Stealth Inflation 796
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?"
My answer (Score:5, Funny)
Yes, in that order.
Stealth Inflation (Score:5, Funny)
What the... (Score:0, Funny)
Re:Stealth Inflation (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:5, Funny)
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.
Inflationbait (Score:2, Funny)
Shucks.
Byzandula -Beware the lolipop of mediocrity; One lick and you will suck forever.
must be an accident (Score:5, Funny)
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:Stealth Inflation (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Oh yes (Score:1, Funny)
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!
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:5, Funny)
Then just send them a bill as a consultant, something like $11.52.
Sounds like a good little side buisness to me.
--
Re:must be an accident (Score:5, Funny)
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... (Score:2, Funny)
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!
Re:Sprint (Score:3, Funny)
Easily solved... (Score:3, Funny)
Q.E.D
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:3, Funny)
But what would you love most: The explaining itself or the bill you'd send them afterwards?
Re:My answer (Score:3, Funny)
Actually, if you're using an OR operand, the order is irrelevant. :)
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:2, Funny)
You don't happen to spike trees in lumber areas, do you?
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:5, Funny)
Isn't this is sort of like a more sophisticated, suburban form of those squeegie guys that clean your windshield? ;-)
*this* gets modded interesting?!?... (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:5, Funny)
Since this clearly does not apply to you, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Re:Sad state of affairs... (Score:3, Funny)