“Verizon is the worst company on the planet “
Optimum might be worse. When I tried to “cut the cable” saving $150 a month, they repeatedly read a list of promotions like installing fiber optic, different combinations of cable channels for a lower price etc., and I kept saying “no cable TV, nothing, zero.” They drone on and on for 15 minutes, then they say you called the wrong number so they transfer you to another creep who starts the whole process again. That person is called a “retention agent” and they get a bonus if they convince you not to cancel. I said “what if I just don’t pay you anymore” and they said “well then we will report you to Experian and ruin your credit history” - but I am trying to cut off my service!!. The retention agent then connects me to a “loyalty agent” who tries a third time to convince me not to cancel. I start telling them I will sue them, etc. after 1 hour and 15 minutes I got it done. Always start the conversation with “I am recording this conversation”. There have been class actions against companies who make it difficult to cancel - mention to the agent that what they are doing is illegal and could subject them to legal action - Adobe vs FTC is one precedent.
Optimum was easy if you have the time. You just keep saying no. I was paying $120 for internet. I canceled by repeatedly saying “no”. At the end, the Indian guy canceled and told me to have a Blessed day.
They sent me an offer for $40 a month locked in for 5 years. I took it. The Indian could have offered that but I couldn’t understand him.
Sirius/XM got nailed for that. It cost them big. When I started with XM it was $15 a month, then Sirius bought them out. By the time I quit the fees had doubled and the programing I signed up for had been cancelled. On my first attempt to cancel I got the hard sell but in the end they renewed me for $5 a month for a year. The second time I tried to cancel was after the settlement I called and right away got “Yes sir.we will get that done for you right now”.