Should I Make A Big Deal About One Lousy Penny?
By betlynfrnds
@betlynfrnds (4071)
United States
November 4, 2010 3:19pm CST
It's not something that will make or break my bank but I think there's a principle here.
About 2 months ago when I went to pay my cable bill, the clerk offered the option of locking my monthly bill amount in for 2 years. I agreed and what it meant was that my bill amount will not increase for 2 full years.
The next month rolls around, I get my bill and sure enough, I have my locked in rate. Then when I got my latest bill, wouldn't you know it - it's a penny higher. I think my concern is, will the cable company keep bleeding a few pennies here and there as if I won't notice it?
This is my plan: I'm going to take the bill with my check to the cable company and show a little sarcasm about the rate increase. Hey, maybe if I threaten to cancel my service, they'll give me a discount?!?!?!
I'll let you know what happens. What do you think about my plan?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
4 Nov 10
The way I see things is that if I want to throw away all my money, I can do it. But noone has the right to take away a penny from me. That is fraud. Check when did you make the contract (dates) and if the option is written anywhere. If it is and the 2 years are not over, you win. And whatever end this has, have them write it down.
1 person likes this
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
4 Nov 10
The way I see things is that if you do not have that one penny eventually it adds up and the company will shut your service off. As if they let go of too many one pennies they lose a great deal.
I would call the company and state my case as you betcha they would be pestering you. So do not feel upset one bit, and call them and put them to shame.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
A very good point indeed. I'm sure I can find a great way to, as you say, put them to shame. 
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
5 Nov 10
give it a shot. Why not? They'll probably blame it on state or a communications tax. Or maybe pay it this month and see what happens next month, then complain
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
I'm anticipating that they will casually say it's a state tax or something like that. And they'll be all la de da. But I think I'm planning on being pretty stern about it.
Thanks for your comment.
@coffeebreak (17797)
• United States
6 Nov 10
Its the principal of the thing! Yeah, they probably will say it is a tax thing...but what's next..5 cents next month, 10 the next? Heck, they have no problem giving you grief, give them some back....just for the fun of it if nothing else!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
8 May 11
One penny can really add up if it is bled from all their customers for two years or however long they get away with it. I think there is a principle to consider here. There was an agreement and if you were a penny short on your payment...I bet they would be wanting that plus a late fee for payment not being in full. It's business and when there is an agreement...it should remain so if it's a dollar or a penny. So what happened?
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
20 Jun 11
Hi Jen,
Thanks for responding. Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. Life can get crazy sometimes! 
Anyway, here is what I found out. The cable company is just fine, I have no issues with them at all. Their promise to me as a customer was that they guaranteed a base rate before taxes. That silly penny is a tax. Actually the tax was for something like 1 and a half cents but since they can't charge half cents they gave me a break and rounded it down to 1 cent.
Now I can sleep at night!!!
Anyway, here is what I found out. The cable company is just fine, I have no issues with them at all. Their promise to me as a customer was that they guaranteed a base rate before taxes. That silly penny is a tax. Actually the tax was for something like 1 and a half cents but since they can't charge half cents they gave me a break and rounded it down to 1 cent.
Now I can sleep at night!!!
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
4 Nov 10
Maybe and hopefully I won't be the only one to say something about this. Then the company will sit up and take notice that customers are seeing what's going on.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
That's a very good idea, thanks. There's more power in numbers.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
5 Nov 10
Why not spread the plan first so there'd be more consumers who'll be aware of it. That way, you're not alone and the plan will be more effective?
@ReViewMeMedia (3786)
• United States
6 Nov 10
You should at least say something about it, since they did say it wasn't supposed to increase.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
6 Nov 10
That certainly is the direction that I'm heading.
Thanks ReView
@shaggin (74987)
• United States
5 Nov 10
LOL thats funny. If a one cent increase went on my account I wouldnt bother to say anything but if every single month it went up once cent then by the end of the year I would be paying 12 cents extra a month and while that doesnt seem like much its just not right of them to do that when your rate shouldnt increase AT ALL! Go for it. It doesnt hurt to make a stink about it. Sometimes its kind of fun hehe.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
It is funny in a stupid kind of way isn't it? After all, how am I supposed to take care of the rest of my bills if they're going to bleed pennies from my account?
@warvial (1146)
• Singapore
5 Nov 10
Same approach as you if I am in your position. A penny is still money. 1 and 2 is not the same. The company should know better than to play around with the figures. And you never know if they are doing the same to all their consumers and that penny can snowball into huge profit.
And also, you have a binding contract with them that states the monthly fixed amount to pay. It's a good thing you spotted that difference. Else they might just continue doing this for the next few months and before you know, you already overpaid them.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
It's my guess that this is no accident. They know exactly what they're doing and probably think that no one will bother to say a word while someone is getting a nice, fat wallet.
My conscience would kill me if I did something like that. I could never do a thing like that. I'd never be able to sleep at night and boy, do I like my sleep.
Oh, well, everything comes out in the laundry as they say. It'll all work out.
Thank you for your comment.
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
4 Nov 10
Something tells me they are doing that to loads of people. One penny times one million people? I'd say more than that?
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
4 Nov 10
It does add up quickly doesn't it? Part of me just wants to laugh. But a much bigger part of me doen't find it funny at all. 
@ptower76 (1616)
• United States
5 Nov 10
You are right, its the principle. Seems like business owners cable included, seem to believe that the average customer does not mind giving up pennies. Good example is my neighborhood grocery store. I buy a product for .99 cents. give the owner 1.00 and he says thank you and keeps the penny. 5 items at .99 adds up to 4.95 on my calculator, but not on his. I asked him one day why he keeps the penny and he looked at me as if i was crazy or some kind of miser. He actually laughed. I couldn't help thinking he was laughing all the way to the bank with my penny and the penny of the hundreds of other customers that buy there daily. I think you should definately voice your displeasure.
@betlynfrnds (4071)
• United States
5 Nov 10
Wow, I wonder if my cable guy and your grocery guy are related.
It does add up fast. I never heard of a grocery clerk doing that. I believe that's stealing.
That theif probably is laughing all the way to the bank. What a hoot.
It does add up fast. I never heard of a grocery clerk doing that. I believe that's stealing.
That theif probably is laughing all the way to the bank. What a hoot.