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Sep 16, 2009 -- T-Mobile backs down on $1.50 charge for paper statements

Consumers have flexed their muscle on T-Mobile, effectively shutting down the wireless carrier's plan to charge a monthly fee of $1.50 to get a paper copy of their cell phone bill.

The T-Mobile proposal immediately resulted in threats of legal action upon announcement. The carrier encountered additional interference when the attorney general of New York said T-Mobile would have to negate all customer contracts in order to go through with their plan. Magically, the $1.50 fee proposal disappeared!

"We'll be taking more time to determine the fairest way possible to encourage people to go paperless," T-Mobile said in a statement. But wouldn't it be nice to hear, "Gee, we messed up. We're sorry" just once?!

How often in life do we allow a company to take advantage of us and we roll over and play dead? Well, here's a case of people voicing their unanimous anger and getting a bully to back down. Remember, you have the power if you choose to use it.

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What others are saying

  • Encourage?
    "Encourage" is not the right word for charging people $1.50/mo for paper statements! I am TIRED of the big push to go paperless, I don't want to and don't try to persuade me otherwise!
  • cell phone plans & fees
    I dumped the monthly plan and would not consider signing another one. I use prepaid with nationwide LD and have been averaging about $15 a month with regular daily use. Then, if the company starts acting like a poor choice...I can move ...immediately.

    So far, after five years...so good.
  • At least they're up-front...
    My first reaction was like most people: annoyance. Then I realized that they were being refreshingly honest about the thing -- everyone else plays the "discount for paperless" game, which, just like the outlawed "cash discount" for not using credit cards, really means the same thing as "we're going to charge you more" except the marketing dept. decided it was better to re-word it. Either way, you should look at your total bill, including all the extra fees they sneak in, and decide what is worth your money and what isn't. You can then drop an option -- or the provider -- as you please!
  • T-Mobile paper charge
    I would go paperless if they gave me a discount. Some of my student loans reduce my interest by 0.5% for receiving an electronic statement. How about cutting $1.50 from my bill? Its going to save them money on paper, why not pass that on to the consumer?
  • dump the rascals
    why not just dump the rascals and go prepaid. well over 50% of people who just use wireless for phone calls only and use less than 300-400 minutes a month would be far better off. rates of 5-9 cents a minute (bottom line price) are very common.
  • Why not offer a $1.50/mo discount to those who go paperless?
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