tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33000792992409646772024-02-20T19:51:23.207-05:00The Consumer AdvocateBe a voice in consumer advocacy. Challenge companies and governments to be better and aim higher. Hold companies to account for misleading, cheating, and otherwise, not adding value. If you have to use fine print or lack full disclosure is that good business?
Fight for democracy and challenge companies. Each post has links so you can make your voice heard. Strive to improve the organizations that we interact with and affect our lives. Be a voice for change, be a consumer advocate!Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-30567554353108109322012-07-03T09:45:00.000-04:002012-07-03T09:45:26.442-04:00Yak & Globallive - From Great Start & Concept to Bad Finish & ImplementationI used to be a big fan of Yak Communications (and their parent Globalive), for being a low (reasonable) cost provider in Canada.<br />
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However - Yak's issue (my issue today) is not unique to Yak, I've had the same problem with Bell up here as well. So - it may be a telco thing, or maybe in other industries as well - but today - I'm calling out Yak for their bull$%^& billing practice.<br />
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You know the one, where you cancel your account, for whatever reason and move on to another telco, or internet provider or TV provider, but somehow, you keep getting billed. Why? I actually don't know why it take 30 minutes to set up an account, but beyond that why is canceling an account not a 1 minute conversation and 'check' in the billing system....<br />
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The doubter in me thinks this is tacitly known and accepted by Yak (and probably Bell and Rogers), where you keep getting billed and then the onus is on you to a) discover the mistake and b) call up and get it fixed.<br />
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Today is my 3rd call to @#$%'ing Yak to get this fixed. Yak used to provider reasonably priced DSL Internet service. With no warning, one day when you called in you realized the service is now with another company. Great communication plan there Yak.<br />
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But the billing thing, I mean, f'n really. 3 phone calls to say, uh, I don't get internet anymore, please cancel my service and stop billing me. No, perhaps someone from the tech team or billing or senior management would like to respond and explain why it take 90+ days to stop billing someone who doesn't get your service anymore.<br />
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To make matters worse, i.e., my customer service experience I have been on hold now for 16 minutes with the same stupid looped message every 20 or so seconds. At least put on some effen music.<br />
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I went through this with Bell for a year. I can only wonder how many other people do as well and just don't notice. If any lawyers read this there might be a lucrative class action opportunity against Canada's major telcos for this issue.<br />
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We've just heard recently about the "System Access Fee" debacle in Canada where the telco's made people believe 6.95/month was a government levy when indeed they charged. And yet, what was with that fee? I mean, if I'm getting mobile service then I presume getting access is part of getting service, like who would just pay the fee and not get access. So this was really just another bullcookie charge from Canada's illustrious telco oligopolies.<br />
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I have to wonder who the a-holes in senior management are that approve this. You know, like if you're a Sr. VP you're probably bringing home over $200K a year and that's not good enough, you have to screw the customer for made up fees.<br />
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>>>>side note, 27 minutes in to the phone call now, and still no resolution<<<<<<<br />
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Am I the only one on this? Does it not seem odd of all the things a telco can do technologically, canceling an account or providing a refund seems to beyond them. I would have to say "no" it's not. It's a known issue, and they (Canada's oligopoly of telco companies) should be held to account for it.<br />
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Here is a<a href="http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/" target="_blank"> link to Canada's ombudsman site for Telecommunications</a>:<br />
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http://www.ccts-cprst.ca/<br />
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Here is a link to their complaints <a href="https://www.ccts-cprst.ca/en/complaints/complaint-form">page</a>: https://www.ccts-cprst.ca/en/complaints/complaint-form<br />
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People of Canada, stop getting gouged, stop getting screwed, stop allowing the telco oligopoly to screw you. Write the ombudsman at the above site and make your voice, your legitimate complain heard.<br />
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Thanks,<br />
M.Brown<br />
consumer advocate<br />
resident writer in Canada<br />
disgruntled telco customer<br />
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<br />Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-39522927118158978022012-01-18T23:49:00.000-05:002012-01-18T23:49:51.899-05:00Canadian Telcos - 007; a license to @#$% the Canadian ConsumerUp here, in the great white north where I'm on a sojourn from the USA, Canadian TV, internet and phone companies all get their licenses from the government body, the CRTC, the equivalent of the FCC in the USA. Given that Canadian telcos are essentially, and oligopoly, it's a license to screw the average Canadian.
