Another MS Billing screw up Vista News Discuss Another MS Billing screw up in the Windows Vista forums; Windows Live OneCare randomly expires Microsoft's Windows support forum found a throng of users yesterday complaining of their Windows Live OneCare subscriptions inexplicably showing up as having been terminated. ...

[Snuffy]

Windows Live OneCare randomly expires

Microsoft's Windows support forum found a throng of users yesterday complaining of their Windows Live OneCare subscriptions inexplicably showing up as having been terminated.

This left many scrambling to find out whether OneCare was still providing them with updates, firewall, and antivirus protection, or if Microsoft had forgotten about them.

The forum's moderator sought to deter panicked users from calling tech support, saying that the subscription/profile server/database issue would be corrected within 24 hours. One user who spoke to the call center reported that he received the response, "We cannot confirm that your computer is being protected."

Microsoft Program Manager Kapil Rastogi has posted on the forum that it is a temporary glitch in the billing system affecting only a limited number of subscribers. He says Microsoft will work directly with those affected to correct account status and address interruptions in the OneCare service.
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And who pays for this SCREW You John Doe Customer... thingie.
You Do - John Doe Customer.

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

Well least their (MS) sorting it...

[Znod]

I've had a couple of nutty billing issues lately. First, I started getting late and finance charges of a Dell no interest account. I couldn't figure it out so I called. They told me I have been paying outside the payment window. But, I pointed out that I was paying early not late. They told me that their system can't handle early payment and that I would get dinged everytime I paid early. I waited until my credits for the goofy charges cleared, paid my account in full, and resolved not to deal with Dell again for a while.

Second, when I bought my PS3, I also got a no interest no payments until ... deal (plus $100 off). The payoff eventually would be through Chase Bank. I started receiving penalty and finance charges again. I called and was told that Chase and Sony did not have such a deal. While I was on the phone, I went to the Sony site and found the still-running deal. Chase forgave all the phoney charges, but would not go to Sony site to confirm the existence of the deal. They just stonewalled. So, I paid that bill off too as soon as I got my $100 and phoney charges credits. I resolved not to do business with Sony either for a while. I could find no way to talk to anyone at Sony who could deal with the issue.

[felix8406]

I just had a familiar encounter with ATT wireless. I tried to add a line to FamilyTalk plan online; I chose a free phone, but received a message that I could not add a line to my account. I sent an email and was told that in order to add a new line and get the free phone, I had to do the transaction online. I explained the problem I had with the online order and was sent a toll free number to call. When I called, I was told that the phone was $69.00 US. I told them that it was free online and was told that in order to get the free phone deal I had to order it online.

To make this story short; I was transferred to another department, then transferred yet to another department until I just gave up. Day before yesterday, I called again. This time I was told to order the line as an individual line and after activating the individual account, to call ATT to get the new line transferred to the FamilyTalk plan. Yesterday I received the cell phone, but it didn't work. So I called ATT and they couldn't tell me how to return the phone since it wasn't even activated. After finally finding the right department, it was agreed that I would received a new phone for $69.00 US, and would get a refund after they had received the non-working phone.

I received the phone today and got it activated and the line transferred to my FamilyTalk plan. Now I'm waiting for my $69.00 refund.

[Znod]

That's a good one Felix. But, ATT is at the top of my list. On our last trip to Europe, I had problems with my phone card. I didn't intend to use it very long, but since I had trouble getting and staying connect on several ocassions, believe it or not, I ended up with about a $1,000 bill with nothing to show for it. Well, even though I had to be polite and persistent, ATT forgave the debt. Hooray ATT.

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

God $1000 ahhh

[felix8406]

$1000.00 is a bunch not matter where you are from.

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

What like 450 pounds na!

[Znod]

I thought it was about 25 pounds now.

[Snuffy]

I actually thought it was 625 lbs... but for some rich dude, using Mom and Dads Money... it probably is Na. -- $1,000.00 divided by 1.6 - by maybe my currency conversion is off.

For some hard working guy, $1,000.00 is a lot. and some guy who is on SS $1,000.00 is a BIG BUNCH... its more like pay your bills, and NO GOBS OF MONEY FOR CHRISTMAS .. and yes, WE my wife and I do appreciate very much the FREE Cookies and Coffee from around town to celebrate the Birth of Christ... and we even leave cookies & milk for "Santa" on Christmas Eve.