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?"

Comments

My answer

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it just another conspiracy theory, or are we becoming victims to the stealth inflation?

Yes, in that order.

Stealth Inflation

[Pingular]

Next week: Ninja Tax!

Re:Stealth Inflation

[Trigun]

But I haven't any ninjas to tax!

Re:Stealth Inflation

[webtre]

You do, you just can't see them :)

Re:Sad state of affairs...

[Frymaster]

fight fire with fire.

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.

must be an accident

[dslbrian]

...starting to suspect that such huge revenue might imply the mistakes are made on purpose.

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

Re:must be an accident

[smack_attack]

I've seen BofA's overdraft code...

function overdraft()
{
srand((float)microtime()*1000000);
$num=rand(0,20);
$overdraft = $num*'29.50';
include('rand.reasons');
return rand_reason($num);
}

Re:Sad state of affairs...

[niko9]

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.

--

Re:Sad state of affairs...

[stand]

There were guys in my old neighborhood that mowed lawns, then later billed the customer, even though no one asked for their lawn to be mowed

Isn't this is sort of like a more sophisticated, suburban form of those squeegie guys that clean your windshield? ;-)

Re:Sad state of affairs...

[IWannaBeAnAC]

I imagine they only started this project because they lived in a place where the neighbors were pleasant people.

Since this clearly does not apply to you, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Re:Sad state of affairs...

[lyphorm]

I do the same sort of thing, only I'm a gigolo.