doodledee

We don't call long distance using our home phone's long distance plan. We haven't for years and years and years. It's honestly kind of a mystery to me why anyone would what with our era of cell phones and 2-cent/minute prepaid cards, but hey, they probably have their reasons. Like laziness and/or stupidity, I'd guess.

Now here's the kicker. For some unknown unfair unreasonable reason, even if you *never* use your long distance service, you HAVE TO HAVE A PROVIDER. Seriously. You can't just call the phone company and say, “No thanks, I don't need long distance" and have them flip a switch and turn you off. Instead they'll say, “Uhh, we can't do that... Now let me tell you about our highspeed internet offerings."

Up until now this hasn't really been a problem. The provider we use – Qwest, maybe you've heard of them – doesn't charge for their 'basic' plan that we're enrolled in by default. They don't call us to beg us to upgrade and nothing shows up on our bill. It's beautiful. And they're the only ones who do it like that. Everyone else charges a monthly fee. Jackholes.

At least it was beautiful. Over the weekend I got a letter saying that Qwest was changing it's policy and was going to start extorting charging us $1/month. For something I don't want and for something I don't use. Uh huh.

And to be clear for you dismissive doofs out there, it's not the $1 I'm worked-up about, it's the principle.

Can I cancel all voice service and still keep DSL? Hmm. Tempting.

Phone company accused of fraud - Not related, but a new story with good quotes [strib]