nobody asked…

Bring it on, AT&T!  I am deceased. My company doesn’t exist any more. My company phone line was canceled because someone else occupies that office now. Over two years ago, I signed a 24-month contract for phone service. Whoops. Did not see the word “renewable” in the corner at the bottom. Was never told that by the salesman, Mr. Ruffin. He slipped that in there somehow after assuring me the term would be up in 24 months. Acknowledged it in emails that are still on my computer from 2/10/06.

Alas, such integrity.

Now I — and mind you, I am ashes sitting on the end table in the living room — am getting a $360 bill from AT&T for contract termination fees. Too bad, they say. No such thing as extenuating circumstances. They’re sorry I am dead. But they don’t care. I’ve got to pay that fee. It’s a contract, after all. A contract is a legal document. Legal documents go with you to the grave and beyond. They wish they could help, but they can’t. AT&T is a big boy and they aim to keep their side of the bargain.

So folks, I’m back! At least according to AT&T. I’ve got to pay my phone bill till January of 2010. Now I’ve just got to figure out how to get my ass, uh, ashes up and together and get out and earn some money to pay that damn bill because, well, it’s a contract and AT&T really needs that $360!

All you other folks, if you think your phone contract expires after a certain time, you better look again. Or you better hope you’ve got a company that can bend with the wind and understand that death happens and companies go out of business because of it. And if you really want that contract to end, you’ve got to write them a letter and tell them to end it something like 180 days before it ends. Nevertheless, they’ve got so many “outs” in their contract wording that you are screwed any way you look at it.

Better to never, ever sign a contract with AT&T!

All those loyal years to AT&T and this is what they give me in return. UP YOURS, AT&T. And fuck your contract termination fees.