Beware of Cell Phone companies

[Vince_nj1]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/does-johnny-really-need-that-iphone.aspx

This article may not apply to all of you...but if you have young kids, you should read this. I know a guy who used to work for Verizon. He told me a story about being in an offsite meeting at a hotel and this marketing guy was doing a presentation on how much money they projected they would make by having kids download ring tones, music and pictures. The presentation went on to project how long before parents realized how much the charges would be and how long before they cut-off the services. He disgusted to find out that they intentionally designed programs to take advantage of kids and their parents that don't understand the charges. He eventually quit working for them.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.co...Kids/does-johnny-really-need-that-iphone.aspx

 

[highslice]

AT&T has been texting links to my kids for the last year with links to "free" downloads. Total charges over that time was over $500.

Total amount I paid AT&T - $0. I called them each time a charge appeared and calmly explained that they were socliciting a minor. They don't even try to argue, they just remove the charges and cancel any recurring service. They finally offered me a free service to block texted links on my kids phones.

They count on people not protesting these charges. And it's not just Verizon and AT&T. Pretty low though, marketing guys are devious:grin:.

 

[wish2fish]

I have had great experience with verizon and charges my kids racked up. First I pointed out that the vendor could not make a contract (ringtones/subscripitons) with anyone under 18 and therefore they (me) wouldn't be responsibile. They reversed 100% of the charges. Most of the time the kids didn't realize they would get a charge for a "free" ringtone. Threatening also worked with the kids.