Not sure about others, but somehow I feel cheated. Here's why...
Our telephone line was subscribed sometime in 1994. Later, with Streamyx service, we subscribed for the dial-up, then Broadband package at Rm66 pm. Then we changed to the Rm90 package which includes free national calls using fixed line to call fixed line. Our internet billing date was on 13th while the telephone was on 25 every month. We have been paying monthly bills based on a combined single bill dated 25th of each month.
Today, I received the latest bill based on TM's revised system of billing which synchronised the two billing dates... to 25th. With this, I was billed Rm36 for the internet, on a pro-rata basis for the period 13th Oct. to 24th Oct. based on Rm90. Why do I feel cheated? To a subscriber, there was no change in service, yet we have to pay this one-off extra, even though for valid reasons... but only to TM. Just imagine the increase in cashflow from the millions of subscribers! Why not change it to the earlier date instead? But of course, then there won't be any cashflow advantage.
Update on Nov 9:
It is more obvious when looking at this part of the statement:
Streamyx Home 512k Rm90 13/10/12 - 24/10/12 36.00
Streamyx Home 512k Rm90 25/10/12 - 24/11/12 90.00
With a package deal, there is no breakdown. Doesn't the above calculation give the impression there are two parallel bills at Rm90 per month? In fact, both internet and telephone bills are under one package at Rm90 per month. A fairer way to calculate is to separate the internet portion Rm66 and the telephone rental Rm25, which add to just over Rm90. The pro-rated amount should have been Rm26.40 instead of Rm36.00, a difference of about Rm10. It is no big deal but just as small amounts add up to a big amount when big numbers are involved, a fairer way (like rounding down instead of up) would have made customers happy and given a better image to the corporation.
While on TM, earlier this morning, I was asked by a retired civil servant, 'What is hash number?' I just could not figure out while in the car. Later, at the coffee shop, he asked me to dial 100 to report about his faulty telephone line, after his own attempt did not go further than answering 'Key in your area code, telephone number and hash key.' Then I realized what he meant earlier by 'hash number'! Just imagine our surprise when he asked me how I did it. When asked, he called out the numbers instead of keying in, which explained why he got a 'insufficient details' comment instead. We had a good laugh. But this highlights the problems created by the use of modern system of using call centres. If a retired civil servant, well versed in Bahasa Malaysia and English could not use it, can you imagine those who are less educated?
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Our telephone line was subscribed sometime in 1994. Later, with Streamyx service, we subscribed for the dial-up, then Broadband package at Rm66 pm. Then we changed to the Rm90 package which includes free national calls using fixed line to call fixed line. Our internet billing date was on 13th while the telephone was on 25 every month. We have been paying monthly bills based on a combined single bill dated 25th of each month.
Today, I received the latest bill based on TM's revised system of billing which synchronised the two billing dates... to 25th. With this, I was billed Rm36 for the internet, on a pro-rata basis for the period 13th Oct. to 24th Oct. based on Rm90. Why do I feel cheated? To a subscriber, there was no change in service, yet we have to pay this one-off extra, even though for valid reasons... but only to TM. Just imagine the increase in cashflow from the millions of subscribers! Why not change it to the earlier date instead? But of course, then there won't be any cashflow advantage.
Update on Nov 9:
It is more obvious when looking at this part of the statement:
Streamyx Home 512k Rm90 13/10/12 - 24/10/12 36.00
Streamyx Home 512k Rm90 25/10/12 - 24/11/12 90.00
With a package deal, there is no breakdown. Doesn't the above calculation give the impression there are two parallel bills at Rm90 per month? In fact, both internet and telephone bills are under one package at Rm90 per month. A fairer way to calculate is to separate the internet portion Rm66 and the telephone rental Rm25, which add to just over Rm90. The pro-rated amount should have been Rm26.40 instead of Rm36.00, a difference of about Rm10. It is no big deal but just as small amounts add up to a big amount when big numbers are involved, a fairer way (like rounding down instead of up) would have made customers happy and given a better image to the corporation.
While on TM, earlier this morning, I was asked by a retired civil servant, 'What is hash number?' I just could not figure out while in the car. Later, at the coffee shop, he asked me to dial 100 to report about his faulty telephone line, after his own attempt did not go further than answering 'Key in your area code, telephone number and hash key.' Then I realized what he meant earlier by 'hash number'! Just imagine our surprise when he asked me how I did it. When asked, he called out the numbers instead of keying in, which explained why he got a 'insufficient details' comment instead. We had a good laugh. But this highlights the problems created by the use of modern system of using call centres. If a retired civil servant, well versed in Bahasa Malaysia and English could not use it, can you imagine those who are less educated?
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