Cost Saving Tips and Consumer Rip-Offs
Waste Not, Want Not!

This page was created as a direct result of an experience with a charge from ATT on an "Operator Assisted" call. Beware of the hidden charges!

Never assume that an operator assisted call is free or negligible in cost. My recent experience showed that a one-minute operator-assisted call will cost you about $16.00 !!! If you can avoid using the operator, do so at all costs!
If you must use an operator:

1) Make sure the operator has identified the long-distance carrier you have reached (such as ATT, GTE, Southwestern Bell, etc.); make note of the carrier and get a name. Using an operator from a long-distance carrier - other than your regular carrier - will only complicate matters as you will be considered a "casual user." According to ATT Customer Service, it is their policy that there will be zero adjustments on operator-assisted services for "casual users," even if they commit an error!
2) Before you say "YES" to anything an operator asks (such as "Would you like me to dial that number for you?"), always ask what the total charges will be for performing such a task - including the hidden fees, surcharges, and taxes! You will find these charges ridiculous for the service received. They will argue that these are the amounts approved by the regulatory services, but you will find that you probably had zero say in approving that rate.

Avoid using National Directory Assistance if at all possible. GTE charges $0.95 per inquiry for this service! The information you get is available over the Internet free! If you can avoid using a National Directory Assistance Operator, and want to save money, do so!
If you must use an National Directory Assistance Operator:

1) Make sure the operator identifies the local carrier you have reached (such as ATT, GTE, Southwestern Bell, etc.); make note of the carrier and get a name.
2) Before using this service, wait for an operator to come on line; then ask what the charges will be for using the service - including the hidden fees, surcharges, and taxes! You will be astounded! They again will argue that these are the amounts approved by the regulatory services, but you will find that you probably had zero say in approving that rate.

Buy pre-paid long-distance phone cards - from reputable sources - and use them exclusively! You will find this is considerably less expensive, although it seems a bit inconvenient. The positives far outweigh the negatives. The main thing to monitor on these is the initial connection charges per call. Sometimes the available minutes seems fantastic, but the initial connection charges per call will balance this out.

FedEx has now replaced UPS as the worst choice for shipping! After attempting to deliver and delivering packages to the wrong locations a number of times over the past several weeks, we have downgraded our opinion of FedEx. They show signs of absolute incompetence at all levels with no attempt at disguising it. We give them points for being open, but not enough to overcome everything else.

UPS is an ongoing burr under my saddle. Their policies change depending on what representative you speak to - whether at the counter or at customer service (boy, there's an oxy-moron). Each individual representative reads the guide-book differently for what can-and-cannot be shipped; additionally, every representative reads the guide-book differently for how an item - or items - can-or-cannot be packaged or shipped. It seems that UPS is getting more into selling packing materials as opposed to shipping goods. This has obviously changed the focus of their mission and clouded their judgment. My time is valuable to me, and I choose not to waste it discussing policy with seemingly incompetent individuals about the err of their methods and thought processes.

I have been told by a representative "UPS does not ship antiques." I say "bunk" to this!

I have also been told by a representative, "UPS cannot ship swords to Europe because it is a weapon..." [I] "...can ship hunting knives but not swords..."; I say "bunk" to this! When is the last time you heard of a concealed sword attack on any individual in Europe! What an extreme policy. What do the sword collectors in Europe have to say about this?

Additionally, I was refused shipping of some items because of packaging even though the packaging exceeded by three times their acceptable minimum insulation and packing material specifications; not to mention that the container had been specially purchased for that order.
UPS has broken items that were very carefully packaged with crates made to fit the items to be shipped specifically. On one occasion, I shipped an item in a wooden crate made specifically for it. It was ~7 foot in length by ~14" by ~8". It was so sturdy that they used it for a ramp for either a very heavy dolly or forklift. In the process - of using it as a vehicle ramp - they must have put the crate in a least a 3" deviation from centerline (by analysis); that was the only possible scenario that would have caused the contents inside to snap like a peppermint stick! It just goes to show, no matter how well an item is packaged, UPS will likely find a way to break it.

I have also had a number of situations where items were left at the entrance door - without even ringing a door-bell - whether-or-not an adult signature was required. These packages have been left outside in all sorts of environmental elements (even thunderstorms). I know of one instance - first hand - where a firearm that is supposed to be shipped from one FFL holder to another and signed for - was left on a doorstep without an adult signature. Firearms - and shipping of them - are classified under jurisdiction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF); the shipping conditions for such items are clearly defined by them.

For these continued lapses in judgment, UPS is only used when I have no other option.

DHL remains the worst of all.

Hope these tips help. I will post more as these situations rear their ugly heads.

If you have a cost-saving tip or a bad experience with an unsympathetic business and you would like to voice a complaint, please contact: Speak Out speakout@arms2armor.com