Because it snowed last night
in [Motorcycles]
|
From: Chuck Rhode on 10 Apr 2010 01:19 On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:36:42 +0000, don (Calgary) wrote: > So after a short chat with my current provider they were able to match > and beat the prices I was quoted and have given me a speed upgrade and > some new hardware to connect with. I'll give them another shot and see > if the new toys will be more consistent. > It pays to shop around. .... so, if they didn't have you pegged as a price-sensitive customer before, they do now, and they're willing (and able) to seduce the new you with even lower prices while you admit their service quality to-date sucks, and you see this as a good thing? Companies offer teaser rates to win new price-sensitive customers. I ignore such blandishments for the same reason my parents turned up their noses at S&H Green Stamps -- somebody (if not you already, you will be soon) is making up the difference now (and then some) by paying too much. No, instead, customers in good standing should expect that service providers will offer them them the discounts first *without asking* as part of a good faith effort to *keep* their business, and they should be requited in that expectation from time to time though I don't recall ever having been myself. This is what's wrong with America as a matter of fact. .... and, if your providers don't and are still making lovey dovey with people who aren't customers, then you walk and keep walking and don't look back, and, yes, BTDT. Let them have all the price-sensitive customers they can eat. It's as though they've sprung a surprise rate increase on you because, of course, that's just what they've done by letting you pay more than the going rate. If you pretend to be willing to walk in order to get the new rate and then don't do it, you are thereby encouraging businesses to chisel and cheat. It's unethical for you to do that. It's bad for price transparency and for the other customers who are unaware they're being chiseled and cheated, and that, friend, could be you in another life on another planet or later on this one or even right here and right now in some other relationship with yet another one of your service providers. -- ... Be Seeing You, ... Chuck Rhode, Sheboygan, WI, USA ... Weather: http://LacusVeris.com/WX ... 34° — Wind S 6 mph
From: The Older Gentleman on 10 Apr 2010 02:36 Chuck Rhode <CRhode(a)LacusVeris.com> wrote: > Companies offer teaser rates to win new price-sensitive customers. They do it here, on insurance. It's fun to ring them up and ask why their renewal rate is 30% higher than the online quote their computer has just given you. -- BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes! Try Googling before asking a damn silly question. chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
From: tomorrow on 10 Apr 2010 08:29 On Apr 10, 1:19 am, Chuck Rhode <CRh...(a)LacusVeris.com> wrote: > On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:36:42 +0000, don (Calgary) wrote: > > So after a short chat with my current provider they were able to match > > and beat the prices I was quoted and have given me a speed upgrade and > > some new hardware to connect with. I'll give them another shot and see > > if the new toys will be more consistent. > > It pays to shop around. > > ... so, if they didn't have you pegged as a price-sensitive customer > before, they do now, and they're willing (and able) to seduce the new > you with even lower prices while you admit their service quality > to-date sucks, and you see this as a good thing? > > Companies offer teaser rates to win new price-sensitive customers. I > ignore such blandishments for the same reason my parents turned up > their noses at S&H Green Stamps -- somebody (if not you already, you > will be soon) is making up the difference now (and then some) by > paying too much. No, instead, customers in good standing should > expect that service providers will offer them them the discounts first > *without asking* as part of a good faith effort to *keep* their > business, and they should be requited in that expectation from time to > time though I don't recall ever having been myself. This is what's > wrong with America as a matter of fact. > > ... and, if your providers don't and are still making lovey dovey with > people who aren't customers, then you walk and keep walking and don't > look back, and, yes, BTDT. Let them have all the price-sensitive > customers they can eat. It's as though they've sprung a surprise rate > increase on you because, of course, that's just what they've done by > letting you pay more than the going rate. > > If you pretend to be willing to walk in order to get the new rate and > then don't do it, you are thereby encouraging businesses to chisel and > cheat. It's unethical for you to do that. It's bad for price > transparency and for the other customers who are unaware they're being > chiseled and cheated, and that, friend, could be you in another life > on another planet or later on this one or even right here and right > now in some other relationship with yet another one of your service > providers. Let's review. Don wasn't happy with his internet service, so he called a competitor to see if it would be worth his time and effort to switch. It was, so he did. Then the competitor failed to meet its stated obligation, so Don called his original service provider and complained about the service he was getting. In an effort to salvage the business relationship, the original provider offered price breaks and service upgrades to Don, which were blandishment enough to cause him to risk staying with the original provider to see if he could be happy, thus giving them a second chance at retaining his business. And in your analysis, somehow this is all bad; it's encouraging companies to cheat and chisel their customers, it's actually UNETHICAL of Don, and it's even "what's wrong with America?" I disagree. I don't see that Don or either company did anything wrong, other than the shortfalls in service demonstrated by both companies that he dealt with. In point of fact, it sounds like a normal free market transaction to me. While I can appreciate that it would be easier for the consumer to compare prices if all companies offered the exact same rate to all customers at all times, published those rates, and never had specials or limited offerings or marketing drives, that's not really something we can expect in a non-command economy.
