Not sure how many people on the forum will connect to this thread. This past week as of last Monday, it seemed every one I spoke to (myself included) had some sort of exasperating experience with either utility bills or technology or something that just put them "over the edge". In every case there was some dollar amount involved. For example, my friend caught a feral cat and took it to a shelter where she knew a small donation was expected. The small donation turned into an $89 boarding fee because the cat took a swipe and they have to hold it for 10 days. This same friend also felt hassled because in order to get any kind of store or prescription discount you have fill out a form with all kinds of personal information. I received my bill for Phone/TV/Internet and due to a computer glitch not recognizing my bundle contract and I spent 55 minutes on the phone correcting the problem. They want to me to "up the speed" and pay $10 more than my original contract but if I stay at the current speed they take away my caller id. I don't need a higher speed and I want my caller id. In my sisters neighborhood people go around year raising money for schools by "repainting" the addresses on the curb for a $10 donation. She didn't want it done but could not physically put the notice down over the curb to avoid getting it painted. It got painted and she felt forced into it. I know we are in the age of information but it feels like we are being strong-armed out of every last dime and expected to jump through so many hoops. We're left with fewer options to protect our information and our money. By Friday I wanted to disconnect everything and head for the hills. Maybe I'm getting old and cranky but simple just ain't what it used to be.

 I can totally relate. Everyone is out to make money, raise money and it seems make you feel required or guilty in the process. In the past week I have gotten 2 magazine subscriptions with bills that I did not order. I was like what? We're now reduced to doing this to sell stuff.

I can relate, too. I was watching my baby in the church nursery during this evening's service, and he was completely happy to sit in an empty bucket. I couldn't help thinking to myself, "How innocent and simple."

I wanna sit in a bucket!

 It has gotten ridiculous how often something or someone wants your personal information, for their gain, not yours. Yesterday I wanted to sign up for an e-mail newsletter from a legitimate source, but on the second page of registration it wanted my mailing address and it was mandatory if I wanted to go further.  Now there was absolutely no reason for them to have my mailing address except to put me on someone's junk mail list, which I certainly don't need.  So I backed out of it. They lost a member, which I know is important to them for keeping their site going. They all think we are so gullible, and make it all mandatory if you want what they are offering.  

As for the curb painters, we refuse to pay. We've put the tag out there and they've still painted it anyway, claiming they didn't see it.  Around here they are asking $25.00 to paint the curb. I can get a can of spray paint and make a stencil for less than half of that cost.  Edey

Toni B.:

By Friday I wanted to disconnect everything and head for the hills.

 

I'd do that any day.  

I had to call my cable internet/tv provider twice to get my bill lowered to suit my usage. Considering that I watch TV maybe two hours a week, I was paying an exorbitant fee, then they were giving new internet customers service at almost $30 less than those of us who had been with them for some time. So I called and the representative said I could get a smaller TV package for $20 less and a $10 reduction on my internet when it was bundled. The bill came and it was $10 more than it had been!  I called back and threatened to go back to dial up and sell my TV because I wasn't going to pay that price. They suddenly discovered that they could give me cable TV for the introductory fee of $20 a month and internet for $30. I just got the bill and it's$54, with taxes and all their fees and addons. I feel like I won the lottery. 

I think businesses too often forget that WE are they ones who pay THEIR bills. They really don't want to lose customers. Some (most?) of them are trying devious ways to gain them (like sending bills for magazines that weren't ordered) and unfortunately some people are gullible enough to fall for it. It's sad that we have to be on the defensive, but we do.  

DH & I talked about this yesterday. I think he'd rather go without DirectTV and internet (which is what I use the most) than deal with me having another meltdown over these bait and switch tactics. He's worked hard all his life and he enjoys watching sports and I love hanging out here on the forum but I feel absolutely trapped and victimized. I know that's a strong reaction but it took me six days to calm down enough just to talk about it. Thanks for the support everyone.

Our cable company did the same thing.  The "$99" phone,cable,internet package costs us $153.00 a month.  Alot of extra charges, and taxes, fees ect.  I could cut all of that out of my life and not bother me a bit, but Dh likes his TV and fast internet. 

 I'll join you in the hills, too. Just today I was reflecting about the cell phones, computers, TVs, videos, CDs, Blackberries and Ipods, the Intenet and the voice and emails...and on and on.

I wonder how much time we spend either fiddling with these things to make them work, paying for repairs on them, getting frustrated because they won't work - and how much time and energy go into technology that would go otherwise into life?

It dates me, but my preference would be a black, dial telephone and letters back and forth in the mail. Hand-written letters. When has anyone last had a real correspondence?

I hate opening my email. It and the voicemail can seem intrusions into my privacy, into my home. Meanwhile, where are the "real-time" people?

I would go back into living in utter simplicity if it were feasible. Sadly, I can't really participate or function in today's culture without being connected in so many ways I don't want to be.

seaturtle:

I wonder how much time we spend either fiddling with these things to make them work, paying for repairs on them, getting frustrated because they won't work - and how much time and energy go into technology that would go otherwise into life?

Exactly. We sent my oldest one to college and he has degrees in Informations Systems and Network Communications Technology so I have a private consultant. Every time something hiccups, I go into sheer panic. That's why he recommended a Mac for me. Everything seems to be changing so fast and it feels impossible to keep up just trying to understand it all. For all its wonders, the Internet can be "all consuming" and I force myself to turn it off at 6:30-7:00 every night. There are days I spend way too much time in front of the screen.

seaturtle:

I would go back into living in utter simplicity if it were feasible. Sadly, I can't really participate or function in today's culture without being connected in so many ways I don't want to be.

 

I agree too. I am still enjoying my digital cable but I found out that I am not really in a contract, so as soon as I can find myself happy with DVDs that are filled up with shows that I dubbed from tv, and I will cancel it, and never go back to it, no matter what I come across in a deal. I was happy with just the basic service from the actual cable company who had 24hr customer service. The digital tv service does also have 24 hr service and are nice but considering I have them on speed dial and the last call I made was #10... I don't think I'll miss them! I'll probably keep my dsl and just keep bugging for low promo pricing since that is bundled and saves me some $ on my phone portion, which is actually high but have had no complaints so I am keeping. 

I actually think ... "How can I downgrade and save $?" because sometimes the technology challenges me. There are days when the computer is threatened with the wall... I won't get into the cell phone debacle since I like the fact that I cannot always be reached. I'll keep my pre-paid for the times I do need it. Even though my phone package has voicemail in it, I won't do it. You will hear my voice when you call me. (either live or on the answering machine)