I’m pretty frustrated with tech companies right now. In the past two week I’ve had more than my share of dealing with them.

These companies that provide internet, television and cell phones are gouging people. And they’ve reversed the commitment to the customer. The customer must commit to them.

This week I had a phone conversation with our television and internet provider. It seems they hiked our rates by $79 a month … in the middle of our commitment! 

Somehow they are able to force us to commit to staying with them for two years, or pay large penalties. But they don’t seem to have that same kind of commitment to us.

Over the first year we had rate increases about every three months – little ones, like seven dollars here, four dollars there. 

By the end of the first year we were paying $28 more a month than what we had agreed to at the start of the contract. 

Then, when our first year was up, they took away all the credits we had been getting during that year, which added another $79 per month to our bill.

The customer service woman I spoke with was sympathetic because she said that, at the end of the day, she was a consumer as well … but she wouldn’t give me back my credits. 

Instead, because I complained, she found a way to adjust our service to give me some credits back and then threw in a few TV stations for free that I probably won’t ever watch. 

That’s why they are free – no one is watching them! 

She was able to cut my bill but I’m still going to be paying significantly more than I was a month ago, and massively more than when I started with them.

What bothers me is that in other countries they don’t have the same kind of issues with tech companies. 

My wife, Lily, is in Lisbon, Portugal right now. In her hotel room was a cell phone that she could take and use anywhere in the city while she stayed at that hotel. 

She could call anywhere in the world – we’ve talked on that phone a few times. And she has unlimited data on it! 

It is mind boggling. 

A cell phone in Canada with 5 gigs of data is over $100 per month. Does it cost that much in Canada to do business? 

When it comes to technology, Canada ranks number #2 in the world at generating internet traffic use per capita. Maybe these companies realize they’re in high demand so they are soaking us because we will pay anything for this precious technology we are so hooked on. 

I know one thing and that is the next time I negotiate a contract with one of these tech companies, I’m going to make some demands. 

… Like if they raise their rates past a certain amount, I will be free to take my business to another company at no penalty to me. 

Here’s the thing: This is how Satan works … He presents something that looks pretty appetizing. Then once he has you signed up for it, he can change the terms and show his true colours. The crazy thing is we fall for it all the time – just like we do with tech stuff. The key is to recognize God’s plan for you and stick with it. It may be tough at times, but the terms don’t change and the future is guaranteed. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What has got you looking for a way out? Leave your comments below.