CREDOf I was a victim of predatory marketing, desceptive advertising, hidden fees, exhorbitant charges, and confusing plans. San Francisco, California

I had been on a low cost plan with decent reception for more than 2 years with CREDO so started receiving frequent emails about the great deals and the need to up-date to a new plan.  I finally called and signed up for a new plan.

They sent a new android phone I didn't like particularly because it didn't get good reception.  I returned it.  They sent another one.  Still bad reception.  I returned that and went back to my old phone.  Still bad reception.  But then the charges started to pile up.

While I'd had the android I was charged for internet charges I had not anticipated that were outside the plan.  There was an activation fee, even though it was the same number and I'd been a customer.  There was a restocking fee for returning the phone I couldn't use.  They send confusing messages that I had until a certain date to return the phone, which I did.  But I got locked in to the plan without any notification that the 30 day trial was ending.  I thought the date for the phone return applied to the plan trial as well. 

They couldn't solve the reception problem.  Bill of hundreds of dollars appeared, all with their explanations, but all unexpected.  Finally, after several calls and attempts to resolve the problems, I decided to take the hit with the penalty and get out.  More problems with billing issues and I'm still hassling with CREDO.  By taking them up on their advertising promises I'm probably out $700 I would not otherwise have spent, counting the cost of signing up with another company. 

I've switched to Verizon and am getting great reception. CREDO gets "progressive" customers because they donate 1% to causes like the ACLU.  But they use the same predatory practices of the worst corporations.  Exxon makes donations to good causes too.