 my ot rant, happy tuesday, phone bill, 1 collect call |
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| rhodyguy |
 Mar 24 2004, 06:35 AM
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#1
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out.  Group: Members Posts: 22,249 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch  |
on the way to jp's i made a collect call from a pay phone. the 3 minute call cost $19.80!!! $3.30 for the actual call. $7.00 for the operator fee. $9.50 for the OWNER of the pay phone. what a racket!!! so i call ZERO PLUS DIALING which turns out to be the billing co. then i get the info for LEGACY LD INTL INC. turns out they are the long distance provider. so i asked "who owns the phone"? " due to our privacy agreement we cannot provide than info". rude people and i wasn't in the mood. the customer service people that work for those 2 co's have the worst jobs in the world. dealing with VERY PISSED off people for 8 hours a day. oh, after the numerous taxes were tacked on, the total was $22.14. i was one angry guy yest am. "did you ask the operater how much it would cost before you called?", "no, how much would that of cost me?", "$7.00". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
kevin |
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Replies(1 - 19)
| STL914 |
Mar 24 2004, 06:55 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,195 Joined: 22-October 03 From: O'Fallon, MO Member No.: 1,271 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Kevin,
I feel for you. My wife and I canceled AT&T as our ling distance carrier last year. A coupe of months ago, we received a call while we were out. My wife checked caller ID and called the number to see who if was. It was AT&T calling for some unknown reason. After several months a bill arrived from AT&T in the amount of $10 and some odd cents. It was for the call my wife made to them. Cost of the call was 22 cents. The additional $10 was for fees and taxes. When my wife called their customer service number, no matter what number she entered on the cumputerized system, she could not get a human. After trying for over a half hour she gave up. She called our local phone service and spoke to someone there. She was informed that theway AT&T is set up, you will never speak to a real person. She was told to call AT&T and this time just enter 10 random numbers when asked to enter your phone number. She did this and a real person came on line since the bogus number was not in the data banks. After all this, she was able to have that bill reduced to just over a buck. Out attitude to AT&T and all the other non-caring, money grabbing, million $$ CEO bonus paying corporations: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) |
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| rhodyguy |
Mar 24 2004, 07:20 AM
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#3
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,249 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
i'm going to mortage my house and purchase some pay phones. the recorded message while you are on hold is interesting. they always round up on the time and a host of other "features" to screw the poor fool that just wants/ needs to call home. why did i call collect? i didn't have 14 quarters in my pocket and the phone didn't take dollars. i spoke with a rep from quest, he said he's seen worse. the fcc sets the rates so no foul on LEGACY. i remembered a local news story about the huge bills people get from a collect call from incarcerated individuals. you own the tools, you make the rules. the c.s. person from zero plus asked me why i did'nt use 1-800-collect <_< .
kevin |
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| seanery |
Mar 24 2004, 08:14 AM
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#4
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waiting to rebuild whitey! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 15,857 Joined: 7-January 03 From: Indy Member No.: 100 Region Association: None |
hey geeze, get a cell phone!
you can get a pay-as-you-go one if you don't plan on using it all the time. You won't spend as much as that one collect call and you'll have a phone in the car in case of emergency. |
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| rhodyguy |
Mar 24 2004, 08:44 AM
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#5
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Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,249 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
i don't need a cell phone with pay as you go features. i just don't like getting ripped off for a fucking 3 minute call. while you're on how about nailing that b-fast thread for me? none of you guys seemed to get around to it last time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) . cal get together threads get nailed all the time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) .
kevin |
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| tat2dphreak |
Mar 24 2004, 08:47 AM
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#6
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stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region  |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I'm glad the phone company I work for isn't in Washington...yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif) seriously, get a tracphone(or whatever they are called there)... prepaid cellular... cheap and effective! pay-phones and ATMs (not owned by a bank) are a huge racket! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif) |
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| Bleyseng |
Mar 24 2004, 08:51 AM
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#7
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Aircooled Baby! Group: Members Posts: 13,036 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Seattle, Washington (for now) Member No.: 24 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Hey, I would have only charged your $5 to use my cell phone Kevin. Or you could have traded me a sticker!:[
Geoff |
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| seanery |
Mar 24 2004, 08:51 AM
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#8
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waiting to rebuild whitey! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 15,857 Joined: 7-January 03 From: Indy Member No.: 100 Region Association: None |
seriously, that sucks kevin, I was just trying to get your goat. I would be incredibly pissed off myself. Phone companies are really the scum of the earth, and all the cell phone sales haven't helped, now it seems like they are doing just about whatever they can to pick your wallet. I would call your local news "Call for Help" producer. This sounds like it's good for a whole weeks worth of expose's. Seriously.