From: Doug Payne on 10 Apr 2010 08:33 Snowed here yesterday as well. On my first day of retirement. Jeez. So I did what any self-respecting cold-blooded Canadian would do, I went for a nice long ride.
From: don (Calgary) on 10 Apr 2010 11:45
On Sat, 10 Apr 2010 00:19:56 -0500, Chuck Rhode <CRhode(a)LacusVeris.com> wrote: >On Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:36:42 +0000, don (Calgary) wrote: > >> So after a short chat with my current provider they were able to match >> and beat the prices I was quoted and have given me a speed upgrade and >> some new hardware to connect with. I'll give them another shot and see >> if the new toys will be more consistent. > >> It pays to shop around. > >... so, if they didn't have you pegged as a price-sensitive customer >before, they do now, and they're willing (and able) to seduce the new >you with even lower prices while you admit their service quality >to-date sucks, and you see this as a good thing? Considering they are bumping my connection from 1.5 to 6 mbps, will provide new, allegedly, more reliable hardware, all at nearly one third of the price (for 12 months) I had been paying, I'd say there is value for me in the deal. Please recognize there is more to value than just the price. For the record this is all based on a month to month deal. No contract. If it doesn't pan out, the deal with Shaw will still be there. I have zero risk, with the potential for a very good upside. So if they have me pegged as a customer that responds to value, I am ok with that. In fact I hope they shout it from the rooftop. > >Companies offer teaser rates to win new price-sensitive customers. I >ignore such blandishments for the same reason my parents turned up >their noses at S&H Green Stamps -- somebody (if not you already, you >will be soon) is making up the difference now (and then some) by >paying too much. No, instead, customers in good standing should >expect that service providers will offer them them the discounts first >*without asking* as part of a good faith effort to *keep* their >business, and they should be requited in that expectation from time to >time though I don't recall ever having been myself. This is what's >wrong with America as a matter of fact. I am not sure it is what is wrong with America. That might be just a bit over the top, but I agree with you in one respect. It pisses me off that service providers, not just internet providers, but all service providers, offer special deals to new customers without rewarding customers that have supported them for years, with similar incentives. In this case I had already booked the transfer of my phone number to Shaw and the pending request showed up in my Telus account, so they knew I was on the verge of dumping them. It is a shame they make a client who has supported them for, geez, over 25 years, go to that length before they will come to the table with a deal. That is the nature of negotiation though. More often than not, you will not get the best deal until you are prepared to walk away from what is on the table. > >... and, if your providers don't and are still making lovey dovey with >people who aren't customers, then you walk and keep walking and don't >look back, and, yes, BTDT. Let them have all the price-sensitive >customers they can eat. It's as though they've sprung a surprise rate >increase on you because, of course, that's just what they've done by >letting you pay more than the going rate. > >If you pretend to be willing to walk in order to get the new rate and >then don't do it, you are thereby encouraging businesses to chisel and >cheat. It's unethical for you to do that. Seeking the best deal for myself is hardly unethical. If you haven't figured it out yet I am a free enterpriser. I believe in the market system and am willing to accept people will not always be treated equally. I have worked very hard for my station in life. Others can do the same, but if they choose not to, I owe them squat. >It's bad for price >transparency and for the other customers who are unaware they're being >chiseled and cheated, and that, friend, could be you in another life >on another planet or later on this one or even right here and right >now in some other relationship with yet another one of your service >providers. We all have the same opportunities. I don't have a problem with a lack of transparency related to the pricing policies of private companies. They have no obligation to charge the same fee to every customer. Do you refuse to fly on a commercial airline because you know the man or woman sitting next to you very likely paid a different fare? If you are buying a new, or new to you car, do you refuse to negotiate the best price, fearing if you get a great deal, the customer who comes in after you will have to pay more? At the end of the day, we are responsible for our own actions and decisions. I can live with that. The fact some can't, is in my humble opinion, indicative of what is wrong with America. |