Hilarious ad, shoddy treatment by TSTT

THE EDITOR: I’ve been a TSTT customer for 32 years. At first, it was just phone service but later added internet (starting with dial-up) and cable TV as soon as they became available. In that time, TSTT has charged me “rental” of $11,904 (384 months at $31 a month) for a featureless anachronism it calls a phone.

Recently, TSTT ran full-page advertisements in which it advised that, come next year, it will discontinue repairing home/office phones. “You will have the freedom to replace your phone with any phone that has a standard RJ11 port.”

After milking me for nearly $12,000 for a $200 phone (which I hardly ever used), TSTT now knows that “reputable retailers have a variety of corded and cordless styles that are better suited to your individual preference.” Now why didn’t TSTT say that 32 years ago? And miss out on all that lovely “rental?”

No matter – from early on, I’ve been using a non-TSTT phone (for which I paid a one-time price – no recurring costs) “better suited” to my “individual preference.” The ad would be funny had the “rental” not cost me so dearly.

Another complaint. I’m a good (TSTT) customer. Almost always, I pay my bill on time. If I’m travelling abroad for more than a few weeks, I will prepay for the period I will be gone.

A few months ago, my service was disconnected without warning. When I called to find out why, I was told I had not paid my bill. What? But I didn't get a bill! I use the bill as my reminder to pay but, for whatever reason, it did not arrive before the deadline to pay.

Having been alerted, I immediately paid online (as I usually do), e-mailed the receipt to TSTT, and after spending time with a service representative (most of it “on hold”), the service was restored. I thought that was the end of that. But, no.

My next bill showed that I was charged a “reconnection fee” of $30. Now, really, TSTT, is that how you treat a loyal customer, with a long history of prompt payment, who received your bill late? Does anyone think there’s a correlation between the way TSTT treats its customers and its current predicament?

I know TSTT is in dire financial straits but didn’t think it was so bad that it would pounce on the slightest pretext to charge me $30. Who wants to bet that TSTT, that wonderful corporate citizen that cares about its customers, will refund my $30 after reading this?

My long-standing love-hate relationship with TSTT continues. Perhaps, with all the options we now have, it will end soon.

NOEL KALICHARAN via e-mail