In a move no doubt calculated to win friends and influence people, Verizon is apparently going to start charging users a $2 “convenience fee” to pay their bill. starting January 15th, Verizon customers will be required to pay the fee any time they pay their bill over the phone or online. Fortunately, there are a number of options for users who want to avoid giving Verizon an extra couple bucks. Alternatives that are not subject to the fee include using your bank’s online bill pay options, electronic check, in-store payments, enrolling in Verizon’s own auto-payment option, or posting your check via good old-fashioned snail mail.
Here are a couple of screenshots of Verizon’s explanation of the fee, courtesy of Droid Life’s original report:
As you might imagine, the public reaction to this news has hardly been positive. Many have taken to Twitter to express their frustration;
@pamspaulding
Pam SpauldingWTF? Thieves. Verizon Wireless to start charging $2 ‘convenience fee’ for bills paid online or over phone – @CNET http://t.co/LRxnfW77
51 minutes ago via HootSuite · powered by @socialditto
@ivey
Michael D. IveyI’m going to start paying my Verizon bill in person. In pennies. Covered in cat urine. You know, for their convenience. 1 hour ago via Tweetbot for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
@horangi113
horangi113hearing about the $2 “convenience fee” makes me happier than ever that i left verizon. HATE them. 10 minutes ago via DestroyTwitter · powered by @socialditto
Given the amount of negative PR this is generating, we shouldn’t necessarily be surprised to see Verizon scrap the plan. On the other hand, Verizon almost certainly stands to make quite a bit of money from this fee, so they may think a few ticked off customers are worth the boost to their bottom line.
