CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| ViaTalk Fee Increase Notification
Dear Customer,
Due to increases in national regulatory fees, taxes, and related to delivering telecommunication services, effective January 2008, the enhanced 911 and cost recovery fees assessed monthly on your ViaTalk phone service will be increasing as outlined below. This fee helps ViaTalk recover costs associated with compliance with federal and state regulatory programs and the fees associated with them.
Enhanced 911 Fee - $1.48
Cost Recovery Fee - $1.97
Questions regarding this fee can be directed to our customer service department via email at support@viatalk.com
Thank you for your continued patronage.
-The ViaTalk Team
»www.viatalk.com |
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bmize13
join:2006-04-17
Dallas, GA | This thread could get interesting! I'm selling popcorn over here if anyone wants some... |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| said by bmize13  :I'm selling popcorn over here if anyone wants some... I'll take some. But first, what fees do you charge.  |
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hawgcaller
join:2006-04-24
Stafford, TX | reply to CyberSultan
So this adds $3.45/month to our bill.
So the new total for unlimited calling:
Pay by the month = $26.40
Pay by the year = $20.03
What does Vonage charge for unlimited after all the unfees?
-phil |
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justDave
join:2000-02-29
Brooklyn, NY | To look at it another way, my contracted fee was $99/12 = $8.25/mo. The fees add 42% to that contracted rate.
They may not start to charge me these fees until I renew (which I would have no problem with) or they might. Bets? |
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justDave
join:2000-02-29
Brooklyn, NY
 ·ViaTalk
| reply to CyberSultan
said by CyberSultan :I'll take some. But first, what fees do you charge. 99c/yr, all you can eat, $50 cancellation fee. |
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dcurrey
Premium
join:2004-06-29
1 edit | reply to CyberSultan
Don't you just love prepaid service that isn't prepaid nor price locked in for the term. |
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ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs: | reply to CyberSultan
Nothing yet in my email, but I am nearing the end of my 2nd free year. I wonder if I will be charged.
Silly me, with the rate VT is going I am sure to see it. |
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jay_rm
join:2002-04-12
Netville
 ·Fox Valley Internet
·ViaTalk
| reply to CyberSultan
said by CyberSultan :Enhanced 911 Fee - $1.48 Cost Recovery Fee - $1.97 So, is that an ADDITIONAL $3.45/mo -OR- $3.45/mo vs the current $2.50/mo, for a $0.95 net increase/mo ??
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3500/512 5.7 GHz Motorola Canopy Wireless; FoxValley.net
"Peace through superior firepower" |
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CyberSultan
Premium
join:2006-07-20
| said by jay_rm :said by CyberSultan :Enhanced 911 Fee - $1.48 Cost Recovery Fee - $1.97 So, is that an ADDITIONAL $3.45/mo -OR- $3.45/mo vs the current $2.50/mo, for a $0.95 net increase/mo ?? I interpret this as a replacement of the old 1.25/1.25 fees. |
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bmize13
join:2006-04-17
Dallas, GA
·VOIPo
·PHONE POWER
·ViaTalk
1 edit | reply to CyberSultan
Put your order in now, and I'll promise not to charge you until your next bucket is ordered... unless it's determined that I need to, in which case I reserve the right to add the fees. Of course, I'll refund those same fees after the fact if you complain loud enough. Otherwise, I'll just keep them... After all, Momma needs a new pair of shoes.
Oh, and I know I mentioned that you'd have unlimited popcorn for the duration of your bucket, but the term "unlimited" will be defined by me, so make sure you read your TOPC (Terms of PopCorn). If you, at any time, have more than 30% empty, you'll be in violation of the TOPC's, and I can then elect to discontinue all popcorn service (again, at my sole discretion).
Finally, do bear in mind that all popcorn buckets remain the property of me, the Popcorn Man. Should you elect to terminate your popcorn contract, I will charge a fee equal to the DNP of several third-world countries until you return all popcorn buckets, in their original containers, with original butter still covering the sides. Price breakdowns for failing to keep each of these requirements will be made available at a later date.
Oh, and thanks for using ViaPop! |
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dcurrey
Premium
join:2004-06-29 | reply to ptrowski
At least you get them. All I get is billing emails stating my account is overdue $2.50 when I am not supposed to be charged it and Networks status reports. Nothing else shows up. |
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Sorry2SeeThis
@anonymouse.org
| reply to CyberSultan
I am really sorry to see ViaTalk go this route - I had always had a high opinion of them, even despite the mess with handling the demise of SunRocket. Note to Brendan: Just because your competitors choose to be evil doesn't mean you should too. Bump your monthly fee by three or three and a half bucks if you must, then advertise that the advertised price is all you will pay, and your customers will love you. Pull this stuff, and you become just another company like Vonage or CallVantage, and you give people one less incentive to recommend you to their friends and family members.
Also, those people who have signed up for a "pay-in-advance" plan do have the option to complain to state or federal authorities. Since these are not government-mandated taxes or fees - particularly the "Cost Recovery Fee" - I suspect that a government official might be more sympathetic than usual to any complaint that a customer has prepaid for service for a fixed term, and now a company is trying to add an arbitrary fee. This point is moot if the fees are not applied to existing prepaid customers for the duration of the prepaid term, but there is no indication in this e-mail that they will not be. |
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jay_rm
join:2002-04-12
Netville
·Fox Valley Internet
·ViaTalk
| reply to CyberSultan
I notice a report today that states ATT CallVantage is hiking it's costs by $0.99/mo also, and for the same reason.
»AT&T Hikes CallVantage 'Carrier Cost Recovery Fee'
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3500/512 5.7 GHz Motorola Canopy Wireless; FoxValley.net
"Peace through superior firepower" |
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dcurrey
Premium
join:2004-06-29
·ViaTalk
| reply to hawgcaller
said by hawgcaller :What does Vonage charge for unlimited after all the unfees? -phil I think its something around $30 a month give or take some for state and/or local taxes. |
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bmize13
join:2006-04-17
Dallas, GA | reply to CyberSultan
Not sure what the fees are, but I took a gander through the Vonage site... I didn't realize they offered pre-paid yearly service at $239.99 (plus fees).
I'd imagine the fees have to be similar, but who knows in this business?? |
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actor90
Never a dull moment
Premium
join:2003-07-21
L.E.H.T., NJ
 ·Comcast
| reply to CyberSultan
I got the e-mail too. I wonder how with a straight face Viatalk can justify such a massive increase in fees. It is patently obvious that they are using these fees to cover costs that are more then just regulatory in nature.
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My Blog on blogspot.com |
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DrFillster
join:2001-12-05
Lexington, KY
1 edit | I still don't understand how this is legal. I went to vonage and nowhere can I find where the fees are spelled out. At least viatalk sends us a email...... |
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burris
Premium
join:2000-08-22
Miami, FL
·VOIPo
 ·AT&T Southeast
·ViaTalk
| reply to bmize13
I think that if VT adds these new fees to my existing account that is paid up until July 2009, it will get my undivided attention.
There is a certain principle involved in the business relations between the company and its customers..
Let's see what happens.... |
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Nate425
Premium
join:2005-02-03
Charlottesville, VA
clubs:
| reply to CyberSultan
Eh, no biggie. I'd rather pay than have VT pay for everyone and have to close shop because of that dumb business move. I expect most all the other providers to follow suite. This is just what happens when government gets involved..should be expected. And in a couple years, I'll be expecting another hike...such is life. |
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