[Dirigo]

Based on my recent experience contracting for cell phone service with a certain cell phone provider whose name contains a "V", I want to warn everyone of something I probably should have known at the ripe old age of 62: don't agree to anything until you get it in writing.

I spoke with "V" on the phone and chatted online a couple of days later on the "V" website and agreed to a certain plan and two phones at a certain price. When I got the bill I saw that the deal was not what we had agreed to.

A call to "V" Customer Care resulted in them denying that they could have offered such a deal and that if I didn't want the deal I could back out within 14 days of the order, not the activation, of the phones which is the day after tomorrow. I asked for a transcript of the Chat and was told that copies of Chats are not kept on file. I seriously doubt that is the case. I was pretty much told to "take it or leave it"; they were not going to give an inch.

Service with my former cell phone company had already been terminated and the legacy plan we had for several years was gone forever. So I guess I'm stuck with this plan for the next two years.

I pride myself on not falling for tricks or slick sales persons but I got nailed on this deal.

Get it in writing! Chat and phone deals are not reliable.

Live and learn...