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closeupready

(29,503 posts) Fri Jul 26, 2013, 01:10 PM Jul 2013

Is this unethical, or am I just being a grouch? Cell phone question.

So my cell company says I am on a $50 "monthly" plan with a due date of the 15th of every month. I was out of town, and missed my payment date by 6 days, during which time my service was disconnected. I made my $50 payment on the 21st, service restored.

On July 5, I get a text message that I have a $50 payment due on July 15, or my service will be interrupted. I called them up and said "that's not right; I should have until July 21 to pay." No, they respond, it goes by your pre-established due date.

I don't think this is ethical, and probably not legal either.

What does the Lounge say? Am I just being a grouch? (probably THAT, lol).

11 replies

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Is this unethical, or am I just being a grouch? Cell phone question. (Original Post) closeupready Jul 2013 OP

hey d_r Jul 2013 #1

That's what I meant - I made a payment six days late, during closeupready Jul 2013 #2

I would say you do not owe $50. dr.strangelove Jul 2013 #3

Agreed. closeupready Jul 2013 #9

Your due date is the 15th, the $50 was to pay for this month TrogL Jul 2013 #4

I would call them back and tell them I want a credit for 6 days. LeftofObama Jul 2013 #5

That's exactly what I think. closeupready Jul 2013 #7

It's just business, no ethical question here. hunter Jul 2013 #6

It can definitely get to that point. closeupready Jul 2013 #8

You Can't Win This RobinA Jul 2013 #10

?? you have to ask ?? ConcernedCanuk Jul 2013 #11

d_r

(6,907 posts)

1. hey

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 01:13 PM

Jul 2013

you haven't made many late payments have you?

closeupready

(29,503 posts)

2. That's what I meant - I made a payment six days late, during

Reply to d_r (Reply #1)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 01:19 PM

Jul 2013

which time my service was interrupted. But when you go to make a payment, you have to pay for those six days anyway, without six days' service.

dr.strangelove

(4,851 posts)

3. I would say you do not owe $50.

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 01:45 PM

Jul 2013

You owe $50 for a month's service. No service was provided for those 6 days. I have no problem with the due date remaining the same, but I would expect a credit for those 6 days.

closeupready

(29,503 posts)

9. Agreed.

Reply to dr.strangelove (Reply #3)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 02:10 PM

Jul 2013

Cheers.

TrogL

(32,822 posts)

4. Your due date is the 15th, the $50 was to pay for this month

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 01:52 PM

Jul 2013

Now they're asking for next month's money.

If the 15th isn't working for you, after you're paid up you may be able to arrange for a different day. You may have to pay the pro-rated difference.

I'm surprised they didn't ding you for disconnection and reconnection fees.

Read the damn contract or ask them for a fresh copy or check online.

LeftofObama

(4,243 posts)

5. I would call them back and tell them I want a credit for 6 days.

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 02:06 PM

Jul 2013

If they don't give it to you take your business elsewhere. Companies like this are some of the biggest asshats out there!

closeupready

(29,503 posts)

7. That's exactly what I think.

Reply to LeftofObama (Reply #5)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 02:10 PM

Jul 2013

Thanks.

hunter

(38,325 posts)

6. It's just business, no ethical question here.

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 02:08 PM

Jul 2013

The huge corporations play by those rules, why shouldn't you, the little guy?

Tell them their terms are unacceptable and see what they do. If they want your business they'll accommodate you. If not, walk away.

I've had medical bills I can't pay so my credit rating is shit. Maybe I don't care anymore. I can play hardball.

closeupready

(29,503 posts)

8. It can definitely get to that point.

Reply to hunter (Reply #6)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 02:10 PM

Jul 2013

Sadly, but yes, it can.

RobinA

(9,894 posts)

10. You Can't Win This

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 04:23 PM

Jul 2013

Pay up and move on. Not saying it's fair, but hell, do I get credited for the fact that the cell phone service I pay for reaches my house only sporadically? Nope. How 'bout the 4 days it was out completely after the hurricane? Nope. Until the Revolution, you just have to eat some things.

And frankly, I can't even believe you're asking if it's ethical. Companies behaving ethically? What is the, the '40's?

ConcernedCanuk

(13,509 posts)

11. ?? you have to ask ??

Reply to closeupready (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2013, 06:08 PM

Jul 2013

.
.
.

If you pay your rent or mortgage late, you don't get to add the late days to your next due date,

nor so for a land-line, or any other kind of monthly payment,

be it car, cable, hydro-electricity, whatever.

" it goes by your pre-established due date."

They are quite correct.

Some utilities have an automatic extra late payment charge, which is completely legal.

And this is the 26th, have you paid them yet?

Once your service gets interrupted, it may be difficult to get it restored - -

AND - will affect your credit rating and interfere with attempts to change providers, or arrange any other credit purchases.

CC

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