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| jonwatts |
Mar 24 2004, 09:18 AM
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#9
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no rules, just wrong Group: Benefactors Posts: 2,321 Joined: 13-January 03 From: San Jose, CA Member No.: 141 |
Some, if not all, pay-as-you-go cell phone companies charge you a daily fee whether or not you use the phone. I believe MetroPCS here in the bay area charges $.49 a day for what I hear is lousy coverage and rude customer service (sorry, I know "rude customer service" is redundant).
My cell phone comes in handy maybe once a month on average. Otherwise it's just another bill I don't need. My wife, on the other hand, loves hers so much I usually get to pay double each month for the extra minutes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) |
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| Gint |
Mar 24 2004, 09:23 AM
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#10
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Mike Ginter Group: Admin Posts: 16,098 Joined: 26-December 02 From: Denver CO. Member No.: 20 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Mine sits on the kitchen counter most of it's life. I only use it when I'm going to be out all day long, heading across country or the state. My wife on the other hand...
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| Joe Bob |
Mar 24 2004, 09:28 AM
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#11
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Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None |
They are all privately owned and have to pay for the system that is now rarely used due to cell phones.
Cell phones aren't that much better...AT&T is getting out of the business and the service in my area sucks....went to another one and they suck as well. Have to go outside to get and recieve calls at home.... |
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| Bleyseng |
Mar 24 2004, 09:46 AM
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#12
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Aircooled Baby! Group: Members Posts: 13,036 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Seattle, Washington (for now) Member No.: 24 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I went with the new GSM service at AT&T and its ok with my Ericsson T616 phone. With Monique's Motorola phone its a joke!!!! Cuts out, no service etc. and AT&T's Customer Service is awful.
I am thinking of going to Cingular, anyone using them. How are they? Geoff |
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| GaroldShaffer |
Mar 24 2004, 10:00 AM
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#13
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You bought another 914? Group: Benefactors Posts: 7,628 Joined: 27-June 03 From: Portage, IN Member No.: 865 Region Association: None
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I work for Motorola. I head up a department that installs the cellular networks for some major operators (ALLTEL, Sprint, Verizon) and when it comes to coverage there are a TON of factors for why coverage is good or bad in certain areas.
One of the biggest factors are the local governments and citizen action groups that don't want that "ugly big tower" near their homes. I understand that, I don't either BUT these are the same people that complain that there cellular service sucks (not saying MikeZ doesn't have a vaild complaint). Not to bore you with all the technical BS but a digital cellsite only has a footprint of about 3 miles on flat land. Add houses, trees, tall buildings, lakes it all affects the coverage area (aka footprint) and as more people are using that site the more noise is produced on the signal the digital coverage shrinks to produce more power to cover and area. Now ad in the factor that you are moving (walking,driving) well you get the picture. I am not saying that there needs to be a tower every 100 feet but there is A LOT of factors in cellular coverage. I only use my cellphone when I am out of my office (I work from home) so I don't use it much. Coverage in my house sucks and a Verizon tower is only 1 mile away. But looking at it I can tell that the antennas are tilted to cover the Indaian toll road whick makes sense since there is a lot more people on the road using their phones then people sitting at home with it. Sorry for the long boring post. - Garold |
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| Aaron Cox |
Mar 24 2004, 10:02 AM
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#14
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Professional Lawn Dart Group: Retired Admin Posts: 24,542 Joined: 1-February 03 From: Corona, CA Member No.: 219 Region Association: Southern California |
one word...verizon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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| anthony |
Mar 24 2004, 10:05 AM
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#15
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2270 club Group: Benefactors Posts: 3,107 Joined: 1-February 03 From: SF Bay Area, CA Member No.: 218 |
This is deregulation at work. Pay phones were much better when only the telephone company owned them.