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<br />
I have another blog dedicate to railing on cell phone and cable companies, affectionately called - <a href="http://telcoblues.blogspot.com/">The Telco Blues</a>, but I felt compelled to write in this blog given the magnitude and apathy that seems to be inflicted on your average Canuck by their cell provider.
It's know that Canadians pay more for broadband internet and their cell phone rates than most other industrialized countries. The government tries to mollify their grumblings by saying it's part of that wishy washy Canadian social contract, that the people in the south and urban areas pay more to subsidize the prohibitive cost of service in bum @#$% northern Ontario or Saskatchewan. Some consolation.<br />
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But I again, digress.
I'm writing today to call our Rogers Wireless, who's been screwing my friend for the better part of 10 years. She's a sweet one, an honest one, and really doesn't have the tenacity or vigor to take on the sharks that work the call center. Today you can get pretty much a new phone and a plan with about 500 minutes (anytime) and unlimited week nights and weekends, for at least $75. Taxes in, she's been paying over $80, no 'free' phone, free calling after 9pm and only 200 minutes.
This was the deal they told her to sign up for when her contract last ended. I guess the lamb was lead to the slaughter. Of course they'd say that.
I mentioned that she could get out of her contract and get a better deal elsewhere and still be ahead. Apparently Rogers ( and tacitly, the Canadian government since they license Rogers) allow them to charge up to $20 to break a 'contract'.<br />
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Now, really, since no subsidized phone was involved, was a contract needed? Where rates going up? (her plan was terrible). The only entity benefiting was Rogers. They @#$'ed her royally.
So, she calls up to see what they 'can do' to improve her plan/monthly rate. Apparently the system access fee (WTF was that for anyway - you're paying for cell phone service, presumably, the ability to make and receive calls is part of the plan, so what's with the fee?) was no longer 'mandatory' was the word they used, a year ago. So, they did her a favor by taking it off her bill now. They wouldn't refund it though.<br />
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So, to get this straight, Rogers, is allowed to charge $8/month, when they are no longer authorized to do so. And they don't have to pay or refund back? WTF??? Legalized robbery. What else is it? They @#$% you for a year, you pay something you don't have to, (how would you know unless you called?) and then happily continue to collect vs. just canceling the fee. Honest to christ what is it with this country and the hold the major telcos have in government to continue this bullshit.
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The sooner the government opens up more competition and develops an even playing field, the sooner Canadians can find companies that are focused on providing a good service for a fair price vs. an oligopoly that seemingly bilks at will.
Shame on you Rogers Wireless. Shame on the CRTC. Shame on Canadians regulated oligopoly.
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For Canucks, write your MPs and tell them you want fairer dealings and more accountability on behalf of the major telcos, and to have a level playing field for new entrants in to the phone, cell, long distance, cable and internet industry.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-82088399104619421392011-10-27T20:47:00.000-04:002011-10-27T20:51:47.718-04:00I'm having a bad tech day.
I'm pissed off with technology. Yes, the irony isn't lost on me that I'm writing a blog post about it, but I feel I wanna throw in the towel and just live off grid. On my death bed I'm going to want all the time in my life spent on hold with effen customer service support lines, back. From my wireless modem to my internet to my cell phone to the satellite tv to wrong billings for my utilities, to god knows what else.
And do you notice you always have the same effen IVR message. They're so busy it's a larger than normal call volume. Oh, ok, I guess I'll go to a company that knows what they're doing then and who's underlying service isn't so effen bad that there's a larger than normal effen call volume of people wanting effen service!!
And here's another favorite. Why is the first thing those effen CSR a'holes ask you after you put in your phone number, is, WHAT'S YOUR PHONE NUMBER.
For cell phones, if I wanted to pull out the battery of my cell phone every day or 2x a day to fix a problem I WOULDN'T HAVE BOUGHT THE EFFEN CELL PHONE.
