When are customers actually going to be held responsible for the T/C's they actually sign on for/agree to? These companies always almost always have double opt-in policies, a warning statement at the top of the page that state they'll also be signed up for a $9.99 subscription, etc.
Oh, wait - I forgot. No one's held responsible for their own actions anymore.
ATT's view is that they will pay out now... make them look like the better company. then make it all back by charging over inflated prices for the services they provide
Top you mean bottom of the page in size 0 font yea the top of the page giant whatever.
Then on the tv you can't read it at the bottom of the screen these companies shouldn't be allowed to charge you and they all say free they don't vivdly say there gonna charge you for a service.
no stiffskin, I was referring to my AT&T bill, not the small type on the screen that apparently a ton of morons and their kids are taking part in such as "text FUTURE to 2383672893293 etc to see your horoscope!"
I mean what kind of idiot is going to think they arent getting billed for that? Oh, wait, we're in America, that's right.
I miss the days when cell phones were a luxury item and never had to see a douschebag wannabe on his bluetooth headset or some loud woman on her break from mcdonalds talking about some fat man she likes and how "he so fine" to her other girlfriend that is on her break from burger king or quite possibly Sbarro. THESE are the types of people (along with 12-16 yr olds) texting this garbage and getting billed, assuming they arent on prepaid.
i think that is just a little bit of stereotyping. although i completely understand the arguement of people being held responsible for their own actions, i do agree that this happens to be an area that is plagued with misleading advertising.
if someone tells me to send TONE to 12345 for a free ringtone, then why should i be charged? the problem is that the ads focus on the free item but dont mention any charges. they should instead tell you about their service & charges, then position the value of the free item, i.e. send TONE to 12345 to sign up for our monthly 9.99 ringtone service and get a free bonus ringtone.
the problem with that is they know they wont make any money. all their profits are coming from tricking people. that is deceptive and therefore illegal. these people are entitled to their refunds. if the businesses can't be tracked, the carrier is responsible for allowing these businesses to make charges to their clients' bills. that is the position you put yourself in when you allow a third party to bill to your clients' accounts. if the charges were billed to a credit card or bank account, then there would be no one else involved except the third party companies.
i worked for a personal assistance company before that made charges on behalf of its clients. for example, a client could've called us and to say they wanted us to order flowers and have them sent to their mother for her birthday. many times our clients were not satisfied with the service the third parties provided. lets say the flowers were a day late so the client wanted a refund. well if the flower company didn't provide refunds and refused to give one, we ate the cost.
carriers have two choices. dont be involved in third party transactions. or, tighten control on charges because if they get involved then they are putting themselves in the middle.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vzw gal @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:30PM
When are customers actually going to be held responsible for the T/C's they actually sign on for/agree to? These companies always almost always have double opt-in policies, a warning statement at the top of the page that state they'll also be signed up for a $9.99 subscription, etc.
Oh, wait - I forgot. No one's held responsible for their own actions anymore.
Mike Fletcher @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:55PM
ATT's view is that they will pay out now... make them look like the better company. then make it all back by charging over inflated prices for the services they provide
Dave @ Mar 3rd 2008 6:57PM
lol yes...this settlement will have some 'Rollover' into the Gov't Fees section of my bill...
stiltskin @ Mar 3rd 2008 7:30PM
Top you mean bottom of the page in size 0 font yea the top of the page giant whatever.
Then on the tv you can't read it at the bottom of the screen these companies shouldn't be allowed to charge you and they all say free they don't vivdly say there gonna charge you for a service.
Dave @ Mar 3rd 2008 10:00PM
no stiffskin, I was referring to my AT&T bill, not the small type on the screen that apparently a ton of morons and their kids are taking part in such as "text FUTURE to 2383672893293 etc to see your horoscope!"
I mean what kind of idiot is going to think they arent getting billed for that? Oh, wait, we're in America, that's right.
I miss the days when cell phones were a luxury item and never had to see a douschebag wannabe on his bluetooth headset or some loud woman on her break from mcdonalds talking about some fat man she likes and how "he so fine" to her other girlfriend that is on her break from burger king or quite possibly Sbarro. THESE are the types of people (along with 12-16 yr olds) texting this garbage and getting billed, assuming they arent on prepaid.
youngcalihottie @ Mar 4th 2008 12:44PM
i think that is just a little bit of stereotyping. although i completely understand the arguement of people being held responsible for their own actions, i do agree that this happens to be an area that is plagued with misleading advertising.
if someone tells me to send TONE to 12345 for a free ringtone, then why should i be charged? the problem is that the ads focus on the free item but dont mention any charges. they should instead tell you about their service & charges, then position the value of the free item, i.e. send TONE to 12345 to sign up for our monthly 9.99 ringtone service and get a free bonus ringtone.
the problem with that is they know they wont make any money. all their profits are coming from tricking people. that is deceptive and therefore illegal. these people are entitled to their refunds. if the businesses can't be tracked, the carrier is responsible for allowing these businesses to make charges to their clients' bills. that is the position you put yourself in when you allow a third party to bill to your clients' accounts. if the charges were billed to a credit card or bank account, then there would be no one else involved except the third party companies.
i worked for a personal assistance company before that made charges on behalf of its clients. for example, a client could've called us and to say they wanted us to order flowers and have them sent to their mother for her birthday. many times our clients were not satisfied with the service the third parties provided. lets say the flowers were a day late so the client wanted a refund. well if the flower company didn't provide refunds and refused to give one, we ate the cost.
carriers have two choices. dont be involved in third party transactions. or, tighten control on charges because if they get involved then they are putting themselves in the middle.
Ron @ Mar 5th 2008 4:00AM
youngcalihottie-
I think that sums it up perfectly.