Latest news with #MelanieVandegrift
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hurricane-damaged hotel that received $34K Spectrum bill released from collections
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Better Call Behnken is getting results for a small hotel that was sent collections for internet and TV service it didn't have. Island's End Resort, on the end of St. Pete beach since the 1940s, was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene and still doesn't have power. So, you can imagine management's surprise when a Spectrum bill showed up for more than $34,000. The small hotel has been sent to collections over the bill, which includes $30,000 in early termination fees. Polk County principal accused of 'skip scanning' at Walmart self-checkout Hours after Better Call Behnken got involved, this happened: 'I met you in the morning, and then that evening, I get a call from Spectrum saying that they're waiving all the bills, manager Melanie Vandegrift said. 'They have zeroed out our balance. They said they welcome returning our services whenever we're ready. And they are letting the collections agency they hired know that we no longer have a balance with them.' A spokesman for Spectrum assured 8 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken that he would investigate. Hours later, Vandegrift said Spectrum called her to say they wiping out the early termination fees and working to lower the rest of the payment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hurricane-damaged hotel in St. Pete Beach receives $34K internet/cable bill
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Island's End Resort has been a the very end of St. Pete Beach since the 1940s. Hurricane Helene left it heavily damaged, without power, and unable to open. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now So, you can imagine management's surprise when a Spectrum bill showed up for more than $34,000. The small hotel has been sent to collections over the bill, which includes $30,000 in early termination fees. 'They say they have no provisions in place for businesses to put their services on hold,' manager Melanie Vandegrift said. Are you earning enough to 'live comfortably' in Tampa Bay? Here's what it takes The early termination fees are due to a contract to put in fiber several years ago. 'I just want to put it on hold,' Vandegrift said. 'We will pay the amount of months that the contract is. We would just like to do it when we're open and actually have income.' A spokesman for Spectrum assured 8 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken that he would investigate, and then hours later, Vandegrift said Spectrum called her to say they wiping out the early termination fees and working to lower the rest of the payment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
