Should I report Brinks to the Better Business Bureau?

Question

Ok, I know I should have read the fine print, but get this... I have been waiting for over a year to cancel my service because I knew I was on a 3-year contract, and then I call to cancel, and they told me my contract had auto-renewed because unless I write them a letter to cancel within 30 days they'll lock me in for another year. I'm FURIOUS!!! And I only missed it by less than two weeks. I'm thinking about taking the credit hit and just not paying it because clearly this is a sleazy tactic even if they technically have the law on their side. Obviously they don't want people to know about this so that's why it's called the fine print, not the large print. But I believe that anything to do with prices should be clearly and conspicuously marked, to put it in the consumers side, I can't report to the BBB that they swindled me (which in reality they did, and many others) but I can report them engaging in what is at best a questionable business practice. At least I believe so. I just want everyone to know that Brinks does this so people will know and others won't get duped the way I did. It's too late for me but hopefully anyone else with a contract anywhere near termination should verify if they're in the 30-day window. Anyhoo, yes I admit it's more of a rant, but, do I have a leg to stand on to report them to the BBB?

Answer 1

I think you are right on both points. Yes, they have the technical legal argument on their side. And yes, you have a very legitimate argument on your side that companies like this use work all the angles to make sure customers are given the least possible chance to act in their own interests.

Assuming your credit is at least halfway decent otherwise, and if it were me, I would take the risk of a hit to my credit score and not make the payments. And, yes, I would report this to both the BBB and your state's Attorney General's consumer fraud division.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes report it!  

Answer 3

Yes, report them.  Also consult an attorney.  He will probably write them a letter to put them in their place.

Answer 4

Doesn't hurt to try :)  I think you can tho.