SUGGESTION POSTED IN MY BLOG:
If you are away in another country, subscribe to a call back service to avoid roaming charges and use the local mobile phone card with free incoming calls. I believe Mediaring's subsidiary and few others operate a service like that.
This is actually a VOIP in between. The other two ends are by telco carriers. The rates are very competitive because the service providers buy bulk airtime at wholesale price.
If you are away leave your mobile number with the service provider. Any incoming calls can be rerouted through a gateway server to your mobile any where in the world. Maybe Skype also provides this.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Expensive way to access the internet
I subscribed to a new mobilephone.
I learned that the charges for the data service (i.e. to access the internet) is 0.3 cents per kilobyte.
A webpage takes about 300k bytes. It will cost nearly $1 to access a webpage.
I decided NOT to take the data service. It is too costly.
I learned that the charges for the data service (i.e. to access the internet) is 0.3 cents per kilobyte.
A webpage takes about 300k bytes. It will cost nearly $1 to access a webpage.
I decided NOT to take the data service. It is too costly.
IDD charges on mobilephone
When I am away from Singapore, I will not take calls on my mobilephone, unless it is from someone that I know.
If I take the call, I will tell them immediately, "I am in (name of country)". This is to tell them to keep the call short, and to the important matters. I want to avoid paying for international IDD roaming charges on my mobilephone.
Many people may not be aware about these charges - until it hits them.
If I take the call, I will tell them immediately, "I am in (name of country)". This is to tell them to keep the call short, and to the important matters. I want to avoid paying for international IDD roaming charges on my mobilephone.
Many people may not be aware about these charges - until it hits them.
Minimum wage increased in America
America has raised its minimum wage to USD 5.85 per hour (SGD 9).
America is a free market economy. Due to its large size, there are a wide range of choices and opportunities. Why is it necessary for America to have a minimum wage policy?
Maybe, the same reasons applies to Singapore?
America is a free market economy. Due to its large size, there are a wide range of choices and opportunities. Why is it necessary for America to have a minimum wage policy?
Maybe, the same reasons applies to Singapore?
Fair treatment of consumers
I find the behaviour of some businesses to be appalling. They want to increase their profits at the expense of the consumers. They impose high charges and unreasonable terms, that are not fair to consumers.
I hope that the Consumer Association can be more active in promoting the interest and fair treatment of consumers.
In America, the legislators are active in looking after the interest of consumers. I hope that our parlimentarians can also be active in this area, so that they can win the respect of the ordinary people.
I hope that the Consumer Association can be more active in promoting the interest and fair treatment of consumers.
In America, the legislators are active in looking after the interest of consumers. I hope that our parlimentarians can also be active in this area, so that they can win the respect of the ordinary people.
High mobilephone bill
An undergraduate went to India for one month of internship. His family and friends contacted him on his mobilephone. He was not aware that the incoming calls will be charged to his mobilephone as an international call, plus roaming charges. When he returned, he found the bill to be more than $1,000.
This is an expensive lesson. While the telephone company can make a lot of profits, I hope that they realise that the profit is made at the expense of poor customers who may not be aware about the charges.
i wish to share this experience, so that parents can tell their children to be careful about these charges.
I consider it a matter of fairness for the telephone company to alert the customer, if the bill exceeds a certain limit for each month. They should not take advantage of the ignorant customers.
This is an expensive lesson. While the telephone company can make a lot of profits, I hope that they realise that the profit is made at the expense of poor customers who may not be aware about the charges.
i wish to share this experience, so that parents can tell their children to be careful about these charges.
I consider it a matter of fairness for the telephone company to alert the customer, if the bill exceeds a certain limit for each month. They should not take advantage of the ignorant customers.
Cancellation of Credit Card
I received a letter from my credit card company with the following announcement, effect from 1 May 2007:
* the late payment fee will be increased from $35 to $45
* the fee for each returned or failed GIRO arrrangement due to insufficient funds will be adjusted from $25 to $50.
I find these fees to be unconscionable. (I was not aware about the fees earlier). I called the credit card company to cancel my card. I also destroyed the card immediately.
The call center of this credit card company was most unfriendly to the customer. I have to hear a lot of irrelevant announcements, and to press many buttons before I could get through. This is another reason to cancel my credit card.
* the late payment fee will be increased from $35 to $45
* the fee for each returned or failed GIRO arrrangement due to insufficient funds will be adjusted from $25 to $50.
I find these fees to be unconscionable. (I was not aware about the fees earlier). I called the credit card company to cancel my card. I also destroyed the card immediately.
The call center of this credit card company was most unfriendly to the customer. I have to hear a lot of irrelevant announcements, and to press many buttons before I could get through. This is another reason to cancel my credit card.
Agent plays a useful role
I use an agent actively to help me handle a transaction. The "agent" in this case, is:
* relationship manager assigned by the bank or my telco
* my stockbroker (remisier)
I have their personal contact number and e-mail address. I send my request to them by e-mail, SMS or a call. As they are familiar with the products and processes in their organisation, they can handle it easily for me.
The relationship manager earns a salary.
The stockbroker earns a modest rate of brokerage, maybe 0.15% of the value of the transaction. He earns a good income by having a high volume of business.
I hope, one day, that the insurance adviser can operate like a relationship manager or a stockbroker. They do not have to look for customers. The customers will contact them, if they need help.
The adviser can serve many customers, improve the productivity, and reduce the cost to the customer.
* relationship manager assigned by the bank or my telco
* my stockbroker (remisier)
I have their personal contact number and e-mail address. I send my request to them by e-mail, SMS or a call. As they are familiar with the products and processes in their organisation, they can handle it easily for me.
The relationship manager earns a salary.
The stockbroker earns a modest rate of brokerage, maybe 0.15% of the value of the transaction. He earns a good income by having a high volume of business.
I hope, one day, that the insurance adviser can operate like a relationship manager or a stockbroker. They do not have to look for customers. The customers will contact them, if they need help.
The adviser can serve many customers, improve the productivity, and reduce the cost to the customer.
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