# Save a stamp, spend an extra 3 bucks. WTH, Verizon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 9, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218 "2009-10-09T18:22:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/1 "2009-10-09T18:22:09Z")
We recently moved. Where we moved to, cable TV was not available, so we bought a Verizon bundle that included DirectTV, high-speed internet, and phone. Yesterday, I got my first Verizon bill. I wrote a check, went to put it in the envelope, and noticed, there on the envelope, where the stamp goes, was a little note: Save a stamp, pay online. Well, cool. That way, it’ll be paid instantly, right, plus I save a stamp. Win/win. So I go to the website, fill out all the necessary boilerplate nonsense, at which point I am redirected to their 3rd party bill-pay option. There is a $3.50 fee for paying online (or by calling their toll-free number; I checked). So, I can save a 42 cent stamp by _paying_ $3.50 to pay with my debit card? Seriously? There are so many exhortations all over the bill and the envelope to pay either online or by phone, that I’m _certain_ Verizon must be getting a cut of this $3.50. Oh, and while I’m bitching about Verizon, we started out with a very basic DirectTV plan. Somehow, it _does_ include Showtime, but does _not_ include any of the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS). Well, I miss watching Ellen daily, so I called to upgrade my service. I was pleased to find that I could add just _one_ network for $3.50 month, so I chose to add NBC. However, it could take up to 45 days for this to come through, since they have to send my request _to NBC_, who will then either ‘approve’ or ‘deny’ my upgrade. 😕:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/2 "2009-10-09T19:08:16Z")
They have to check the files to see if you ever pissed off Leno. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/3 "2009-10-09T19:20:11Z")
Here’s what happens: The broadcast networks have deals with their affiliates, granting them an exclusive territory. If you’re in Denver, only the Denver NBC affiliate is allowed to send you NBC content. If you want to get that content from a satellite dish (or equivalent), the local NBC affiliate has to waive that deal, allowing NBC to send you content without the local commercials in it. It seems like a silly mess, but there actually is a reason for it. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/4 "2009-10-09T19:21:53Z")
My credit card company does the same thing on their envelopes except they want to charge me $7 to pay online. I don’t think so fuckwads. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/5 "2009-10-09T19:24:06Z")
Edit to note–this is replying to **InvisibleWombat** That’s weird. I have DISH Network, and one of the optional packages includes local broadcast channels–but only one station from each network. Kinda wish I could get a national feed direct from the network instead… ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/6 "2009-10-09T19:41:29Z")
It happens to me too. Paying my utility bill may be a bitch, but I’m not going to pay $3 when I can just pay 42 cents per month to mail that damn check. Ditto for paying online my VS credit card. And the same for my wonderful university, UGA, which requires me to pay student fees either online or in person. And if I pay online, I’m slapped with an extra $3. Uh, no, thanks, I’ll go make the line. I’m still surprised that now that free online paying is available in so many places, there are still others who charge you for that. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/7 "2009-10-09T19:42:49Z")
What kind of tool actually pays the $3.50? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/8 "2009-10-09T19:49:15Z")
You might want to check if they’re run by the Loch Ness monster. He wants your three-fiddy. Your bank may have bill pay online. It may be free now or with some wrangling. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/9 "2009-10-09T19:53:17Z")
I’ve been laughing at these companies for years. Waa waa pay on line so we don’t have to do as much. Coincidentally we’re charging you $x.xx for helping us out. I guess you get checks then. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/10 "2009-10-09T19:55:19Z")
My mortgage company has a perplexing policy - I can set up automatic on-line payments for free as long as I only pay monthly. However, if I want to pay bi-weekly in conjunction with my paydays, they’ll charge me something like $2 per payment (an extra $52 per year for my computer to talk to your computer? Please!!!) Yet if I mailed in an extra payment and they had to pay a person to open the mail and process my check, I wouldn’t be charged for that. Explain it to me… 😕 Fortunately, none of my other on-line payments stick me with a fee. The only people I pay by check are doctors, dentists, and vets. So a box of checks lasts forever now! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/11 "2009-10-09T19:57:25Z")
