INFORMATION!!!! Where I just came from, it was free of charge, so it isn't the 'norm'.
So, now they send me another bill, again early, stating that I still owe them the $258.53 PLUS this month's charges of $223.04, for a total of $481.57 for only 6 weeks!!!!! Aghast, I called again. Of course, I was on hold for quite a long time. When I finally reached a 'live' person, he was no more than a pre-programmed robot who repeated that all the charges were valid, and that I HAVE NO SAY WHATSOEVER IN THE MATTER!!!!!!! I know things are horrible in the world these days, with 95% of the planet living by stealing from others; I just didn't expect it to be so blatant by an 'established' company. All's I could get the adroid to do was submit yet another flacid request that the orginal signing agent contact me. I cannot believe the lies. And even without their appended 'installation fees', taxes, etc., they now tell me my basic (basic? I signed up for a full package that covered ALL calls, both national and international, TV, two phones and internet) actually starts at $173.00 per month!!!!!!
PLEASE AVOID THIS COMPANY LIKE THE PLAGUE FOR YOUR OWN GOOD! THEY FEEL ENTITLED TO ARBITRARILY STEAL FROM THEIR CUSTOMERS WITHOUT WORKiNG ON RESOLUTION OR COMPROMISE AT ALL. YOU WILL BE ENTIRELY AT THEIR MERCY.

Debra
Providence, Rhode Island
U.S.A.