Outrageous (operator assisted) phone charges
Bill Bowden
distance call (California to Texas) using operator assistance and was
billed a little over $60. The operator made no comment about the
charges at the time. I consulted AT&T costumer service about a credit
for being unaware of the high rates, but they said there was nothing
they could do. I could have purchased a prepaid phone including 5
hours of time for less than $40. But there was still nothing they
could do.
Live and learn, I guess.
-Bill
Bob F
I've had good results with onesuite.
The Real Bev
Change 'could' to 'would'. Education isn't cheap. Neither is AT&T.
> I've had good results with onesuite.
Google voice is free.
--
Cheers, Bev
1010101010101010101010101010101010101
What do you think you're doing, Dave?
-- Hal 9000
Susan Bugher
Purchasing a prepaid phone card would be more frugal. This one has
worked well for me:
http://www.prepaidcall.com/Cards/clean.htm
A $10 card gets you over 7 hours of time if your call is to the US/Canada.
Susan
Zee
wrote:
Yeah Live and Learn but $60 poorer I guess :)
Try Onesuite.com next time, you can use it as a phone card from a
regular phone or as a VoIP service from your computer. Cheap rates
both ways.
Bill Bowden
Yes, the convenience store next door sells several types of long
distance calling cards. The gal that works there recommended a $2 card
she uses to call Viet Nam. And my brother uses the internet and a web
cam to talk to relatives in other states. I knew these cheaper
services were available, but I didn't have time to research it. All I
wanted to do was wish my niece a happy birthday and figured it
wouldn't cost much to use the operator. I would have been happy with a
3 or 4 dollar charge, but I had no idea the rates would be almost $3 a
minute.
I spoke with an operator who explained they used to advise callers of
possible charges, but no longer do that, and it was the responsibility
of the caller to research the charges.
Thanks,
-Bill
Susan Bugher
> Yes, the convenience store next door sells several types of long
> distance calling cards. The gal that works there recommended a $2 card
> she uses to call Viet Nam. And my brother uses the internet and a web
> cam to talk to relatives in other states. I knew these cheaper
> services were available, but I didn't have time to research it. All I
> wanted to do was wish my niece a happy birthday and figured it
> wouldn't cost much to use the operator. I would have been happy with a
> 3 or 4 dollar charge, but I had no idea the rates would be almost $3 a
> minute.
You have my sympathy. That was a rather expensive lesson but I expect it
will stick.
Susan
Bill Bowden
Yes, I won't do it again. I found the email address for
randall.s...@att.com, CEO of AT&T, and sent an email explaining
the situation. Got a phone call today from a representative who agreed
to "go half-way" and reduce the charge from 60 to 30 dollars. Still an
expensive call at $30, but I was happy to get the other 30 credit.
-Bill
Mrs Irish Mike
wrote:
> On Mar 20, 10:48 am, Susan Bugher <sebug...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Bill Bowden wrote:
> > > Yes, the convenience store next door sells several types of long
> > > distance calling cards. The gal that works there recommended a $2 card
> > > she uses to call Viet Nam. And my brother uses the internet and a web
> > > cam to talk to relatives in other states. I knew these cheaper
> > > services were available, but I didn't have time to research it. All I
> > > wanted to do was wish my niece a happy birthday and figured it
> > > wouldn't cost much to use the operator. I would have been happy with a
> > > 3 or 4 dollar charge, but I had no idea the rates would be almost $3 a
> > > minute.
>
> > You have my sympathy. That was a rather expensive lesson but I expect it
> > will stick.
>
> > Susan
>
> Yes, I won't do it again. I found the email address for
> the situation. Got a phone call today from a representative who agreed
> to "go half-way" and reduce the charge from 60 to 30 dollars. Still an
> expensive call at $30, but I was happy to get the other 30 credit.
>
> -Bill
I bet they had an operator on the line the whole time, monitoring. You
should be paying his salary, so $60 isn't outragous..
$30 can get you a cell phone with minutes.
There are a few simple things than can financially ruin a person. Why
does the telephone company allow charges than can cause great
difficulty?
Collect calls from prison can get pricey.
Another is cable pay-per-view.
But phones, especially cell phones, can lead an otherwise intelligent
person to run up thousands of dollars of charges, by accident.
David Harmon
misc.consumers.frugal-living, Mrs Irish Mike <wilm...@gmail.com>
wrote,
> Collect calls from prison can get pricey.
That is a deliberate rip-off. Can you say "captive audience"?
Mark Anderson
> I spoke with an operator who explained they used to advise callers of
> possible charges, but no longer do that, and it was the responsibility
> of the caller to research the charges.
Well, what if they charged you $600? Would a charge like this be
considered acceptable? There should be regulations on businesses for
putting up traps like this and perhaps AT&T found a loophole. If these
kind of unsavory business practices are the only way to make money
nowadays in long distance then perhaps they should just get out of the
LD business altogether since there's no legitimate money in it anymore.
The only way to make money is via deceit and trickery which is a rather
unsavory way of conducting business. I'd at least write a letter to
whatever entity is supposed to regulate AT&T which is still considered
to be a local loop monopoly provider. You may not get anything from it
other than maybe someone somewhere will take a look into this.
I dropped LD about 8 years ago and never looked back. Calling cards are
convenient, cheap, and you know what you're paying for. I wouldn't even
trust those telephone bastards with a cell contract so I go pre-paid on
that as well. In a few months my land line goes bye bye and then I'll
be free of the AT&T monopoly.
Bill Bowden
> In article bper...@bowdenshobbycircuits.info says...
Yes, I used to have AOL as a LD provider. They sent me a 50 check in
the mail to sign up, but failed to mention the charges were $10 a
month for no calls. After about a year of paying $10 a month for
nothing, I discovered a (pay as you use) LD service you just dialed on
the phone and were only charged 10 or 20 cents a minute. So, I called
AOL to inquire about dropping the service and the representative
indicated they would waiver the minimum charges if I stayed with AOL.
I asked why the waiver was not explained earlier, and he said:
"because you didn't ask".
Just don't go to T-Mobile, I hear AT&T is buying them out.
-Bill