The Power Companies Don’t Have As Much Power As They Think _NOT my story
My state allows us to switch power companies easily. I’ve done it a few times, and I always get a lower bill and often a “new user” $100 gift card, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, etc. It takes about ten minutes.
New Company Salesman: “Sign up here, and get $100, plus a 10% guaranteed discount off of anyone else’s price!”
Me: “Sounds great!”
I sign up.
My old company calls me and explains that I now owe a $200 service cancellation fee. I call [New Company], and I find that they are more expensive than they claimed. They also claim that they never made such guarantees.
Me: “I’d like to cancel the policy I just started. Can I do that without a fee? The $200 cancellation fee at [Old Company] is more than I’d save with you in two years.”
New Company: “Hi, I’m Aubrey! Oh, don’t worry about those! They never sue. It’s really hard for them to take you to court, and they can’t repossess your equipment, not for $200! Legally, it’s actually not a crime; you never need to pay those silly cancellation fees. You never, ever have to pay a cancellation fee, no matter what a silly power company says. You’re unlikely to be arrested or go to court or need a lawyer.”
Me: “Great, but… word of advice: it’s a $5 to $10 discount offer, and you’ve mentioned lawyers, lawsuits, and court seven times. Maybe… don’t bring up lawyers and the police so many times when trying to sell someone on a $5 discount?”
New Company: “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I call my old company and mention this. They are willing to waive the cancellation fee, give me a lower rate, and send a welcome gift.
I call [New Company] again and end up speaking to Aubrey from customer service.
New Company: “Oh, you’re canceling? I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to pay our mandatory $100 fee; it’s required.”
The pharmaceutical industry is a tough business. There were a flurry of articles a week or so ago about how some drug cost $33 to produce and the company was charging a huge amount. But the article didn’t mention the 10-15 years and billion or two dollars it took to create the drug in the first place. Or all the drugs that failed.
On the other hand, some of that research is funded by the US government and universities. When that happens, maybe there should be some restrictions on pricing.
Yakety Sax 8 months ago
The Power Companies Don’t Have As Much Power As They Think _NOT my story
My state allows us to switch power companies easily. I’ve done it a few times, and I always get a lower bill and often a “new user” $100 gift card, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, etc. It takes about ten minutes.
New Company Salesman: “Sign up here, and get $100, plus a 10% guaranteed discount off of anyone else’s price!”
Me: “Sounds great!”
I sign up.
My old company calls me and explains that I now owe a $200 service cancellation fee. I call [New Company], and I find that they are more expensive than they claimed. They also claim that they never made such guarantees.
Me: “I’d like to cancel the policy I just started. Can I do that without a fee? The $200 cancellation fee at [Old Company] is more than I’d save with you in two years.”
New Company: “Hi, I’m Aubrey! Oh, don’t worry about those! They never sue. It’s really hard for them to take you to court, and they can’t repossess your equipment, not for $200! Legally, it’s actually not a crime; you never need to pay those silly cancellation fees. You never, ever have to pay a cancellation fee, no matter what a silly power company says. You’re unlikely to be arrested or go to court or need a lawyer.”
Me: “Great, but… word of advice: it’s a $5 to $10 discount offer, and you’ve mentioned lawyers, lawsuits, and court seven times. Maybe… don’t bring up lawyers and the police so many times when trying to sell someone on a $5 discount?”
New Company: “Oh, okay. Thanks.”
I call my old company and mention this. They are willing to waive the cancellation fee, give me a lower rate, and send a welcome gift.
I call [New Company] again and end up speaking to Aubrey from customer service.
New Company: “Oh, you’re canceling? I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to pay our mandatory $100 fee; it’s required.”
(Contd)
Justanolddude Premium Member 8 months ago
Those HIPPA laws don’t work. I did not give my permission for my story and image to be used here.
markkahler52 8 months ago
One word: Ayahuasca!
catsrule411 8 months ago
I saw this as a story on Facebook I believe just a few days ago I believe.
e.groves 8 months ago
Since when did customer service have a real person to talk to? At least one that speaks english.
uniquename 8 months ago
The pharmaceutical industry is a tough business. There were a flurry of articles a week or so ago about how some drug cost $33 to produce and the company was charging a huge amount. But the article didn’t mention the 10-15 years and billion or two dollars it took to create the drug in the first place. Or all the drugs that failed.
On the other hand, some of that research is funded by the US government and universities. When that happens, maybe there should be some restrictions on pricing.
JudyAz 8 months ago
When he said he lost a hundred pounds, my first thought was that he was calling from the UK.
sobrown51 8 months ago
Drop the psoriasis meds and buy some food. (My dad had it pretty bad his whole life).