TLDR: I called to save $7/mo and the satellite company adds $13.99/mo package without consent (a net gain for them), due to an unrelated complaint I'm saving another $45/mo. A net savings of $38/mo. I should have been saving $52/mo.
My wife and I had a basic satellite TV package for two TVs with DVR capabilities for several years. We figure we don't use the secondary TV anymore (it was in the bedroom, but no longer) so we might as well return it and lower our bill as we would be 'renting' one less receiver. It's only $7/mo, but that's two coffees for my wife. ;)
I called them to remove the secondary receiver and get instructions on how to return it. I went to UPS and returned it without hassle (including the remote which they said I didn't need to return).
A few days later I call about an unrelated complaint and get a monthly credit for a year for a sizable amount - $45/mo for a year ($540/yr).
The bill comes in and is noticeably lower ($33/mo savings) and I didn't think much of it. But due to the other complaint happening again I logged into my account and decided to check my bill. Lo and behold, someone at the satellite company added the SPORTS PACK to our account, which costs $13.99/mo AND they charged $12.59 for it being 'added' after billing for the previous month. Anyone who knows me and my could attest to the fact that a SPORTS PACK is beyond wasted on us (she watches most of the Olympics, I just don't watch sports).
If you add up my -$7/mo and -$45/mo savings it should be -$52/mo savings for a year ($624/yr) then -$7/mo after that. But, because they added something to my bill they shouldn't have my savings weren't as good: -$7/mo and -$45/mo and +$14/mo for the first year $456/yr, then -$7/mo and +$14/mo after that.
A $14/mo swing doesn't sound like much, but it adds up to $168/yr, especially when you called in to lower your bill.
PS - Something like this could happen if all your plan was to add a receiver (or a package), but instead of just the single increase you're expecting they add something else, too. E.g. add a secondary receiver +$7/mo for a receiver in your home office, but they add +$7/mo for the receiver and +$14/mo for some package.
Submitted December 14, 2018 at 09:02AM by TigTanq https://ift.tt/2BkEQ8r
