Amid Outages and Outrage, Verizon Reverses New Fee
Sunday, January 1st, 2012Verizon Wireless was pulling a Netflix of sorts. In the midst of three unexplained data outages in less than a month, the wireless carrier decided to start charging customers a $2 fee to pay their bill on its Web site. To say that customers got angry would be an understatement.
However, the company has now reversed course, with notice dated Dec. 30 on its site, indicating that Verizon Wireless will not institute the planned “single payment fee.”
According to that statement, “Verizon Wireless has decided it will not institute the fee for online or telephone single payments that was announced earlier this week.
“The company made the decision in response to customer feedback about the plan, which was designed to improve the efficiency of those transactions. The company continues to encourage customers to take advantage of the numerous simple and convenient payment methods it provides.”
How the Fury Began
The company announced on its Web site Thursday, Dec. 29 that a new $2 payment convenience fee would be instituted for customers who make single bill payments online or by telephone.
The new charges were to become official beginning Jan. 15, but customers didn’t waste any time complaining about the “convenience fee.”
Indeed, the social-media world has been abuzz with complaints over the new fee in a way that’s reminiscent of the recent Bank of America debit-card-fee drama. Bank of America backpedaled under pressure.
At first, Verizon held its course regarding the new fee. Although the company now blames its data outages on growing pains, the company took a little time to respond to the latest complaints.
Worst Move Ever?
“As if Verizon doesn’t make enough money already. I prefer to not use the automatic payments so that I can make sure I have enough money in my account each month. I always pay my bill within a few days of…
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