Everdial.com; Perhaps Primus ripoff; deceptive, fraudulent, dishonest, evasive Internet internet

18-Aug-2004 - Based upon the website "10-10 something" yielded from a Yahoo search of 10-10 dial-arounds, I reviewed Everdial.com's website (as a highly recommended "best pick") with a fine-tooth comb. They appeared to be on the up-and-up.

19-Aug-2004 - Double-checked everything again via web and dialed the 1-800-263-6690 so I could confirm verbally what I had viewed and was rather brusquely told to order via the website Everdial.com. No pomp or splendour, but what does one expect these days? As long as it is cheap and honest - I can wear the lack of proper manner and demeanor.
I ordered via the website the "Everdial Around" service, which is the basic pay-for-what-you dial service according to the table of rates listed on the website.

23-Aug-2004 Received by mail:
A.] One Everdial.com headed sheet (no formal letterhead with corporate/local office address) stating:
"Thank you for choosing Everdial as your new long distance provider and welcome to our global network of family and friends. Now that you have switched to Everdial you may get help from...." and went on to inform me that I would be dealing with Primus, whom their answering system on 1-800-393-3000 remains identifying itself as Isterra (sp?).

There were two other sheets under the Primus (also no formal letterhead/local office address)and a plastic calling card.

B.] I telephoned the 1-800-393-3000 and was switched-through to a call centre somewhere in India. My call was fielded by a person speaking very good English for a non-native English speaker.

I briefly explained I wanted to speak to an Everdial representative, and after much verbal dueling about how this could not be done, a supervisor (?) told me to call the 1-800-263-6690 number, which I thought I was to understand was Everdial U.S.A.. By that time it was after office hours and closed. No worries; an extra night's mulling of matters will not harm the process (or lessen my disgruntlement).

24-Aug-2004 - I called the 1-800-263-6690 number which was answered by a person speaking fluent English with a hint of non-native English speaker. The person replied to my question that they were located in Hawaii.

To make it short and sweet, the person was not about to spend much time on the phone and curtailed any possible clarifications to dilemas by asking me if I wanted to cancel.

Having reached this juncture in the process, only a resounding Yes was appropriate. I suspect I simpley would have been hung-up upon, had I not done something quickly.

Other comments:
If I had NOT done anything; it is likely I would have had my long distance provider changed without my permission or prior knowledge. Who knows what else would have followed?

Jeff
Edwardsville, Illinois
U.S.A.