Cable companies already have a bad enough rep.  Time Warner Cable just gave them an even worse one.

Back in May, a soldier named Bill (last name probably omitted to prevent further issues for the man) was told he was being transferred from North Carolina to another base out west.  He called up Time Warner Cable to see if he could continue service out there and when  it was determined he couldn’t, he cancelled his service.  ”I was not told of any penalties at that time. A few weeks later, I received a statement showing a credit for the portion of my May service not used — approx. $64. My wife confirmed on the phone with an operator that we owed nothing and would soon receive our check,” says Bill in a letter to the Consumerist.

Not long after moving, Bill received a new letter claiming that he owed Time Warner $14 after being charged a $78 early cancellation fee.

 He called and explained that this had no been discussed with him previously and was against the Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act as they moved on active orders.  He was given the option of making the balance $0, but was told if he wanted his money then the customer service rep would have to speak with “management.”  Bill said he definitely wanted the money and that Time Warner had no options here.

In July, Bill received a call from a Time Warner rep saying that if he didn’t pay the $14 then they would be reporting him to the credit bureau.  He explained the situation again and was asked to fax a copy of his orders to the company to be handled that very day.  He thought everything was finally handled… until he got yet another invoice for $14 in the mail.

I am not a customer of Time Warner and probably never will be because of stunts like this.  As someone who grew up around military bases and has military family, I am appalled that a cable company would break the law to not have to refund $64 to a soldier.  What started out as a simple mistake has evolved into an idiotic display by a multi-million dollar company.  Shame on you Time Warner Cable!

Have any of you had an experience like Bill?  Share with us!