$85,000 cellphone bill shocker

[Greymatters]

Another point of annoyance that has come up is the monthly 'long-distance' fee.  Telus charges three bucks a month for long-distance 'capability', even if you never make a long-distance call (I use VOIP for long-distance calls).

To avoid the fee you can get long-distance turned off and then you go through the operator if you still need it, but its still a money-grab and a pain in the butt...

 

[Roy Harding]

... a pain in the butt...

Absolutely - which explains why I still pay it, despite my lack of use of the service.  Corporations of all sorts (not just telecommunications companies) are not fools - if they can gouge $.75 a month out of 1,000,000 customers - that's a pretty good revenue stream.

I'll admit that I'm not exactly a good example here.  I've complained, but I continue to pay the fee - the determination of whether I'm lazy or too busy to be bothered I'll leave to someone else.

Your characterization of those fees being a "pain in the butt" is, in my opinion and experience, right on.  But they're such a MINOR "pain in the butt" to us individually that most of us just pay it - shame on us.

There may be a New Year Resolution in there somewhere - but I'm not sure I have the chutzpah required to follow it up.

 

[ModlrMike]

I wonder if a judgement in small claims court would establish the required precedent? After all, you've paid for a service you didn't receive, and should be entitled to reimbursement.

 

[Roy Harding]

I wonder if a judgement in small claims court would establish the required precedent? After all, you've paid for a service you didn't receive, and should be entitled to reimbursement.

I don't know - but I will follow it (through the media) with considerable interest.

 

[Greymatters]

Your characterization of those fees being a "pain in the butt" is, in my opinion and experience, right on.  But they're such a MINOR "pain in the butt" to us individually that most of us just pay it - shame on us.  

I used to agree with that attitude about it all being 'minor'.  I first noticed this type of minor annoyance when the banks started to charge for every transaction.  You shrug, say so what and carry on.  But then it starts to add up... 2.50 for every withdrawal after the two free ones, ten dollar maintenance fees for not using a credit cards, losing 2.50 for every month after six months if you dont use that gift card, restocking fees, late fees, administration fees, technical inspection fees, charges for paper etc.etc. all stuff that companies already recover as part of their overhead that they calculated into the prices of products and services... all things that used to be 'free' and viewed as part of the service and the entitlements of every customer.  

When you add up all these 'minor annoyances' for a one year period, its starts to add up to some serious cash, and Ive got better things to do with my money than hand it over to some corporation just so they can make their shareholders happy with the extra profit.  

 

[Roy Harding]

I take your point.

What do we do now?