If I have to reboot the fucking modem every other day, or as a matter of use, I WOULDN'T GET IT!. What is it with tech and making shit that doesn't work?????? Holy Christ, can you image what Caterpillar or Boeing or any major industrial company would be like if you have to reboot the freakin thing every day.
And another thing - if anyone in the CSR blogosphere reads this - if someone is calling in for tech support - they're already pissed off. They're pissed at the company, the same company where some MBA asswhipe in marketing spends a whollop of cash to build the brand that is destroyed through shit product and bad IVR or CSR systems - SO, when I'm calling in, and yes, pissed off, DON'T make things worse by having an overly long, taxing IVR system, or marketing messages for some stupid effen service, where all I really want is my effen modem, cellphone internet or TV service to be back up and effen running!!!
Really, ever notice, when all you want is tech support it's never an option? Even worse, when you spend 5 minutes in IVR land and then you get a message the office is closed. Why not effen tell me that at the effen beginning???? Just help people up front. And don't sell me more shit from the same fucking company I'm calling because the first shit I bought doesn't work. And you get these effen Barbie like IVR messages touting something stupid like the new web site like it's the best fucking thing going on with your day. You know what a good fuckin for me is - NOT HAVING TO CALL FOR FUCKING TECH support.! A good day is when I don't have to dial 9 for more fucking options cuz you have you haven't addressed my fucking problem in the first fucking 8 options.
Why god, why!! Help me. I'm at a loss with this 1's and 0's universe, I just want simple!Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-37806984051038203422011-04-03T17:42:00.000-04:002011-04-03T17:42:39.434-04:00Beware - Domain Registry of CanadaI got a note in the mail the other day from this Canadian company Domain Registry of Canada. Although they do say in bold and caps, it's not a bill, but a solicitation, the way it's positioned, "Domain Name Expiration Notice", you might think it's from your host provider. They're requesting that you renew, to the tune of $40 a year. We all know most domain name registries, at least ones in the US, are usually less than $10. So, they hope to net in people who forget, don't know, or are otherwise not paying attention to not only shift the domain, but pay 400% more than most other places. Really? Is this the best business you could come up with? Taking advantage of people's lacking attention span and business lives. Really? <br />
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Hey, DR of Canada, F-you. <br />
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These guys get a nomination for the 2011 Chizzler Awards.<br />
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If you have other stories of companies business models built more on taking advantage of people than truly providing a for value service, let me know, we'll include them for this year's nominations.<br />
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Thanks,<br />
Morley.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-27461008582086031782011-02-24T14:32:00.001-05:002011-02-27T17:41:46.317-05:00Oy Gevalt!!! Again with the #$%^n Fees - Rental Cars in TorontoSo, trying to be a little more green here, I got rid of my car and thought, now that I'm living in DT Toronto, I'd do as many locals do, which is what I did in Manhattan as well - rent when you need car. Take the subway, ride your bike, take a cab, rent a car.<br />
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This prospect seems to be attractive, and one that I used to undertake - rent when you need a car.<br />
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I've just finished looking in to reservations with Hertz and Avis in the downtown core, there is a $10 per DAY surcharge on all reservations. Like WTF??? Am I now responsible for a rental car company's expenses? Ok, maybe adjust your rental rates up, as is the practice in different markets, big cities are generally more than smaller ones where real estate is cheaper. But $10 a day, I don't even have the car there. Jeezuz H Christ I swear sometimes we exist just so companies can charge us fees. Our life is fees and taxes. Our environment, which should be host, is parasitic, and every company or government org has some fee to reach in to our pockets. <br />
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As an fyi to anyone renting in Toronto, look outside the downtown core for a rental, there may not be a fee. I found an Avis in HighPark that doesn't charge this fee. To those downtown locations, go self procreate yourself.<br />
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: )<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
Morley.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-1611651404504517722011-02-09T14:33:00.002-05:002011-02-09T14:33:49.520-05:00Stop the Gouging!! Sign a pettition and let the CRTC know, NO to internet metering.http://stopthemeter.ca<br />
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Make a donation to help us stop the meter at http://openmedia.ca/drive (Donating to us will be less expensive than paying punitive fees.) <br />
