shaw cable situation

[colt22]

Alright this is sorta a mess

I rented near the university with 5 of my buddies for 1 year in 2008 (sept08-sept09).
We bought the shaw 8 month subscription pre-paid and split it 5 ways. When I moved out I cancelled the subscription and that was the end.
Today a collections agency called me and said I owe $500 something for service charges since then (im assuming it did not get cancelled). I never received any bills while renting or after renting.

what should be done? (shaw says f-off and pay)

[Xtrema]

What documentation you got for cancellation?

[colt22]

Originally posted by Xtrema
What documentation you got for cancellation?

zero.. Didn't think I would ever need it? Not only was the subscription pre-paid I called in to shaw to make sure it was cancelled and they confirmed over the phone that it was- nothing was put on credit nor was any banking info was given.. basically just the house address.
A receipt definitlety would be nice.

[Masked Bandit]

Can you get documents (bank records) that show the pre-payment arrangement? There may be something in the original contract though that wasn't quite followed with regards to cancellation. Cable companies are famous for this negative billing approach. Phuckers.

[Pihsiak]

Student promos work like this with Shaw.

They start in Sept and go for 8 months (fall and winter semester).
You get 8 months at a reduced rate and after that it goes up to regular rates. The old promos asked that you do all 8 months up front. (what you probably had to do, but not alot of people want to do 400+ up front) So the current promo asks that you either do all 8 months up front or go on Automatic withdraw.

Because Shaw does the advance billing you will always know when you come off the promo because they send you a bill for next month's rate showing the regular price.
At that time you can call in to reduce your rate/cancel/ or go on the 4 month student rate (spring and summer courses)

If you want to close your account down, all they ask for a 30 days notice and to return all rental equipment (like tv boxs or modems)
They also ask for a forwarding address so they can sent the last bill to you. If no forwarding address is given then they go the the service address.

SO, you have to ask yourself. What is the amount they are coming after you for?
Is it un-returned equipment? (a HDPVR is worth 600 at that time, a regular tv box is worth 118.00 and rental modems are 60)
Was the account turned off? Did your room mates keep using Shaw services and stick you with the bill until it was disconnected for non pay?

There are slight way for Shaw to check if an account has been running.
For example, they can do a modem test to see if there were any "traffic" (uploads/downloads) for the past 12 months from today. If your room mates where ordering PPV from your tv box (if you had one) after you moved out, it will also prove that "someone" was using shaw services and they can bill you for that.

Ultimately the account is under your name and that is why Shaw is coming after you.

BTW: I am not way representing Shaw. I just know their student promotions and disconnection policy pretty well

[Feruk]

Did you sign anything?

[colt22]

thanks for the responses.

I never signed anything, all that happened was we paid by debit for the first 8 months then I showed my I.D and gave my cellphone number

I can't believe shaw is unwilling to help

[Mar]

I'm not surprised, they gave me free cable that cost me $200. Anytime shaw tries to give me free stuff now I hang up on them.

[urban.one]

Ask to speak to a supervisor and explain all the facts. Write them all down so you have them all listed in front of you and in proper order.

You may also want to fax in a letter to the attention of a supervisor.

Originally posted by colt22
thanks for the responses.

I never signed anything, all that happened was we paid by debit for the first 8 months then I showed my I.D and gave my cellphone number

I can't believe shaw is unwilling to help