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Woman Concerned About Company's Sales Pitch

Charter Says Issue Was Resolved With Customer

Updated: 12:40 pm CST November 5,2009

A Madison woman said she was concerned with just how many times she had to say no to a sales pitch from Charter Communications.

The company addressed Carole McGuire's concerns after she contacted WISC-TV.

McGuire said her phone problems started with an unexpected knock at the door from Charter.

"(The salesperson) was willing to sell me telephone service because I already have Charter cable and TV."

McGuire wasn't interested. The salesperson left her with an application, but she said the pitch didn't end there.

"I received a phone call from him the next day," said McGuire.

Then a few hours later, she said she got another call -- that one was an automated message.

"Hello, this is Charter communications following up on your recent order for telephone service." said the automated voice. "Our records indicate you have not yet completed the third-party verification request required by the FCC."

The next day, and the day after that, McGuire said she got the same automated calls referencing the FCC requirement. McGuire said about six or seven calls came in a span of about a week.

"For someone that might be a senior, an elderly person, that sounds a little bit intimidating, that you better call back," said McGuire.

McGuire said that in addition to those calls came a mailing from Charter. The mailing included specific dates and times for her telephone installation -- one McGuire never signed up for.

McGuire said she's not worried about herself but she's concerned others will find the barrage of sales pressure a little confusing.

"I think it just borders on not good business practice," said McGuire. "In fact, I think it's not good business practice."

WISC-TV confirmed with Charter that the salesperson who visited McGuire is in fact a Charter employee.

The company declined WISC-TV's request for an on-camera interview, but in a written statement Charter said: "If any misunderstanding or error does occur, it is easy to resolve immediately. In this instance, the customer was contacted and it has been resolved to the customer's satisfaction."

McGuire said Charter did call Tuesday night, and said her name had been removed from the installation list, but she still plans to talk to the state consumer protection agency about this event.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said this is the first time it has heard of something like this happening, but officials there said they are interested in taking a closer look at what happened. They're urging anyone with a similar story to contact the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

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