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- The OpenMedia.ca Team<br />
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---------------<br />
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The CRTC just decided to let your Internet Service Provider put a meter on your Internet!<br />
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Bell Canada and other big telecom companies can now freely impose usage-based billing on independent Internet Service Providers (indie ISPs) and YOU. Big Telecom companies are obviously trying to gouge consumers, control the Internet market, and ensure that consumers continue to subscribe to their television services. <br />
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This means we're looking at a future where ISPs will charge per byte, the way they do with smart phones. If we allow this to happen, Canadians will have no choice but to pay more for less Internet.<br />
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This will crush innovative services, Canada's digital competitiveness, and your wallet.<br />
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We need to stand up for the Internet.<br />
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Sign the Stop The Meter petition at: http://StopTheMeter.ca<br />
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Want to know more? Here’s the lowdown:<br />
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This decision is a blow to consumer choice, to access, and to free expression. Independent Internet service providers (ISPs), such as TekSavvy, pay incumbent telecoms like Bell for access points in their networks. In applying usage-based billing (UBB) to these indie ISPs, the CRTC has allowed Bell to determine and limit how many gigabytes of usage their independent competitors can provide to their customers.<br />
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- This severely limits competition in the telecommunications market, which is bad for innovation and diversity of content.<br />
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- This also means that the cost will necessarily be passed down to you, the consumer.<br />
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- Usage-based billing or metering discriminates against certain forms of information insofar as it charges consumers more for content that requires the use of a large amount of gigabytes, such as audio and video.<br />
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- This also means that those who produce media-based art, and depend on the Internet to show the world their work, are less able to produce and disseminate their content freely. This means less innovation and more control of art, film, music, and other forms we may not yet know of!<br />
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Sign the petition and save the freest medium we have ever known (again!). Stop the Meter and save our net!<br />
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--<br />
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Read more at SaveOurNet.ca: http://saveournet.ca/content/what-does-usage-based-billing-mean-net-neutrality<br />
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Read more at OpenMedia.ca: http://openmedia.ca/blog/crtc-decision-all-bell-and-usage-based-billing-all<br />
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Read TV Versus The Internet by Steve Anderson: http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2010/10/06/TVversusInternet/<br />
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Read more at CBC.ca: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/10/28/crtc-usage-based-billing-internet.htmlConsumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-12598735198555161422011-01-24T09:14:00.000-05:002011-01-24T09:14:50.900-05:00<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=syndicado-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0805088385&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-44683822186520185842011-01-24T09:11:00.001-05:002011-01-24T09:18:19.379-05:00American Airlines' Added Fees Crash and Burn the CustomerWell, let's see, where to start. <br />
Hmm, well, if you're leaving one city, and going to another, and if that destination city is several hours away, couldn't one really assume that you'd, um, say, bring clothes and other such personal items? You know, like, luggage.<br />
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I made the mistake of thinking I got a 'deal' or a 'good rate' for a flight by AA on Expedia. But once I tacked on the extra $100+ for my luggage, no longer a deal. Baggage fees? WTF. Really, what are you thinking? Of course we have a luggage. And to make matters worse, there's the tweaking of the fees around weight. Plus, on a flight from Toronto to LA, no food. Well, ok, maybe I can see if they want to cut back, fine, we'll bring or buy food. Thanks for the drinks, although $6 for a beer is a bit rich in a captive market. <br />
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I think they should rebrand the airline, Chizzler Airlines. And any other airline that can't seem to make $$ by running it's underlying business - air transportation of people, by coming up with added, 'obvious' fees that should be included as part of your ticket. <br />
