"0"^^ . . "1"^^ . "8"^^ . "ESCALATION!\n\nThings seem pretty fouled up at CenturyLink. After I signed up for a new and improved \"bundle\" as they call it, my bill suddenly ballooned by $50. It shouldn't have gone up at all. I merely switched from an obsolete bundle with Embarq, the former company.\n\nThe customer rep got snippy when I said I didn't understand her explanation of the mysterious charges on the bill. \"You understand it, don't you?\" Yes. \"Then why can't you explain it so I can understand it.\" I could talk to you all day and you still wouldn't understand. Supervisor!\n\n\"Escalation department,\" the next rep answered. \n\nIf they have a whole department devoted to customer inquiries that \"escalate\" out of control, shouldn't management step back and take a look at what they're doing wrong? How about training the reps to talk to people so things don't escalate?\n\nI'm still not sure the issue is resolved. CenturyLink's billing is a mess.\n\nMy Internet was out for a week while they plugged in my new bundle. They credited my account but I'm sure they'll make up for it by overcharging me on the next bill."^^ . "2012-07-01T00:00:00"^^ . . "1"^^ . .