9-1-1 and SAF fees are a SCAM!

[neos]

This is not a new issue, but it still comes as a surprise to many that all wireless carriers are not required to charge a System Access Fee or 9-1-1 fee at all. While they sound like government-imposed fees, neither the CRTC nor Industry Canada require them. In fact, only the residental fixed line 9-1-1 fee (which is much lower) actually goes toward supporting municipal 9-1-1 services!

In other words, the carriers are implicitly implying these fees are required and allow the carriers (much like the airlines' fuel surcharge) to advertise lower monthly plans. Of course, these fees simply go towards their bottom line. 20% of the CSR's Radio-Canada called up to ask about the fees incorrectly stated the fees were regulated by the CRTC!

It's hard for the average person not to believe the SAF is mandatory when they read the folllowing:

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9025/koodonp8.jpg

Koodo, a Telus brand, is "paying" the SAF for you. In other words, they're not charging you an "excessive fee" that doesn't even exist in the first place!

How is this not false advertising?!

CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/tech/cellphones/consumer-confusion.html

Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/258049

Radio Canada (French) http://www.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/pop.shtml#urlMedia%3D/Medianet/2008/CBFT/LaFacture200804151930_2.asx&promo%3DZAPmedia_LaFacture

Current class action lawsuit: http://www.merchantlaw.com/cellular.html

[untaka]

Whats your point? As a true Canadian you should accept the screw over and just complain about it.

[Ebola]

Scam this , scam that, everything is a scam.

It's not a scam, its a ripoff. I knew full well they are charging fees just to increase revenue, such is life in Canada.

[Frankie3s]

Pretty sneaky advertising to say that "we're paying the system access fee for you" by Telus. Canadians sadly are generally not intelligent and that's why they get done over constantly by Governments, Unions and Private businesses.

Here's further proof..

Most Canadians support carbon tax, poll suggests
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/422643

History has proven that things like this have only been a cash grab and when companies have to raise their prices to pay for such schemes Canadians again will be complaining and then we'll need a complaints tax to quiet them down which the majority of Canadians would also support.

[urban1]

CRTC takes a lot of power away from citizens.

As a Canadian, what are you supposed to do if your sick of system access fees, high priced data plans, and uncompetitive voice plans?

This new brand marketed by Telus is to attract fringe users and people who dont have a phone but would get one if the price was low enough. Telus isnt doing this to cannibalize their current business.

[mjl_toronto]

As a Canadian, what are you supposed to do if your sick of system access fees, high priced data plans, and uncompetitive voice plans?

Ask the provider to credit the SAF off of your bill. I got that from Rogers without even asking.

[ClubberLang]

Ask the provider to credit the SAF off of your bill. I got that from Rogers without even asking.

huh? they just started refunding it? Was it retroactive? you didn't have to ask?

[boyoflondon]

huh? they just started refunding it? Was it retroactive? you didn't have to ask?

Don't get your hopes up ..

[mjl_toronto]

huh? they just started refunding it? Was it retroactive? you didn't have to ask?

No, they didn't refund it. They gave me credit towards my bill to knock off the SAF because I ordered the HDPVR. I just asked the CSR what was the best deal he could get me and it was his idea to give me a credit for the SAF.

[trixR4kids]

No, they didn't refund it. They gave me credit towards my bill to knock off the SAF because I ordered the HDPVR. I just asked the CSR what was the best deal he could get me and it was his idea to give me a credit for the SAF.

the best deal they could give u was $6.95 off yr monthly phone bill?

[Rx-87]

A lot of things are unnecessary costs in services these days, justified by terms and regulations.

[mjl_toronto]

the best deal they could give u was $6.95 off yr monthly phone bill?

no, that was just one of the things he did. ;)

[neos]

Scam this , scam that, everything is a scam.

It's not a scam, its a ripoff. I knew full well they are charging fees just to increase revenue, such is life in Canada.

One definition of a scam: to deprive of by deceit

Well, you might be well informed, but I have a feeling most people still don't know the truth. A rip-off is overcharging for a service that you think is worth paying less for. But I think most people would consider itemizing a 9-1-1 and SAF fee to be false advertising, if not an outright scam. By implicitly implying that these fees are required by the government and by sometimes ouright lying to customers calling up about them, how would you define that? :mad:

[Red_Army]

great...now if only telus would do the same thing

[Hunter316]

The system access fee I would consider a ripoff because it is essentially a charge for the privilage of using a certain providers network and most people would consider that service not worth the money if they had the choice. The 911 fee seems dishonest to me since most people would assume that the money for that would be going to 911 services and not the phone companies bottom line.

[angryconsumer]

If it's a deliberate misleading, misrepresentation of reality in order to rip off consumers, as the situation described in the OP is, then it is indeed a scam.

Hope they win that class action lawsuit. :)