$35 Penalty Fee from Cingular

Just curious if they've changed their contract at all to include this late fee, if they have then it's time for me to jump ship to Centennial or Tmobile.

 

i guess this is another reason not to be late.

 

$35 penalty for what???

 

That doesn't sound like a late fee to me. Please examine your bill or call Cingular to find out what those charges are about. How many months behind are they on their payments?

For reference:
Here's Sprint's late fee policy: "Past due amounts accrue late charges until paid at the rate of 5% per month or at the highest rate allowed by law and may result in immediate suspension of your account."

Here's Verizon's: "IF WE DON'T RECEIVE PAYMENT IN FULL WHEN DUE, WE MAY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF THE BILLING ADDRESS WE HAVE ON FILE FOR YOU AT THE TIME, CHARGE YOU A LATE FEE OF UP TO 1.5 PERCENT A MONTH (18 PERCENT ANNUALLY), OR A FLAT $5 A MONTH, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, ON UNPAID BALANCES."

Here's T-Mobile's: "You agree to pay 1.5% or $5.00 per month (or portion of a month), whichever is greater, on any past due balances until paid, subject to the highest amount permitted by law. Except to the extent prohibited by law, this late fee may be charged regardless of any disputes you may have raised regarding your invoiced charges."

Here's Cingular's:"Late payment charges of $5.00 may be applied to any unpaid balance as of your next billing date."

Unlike the others, Cingular doesn't post this policy on their website, or at least it was nowhere to be found. However, it is conveniently hidden on the second page of your bill.

So you can see, all of them charge about the same. So, have them call Cingular to see what that charge is about. I doubt that is a late fee.

 

Then spend less time creating duplicate threads and pay your bill on time.

http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/59182-35-late-payment-penalty-from-cingular.html

And to be serious, you are 100% WRONG. Here is a copy/paste from my online Cingular bill:

 

It would be illegal for them to charge anything more than their written policy states. I think they are either confusing things, or giving you wrong information. It may be another fee, like re-activation, that is associated with being late.

 

Assuming you mean they have already charged someone $35...I would like clarification/verification of the exact fee title associated. I highly doubt they charge a $35 fee for late payment in complete disregard for written policy. It would actually be very difficult for them to do since it is an automated system.

 

I know I posted something in the "News" thread, but figured I would add to this conversation.

It appears I was wrong on the $35.00 fee & as bobolito posted it's $5.00.

What may have happened to jone's friend is his check bounced.

Here are the T&C per my online bill:

- Terms: The past due amount is due immediately. Late payment charges of $5.00 may
be applied to any unpaid balance as of your next billing date.

- Electronic Check Conversion: When you pay by check, you authorize us to clear the check electronically. If the check clears electronically, funds may be deducted from your bank account on the same day we receive payment and your check is not sent to you. You agree to pay us a fee of up to $30 if your payment is returned unpaid. Returned checks may be represented electronically.

 

That would make a lot more sense.

 

Fire14 and I both posted text from Cingular documents stating otherwise. Please find a tangible source besides your hearsay.

 

Thank you for finally telling us what we have been telling you was the case. He paid $35 after it was shut off. It was a reactivation fee, not a late fee.

That wasn't too painful.

 

You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the bill handy would you? If you can post a screenshot or a scan of the bill documenting the charges that would be great.

 

Let's be careful about how this thread continues.....

That said, what is the possiblity an extra charge was assessed based on past payment history?

 

It sure sounds like a reactivation fee -- just like when your driver license is suspended and you have to pay to have it reactivated after the suspension period is up.

I can't believe Sprint get away with 5% a month -- 60% interest per year is usury in every state and territory in the U.S. and Canada.

 

Obviously the Rep said it wrong, since you stated he was shut off & this must have been a Reinstatement fee, which makes a whole lot more sense.

Per the Cingular T&C questions I found this:

QUESTION:
Why is there a reconnect fee on my bill?
Why is there a restoral fee on my bill?

ANSWER:
The reconnect fee shown on your statement is a fee of $36 that is applied to every Cingular Wireless customer whose service has been suspended as a result of non-payment and would like to have his/her service re-established.

Please note that depending on where your service was activated, the charge will be listed as either "Restoral Fee" or "Reconnection Fee."

In the future, you may choose from one of our convenient payment options:

 

I don't care what CS says. That is not a late fee. How many times do we post information here that Cingular CS is clueless about? They probably had a bounced check or rejected e-payment because that would be what they charge if a check bounces or payment is rejected. They should make sure to have enough funds next time.

$30.00 (bounced check fee) + $5.00 (Late payment fee) = $35.00 (total fees)

How much do you wanna bet this is what happened?

I am surprised they didn't charge the re-connection fee which is another $36 dollars bringing the total to $71.00

 

Yeah, that is amazing. I knew there was a reason I always paid my Sprint bill on time! lol

 

i agree with bobolito on this one