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From: davidb@pacer.uucp (David Barts)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Proposed Anti-Slamming Regulations
Message-ID: <13585@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 15 Oct 90 15:26:24 GMT
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carols@drilex.dri.mgh.com (Carol Springs) writes:

> ...[list of MCI proposed anti-slamming practices]...

MCI forgot:

 o If any customer claims he or she has been "slammed" and there is no
written documentation of the customer's approval of the change, the
customer's word is taken to be correct, the customer is switched back
to his original LD carrier AT THE SLAMMER'S EXPENSE, and THE CUSTOMER
IS NOT CHARGED IN ANY WAY FOR LD SERVICE FURNISHED DURING THE PERIOD
OF TIME THE SLAMMING WAS IN EFFECT.  The unsolicited service is
considered to be a free gift to the customer.

*That* would stop the practice of slamming in a hurry.  It would also
make carriers get written verification, which just goes to show the
superiority of ATT's plan.

If the mail carrier brings a Ronco Spit-o-Matic prune pitter to my
doorstep, along with a bill that says "Please remit $49.95", and I did
not order any prune pitters from Ronco, I can consider this to be a
FREE GIFT and throw the bill in the wastebasket, where it belongs.
There is no reason why an LD carrier should be considered different in
this respect. If I don't order something, I shouldn't have to pay for
it.  Period.

> Guess MCI is looking for a new reputation as consumer advocate.

With advocacy like that, who need adversaries?  Trusting MCI to come
up with a meaningful set of anti-slamming procedures is like trusting
Saddam Hussein to come up with a meaningful plan for Mideast peace.


David Barts			Pacer Corporation, Bothell, WA
davidb@pacer.uucp		...!uunet!pilchuck!pacer!davidb