Norvergence Breach of Contract Newark New Jersey

Add this one to the Norvergence pile of scams:

I was visited by two slick salesmen and presented with the Norvergence "approval process" which I thought was kind of unusual since they were trying to get ME as a customer. The way they positioned it was that I really needed them more than they needed me (mistake #1).

When they presented their numbers and the savings, and that they would be able to achieve this through the use of "new" technology, I was among the privledged few to be able to get approved for this new cutting edge service and savings. I trusted them (mistake #2).

To further my interest they also said they would provide unlimited cellular usage inbound and outbound, a T-1 for internet, and UNLIMITED inbound and outbound for all domestic calls including the four 800#'s I had routed into my fulfillment center at a different location. I believed them (mistake #3).

They also told me I would have to lease the equipment from an independent leasing company since, after all, they were a phone company and not a lending institution (mistake #4).

The day after I signed their paperwork (Sept 2003) the cell phone of my choice, a Nokia 6800, arrives via FedEx. Ok: first promise was fulfilled. Now comes the waiting period...

The magic Nortel "Matrix" boxes arrived a few days later along with the lease bill. Hmm...I'm already getting billed and we're not even set up yet? But ok, they sent a check to cover the difference of my regular phone bill three month avg compared to what I would be paying them.

But still nothing happened. No one showed to install the "magic" Matrix. Not until November 2003. TWO full months later did they finally get it working. So now I have cell phone service, T-1 and outbound in my office, but my greatest expense, my inbound customer service numbers at my fulfillment center were still not switched over...and never were.

Now comes April 2004. The month of infamy. 30,000 plus Norvergence customers lose their cell phone service because Norvergence claims their/our AT&T Wireless 973 exchange numbers were being "cloned" and used by clone thiefs to make 3000 minute calls to Guatemala and other island countries...Ya Mon!

This also means that all of the money I spent to have both of my cars fitted with a hard install for this phone was wasted...and I liked that phone!

This occurs on a Friday without any forewarning. Of course my wife let me have it right between the eyes when she couldn't get a hold of me.

The next week each day I called and waited until I was able to speak with a CS rep who each time assured me that I would receive a replacement phone within 24-72 hours. Well, 2 weeks later I finally get a basic cheapo junk phone with a 202 Wash. DC area code (I live and work in NJ). So everyone who calls me has to pay long distance to DC!

Plus all of the messages that were still in the previous user's voice mail where quite entertaining...at least the first eight.

It's at this point that I come to learn that my 800# inbound service to my fulfillment center (they're in CT) still was not connected and that I had accrued quite a substantial bill ($8,000+) with my previous (but apparently still current) provider.

In fact, when I called Norvergence and asked why, they told me they didn't provide that service. I told them they specifically noted that they would provide inbound, as I pointed this out in their writing to the same sales rep who originally sold me this deal, who came out to pay me a visit (hoping to win my local phone biz which they "claim" to now offer).

Imagine that: they have totally screwed me over and they still come out hoping to get even more. Just unbelievable.

I have sent to both Norvergence and to Interchange Capital letters claiming that Norvergence is in breach of contract and that all agreements represented by them with any and all third party affiliates are now considered void.

So I get a call today from some "tough guy" in the Norvergence collections department who was wondering why I haven't paid my bill since April.

I told him to get used to it.

Now: if anyone has moved forward with an individual or class action lawsuit, please post the law firm to contact. Thank you.

Roger
West Caldwell, New Jersey
U.S.A.