I was reading a couple of stories over the weekend — mainly on Consumerist and TechDirt — and came to the realization that as consumers, we’re destined to be screwed by big companies. This fact was perfectly highlighted by one Consumerist commenter, obits3.
In reply to T-Mobile’s new “Unlimited” plan that’s soft capped at 5GB and killing of tethering — You should never have to pay twice to use your data! — obits3 stated the following:
You forget that it is only wrong when customers lie to companies (tethering).
Companies lying to customers (saying unlimited and then limiting data/speeds) is just good marketing.
And you know what? Obits3 is right. How many times do we see individual consumers lambasted either by the company they’re “violating” or general power trip internet users who feel it’s their duty to “protect”? At the same time, how often do we actually see the same companies getting their fair share of consumer outrage? Outside of a few tech blogs and website comment systems — none.
Those same companies will lobby government for stronger anti-consumer policies and sue end users who violate such things until their heart’s content. And yet if a consumer(s) tries that approach, they usually end up loosing, a paltry settlement, or worst of all, the company doesn’t get so much as a slap on the wrist.
Happy Monday.
You know, it’s really starting to look like AT&T really wants to be the asshole of the wireless world. Offering an absolutely shitty service, blocking 3rd party apps left and right, and now changing the ToS to deny customers from any type of class action service means AT&T really hates you and knows they suck. Now before we get started, if you haven’t read AT&T’s ToS, (which is all of you), you may want to check out this wording over here. For those of you who simply cannot click another link, the text in question is:
Any arbitration under this Agreement will take place on an individual basis; class arbitrations and class actions are not permitted
What does this new switcheroo mean?
UpdateWhile I realize this clause isn’t new, it’s still a major strike against an already stricken ridden disappointment that AT&T has become.
When you hear the words government, politcs, and technology, you often come to the conclusion that the tech related topics are going to take a backseat to more trivial things…as in reality the actually often do. However, Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) are on a quest for “the little guy” (us techies). The good fight worth fighting – carrier and manufacturer exclusivity deals. The most recent examples of this sales strategy being iPhone/AT&T and Palm Pre/Sprint. The senators mentioned are pushing the FCC to investigate these alliances to determine just how much they undermine consumer choice. Finally! While I can understand from a business and money making perspective the benefits that exclusive devices and deals bring, they are not good for the consumer under any circumstances. The carriers and manufacturers can declare from the highest mountain how awesome their alliance is. However, just remember that no matter how awesome a carrier or manufacture claims their network/device is, they aren’t omnipresent and their device is not from the hand of god. There is always a worthy second choice. But when their are exclusive deals going on, that choice and consumer choice gets shot to you know where. Are you happy that someone in politics is finally stepping up to seriously contend this issue? I know I am.
Source: 9 to 5 Mac, Ars Technica
In what is most definitely a case of AT&T being cheap and screwing the customer *they’re good at that*, a customer by the name of Jeff had changed his calling plan only to realize on his monthly bill that after changing plans calls placed that were considered “mobile-to-mobile” and nights and weekends were being debited from his monthly allotment. Calling foul he contacted AT&T and was told by a rep that because he changed his plan he had to specifically ask for these “features” to be turned back on. Bull S***. It’s AT&T’s way of trying to pull a fast one on their customers and sadly they are getting away with it I’m sure with many. So the next time you get your AT&T bill double check everything and make sure nothing shady is going on. You’ve been warned!
Source: Consumerist