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So, AA, kiss my consumer ass, I'm not flying AA anymore. I'll fly an airline that has figured out how to provide good service, for a good price and not nickel and dime us. Ever hear of Southwest? Try flying on one of their flights and maybe you could school yourselves on customer service.<br />
<br />
Morley<br />
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Let AA know you think it's time to bag the baggage fees. <br />
File a complaint <a href="http://www.aa.com/contactAA/viewContactAAAccess.do?selectedFileName=aaCustomerRelations.html">here</a>:<br />
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Or check out more airline chicanery <a href="http://www.airlinecomplaints.org/forumdisplay.php?f=2">here</a>.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-35388322193758264262011-01-20T11:06:00.002-05:002011-01-24T09:17:10.532-05:00What's with the charging a month in advance and KEEPING it?This has happened twice during my sojourn in Canada, once with Rogers and once with Fido. After canceling my service after several years, I'm billed in advance for one month. What the F@#$. Really? For what? What did they do to derserve and extra months fees for no service. I'm really at a loss here, all I can think is WTF. Is it legal?<br />
What freakin argument do they have to charge money for no service. What 'costs' can they claim, even if admin, that's part of running their business. <br />
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Regardless of it being a Term and Condition, and yes, the fine print we gloss over when signing up. Not having phone service is not really a reality in this era. So, if it mandatory, realistically, and all telco companies do this, the consumer does not really have an option to opt out. Unless, they can cross that term off the contract. Then there is the reality that the call service person or sales person will never process a contract like that since a) they don't know what to do and b) it's not in their interest to. So, we sign it like little lemmings, screwed by the big bad telco wolf. But really, WTF why are we being charge for no service. <br />
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Imagine any telco giant's bank charging fees for nothing. Or if you got a bill from Ford for something because the next car you bought was a Chrysler. Not to mention the whole issue of locking phones in Canada. That's a whole other diatribe. After paying $600 to Fido for an iPhone I can't unlock it? I know that's a cabal agreement between telcos and handset guys in North American but come on, I bought the f'n phone I should be able to do with it what I want. Imagine buying a car and only being able to go to one gas station. I can only hope that the rise of Wind Mobile, which seems to have a much more consumer centric philosophy, will help the big guys from screwing us more. Earn your $$, don't steal it.<br />
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Regarding the charging in advance. One way to lobby or inquire would be the Consumer's Association of Canada.<br />
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CAC National Office:<br />
436 Gilmour Street, 3rd Floor<br />
Ottawa, ON<br />
K2P 0R8<br />
Phone: (613) 238-2533<br />
Fax: (613) 238-2538<br />
Email: info@consumer.ca<br />
<br />
Post Office Box:<br />
P.O. Box 9300<br />
Ottawa ON<br />
K1G 3T9Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-35178823598149326702010-04-17T02:33:00.001-04:002010-04-17T02:37:39.836-04:00Air France - Canada - Opportunity to shine...lost!Ok, so I"m stuck over here in the south of France and will first admit there could be far worse places to be stuck : )<br />
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That said - when you're sick, you really just want to get home!<br />
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I booked my ticket here on Expedia, but then found myself in the hands of Air France after the volcanic eruption in Iceland disrupted air travel across North America.<br />
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Now, let me state, unequivocally, that in situations, particularly travel, when shit is going down, PEOPLE NEED TO BE INFORMED. It's one thing to hear or process, "your flight is cancelled", but a whole other thing to just leave people hanging.<br />
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Welcome to Air France. <br />
I have, up until now, liked Air France as an airline. Nice planes, good food, decent service.<br />
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And it may be tough to scold the whole airline so I'll restrict my angst to the numnuts in Canada who work for Air France.<br />
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Let me repeat, PEOPLE NEED INFORMATION. Even if you don't have information, at least tell people that you don't that you're on it, that there is a plan coming. If you're in another part of the work and your flight and thousands of others are cancelled, people are freaked out. It's costing them money, they're stuck someplace and don't now what to do. <br />
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Air France, you could have really shone here. Stood out amongst the pack by provide stellar customer service. And you failed. For 48 hrs you had NO information, you had the wrong day that the flights were cancelled AND NO NUMBER TO CALL. WTF Air France??????<br />
