General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVerizon 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 wasnt 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 its sure to make Verizon a substantial amount of money every month. If youre 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/
hlthe2b
(102,225 posts)I don't get it...
pleiadian candidate
(24 posts)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)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)Rather than so rudely responding to a poster without cause.
pleiadian candidate
(24 posts)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)Someone apparently stole his "blankee" or spit in his Frosted Flakes this morning.
Welcome to DU (for real)
pleiadian candidate
(24 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Sorry you had to be greeted so unpleasantly.
MADem
(135,425 posts)emilyg
(22,742 posts)find something to replace Verizon. AT&T is crappy in my area.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)No charge for check pay.
go figure.
It is just a way to rip people off.
liberal N proud
(60,334 posts)They push their customers to electronic payments, then stick it to them.
Balthasar Bekker
(11 posts)They are passing on the costs of dealing with VISA, MasterCard, etc., to those who choose that option.
ret5hd
(20,489 posts)i don't think so.
Balthasar Bekker
(11 posts)Joe the Revelator
(14,915 posts)hlthe2b
(102,225 posts)TransitJohn
(6,932 posts)It's a great, great choice for me. You can set up literally any payee.
msongs
(67,394 posts)otohara
(24,135 posts)doesn't charge
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)besides, cell phone are the biggest ripoff of all so what's another 2 dollars.
asjr
(10,479 posts)DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)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)"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. "
randome
(34,845 posts)DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)DURHAM D
(32,609 posts)I missed it down in the OP. Apparently a lot of upthreaders missed it as well.
my mistake
MisterP
(23,730 posts)qb
(5,924 posts)For the amount of minutes I use it's a way better deal