You’re a smart guy, figure it out!

I recently signed up for TriplePlay and during account setup I had an option of porting the number or getting a new one. Porting a number meant a 2-3 week delay for getting an HD cablebox and because my new HDTV was already installed I decided to get a new number. I specifically asked if I can port my number later on and the response was positive and didn’t mention any fees.

I don’t use my home phone that much, but the new phone number we got is getting all kinds of crazy calls: from services trying to sell us something to people trying to reach previous owners of this number. I got fed up and decided to port my old number that didn’t have any of these problems.

Called up Optimum and they told me that there is a $40 fee to “buy the number from the other company” and $34.95 fee for a technician to come over and “install” my new number. When I pressed for details about what it means to “install” my new number the gave in and waved the installation charge, but were not willing to wave the $40 fee even though it wasn’t mentioned when I originally signed up.

I ported that number at least 3 times before without any charges. Pretty ridiculous. Interestingly enough there is not that much outrage on the web about this. This is one of the only links i found: http://text.dslreports.com/shownews/Cablevision-Charges-Excessive-Fee-For-Phone-Number-Transfers-91543