LocalNet Corporation Internet Service Scam - Ripoff Longview, Washington

I found this company listed in the Yellow Pages for Longview, Washington. I needed to have Internet Service at a secondary location that would be available when I needed it, yet would not cost me an arm-and-a-leg. I called their locally-listed number and spoke with Customer Service (CS). They explained that dial-up was available for $12.95/month with a one-time set-up fee of $12.00. I agreed to pay them monthly, NOT by automatic renewal, but rather on my own accord when the balance came due, which the woman informed me would be on the sixth of of January 2012 and each following month. I contacted them on the second of December 2011.

I explained that the room I needed the service in did not have a phone jack. I also informed them that I was just looking for Internet on an occassional basis, as this was my mother's home and I had just canceled my Xfinity service because I could not see paying $50+ per month when I only used it once or twice a month when I was visiting her. Their Internet was affordable and available as dial-up service. I asked her about a contract term and cancellation; she said, "there is no contract term and you can cancel at any time."

I also explained to CS that I wanted to use my wireless router to hook-up the line service because there was no phone jack in the back office. I asked if I could do that; the woman said, "yes". I gave her my debit card information then she transferred me to Technical Support (TS) to get hooked-up.

When I told their Technician that I wanted to use the wireless router to hook-up the PC, he told me that I still needed a phone line to run into the PC; I could not just use the wireless router as an access point. I told him that I could not use their service then and he transferred me back to CS to cancel. The CS service lady said that I could use the router for access and that the technician was "wrong". She said that I can hook-up the service myself using the router and that LocalNet would not provide technical service for that, they only provide basic set-up service (even though they charge you $2 per month for tech support). I told her I wasn't going to argue with her and that I just wanted to cancel the service.

I was told by CS that I had to send them a letter to cancel! This whole process took less than 15-minutes from the initial phone call. I said it isn't right that I have to request cancellation in writing because I cannot use their service. I said that I just called them less than 15-minutes ago and initiated service, which I cannot use. CS put me on hold to check with a manager about canceling over the phone; she came back on the line and said I would have to submit a letter! I said that was crap and that NO ONE told me this policy. She said it is on their website. I replied that I did not have Internet access to read their policy . . . it did no good.

I immediately called my bank; LocalNet had already ran the charge through. So there was nothing I could do. I faxed them a letter 12/08/2011 when I returned home where I have Internet access. I am still awaiting their refund.

I had reservations about choosing these people, but they were in the local Yellow Pages and seemed legitimate. Now I know that I should have trusted my gut instinct. I will update this post when I get my refund and/or I hear back from the company.

I would suggest others NOT use this company!