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Do I call Air France in Canada or Air France in France?<br />
And how about adding more call center reps? How would any of you like to be on hold for 25 minutes on international roaming? Like I don't have better things to do than spend $100 on a phone call???<br />
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Tell us what's going on, not just that everything is cancelled.<br />
Tell us where to call.<br />
In light of this extraordinary event, bring on more staff. It's a chance to show what you're made or, to rise above, to help out thousands of people who have no idea what to do.<br />
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Set up a specific number for us to call, OR use your same number but set up a specific " press one if your stuck abroad and trying to rebook" Think. I mean who the hell is running Air France in Canada? Who's the VP of Marketing with his or her head up their ass not thinking.<br />
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When I managed to get through to the call center, on Friday April 16, 2010, the call center rep told me I got a flight from Nice to Amsterdam and Amsterdam back home. She said I was lucky to get this - and all things being equal, I would have been. But she booked me straight in to NW Europe exactly where the problem was, with Air France's Skyteam partner KLM. Call me crazy, but if that's where the problem is, why am I being sent there? I'm thinking - hmmm, Skyteam alliance, how about Delta from Nice to JFK, JFK back home. I felt like the dumbass at call center just showed up and took request, they didn't actually think. Another poor reflection on Air France. After having reserved that ticket, which was then cancelled, I"m back in the same situation, and now, Air France's office in Canada is closed! <br />
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On the KLM Web site, at least they have the where with all to send you to Delta for their 24 hr call center.<br />
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Alas, I remain, in Nice, and yes, it is nice, but I'm sick, and tired, and would just like to get home.<br />
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I will go out of my way to avoid Air France when I can, at least Air France Canada, proud recipients of this month's dumbass award!<br />
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Yours, respectfully,<br />
M.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-37704995196665415102010-03-19T10:06:00.001-04:002018-11-22T10:22:22.922-05:00Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-82088814459335170502010-03-10T17:53:00.002-05:002010-03-10T18:12:35.923-05:00Hey Citi and Bank of America - Welcome to the human race!I was listening to NPR today and it was with pleasure that I heard Bank of America has revamped their debit card charges - you know the ones where if you order a latte and you don't have enough money in your account, it processes it anyway and charges you $20-$40 over draft fee. Like WTF is that about. <br /><br />So, to my post heading, yes, welcome to the human race, although Citi and B of A are still way down on the evolutionary scale.<br />These sort of behaviors, the NOT declining a purchase like the way a credit card works, and charging someone $40 for an over draft, it's just wrong. Why did they do it in the first place. You're usually screwing the people who have the least amount of money. And really, a $40 charge on a latte, really? Really? Who was the marketing asshole who came up with that. Would you want to do that to your mother? Grandmother? This is just so wrong on so many levels and that it's taken so long for Citi and Bank of America to come around, it's just a sad state of affairs in our country today. What happened to the virtues of our fore fathers - make money the old fashion way - earn it. Don't F#$% people for a living. Don't f#$% your customers - it will hurt you in the long run.<br /><br />This is just one in a long list of pathetic moves that banks do or charge fees for that really don't add any value to the customer relationship. They just cost the customer. Is this really a way to run a business? Is this just not legalized robbery? Hire an asshole lobbyist or lawyer to make screwing people legal.<br /><br />I always wonder, who are these f'n assholes at the banks that come up with this. Do they go out after in NYC and brag or talk about how smart they that they have this new service? Is this what they were taught in school? Is this the best our MBA schools can come up with? I'm just saddened as a consumer, person, shareholder, civilian, whatever, it's just wrong and sad and that it's so prolific in America is ever sadder. <br /><br />I'm glad Citi and BoA have taken one step in the right direction. I would like to think, as an ideal, that they would not need Congress to armtwist them to do the right thing. That the people that work at these banks are smart enough to make money, earning it. By providing value for service. Not f'@#$ people. Not gouging. Not coming up with more bullshit fees, but running the service of a bank. And maybe if compensation wasn't so high at the top and disproportionate to the rest of the company and society they would not have to f#$% john q. public to make a living. One can only hope.