Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

douglas9

(4,358 posts)
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:14 PM Dec 2011

Verizon to charge $2 for paying your bill online or over the phone

Ever since online payments really took off, companies have been pushing for you to opt out of paper billing. The excuses were that it cost a lot to do, and wasn’t great for the environment. Then they started charging for paper billing, or at least offering you some form of incentive for not making them post you stuff.

With 2012 about to start, it seems Verizon has decided paying your bill online or over the phone is now worthy of an extra charge. So, from January 15, anyone choosing to pay their monthly bill using either method will incur a $2 charge.

Verizon is classing the charge as a “convenience fee” which translates into them deciding allowing you to pay either online or over the phone is a convenience. They also explain in the FAQ above that the fee allows them, “to continue to support these bill payment options.” Really, Verizon? When did offering online payments or accepting phone calls from customers get so much more expensive?

You can of course bypass the (pure profit) $2 fee in a number of ways including paying by electronic check (ACH), automatic monthly payments, through your online bank, in-store using My Verizon Express, BPK, or by actually talking to a store representative, using a gift or rebate card, or with a paper check or money order.

I find such an additional payment ridiculous, but it’s sure to make Verizon a substantial amount of money every month. If you’re a Verizon subscriber I suggest using an alternative payment method and avoiding it at all costs.

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/verizon-to-charge-2-for-paying-your-bill-online-or-over-the-phone-20111229/

29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Verizon to charge $2 for paying your bill online or over the phone (Original Post) douglas9 Dec 2011 OP
Isn't paying by electronic check an ONLINE payment? hlthe2b Dec 2011 #1
Me, too... pleiadian candidate Dec 2011 #14
Welcome. DURHAM D Dec 2011 #16
Nice.. Durham... why not counter the OP if that is the case... hlthe2b Dec 2011 #20
??? What are you talking about? pleiadian candidate Dec 2011 #22
Not to worry... hlthe2b Dec 2011 #23
Hey! Thanks! pleiadian candidate Dec 2011 #24
Welcome to DU. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #25
Fuckers. I hope more people dump 'em! nt MADem Dec 2011 #2
I'm trying to emilyg Dec 2011 #5
AT&T charges 5.00 if you want to pay your bill in person at the store. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2011 #26
What a fucking scam liberal N proud Dec 2011 #3
Clearly, this policy is aimed at credit card payments--they still allow other web bill-pay options. Balthasar Bekker Dec 2011 #4
you contend visa/mc charge them $2 per transaction? ret5hd Dec 2011 #9
It's probably 2%...That's $2 on a $100 charge. Balthasar Bekker Dec 2011 #12
Easily Joe the Revelator Dec 2011 #28
I assume it would apply to debit card payments, however. hlthe2b Dec 2011 #21
Use your credit union's billpay option people! TransitJohn Dec 2011 #6
that's what happens when the "free market" eliminates competition nt msongs Dec 2011 #7
auto withdraw otohara Dec 2011 #8
wait till the land line is done away with this will be nothing leftyohiolib Dec 2011 #10
They will get us one way or another. asjr Dec 2011 #11
The Sky Is Falling. They Sky Is Falling. DURHAM D Dec 2011 #13
The OP clearly states that NickB79 Dec 2011 #15
But the title implies otherwise. randome Dec 2011 #17
Yep, and by design. DURHAM D Dec 2011 #19
I clicked on the link and noticed it was the lead off. DURHAM D Dec 2011 #18
what do you fear is going to happen from any such winding-up? MisterP Dec 2011 #29
Now I'm even happier to have switched from Verizon to a no-contract plan qb Dec 2011 #27
 
14. Me, too...
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:40 PM
Dec 2011

I had this discussion with someone from my bank. I think (not sure) that the online payment is either automically deducted each month or it takes time for it to be deducted from your account (which gives the opportunity for you to overdraw). If I had enough moola, I could handle the second option but this seriously makes my blood boil!

DURHAM D

(32,609 posts)
16. Welcome.
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:47 PM
Dec 2011

I see you joined DU just a few minutes ago so you could respond to the OP, an OP that is a total lie.

nice...

hlthe2b

(102,225 posts)
20. Nice.. Durham... why not counter the OP if that is the case...
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:54 PM
Dec 2011

Rather than so rudely responding to a poster without cause.

 
22. ??? What are you talking about?
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 03:28 PM
Dec 2011

If the OP is a total lie, what does that have to do with me? I was not referring to that company but electronic checking versus paying online. I was agreeing that it is very confusing and had the conversation with my personal banker. Whoa...

hlthe2b

(102,225 posts)
23. Not to worry...
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 03:41 PM
Dec 2011

Someone apparently stole his "blankee" or spit in his Frosted Flakes this morning.

Welcome to DU (for real)

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
26. AT&T charges 5.00 if you want to pay your bill in person at the store.
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 04:30 PM
Dec 2011

No charge for check pay.
go figure.

It is just a way to rip people off.

 

Balthasar Bekker

(11 posts)
4. Clearly, this policy is aimed at credit card payments--they still allow other web bill-pay options.
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:21 PM
Dec 2011

They are passing on the costs of dealing with VISA, MasterCard, etc., to those who choose that option.

TransitJohn

(6,932 posts)
6. Use your credit union's billpay option people!
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:28 PM
Dec 2011

It's a great, great choice for me. You can set up literally any payee.

 

leftyohiolib

(5,917 posts)
10. wait till the land line is done away with this will be nothing
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:37 PM
Dec 2011

besides, cell phone are the biggest ripoff of all so what's another 2 dollars.

DURHAM D

(32,609 posts)
13. The Sky Is Falling. They Sky Is Falling.
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:38 PM
Dec 2011

This OP should be removed for providing false information.

Why did you leave out the info that it applies to credit card payments only? Not ACH and not Autopay by any method of payment.

Looks like you are just trying to wind people up.

NickB79

(19,233 posts)
15. The OP clearly states that
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:46 PM
Dec 2011

"You can of course bypass the (pure profit) $2 fee in a number of ways including paying by electronic check (ACH), automatic monthly payments, through your online bank, in-store using My Verizon Express, BPK, or by actually talking to a store representative, using a gift or rebate card, or with a paper check or money order. "

DURHAM D

(32,609 posts)
18. I clicked on the link and noticed it was the lead off.
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 02:53 PM
Dec 2011

I missed it down in the OP. Apparently a lot of upthreaders missed it as well.

my mistake

qb

(5,924 posts)
27. Now I'm even happier to have switched from Verizon to a no-contract plan
Thu Dec 29, 2011, 04:47 PM
Dec 2011

For the amount of minutes I use it's a way better deal

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Verizon to charge $2 for ...