Our DMV also charges extra for renewing auto licenses online. But then again, you avoid standing in line at the DMV, so that one makes sense to a certain extent. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/12 "2009-10-09T20:10:11Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > What kind of tool actually pays the $3.50? Well, the kind of tool (or forgetful moron; don’t ask how I know. . .) who waits until the cut-off date to pay the bill. Then it becomes a choice of paying the $3.50 _or_ paying the $25.00 re-connect fee! :smack: > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Your bank may have bill pay online. It may be free now or with some wrangling. Actually, I just signed up for a local bank account today, and they do, in fact, offer free bill-pay. And if the bill I want to pay isn’t one they’re set up to pay electronically, they will actually _cut a check and mail it_, at no charge to me. Believe me, as forgetful as both my husband and I are, we are setting up auto-pay for as many bills as we can! Now, when we lived in Maryland, our phone company actually _deducted_ a buck from each bill if you chose to view and pay your bill online. _That_ made sense! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/13 "2009-10-09T20:12:41Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > Here’s what happens: > > The broadcast networks have deals with their affiliates, granting them an exclusive territory. If you’re in Denver, only the Denver NBC affiliate is allowed to send you NBC content. If you want to get that content from a satellite dish (or equivalent), the local NBC affiliate has to waive that deal, allowing NBC to send you content without the local commercials in it. > > It seems like a silly mess, but there actually is a reason for it. OK, here I am, Ellen deprived, working up a good head of steam, and you try to bring _reason_ into the discussion? For shame, sir, for shame! No beer for you! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/14 "2009-10-09T20:28:28Z")
I pay almost all my bills online and don’t pay fees for any of them. I think some of them have several options of how I can pay, some of which do require a fee, but they all have a free option or I wouldn’t use them. My cable bill is charged to to one of my credit cards, and the rest I have deducted from various bank accounts. Offhand, the only check I write each month is to my HOA; I think they do have a bank payment system, but I don’t feel comfortable with them having access to my bank account. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/15 "2009-10-09T20:34:13Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Oh, and while I’m bitching about Verizon, we started out with a very basic DirectTV plan. Somehow, it _does_ include Showtime, but does _not_ include any of the major networks (NBC, ABC, CBS). Well, I miss watching Ellen daily, so I called to upgrade my service. Interesting. We’ve got the same package, in Minnesota. Ours includes all the local over the air stations, but none of the Showtime/Stars/HBO stations. I love the deals these guys offer. Last week, we lost half of our stations. Waited a couple of days, still gone. So I called up DirectTV. “Of course Ma’am. We’ll send a technichian out. And out of the goodnesss of our hearts, we won’t charge you the $49.99 service fee for him to do that.” What??? Your equipment goes bad (and the service tech told me it was their equipment) and you were going to charge me $50 to fix it? I’m so glad our contract is up next month. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/16 "2009-10-09T20:38:52Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > OK, here I am, Ellen deprived, working up a good head of steam, and you try to bring _reason_ into the discussion? For shame, sir, for shame! It’s still pretty absurd that it can take 45 days for this to happen. It’s not like NBC and the local affiliate just realized that they’ll have customers trying to do this. It ought to be a simple and quick process. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/17 "2009-10-09T20:59:32Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > OK, here I am, **Ellen deprived** , working up a good head of steam, and you try to bring _reason_ into the discussion? For shame, sir, for shame! > > No beer for you! 😛 I am happy to offer my services. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/18 "2009-10-09T21:00:11Z")
> [@iamthewalrus\_3](#): > > It’s still pretty absurd that it can take 45 days for this to happen. It’s not like NBC and the local affiliate just realized that they’ll have customers trying to do this. It ought to be a simple and quick process. Well, the ‘up to 45 days’ was probably just Verizon covering their asses; they did say it could be “as little as 24 hours”, though I checked just a bit ago, and no Ellen yet. . . Still, yeah, if they’d said “Up to five business days”, or whatever, I could have understood that. This makes it sound like my ‘request’ or ‘application’ or what-the-hell-ever it is, is sitting on some flunky’s desk, waiting for a rubber stamp. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/19 "2009-10-09T21:03:39Z")
Where you are now, is putting up an antenna to get over-the-air signals a possibility? Over-the-air digital broadcasts look darn spiffy, so if you can receive them, it’s worth considering. Go to [AntennaWeb](http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx), put in your address, and see what the signals are like at your location. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218/20 "2009-10-09T21:29:49Z")
Did you see if Verizon will let you use a credit card? I had a company that charged $1.00 for debit transactions but if I used the debit card as a credit card (It was a Debit Visa) it cost me nothing [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-a-stamp-spend-an-extra-3-bucks-wth-verizon/513218.md?page=2)