AT&T Finds Another Way To Charge You For Nothing

On the verge of the what everyone is hoping will be the new iPhone launch, I find myself in possession of interesting information. Now, I'm sure that some people are aware of this, but I'm also pretty sure that most of our readers don't encounter this situation, so I feel it's interesting to share with everyone.

It appears that, as a matter of everyday corporate tel-com "fee-them-for-all-they're-worth" mentality, AT&T has found a way to suck another $5/month out of the pockets of their less tech-savvy consumers. Every time a subscriber decides to pay their bill in person at an AT&T store, the company tacks on an additional $5 to their bill. That's correct. For the divine privilege of talking to a real human being while lining some corporate fat-cat's pocket with your monthly bill, they charge you $5.

Now, I know there are several different ways for you to pay your bills. You can mail a check in, make a payment online, call in your payment, or even use a kiosk in some stores, but none of those other options cost you more. I'm pretty sure that most people pay their bills online or via mail now-a-days, but those that prefer that decidedly old school method of human interaction have to pay more for it? That hardly seems fair.

Believe me, I understand that the sales reps are paid commission and would much rather be selling a new phone to someone than taking your bill money, especially considering they do not get a commission on your payment, but am I the only one that seems to think this is just silly? I'm chocking this up to the same corporate "rape-the-consumer" mentality that the airlines have adopted by charging you for your checked luggage!

What do you think? Am I over-reacting? Or is this absolutely a bogus charge that should be shoved in the face of AT&T? Do other tel-coms do this?

Special thank-you to my anonymous tipper, you know who you are!