This sounds like the sort of screw-ups the old GTE had in days of yore.  Now that GTE has become Verizon and SBC has become the “new” ATT, I guess we’ve come full circle.  Only problem is, that circle takes us back to square one with no where to turn.  Gaah!

it’s insane.........I have Verizon phone, DirecTV through Verizon and Comcast for my internet connection.  WHY?  Well cause Verizon basically assured me I would have access to the DSL line if I bundled everything with them, so I did, and guess what, can’t have DSL Line (this was a couple of years ago), but hold on ma’am, cause you are going to get FIOS which is infinitely better than anything else you have so don’t worry.  Well, I am into my second contract with DirecTV and still am paying Comcast for my internet service and paying through the nose, I might add.  I am locked into a contract with DirecTV through October of 2008 I think so it does me no good to cancel anything--FIOS trucks go through my town daily, up and down Main Street saying it is available in MY town, but just NOT on my street.  Why?  Cause my neighborhood has all underground utilities and so they would have to dig up the streets to install it.  GRRRRRRRRRR So I feel your frustration.  We went through some massive billing issues back when we started and were fighting with them over the HD service we were paying for but not getting.  Took MONTHS to straighten out.  And, you know, the sad part it isn’t just Verizon, it is everywhere.  Frustrating.  We (collectively, all consumers) probably spend a fair portion of our days trying to fix someone else’s screw ups.......something is not right!!

As I recall, I had my share of problems with Comcast a couple of years ago, too, which is the main reason why I went over to Verizon. But at least I had fast internet and responsive television with Comcast. I suppose if I’m going to have to hang out on the phone with one or the other, I may as well enjoy fast internet while I’m doing it. Our town isn’t even slated to have FIOS any time soon and my neighborhood has buried wires, too. So I wouldn’t expect to see it here much before 2012. If then.

I expect that even after I’ve canceled my Verizon account, I’ll probably still have to fight with them over the remainders on the bill that they can’t figure out. I don’t look forward to it.

I am amazed they have not been on the phone already with you offering you all kinds of incentives to stay with them.  No one can afford to lose customers these days, don’t be surprised if you get some calls..........BTW, did you ask for the retention department when you were trying to straighten things out?  I did that with Comcast when I thought I was going to get DSL line....I spoke with someone in retention department and got 6 months for maybe 29.00 a month for my internet.  I think they gave that to me for about a year before they went back to whatever I pay now.........$60 something.  It might be worth it to talk to someone at Verizon in that department just to get your bills straightened out.

Ah-HA--my favorite word again......."whatevah"!!