Verizon cancels $2 convenience fee after tremendous negative feedback

December 30, 2011 | by Natesh Sood

Verizon Wireless has been in the news a lot recently, and not for something good like the launch of a highly anticipated phone. America’s largest carrier had the brilliant idea of charging customers $2 if they opted to pay for their bill through online or through the phone. Even though paying a bill through these methods are efficient and reduce paperwork, Verizon claims the fee will help cover costs to keep these options in place.

As you can imagine, many customers complained after hearing about this unfair charge and even the FCC decided to get involved and investigate if a convenience fee was truly necessary. Interestingly enough, Verizon has already come forward — just days after confirming the charge — announcing that it will not enact this policy based on consumer feedback.

CEO of Verizon Wireless, Dan Mead, had this to say on the matter:

“At Verizon, we take great care to listen to our customers. Based on their input, we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time.”

More than just customers, I’m sure Verizon felt the heat from the FCC and news outlets claiming that the fee should not be implemented since Verizon should be encouraging customers to pay online or through the phone. This just goes to show that large companies will listen to the people and change their ways if justified.

[Verizon Wireless Press Release]

$2 Convenience Charge, Cancelled Policy, verizon, verizon wireless, vzw

3 Comments

Patty said: On December 31, 2011

How DARE a company try to charge people money for their goods and services!
We should all get everything for free, don't they know that?
They have absolutely NO right to charge people and earn a profit!
What is this country coming to?

And a huge amount, like $2!!!!

- Jeremy said: On December 31, 2011
  
  My phone service isn't free. Paying for it should be.
  
  Considering what I pay Verizon every month, the extra $2 fee was nothing but a kick in the balls. More than anything else, it was a wonderful demonstration of how they don't care about me, as a customer, in the slightest.
  
  I'm pretty sure Verizon will continue to turn a profit without my extra $2/month.
  
- Natesh Sood said: On December 31, 2011
  
  Patty, it's not so much the magnitude of the fee they wanted to charge, but it's the principle of the point. There is no need to charge a convenience fee for individual's paying for their bill online or through the phone. Doing so saves Verizon the trouble of having to print out the bill and wait around for a check or electronic transfer of money to take place. And as Jeremy states, Verizon already charges exorbitant monthly fees as it is.

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