NBR: Cell phone roaming charges, WWYD?

K&P414

My husband's company pays for his cell phone.  We used his phone while we were on our cruise, mostly for him to check email but I did use his mobile hotspot to sync up my kindle and I checked my email/facebook a few times (maybe 3).  Anyway, we just found out there was over $900 in roaming charges!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has anyone had any luck disputing outrageous roaming chages like this with the phone company? Is it even worth my time to call them?  I think his company is going to pay for all, if not most of it, but I hate for them to pay that without at least trying to negotiate the amount.  We did not get any messages or anything about how much roaming charges were and the only thing I see on my contract is that standard rates apply, which in hindsight is pretty effing vague.

JulesDiane

Maybe just having it on caused roaming charges? Although, that doesn't really make sense. I would definitely call and try to dispute them.  Sucks that he had to check work email why on the cruise. Did he have to work? Or was he just checking it because he could? If it's legitimate work, then let the company pay.. if its more of you checking email and facebook, I would be hesitant about letting the company pay. But, that's just me. I hope that you guys can get them to lower it, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

K&P414

No, it was legitimate work for the most part, honestly.  He knew that when he left there were several issues going on at work with some site inspections and he wanted to make sure there wasn't anything being held up because he was out of town.  There was actually 1 problem that he had to deal with while we were gone.  I think he sent out 2 or 3 emails about it and made 1 phone call that was less than 2 minutes. 

It just infuriates me that the charges are so extreme, freaking highway robbery! 

slwprincess

Yes, I have heard of it happening. On the iPhone, under general settings there is a warning to turn off the data roaming when abroad to avoid these charges. So not sure if they will let u dispute or not. If it was work related, then I would let his company pay for it.

donna&ed

Unfortunately you are responsible for these charges bu there is no harm in contacting your service provider. If this is your first time, they would probably lower the cost some. Sorry!

seansgirl2006

Maybe Clark Howard has some tips on his site?  I have heard him talk about disputing outragous roaming charges before.  I bet it is tough though.  I don't even turn mine on when we are on a cruise or anything like that because you will get charges without even using it.

kbrickell

One of the local news channels recently did a story on this very issue. Just having it on will cause roaming charges unless your phone is setup not to. For ex. my step father does a lot of work out of the country and he does not get charged these fees. My mom just got back from a cruise yesterday and I asked her this very question and she said no she turned it off completely.

I would try to dispute and if not then have his work pay for them.

wuhhoo

I used to have Sprint and I went over one month - by several hundred minutes which translated to about $400. I never had this type of overage before and we negotiated down to $40. Some companies do work with you (thankfully!).

 I 100% agree with you that those roaming charges are outrageous!!!