Would You PAY $10 To SPEAK to Customer Service ? Special Attention CA.

[MegalosSkylaki]

Huh ?

Can this be true ?

Is it legal in CA ?

And why am I posting this in IMO Forum ?

Because its speaks to a larger issue than the customary Customer-Vendor complaints you read, such as my own, DON'T.BUY.COM in that Forum.

It reaches to how far someone is willing to go to get themselves even heard by by an Internet Vendor --and whether it is is even legal , when there amy be a bona fide reason to speak to someone in Customer Service ?

While keeping an eye on Buy.Com, I noticed that one Poster , tc17 made what I thought might be an increduble claim (12/20/03) that the California (?) Vendor wanted to charge $10 to speak to a human Customer Service Representative.

Could this even possibly be true ?

But could the $10 incredulous charge be a confusion with a long-distance charge? Probably like most of you, I never heard of such a thing-- this not a technical service call that's in an agreement, mind you.

Today while perusing the latest Deeply Dissatisfied Ratings for this Of-Vendor, I came across a Post by jbell52145 dated the 23rd, who told a strange tale:

It seems he did forego "free Shipping" on some items because the were intended as Christmass gifts, and chose a more expensive 2-day ensured delivery.

Well it seems his Order went in reverse: After order having been sent to Warehouse for shipping, rext it went back into "In processing".

With no Telephone given at the Web-site, he finally got one, and heard a recorded message that he would have to agree to pay a $9.95 charge in order to speak to a Customer Representative.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2107.html

In principal , would you pay to speak to a Customer Service Rep?

Could this even possibly be legal, given that the callers are often under some duress and time pressure ?

Any ideas how this practice can be stopped now, before others adopt it ? Customer Service as a profit center now ?

MegalosSkylaki

[RayH]

You get what you pay for!

[Crix]

well for $10, id expect phone... lovin..


and donuts O.O

[RayH]

As Megalos says, they're Don't BUY.com!

[jerrygarcia]

A buddy of mine had to pay $25 to HP to speak to CS. In the end, it was worth it. His HP printer quit working and after CS was done, they shipped him 3 print heads and 3 cartridges free.............+ the $25 call.

[cbuddha42]

i guess if you have no agreement (such as a warranty) that says they will provide phone support then its perfectly legal for them to charge. law probably only requires handling of something like a shipping issue by mail not by phone

[MegalosSkylaki]

" I guess if you have an agreement(such as a warentee) that says they will provide phone support, then it's perfectly legal.....--cbudda42

"This is not a Technical Service call that's in an agreement, mind you." --MegalosSkylaki

This a delivery that went into "reverse" shipping, before it was ever received.

The call to Customer Service seems to be a "What's happening ? " query.

Dissatisfied Customer: "Please put me through to Customer Support...I haven't received my item yet "

Real Company: " Sure thing, what's your credit card card #..err..why ? that will be $10 to speak to a Customer Rep !"
-Or-
" Hey, I can't tell you if you'll receive it or not..you haven't paid your $10 to speak to me yet."

Have you ever entered into any agreement to pay for support about even getting the item ? Before even getting an item ?

Not having done so, how would you receive such a $10 demand ?
Look at the Co's WebSite to see if thay tell you this in advance.

Like I said, I was extremely hardpressed to believe this with the 12/20/03 Post by tc17. Then I read the 12/23/03 Post by jbell52145 which confirmed the practice.

http://www.reselleratings.com/seller2107.html

With so many Very Dissatisfied customers, you can imagine how profitable a $10 err.. Customer Inquiry/complaint line might be. !

MegalosSkylaki
"Bailed Out in Time"

[cbuddha42]

then yea unless there is a law that says they must provide a phone line for shipping issues and such then its perfectly legal. *deleted* service maybe but legal

Profanity deleted

[NeoStarO1]

I would not pay.

If im expecting a shipment that has not arrived yet, why should I pay an extra additional 10$ for information on where my package is??? I think that goes towards bad business ethics. Not sure if there is a law or not.

Just think a company "processes" an order say a cheap 5 dollar or 8 dollar order of a fan someone needs for thier computer. They don't ship and wait for them to call thier "pay 10 bucks phone line to find out where your package is"

Oh im sorry sir, we ran out and canceled your order. Thank you for calling and thanks for your 10 dollars.

That would not be good business ethics.

To charge per call for tech support is different. if your warrenty is experied then they can charge you per phone call on support.

But for shipping??? No way! I'd just call up my credit card company and stop the charges or reverse the charges for the product.

[Knothead]

"I weep for you", the Knothead said,
"I deeply sympathise."
With sobs and tears he pocketed
De DoooG's best "Don't Buys"...
And holding his pocket handkerchief
Before his odd, rotating eyes...

with apolologies to Lewis Carroll


That'll be ten bucks. You can tape it to a nice T-Bone steak and send it along, no need to bother with messy credit cards.

Ask Shahani for the address.

If you ask me, it'll cost you another ten.
which you can tape to a nice salmon filet.