<br /><br />If you're still with a bank that charges these fees - write them. Write to investor relations and tell them that even as a shareholder this type of activity is just wrong. Write to the President of the company. Vote with your dollars and move to a bank that is fair. That doesn't charge you fees while providing no value in return. Have hope that some companies will have the mindset of providing value and can run a business without screwing its customers.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-92042560412468600912009-03-05T13:08:00.000-05:002009-03-05T13:27:00.761-05:00John Q public screwed again by the big banks, in my case, CIBC.I recently received a note from CIBC stating that my Personal Line of Credit (PLOC) was going up 1%. <br /><br />The note, which was NOT SIGNED BY AN EXECUTIVE was generic in nature and blamed the increase on the "global credit market conditions".<br /><br />I would like to know, if all the CIBC and Wood Gundy executives are prepared to return their bonuses based on inappropriate credit activities and funds generated by participating in the "global credit market" over the last 6 years?<br /><br />Theses bankers and traders have received seven and in some cases eight figure bonuses during good times. They helped generate the "global credit market conditions" i.e., crisis and now are asking me, a client, to pay for their screw up. This is so wrong on so many levels.<br /><br />I'll pay the increase, if the executives return their bonuses.<br /><br />Otherwise, what CIBC and other banks are saying is..." we made a shit load of money for ourselves when the going was good, taking risks everyone else was, and now that the shit has hit the fan, we want you to help make up for our losses." That is pretty much what that little 8.5" x 3.5" piece of mail is articulating. At least make it a personal letter, signed by an executive. But no, someone might actually be held accountable.<br /><br />So, what will it be, can the shareholders of CIBC and other big banks expect a refund back from the very executives that profited and put us in this mess, or are they going to nail millions of customers to make up for their loss?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Morley Brown<br /><br />Don't take it! Email the big banks and demand that your PLOC, in good standing, be not affected by an increase or that the executive return their previous bonuses!!<br /><br /><a href="https://www.cibc.com/ca/cibc-and-you/to-our-customers/service-commitment/resolving-complaints.html">CIBC</a>:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.td.com/comments.jsp#step1">TD</a>:customerfeedback@td.com<br /><br />BMO:Ombudsman: BMO.Ombudsman@bmo.com<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rbc.com/contactus/customercare_email.html">RBC</a>:<br /><br />ScotiaBank: mail.president@scotiabank.comConsumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-85906708377371137082009-03-05T08:14:00.000-05:002009-03-05T08:31:25.599-05:00Hey, Canadian media, quit it!!!!!!!!!!!Have you ever heard of the phrase "there's nothing to fear but fear itself"?<br />Have you heard of a “self fulfilling prophecy"?<br />Or have you heard where a reaction to some event is worse than the event itself?<br /><br />Shame on the media for fanning the flames of the recession and our economic situation.<br /><br />Some people might not know there's a recession if they didn't watch the news.<br />What's worse, for the CBC where Canadian's tax dollars pay for Radio & TV news,your tax dollars are actually paying to spread doom and gloom!<br /><br />Perhaps you, the media, could change the way YOU SAY the news. It's one thing to report statistics, but when you lead off with "and more signs the economy is in serious trouble", and "the bad economic news just keeps coming". You, the CBC, are fanning the flames of fear and reaction and are CAUSING the very thing we're trying to avoid.<br /><br />Think about it. Change your strategy. I don't suggest not reporting what's going on, but THINK first HOW you report it, and perhaps feature people who are succeeding.<br /><br />Your reporting and your peers are disgusting. I had always thought Canadian media was a cut above it's southern counterparts but since arriving here I see you're just as low as the U.S. tabloid cable news world where shlock and shock rule.<br /><br />For Canadians, it's a double whammy! You pay tax dollars then come back to hurt you financially with the spread of fear affecting the economy and subsequently, the financial markets.<br /><br />Report the news. Don't pass negative judgment on it. Don't fan the flames of fear, it's the last thing we need at a time like this.<br /><br />Share my concern?<br /><br />Email the media and let them know!<br /><br />CTV news@ctv.ca<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/contact/">CBC</a> <br /><br />Canwest:<br /><br />Conventional<br />Grace Park gpark@canwest.com: Publicity Manager <br />Global Television & E!<br />(416) 967-2484<br /><br />Globe and Mail<br />Newsroom@globeandmail.com<br /><br /><a href="http://www.corusent.com/home/Corporate/Contact/tabid/1740/Default.aspx">Corus Radio</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.astralmediaradio.com/en/contact-us/">Astral Radio</a>Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-78791530772303663102009-01-14T15:38:00.001-05:002009-01-14T16:14:49.287-05:00Verizon - Paperless BillingEver get an email from any one of your banks, telecoms or utility companies urging you to be green and sign up for paperless billing? Most likely you would have received something via snail mail with a pimped out flyer promoting GREEN, sign up today! Save trees, yadda yadda yadda.