Enough is enough. Isn’t it time that cell and cable companies stopped advertising seemingly low monthly prices for their service, while tacking on a multitude of junk fees, undisclosed charges, and taxes that significantly boost your bill?
Recently the Huffington Post did an exposé, using Verizon FiOS’ new pick your own channel bundle for $74.99 as an example. When you added all the other charges, you actually had to pay over 60% more than the advertised price.
*MOUSE PRINT:
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There were equipment/HD fees, FDV administrative fee, broadcast TV fee, regional sports fee, franchise fee, USF fee, federal/state/local taxes, etc. There could also be installation fees, activation fees, and early termination fees depending on the offer.
Verizon is certainly not alone in tacking on all these fees. Comcast and Time Warner are equal opportunity offenders, as are the wireless cell companies.
Is it any wonder that these types of companies rate low in customer satisfaction surveys and on trust indices?
Maybe there needs to be a requirement, like airfares, that a single all-inclusive price must be the amount advertised, and not these bait and switch prices.
I haven’t even owned a TV for over 3 years now.
When I called Verizon to have my account closed (short version), they refunded my balance by check and deducted the price of the stamp ! I went to AT&T mobile and told the clerk I ONLY want to pay $xx a month total and what are my options, he provided a plan for exactly the agreed amount, then he proceeded to add federal taxes, local taxes, 911 taxes and the monthly charge became more than doubled. I attempted to explain again I ONLY want to pay $xx and nothing more, his reply was AT&T mobile does not include taxes on their quotes. I went elsewhere and found a cell company that understood me.
Edgar replies: There are prepaid plans that ONLY charge you a flat monthly fee with nothing added (taxes and fees are included). Places like Cricket (AT&T), Boost (Sprint), etc. typically charge $30 or $35 flat for unlimited talk and text and 2 or 2.5 gigs of data. (These policies change, so double check to be sure.)
They have to make profit somehow so we give you a low price to start. The big number which is just a lie. Then we add in all those stupid fees. The small numbers to help rip you off.
The modem fee is just a pure money grab. Same with the set top box fee.
That what helps you get crappy ratings from the people and what is causing so many people to cut the cord.
Something needs to be done. I signed up for 99$ a month, it has never been that price
Always more they can add charges any kind any amount any time, what ever was done for the airlines
We need for cable and phones, A hand shake used to be a contract, remember when you used to cross your fingers if
You were going to tell a lie you , It no longer apply so much crap flying around, what a world we live in, God help us.
After seeing a Verizon salesman at the door, I told him what I wanted. He said I could get it for that price. That was 2 yrs ago. Then Verizon charged me twice for what I was paying. I wrote a letter to the NJ Board of Utilities, that went right to Verizon Mgrs. It never changed. I wrote another letter to the NJ Board of Utilities, that went right to Verizon Mgrs. I could not change the price. NJ Board of Utilities does absolutely nothing, and Verizon lies. No wonder that they get away with murder!
This is the biggest reason that I have never gotten cable or satellite. The advertised price doesn’t include all of these bogus fees and the introductory price is only for the first year or so. I choose not to play their games. So for me, I make do with antenna channels and netflix. Although, I may try Slingtv in the fall. It looks pretty straight forward.
Mediacom will send out an ad for Internet, Phone, and Cable services for $29.95 each. Several times over the years I have called them and asked what the final amount on the bill will be. What dollar amount do I write on the check? They can not come up with and answer. I tell them to find a customer who has those three services – don’t tell me their name – just tell me what their last bill was. They still can’t figure out how to do it.
Also, if an Infomercial has a $9.95 shipping and handling fee, they should be required to list that in the price shown.
Ken
Anytime someone says they will charge $XX amount “and other fees” it’s probably not a deal you should take. Either get all fees upfront or no sell at all.
It woulds be nice if the cable companies took a couple years off from promo pricing and ALLLLLL customers had to go on the higher price.
Tracfone: $10.96 per month. But then, it is just a phone: it’s for making and receiving calls.
Netflix: $7.99 per month. If I can’t find something there, so be it. There’s always free stuff on any subject on Youtube, Hulu (damn commercials) and on the alphabet networks’ website streaming services (damn commercials).
Radio: Free (damn commercials).
Books (the paper kind), commercial free.
Adding to Marty’s alternatives, visit your local library. You’d probably be surprised at the vast collection of music and movies available in addition to books. Most systems are using Overdrive for digital content too.
Funny, we used to have AT&T U-verse for our ISP. The monthly bill was exactly the quoted amount — no add on fees at all. I contacted Comcast at one point to get a quote, and they stated that they were unable to tell me what the actual monthly bill would be!