If you research history, you will learn that World War II lasted 1,248 days – from December 7, 1941 to May 8, 1945. Operation Iraqi Freedom, has lasted – at least so far – 1,250 days and counting, from March 19, 2003 until God knows when. My reason for mentioning this is because I myself have fought a war for the last four years – one that has taken a tremendous amount of my time and energy – and one that finally came to an end on March 31st…

…and that is my war with T-Mobile.

Rather then explain what happened to cause this war, which I have done countless times to dozens of T-Mobile representatives, I will instead ask you to read my column entitled, “Beware Of “Phone”-y Salesmen” written on August 15, 2004. What I will explain is what happened that day – which is something I waited for very patiently for the last four years.

On April 1st, I sent a certified, return-receipt packet to T-Mobile containing a notarized, 1,520 word letter, a previous 1,133 word letter I wrote on August 16, 2004, a copy of my Service Agreement – and the column I mentioned earlier to T-Mobile – promising that if I did not get a response – that I would be contacting an attorney. A few days ago, I received a call from a Kate who works in the T-Mobile press office. She said that she would help me with my issue, and that she would have someone from her office get back to me with a statement for this column – she did neither.

Figuring that I would never get a resolution to my issue, I contemplated my next step. Then, I got a call from a Victoria who is an, “Elevated Customer Service Representative.” T-Mobile had apparently received my packet and must have passed it on to her. When I returned her call, the automated switchboard said, “Thank you for calling T-Mobile, office of the President…” Now – I knew I was getting somewhere. I left her four messages, and then finally got her on the phone the fifth time I called. After some initial explanation on both our parts. She asked me what she could do to resolve this matter…

…remove the $200 activation fee I have been asking to be removed for the last four years.

After explaining to me that the fee was, in fact, valid because I did, in fact, cancel my plan before the end of my contract – she said that due to the unpleasant experience I have had all this time – that she would remove the activation fee as a courtesy.

Mission accomplished.

A good friend of mine and mentor to me at work told me that some battles are too costly, in the sense of time and energy, to be fought. While I agree with him, I knew that this one was worth fighting. It may have taken four years, but I knew that I would not stop no matter how long it took. Truthfully, I could write T-Mobile a check for the amount in five seconds – but it was not about the money – it was the principle. It didn’t matter if I won the $300 million Powerball – I never would have paid that bill. But now – finally – I can say that it was a hard fought battle, one that cost me a lot of time and energy – but I won…

…and victory is sweet.