The overdraft fee-infamous for the inability to opt out of it-along with debiting the largest amount first, so many overdraft fees can be generated on smaller amounts, are all methods of arrogant banks no longer interested in customer goodwill and if you have noticed, signs of monopolistic behavior. Let's not forget the "holding your money" if deposited after 3pm, but processing automatic withdrawals anytime after midnight, or holding a check 7 days -in the age of computer processing and fast access to accounts worldwide.Banks have become one of those necessities that many of us dread and resent.
Banks aren't the only sinners in this lust for stealing money from paycheck to paycheck Americans.
I find this opt out process is popular with other businesses and it really pisses me off.
I have been a customer with T-Mobile for 10 years. They play the same game. I have a family plan with unlimited texting-with teens-this is a critical component.
T-Mobile invented a new service called Family Allowances where you can pay extra to set limits on minutes, change services, decide what services can and cannot be used.
I have a beef with that.
First, I think buying a plan with allotted minutes means just that. If I buy a plan with a thousand minutes, it is a thousand minutes. If I buy a plan with downloads, it is a plan with downloads.
Phone companies make their money when someone doesn't follow the rules. Overages on minutes are prohibitively expensive.
I think the contracts should provide exactly what a purchaser pays for-no more and no less.
It isn't really a contract for a thousand minutes if it is allowed to go over the agreed upon number, is it?
I believe, once again, services should be an opt in, not opt out. If I pay for thousand minutes, I should get a thousand minutes. When I reach that limit, no more.
I have gone in and set those perimeters so many times, it makes me want to scream. I have paid for the ability to control the phones-and thought that was ridiculous.
Why should I pay to control a contract I am already paying for?
This practice is absurd.
After ten years, I'd had it.
I called them, cancelled the expired phones, and had one phone left on contract-mine.
I said, give me the cheapest plan.
21.95
No frills, I said.
Everyone in my house goes to Boost.
21.95 plus ten dollars for taxes and fees!
Half of my phone bill again, for the cost of maintaining the contract!
I asked, "is there any way of getting out of this contract?"
"For 200.00", I was told.
I asked, "What about texts?" If I receive a text, do I have to pay for it?"
"Yes" customer service replied. Unless you "opt out"
"There you go again," I point out.
"Another service I didn't ask for, which I would have to pay for unless I ask you not to give it to me, even though I don't have it on my plan"
"No texts".
See how it works?
Go Boost.
You get what you pay for.
