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Stealth Inflation
prostoalex writes "The New York Times on the Web explores the topic of incorrect bills and numerous surcharges with names like 'assessment', 'handling', 'restocking', etc. David Pogue quotes Business Week magazine, where it says that such small charges $100 million annually for hotels, $2 billion for banks and $11 billion for credit-card companies. Users of landline phones, cell phones, checking accounts and credit cards are starting to suspect that such huge revenue might imply the mistakes are made on purpose. Is it just another conspiracy theory, or are we becoming victims to the stealth inflation?"
Is it just another conspiracy theory, or are we becoming victims to the stealth inflation?
Yes, in that order.
Next week: Ninja Tax!
When anger rises, think of the consequences.
Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC)
This article is totally right! I was just looking at my software bill for this month. What are all these $699 charges for Linux? I'm glad I checked!
if you think you're getting shafted by a company with "mystery" fees, just cook up an invoice for "services rendered: $11.52" and ship it off to their accounts payable department.
most of the people in accts. payable have a policy that any invoice that's less than a certain amount (twenty bucks or whatever) will just get paid. it's a great way to recoup your costs.
2 1337 4 u!
I wasn't aware that the Iraq war would inflate the price of the B-2 bomber. Guess I'll have to get the model without leather and heated seats.
Shucks.
Byzandula -Beware the lolipop of mediocrity; One lick and you will suck forever.
I'm sure its all accidental .. and the fact that the charges are never in the consumers favor is a mere coincidence.
Of course sales of 'random billing error' plugin modules are skyrocketing! ... again, coincidence
Since when does "handling" in the shipping and handling for a two pound item justify an extra $10 expense?
You've just described 95% of eBay auctions:
Brand new CD, mint condition! Bidding starts at $0.01, S&H only $9.00 within the US! Please email for overseas quotes!
What if you registered for a buisness license and called it, I don't know, RBE Consultants. (Randon Billing Error) This way you could bill for your time spent fixing their error. You could also start the converstation with the rep as " Hi, this call maybe monitored or recorded for quality assurance...." and you could save the call to mp3 on your computer witha Radio Shack 2.99 phone suction cup microphone.
Then just send them a bill as a consultant, something like $11.52.
Sounds like a good little side buisness to me.
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I have an easier way. Think of your utility company's monthly bill. Most of the time, they have a statement that says "Please do not staple your check to the return stub". Why do they say that? Their machines are designed to automatically process your paper check with no human intervention whatsoever. A check stapled to the stub screws up the processing. They have to stop the processing machine and fix the jammed pages. Costs the utility alot of money and time to unjam their check processor.
Hence if you are pissed at your utility company, credit card company, your cell phone company, or your mortgage company, etc., just stop using the internet to pay your bills. Start manually paying your bills and staple the check to each and every stub. It costs you more in terms of postage, but it feels so good!
You shoulda sent them a note, informing them that you were reducing costs, and could no longer justify the $2.25 for the convenience of billing, and you would like billing to stop. :)
Snooze and you lose your sushi.
Tell the insurance company that you suspect the doctor is charging / overcharging for services which were not rendered. Ever had an argument with an insurance company? Stand back and watch the fun.
Q.E.D
I am not a number! I am a man! And don't you
But what would you love most: The explaining itself or the bill you'd send them afterwards?
Money for nothing, pix for free
You don't happen to spike trees in lumber areas, do you?
Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
Only when the bastards start charging too much for firewood.
Isn't this is sort of like a more sophisticated, suburban form of those squeegie guys that clean your windshield? ;-)
Four fifths of all our troubles in this life would disappear if we would just sit down and keep still. -C. Coolidge
I guess being first-post comes with some benefits, but really people, an off-topic rant by someone who clearly has issues w/ their doctor due to lack of comprehension of the healthcare system should be modded sad...
Since this clearly does not apply to you, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
I do the same sort of thing, only I'm a gigolo.
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