Z-Tel Communications ripoff Z-Tel Communications is a ripoff Tampa Florida

I was offered a 49.99 1st line and a 39.99 2nd line monthly package (the Simplicity Plan) by Z-Tel Communications to change my phone service from AT&T to Z-Tel. This package includes local, local toll and long distance. I was told that I could call anywhere in the U.S with no long distance charges. However I continue to receive monthly bills from AT&T that range from $500.00 to $900.00. The current charge is $603.00. Z-Tel blames AT&T and AT&T blames Z-Tel.

I was credited 1,300.00 by AT&T for the previous bills but they will not credit this $603.00 bill because they say Z-Tel has never moved the physical switch to route the calls through them. All of my calls continue to go through AT&T even though I have had the Simplicity Plan since 08/04 with Z-Tel.

I have spent 17 hours on the phone with the two companies in the last 3 months trying to resolve this problem. Z-Tel tells me every month that the issue has been corrected, then I get another bill from AT&T. I was assured by Z-Tel on Oct.18th that the problem would be solved within 24 hours then I get a bill from AT&T for $603.06 for the dates of Oct.11 to Nov.2.

I run a small Business and I am afraid to make a call in fear of another outrageous phone bill. Z-Tel has admitted to me that it was their mistake. That they were billing me for the package that they solicited my Business for but never changed my long distance where the calls would no longer go through AT&T. Even though they admitted that the 2,000.00 worth of long distance bills that I have received was neglect on their part, they only want to credit me the difference (18.50) between the Simplicity Plan that they have been billing me for (and assuring me that I had this plan every time I called them) and the Basic Plan that they were actually servicing me.

This only comes to a total credit of about 80.00 against a $603.00 bill. I have tried my best for months to get this problem corrected.It has been a nightmare.

Lisa
bowling green, Kentucky
U.S.A.