Speaking to a Customer Service Rep May Cost You

Many people have complained over the years about dealing with a computer generated voice to answer questions or direct you to a customer service agent. Many companies opted to transfer calls to India or to other countries overseas to supposedly "save the company money". Other customers opted to use the http://gethuman.com/ website to find ways around the continual maze to reach a customer service agent for customers living in the US, England and Canada.

Well, now companies are fighting back. Some companies will now start charging a $5 fee if a customer would like to speak to a customer service representative or go to a customer service center to pay a bill or ask a question.

Some utility companies have eliminated the option of paying bills in person and have opted to use third party payment centers that will charge a fee that could be more than $5.

TMobile, Cablevision Systems and Cox Commmunications charges customers a $5 fee to speak to a customer service representative to pay a bill by phone. AT&T Wireless charges customers a $5 fee if they prefer to use a store clerk to make a bill payment instead of using a self-service kiosk. Comcast, Charter, Verizon Wireless and Verizon Telecommunications charge a smaller fee to pay a bill in person.

This election year is a critical year. This is the time to complain about issues that affect you, besides the main issues such as healthcare, the Iraq war, the housing crisis and the economy you can also complain about smaller issues such as how companies are taking advantages of customers charging outrageous fees to pay a bill by phone, if a bill is paid late, etc.

Write the company and complain, write your city council representative and write your congressman and let your voice be heard. You can also file a complaint against the cell phone and telephone companies with the Federal Trade Commission.

To avoid the fees you can pay your bill online but find out the security measures in place before signing up. Find out if your personal information will be encrypted, where it is stored and what happens if a security breach occurs - how are customers protected, etc.

You also have the option of switching companies and doing business with a company that doesn't show outrageous fees.

Decide on the option that is best for you.