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