One of my goals for the month of July is to take a good hard look at my cable bill and see what the heck is really going on. We signed up with our cable company back in January when we moved, and have just been paying the bill dutifully every month, like a good customer should.
However, our bill is in the three digit range, and I am not too happy with that. Now I should mention that the “deal” we signed up for, was for their quote un-quote “bundling” package. Phone, internet, and cable all neatly tied up in a bow!
So, I sat down on the couch and perused our cable bill…and I was a bit taken back. Not by the charge for the landline. Not for the charge for the internet or cable. No, what made my mouth drop open was the full-page of fees and taxes. What the…
Don’t believe me? Here are the fees and taxes that we are currently paying unbeknownst to yours truly:
- Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Tax
- Universal Lifeline Tel Serv Program
- Relay Service & Communication Device Fund
- High Cost Fund Surcharge A
- High Cost B Surcharge
- Fusf-federal Universal Service Fund
- CTF Teleconnect Fund Surcharge
- Regulatory Recovery-State
- Regulatory Recovery Fee – Federal
- Regulatory Recovery Fee Cable – Federal
- Utility User Tax – Residential Video
- FCC Regulatory Fee – Voice
- Utility User Tax – Communication
- PEG Municipal Capital Fee
- Franchise Fee
What is all this? Nowhere in my bill does it offer any descriptions as to what these fees mean. I can guess (maybe) but I really don’t know. I am also aware that there is probably nothing I can do about these fees/taxes, but I am astounded that these charges amount to anywhere from an extra $12 – $15 every month.
As for the bundling package of cable/internet/phone, I am going to have to delve into this a bit deeper. Apparently, we are already receiving a discount for signing up for the bundle of awesomeness and no other discounts can be applied. So say the cable supreme rulers customer service reps.
I will do some research into other cable companies and see if their rates for “bundling” are lower than what I already pay. I hope so…cause the High Cost Surcharge B fee is really rubbing me the wrong way.
WOW. That is a LOT of fees for a simple cable/internet/phone bill. I looked at the fees that my school charges me above and beyond my tuition once and they were crazy, but who knew they could be this bad for just a service like this!
I know, right? Ughhhh…. And there is no explanation for them either which makes it even more annoying!
I hate all the extra fees that are always tacked on! so annoying.
I know, right?
i hate those random service fees.. whenever i am discussing my bill with those guys i have to keep asking.. “but what is the REAL price”?…
we’re thinking of taking the leap and finally cancelling our home phone. that will save us $20 month..
jefferson
Our landline is part of the bundling so if we cancelled it, we would lose our discount. *snort*
Yeah, the random fees are highly annoying and they never explain what they are!
Fees are very annoying. We try to avoid them as much as we can but often we don’t have a choice.I think they should just adjust the overall price so people can be a bit more prepared for their bills and not get surprised by these add ons.
I agree with you that they should just adjust the overall price to reflect these fees. They quote you one price, and then when you get your bill, it is a completely different price. Why don’t they just quote the actual price?
That’s another reason why we don’t have cable. Wow. I didn’t realize the fees were THAT bad.
I know, right? These fees are out of control!
Holy crap. That’s a lot of taxes and fees.. I try to dissect my cell phone bill and there isn’t that many fees! I did, however, see a long list of taxes when I checked out of the hotel last Sunday. I was annoyed, but luckily each one was only a couple of cents and they were all City taxes and clearly descriptive.
It is a lot of taxes and fees!! That’s what is driving me crazy! And there is no explanation as to what they are…
Cable/internet is one of those things everyone needs to stay on top of. Because most people sign up for promotional deals, that runs out and then rates go up. Fortunately if you call them you can pretty much always get a better deal…or go with someone else.
Yeah, I am definitely looking into a different cable company. The rate they quoted is not what we are paying when all these random fees are added on.
[…] the Cable Bill: Looking at this bill gave me a headache. Between the fees and the bundling, I’m ready to just throw my cable box out the window. I’m still price shopping to see […]