the Price of Telephone Service

I requested a basic line with no frills. Something that I could just make a call and receive a call. The company I chose offered me a deal which included call waiting, caller ID, long distance, unlimited calling out and in, and voice mail all for only 29.00 per month!

Wow! That sounds like a great deal. So that is what I ordered but the company said it would take about 5 days to turn on. They also had to send some tech to install some line for their type of service.

The phone was turned on on the 6th day of waiting (I really didnt care that it took an extra day.) And the service was good with the actual phone and the customer service was also good when I ordered the package.

After about two weeks I received my first bill and I was shocked to see that it was 80 bucks! Given that 30.00 was for installation of that darn wire, but they never told me that it would be charged to me! I guess that is what I get for assuming. But what about the other 20 bucks? I looked closely and found all these other charges for some taxes, taxes for other taxes and some fees, emergency fees, able to use your phone fees and who knows what else!

Man! I was livid.

I called the phone company and asked them why they lied about the cost and they tell me that the 29.00 is their charge for the service. The other fees they are required to charge for because of the city and state fees and taxes.

I guess I wouldnt have been so upset if they had told me about the hidden fees and taxes. But goodness, I have never heard of 20.00 worth of taxes and fees for a 29.00 product.

Just know that any service provider will not tell you about all these additional taxes and fees up front. Ask them about it and only then will they talk about it. Also, if they require some install or upgrade, ask who gets charged for the service.