Companies who charge extra money for payments (pay, credit, checking account)

[ma5cmpb]

I recently called in to pay my AT&T U Verse bill and they charge a $5 convenience fee when you talk to a live person and i recently made an online payment to my electric company and they charge a $3.95 convenience fee. When did companies start doing this? So they are charging you extra money to PAY your bill.

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by ma5cmpb

When did companies start doing this?

Years ago.
Because they can.

Pay them online FROM your checking account. Take lag time into account.
If your bank charges for online banking, then join a credit union (find one that is large enough to have all bank-like functions).

[Pitt Chick]

Yep - OP, you are doing it wrong!
They are not charging you to PAY your bill, as you said... they are charging you for HOW you choose to pay the bill.

I pay my bills online for free and you can too.

[Blackbeauty212]

Still it's freaking Robbery, that we now have to pay these companies to take our money because we chose to call in payments.

What about Seniors who are not computer savvy, or even have one in the home? I'm sorry its complete BS.

[flyonpa]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Still it's freaking Robbery, that we now have to pay these companies to take our money because we chose to call in payments.

What about Seniors who are not computer savvy, or even have one in the home? I'm sorry its complete BS.

Check, Envelope, Stamp, Mail.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

What about Seniors who are not computer savvy, or even have one in the home? I'm sorry its complete BS.

No BS at all!
I know plenty of people like that... they use the regular mail, just as they have for decades.
Way cheaper than telephone, etc.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

Check, Envelope, Stamp, Mail.

I have a couple bills that say they will charge $5 to mail you a bill--only free if they do it online.

[bUU]

Consumers want low prices.

Service costs money.

Solution: Charge low prices for the basic service, and charge fees for extra services.

The blame for this trend rests squarely on the shoulders of consumers who reward companies for low prices instead of rewarding companies for great service. These are the same consumers responsible for shrinking seat pitch and baggage fees on airlines.

[Themanwithnoname]

Originally Posted by bUU

Consumers want low prices.

Service costs money.

Solution: Charge low prices for the basic service, and charge fees for extra services.

The blame for this trend rests squarely on the shoulders of consumers who reward companies for low prices instead of rewarding companies for great service. These are the same consumers responsible for shrinking seat pitch and baggage fees on airlines.

Must disagree with the last line.

Prices went UP

[bUU]

Prices going up don't indicate whether the prices are lower than they would have been or not. Splitting price increases between base price increases and surcharges and fees is a time-honored way of responding to consumers' myopic fixation on bargain-hunting.