I'd recommend carrying a calling card number with you if you don't have a cell phone. I've reduced my long distance to almost zero. I will usually use the cell phone (paid by work) or my 2.9 cents per minute calling card I got from Costco. |
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| Joe Bob |
Mar 24 2004, 10:06 AM
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#16
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Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(itsa914 @ Mar 24 2004, 08:00 AM) I work for Motorola. I head up a department that installs the cellular networks for some major operators (ALLTEL, Sprint, Verizon) and when it comes to coverage there are a TON of factors for why coverage is good or bad in certain areas. One of the biggest factors are the local governments and citizen action groups that don't want that "ugly big tower" near their homes. I understand that, I don't either BUT these are the same people that complain that there cellular service sucks (not saying MikeZ doesn't have a vaild complaint). Not to bore you with all the technical BS but a digital cellsite only has a footprint of about 3 miles on flat land. Add houses, trees, tall buildings, lakes it all affects the coverage area (aka footprint) and as more people are using that site the more noise is produced on the signal the digital coverage shrinks to produce more power to cover and area. Now ad in the factor that you are moving (walking,driving) well you get the picture. I am not saying that there needs to be a tower every 100 feet but there is A LOT of factors in cellular coverage. I only use my cellphone when I am out of my office (I work from home) so I don't use it much. Coverage in my house sucks and a Verizon tower is only 1 mile away. But looking at it I can tell that the antennas are tilted to cover the Indaian toll road whick makes sense since there is a lot more people on the road using their phones then people sitting at home with it. Sorry for the long boring post. - Garold I agree....AT&T as sucky as they were had a cell site down the hill from my house,,,that's the only reason I got reception there. But it was spotty in other areas in town. Team Mobile my new provider is not so spotty in town but lousy at my house.... Our local elected officials and city government, long may they suck and blow diseased cocks in hell, have put a moratorium on building cell sites. |
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| GaroldShaffer |
Mar 24 2004, 10:09 AM
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#17
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You bought another 914? Group: Benefactors Posts: 7,628 Joined: 27-June 03 From: Portage, IN Member No.: 865 Region Association: None
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Geoff,
GSM is a Euro standard for celluar that started (for Motorola) in Sweden back in Sept of 92. I worked on that project for 3 yrs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) Chances are Monique's Motorola phone is not a GSM. What is she using? Chances are that Cingular shares tower space with you current provider. They can do this because of the different Frequency bans. There used to be only two frequency bans back in the 80's & early 90's A&B. Now the FCC has opened bans C, D, F ect that is why in a lot of major cities now have 5 or 6 cellular providers now. Cingular might have better coverage by you. Can you see a tower near you? is there one small building or two at the base? can you see a set of antennas one above another? if so chances are they are sharing a tower. - Garold |
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| Porsche Rescue |
Mar 24 2004, 10:14 AM
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#18
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Saving and Enjoying Old Porsches Group: Members Posts: 2,978 Joined: 31-December 02 From: Bend, Oregon Member No.: 64 Region Association: None |
I quit AT$T and now have no long distance provider at home. I mostly use the cell for long distance. I bought an MCI prepaid calling card from Costco ($20 for 600+minutes). Costs nothing until I use it, at home or anywhere, and only 2.9 cents per minute. Everytime I use it the voice tells me how many minutes I have left. Gotta dial some extra numbers but sure is ecomonical. Carry one in your wallet Kevin.
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| Joe Bob |
Mar 24 2004, 10:19 AM
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#19
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Retired admin, banned a few times Group: Members Posts: 17,427 Joined: 24-December 02 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 5 Region Association: None |
That's a good idea until you can't find
1) a pay phone 2) one that works 3) one that works and is not in area where you won't be knifed..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) |
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| Bleyseng |
Mar 24 2004, 10:38 AM
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#20
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Aircooled Baby! Group: Members Posts: 13,036 Joined: 27-December 02 From: Seattle, Washington (for now) Member No.: 24 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
Motorola flip phone you get for free when we signed up. I tried to talk her into a better phone but no....
I can get great reception with mine and hers is shit. Finally, AT&T send a replacement Motorola phone that works about the same, POS. She is sooo mad we are going to switch and they can try to take us to court for the sign up fees. We have been trying to solve this starting in the 30 day grace period, now they want the $175 to cancel, screw them. I still like my Ericsson T616 phone although Sean hates the pics it takes, haha works fine when I don't have a camera. AT&T (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pissoff.gif) Geoff |
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