<br /><br />As a person forever buried under paper, I think it's a great idea, and yes, good for the environment if indeed it results in cutting down (pardon the pun) the use of paper and subsequently, trees. It can also be convenient, if done right.<br /><br />However, two points to note.<br />Firstly, it results in significant savings to the underlying company. I used to work at a Telco, I know physical bill production and mailing expenses are significant, yet oddly none of these cost saving are passed on to us, the end consumer. Right, I forgot, our feel good message from the company was save trees, not save them millions.<br /><br />So, being the good, green citizen that I am I signed up for paperless billing at Verizon for my broadband Internet account.<br /><br />As fate would have it, a year later I ended up moving out of the state, to an area no longer served by Verizon for Internet service. That leads me to my second point. What I discovered, to my dismay, and dare I say shock, is that when you're no longer a Verizon client they delete your records, so you can't even access your previous billing information, at a later date, e.g., for tax purposes. Further, there was no e-download of the bill. I did however get some great advice from the Verizon rep on the other end of the phone, wait for it......"print off your previous years invoices". So much for being green. Call me cynical but it is this not a prime example of corporate BS? Selling the value of green and environmental, when indeed, it is merely a cost savings NOT passed on to us, the consumer, nor green in the end, if you need to access those records. And, to cap it off, you end up paying to have it printed!<br /><br />Honestly, I don't know where even to start with this one. Memory and storage space are a commodity these days, it's not like a company can argue it's a cost thing to maintain a billing record for a few years? Especially since it's saving them a few dollars every month for every physical bill not mailed. This just seems to cliche'ly bad. And the call rep couldn't even see the irony on the other end, she thought she was offering me a good solution.<br /><br />So for today, Verizon, you get the "bird".<br /><br />Email (save trees) Verizon's customer service people and demand that records and accounts be maintained for at least 5 years, even if you are no longer a client.<br />Click <a href="http://www22.verizon.com/Residential/Support/contactus">here</a> to go to their contact us page and send them a note!<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Morley BrownConsumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300079299240964677.post-58052417929096552142008-12-16T11:47:00.000-05:002009-01-11T22:16:58.533-05:00MTA Kiosks at Laguardia Airport (LGA)Having just arrived at the US Airways terminal I sought out the M60 bus in to Manhattan.<br />The best and most economical way in to Manhattan from the airport.<br /><br />However, to get on the bus, you need a metro card, or you need 8 quarters.<br />Of course, this information is not readily available at the airport, you have to ask someone.<br />And of course businesses in the airport can't be expected to be doling out quarters to every traveller that comes through, so what about metro cards?<br /><br />I asked the airport worker where I could get a metro card and was informed I had to first take the A or B shuttle bus to the Central Terminal. So I waited, and took the shuttle finally arriving at the Central Terminal 15 minutes later.<br /><br />Once in the Central Terminal, one then has to find "where" to buy a metro card. The answer is Hudson News, right at the very end of the terminal.<br /><br />So, 35 minutes later, I finally have a Metro Card and am ready to board.<br /><br />I have to ask -WHY DON'T THEY HAVE AN MTA KIOSK AT THE AIRPORT?????<br /><br />Maybe a change dispenser?<br /><br />Anything is better than what they have, which is nothing. Perhaps this simple but overlooked idea falls in to the abyss of two organizations - a federally regulated airport, and local transportation.<br /><br />Perhaps it's conspiracy of taxi's and limos that prefer befuddled and ignorant tourists to take a cab vs. the bus???<br /><br />Why does just Hudson News sell these cards? Why only at one terminal?<br /><br />Get it together people.<br /><br />Where ever there is a MTA bus stop at the airport, where travellers are exiting the airport and looking to get in to Manhattan or the NYC area, how about putting up an MTA Kiosk. This will also promote use of the MTA for a visitors stay! Everyone wins!<br /><br />I'm Morley Brown, your consumer advocate!<br /><br />To join the consumer advocacy cause please write/email the following:<br /><br /><a href="mailto:airportcustomerideas@pannynj.gov">The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey</a>:<br /> airportcustomerideas@panynj.gov<br /><br /><a href="http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php">The MTA</a><br /><br />Thank you.Consumer Advocatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07995570353135259551noreply@blogger.com0