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by B_Buckley from The Triad.

Last Post 38 days, 14 hours Ago


Who's Nickel and Diming You?
Jul 20, 2008 | 12:19 PM
Category: News
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Time for a little sound-off.

How are you being, "Nickeled & Dimed to Death?"

One of my "favorites," is, when you buy a ticket through Ticketmaster or any of those services, you pay what they call, "A convenience fee."  Convenient for whom?

I understand Tickemaster is providing a service.  And some might consider that service a convenience.  It just sounds a bit patronizing, to me.

Let's hear from you.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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mrmajestic read my blog view my photos
Jul 20, 2008 | 2:50 PM

I don't mean to sound patronizing to you Bob, but most of us in the service and sales industry have a little more to be concerned with, than Tickemaster fees. I guess the view from your Ivory Tower doesn't take into account that many people are in trouble financially.
homeschoolmom read my blog view my photos
Jul 20, 2008 | 9:12 PM

My son recently went to Warped Tour and the ticket was around $23.50. By the time he was finished ordering the ticket it was $43 dollars.($2.50 of that was to print out the ticket. The rest were extra fees.) Cell phone bills are the same way. They charge all this extra little stuff without you even asking for it. I recently went through my bill after adding my children to the plan. I called to have some of the things removed that I didn't ask to have as part of the plan. It lowered the bill alittle bit anyway!
B_Buckley read my blog
Jul 21, 2008 | 3:11 PM

Mr. Majestic:

I'm not sure where you get that. The Ticketmaster thing was just an example that I found somewhat humorous.

As for an Ivory Tower, again, I think you may be a bit presumptuous. I don't normally toot my own horn on this, but since you brought it up, I did work hard to pay my way through both college and graduate school so that I could support my wife and 4 children (I paid student loans for 17 years) ... and all that brings with it, its share of financial challenges.

If you saw the story, I hope you'd see there were other examples and - through the words of someone with more credibility than I - plenty of support for the companies (and individuals) for why they do what they do. The story was simply the starting point for a conversation on the subject.

If I'm misreading you, please let me know.
mrmajestic read my blog view my photos
Jul 21, 2008 | 5:35 PM

The point I was making is that for the service and sales industry (including advertising) is way down. Gas prices are way up, as are any items that depend on transportation by fuel driven conveyances. Many are hurting financially by the ramifications of costs vs sales. Ivory Tower is noun I used to describe those who have the comfort of working for someone else, knowing they will get a check every week regardless. It wasn't meant as a condemnation, though reading it in print, it doesn't sound all that sweet, now. From that perspective I felt that your subject matter was more fitting for a stronger economy. I didn't consider that life is still the same for some of you folks, save the cost of fuel. You could have been throwing out a light subject to help keep us upbeat. Have I back-pedaled enough yet?
B_Buckley read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:34 AM

Mr. M:

Looking back at mine, I also think it came out a bit stronger than perhaps it should.

Yes, I understand your point that for some businesses, the particular turns in the economy are tougher than for others.

One of my older brothers is a "snack guy." He has a "Jay's Potato Chips" truck (famous Chicago brand). He was telling me, last weekend, exactly what you point out: That he was making okay money for his long hours but has seen his profit cut by about a third because of what he's now paying for gas (Chicago typically has the highest gas prices in the country).

I do think the "Nickel & Diming" story is worthwhile in today's economy, because so many of us can't afford the extra fees ... the story was suppose to point out how it is necessary for many of the companies that do it.

Hope we're good.
mrmajestic read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 2:51 PM

We are. We'll save the boxing gloves for a different disagreement.
JIMBOB2 read my blog
Jul 23, 2008 | 8:04 AM

B Buckley....with four kids you know as well as anybody who is 5 and diming us to death....Cable TV and cell phones are the best examples of putting charge upon charge on a bill.But the real kickers are the ones that have just quit giving service like AOL without ANOTHER contract.These companys are learning they can get all they want so they'll never change now......by the way easy on BB,I'm a fan.
B_Buckley read my blog
Jul 23, 2008 | 2:29 PM

Jimbob;

Thanks for the kind words - and I'm serious when I say I'm a fan of all the viewers who care enough to watch with a discerning eye. They won't all agree with my reports - or even like them - but they will be informed enough to take this country in the directions it needs to go.

And as bad as the nickel & diming is in the private sector ... it is worst from our government. They take far too much of our money and do too many destructive things with it.
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B_Buckley

I'm an anchor and senior reporter at Fox 8.

Member Since: 2/5/2007


 

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