Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada – August 19, 2014 – A couple recently discovered that they had been charged more than $2000 over a period of 30 years for a basic, corded telephone.
Larry Heinlein and Sandra Byers had unknowingly been “renting” the phone from Bell’s Canadian holding Bell Aliant since activating their phone line in 1979. At the time, all customers were required to rent a telephone from the company, but nobody notified customers once the policy changed. The $5.95/month rental charge is buried in a 4-page phone bill, and is listed as “Basic Telephone”. Similar phones retail for about $10.
It is unknown how many other customers are unknowingly being charged, but most will be long-time customers such as senior citizens. Nevertheless, the company, which reported a profit of $72 million last quarter, does not intend to change its billing practices. “Bell Aliant considers the current bill description satisfactory and we have no plans to change it or notify customers if they are renting sets,” they said in a recent e-mail. However, upon request, they will remove the recurring charge from a customer’s bill, and refund up to 12 months of rental fees – about $70.
1 comment:
That's what happens when monopolies govern markets.This is just another example of Bell/Bell Aliant's poor customer communications and relations. After post-tropical storm Arthur the same monopoly declared no intention to reduce phone bills due to lack of phone service. However, upon protest from individual subscribers they will. So Larry and Sandy, yell, scream and protest. Vincit qui patitur (Those who persevere conquer!
John B.
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