Monday, January 24, 2011
American Airlines' Added Fees Crash and Burn the Customer
Well, let's see, where to start.
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.
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.
I think they should rebrand the airline, Chizzler Airlines. And any other airline that can't seem to make $$ by running it's underlying business - air transportation of people, by coming up with added, 'obvious' fees that should be included as part of your ticket.
So, AA, kiss my consumer ass, I'm not flying AA anymore. I'll fly an airline that has figured out how to provide good service, for a good price and not nickel and dime us. Ever hear of Southwest? Try flying on one of their flights and maybe you could school yourselves on customer service.
Morley
Let AA know you think it's time to bag the baggage fees.
File a complaint here:
Or check out more airline chicanery here.
Hmm, well, if you're leaving one city, and going to another, and if that destination city is several hours away, couldn't one really assume that you'd, um, say, bring clothes and other such personal items? You know, like, luggage.
I made the mistake of thinking I got a 'deal' or a 'good rate' for a flight by AA on Expedia. But once I tacked on the extra $100+ for my luggage, no longer a deal. Baggage fees? WTF. Really, what are you thinking? Of course we have a luggage. And to make matters worse, there's the tweaking of the fees around weight. Plus, on a flight from Toronto to LA, no food. Well, ok, maybe I can see if they want to cut back, fine, we'll bring or buy food. Thanks for the drinks, although $6 for a beer is a bit rich in a captive market.
I think they should rebrand the airline, Chizzler Airlines. And any other airline that can't seem to make $$ 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.
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.
Morley
Let AA know you think it's time to bag the baggage fees.
File a complaint here:
Or check out more airline chicanery here.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
What'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?
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.
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.
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 $$, don't steal it.
Regarding the charging in advance. One way to lobby or inquire would be the Consumer's Association of Canada.
CAC National Office:
436 Gilmour Street, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, ON
K2P 0R8
Phone: (613) 238-2533
Fax: (613) 238-2538
Email: info@consumer.ca
Post Office Box:
P.O. Box 9300
Ottawa ON
K1G 3T9
What freakin argument do they have to charge money for no service. What 'costs' can they claim, even if admin, that's part of running their business.
Regardless of it being a Term and Condition, and yes, the fine print we gloss over when signing up. Not having phone service is not really a reality in this era. So, if it mandatory, realistically, and all telco companies do this, the consumer does not really have an option to opt out. Unless, they can cross that term off the contract. Then there is the reality that the call service person or sales person will never process a contract like that since a) they don't know what to do and b) it's not in their interest to. So, we sign it like little lemmings, screwed by the big bad telco wolf. But really, WTF why are we being charge for no service.
Imagine any telco giant's bank charging fees for nothing. Or if you got a bill from Ford for something because the next car you bought was a Chrysler. Not to mention the whole issue of locking phones in Canada. That's a whole other diatribe. After paying $600 to Fido for an iPhone I can't unlock it? I know that's a cabal agreement between telcos and handset guys in North American but come on, I bought the f'n phone I should be able to do with it what I want. Imagine buying a car and only being able to go to one gas station. I can only hope that the rise of Wind Mobile, which seems to have a much more consumer centric philosophy, will help the big guys from screwing us more. Earn your $$, don't steal it.
Regarding the charging in advance. One way to lobby or inquire would be the Consumer's Association of Canada.
CAC National Office:
436 Gilmour Street, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, ON
K2P 0R8
Phone: (613) 238-2533
Fax: (613) 238-2538
Email: info@consumer.ca
Post Office Box:
P.O. Box 9300
Ottawa ON
K1G 3T9
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