Premium content refunds via cheque rather than carrier billing system

[Ext User(googlegroups@sensation.net.au)]

So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?

Providing a full refund to the consumer via cheque will obviously
result in a net loss since they don't receive 100% of the charges from
the carrier.

Just curious.

[Ext User(Josh B)]

On 18 May 2006 23:06:15 -0700, (or one of their many personalities)
said......


> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
> it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
> through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
> disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?
>
> Providing a full refund to the consumer via cheque will obviously
> result in a net loss since they don't receive 100% of the charges from
> the carrier.
>
> Just curious.

Only carriers can put a refund on a bill.

[Ext User(Mike)]

googlegroups@sensation.net.au wrote:
> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is

Quite simply, they want to make it as hard as possible, so people don't
bother. These companies have no ethics. Unless you actually agreed to
a service from the SMS company, do not talk to them. If the phone
company who billed you will not refund, then call the TIO.

Once I called the TIO, it was easy. A brief explanation, get a
reference number, and a phone number to call. This new phone number
got a rep at optus who actually listened, and refunded me. Optus
must pay the TIO for this, so after enough complaints they might listen.

[Ext User(Michael)]

<googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
news:1148018774.953385.303880@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
> it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
> through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
> disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?

First option.

> Providing a full refund to the consumer via cheque will obviously
> result in a net loss since they don't receive 100% of the charges from
> the carrier.

[Ext User(Simon Templar)]

Mike wrote:
> googlegroups@sensation.net.au wrote:
>> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
>
> Quite simply, they want to make it as hard as possible, so people don't
> bother. These companies have no ethics. Unless you actually agreed to
> a service from the SMS company, do not talk to them. If the phone
> company who billed you will not refund, then call the TIO.
>
> Once I called the TIO, it was easy. A brief explanation, get a
> reference number, and a phone number to call. This new phone number
> got a rep at optus who actually listened, and refunded me. Optus
> must pay the TIO for this, so after enough complaints they might listen.

You are right Mike, the moment you are issued a reference number from
the TIO your provider is billed a small fee. If it is not resolved in
the time frame given by the TIO and they have to take further steps then
the costs get really high for your carrier!

Don't stuff around with the criminals that sent you the SMS, it is the
responsibility of your carrier not to let these thugs rip you off!!!


--
The views I present are that of my own and NOT of any organisation I may
belong to.

73 de Simon, VK3XEM.
http://web.acma.gov.au/pls/radcom/client_search.client_lookup?pCLIENT_NO=157452

[Ext User(Kwyjibo.)]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:AIwbg.7273$S7.6488@news-server.bigpond.net.au
> <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
> news:1148018774.953385.303880@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
>> it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
>> through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
>> disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?
>
> First option.

Correct but it should never get to that anyway.
Telstra are the ones who are billing the customer. That means that Telstra
should be the ones to refund the money or cancel the charge if it is charged
incorrectly. It's then up to Telstra to explain to the third party why they
are not getting their payment.

--
Kwyj

[Ext User(horacewachope@gmail.com)]

On Sun, 21 May 2006 04:57:03 GMT, "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>"Kwyjibo." <kwyjibo@Removeozdebate.com> wrote in message
>news:446ec990$0$81271$c30e37c6@ken-reader.news.telstra.net...
>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:AIwbg.7273$S7.6488@news-server.bigpond.net.au
>> > <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
>> > news:1148018774.953385.303880@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>> >> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
>> >> it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
>> >> through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
>> >> disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?
>> >
>> > First option.
>>
>> Correct but it should never get to that anyway.
>> Telstra are the ones who are billing the customer. That means that Telstra
>> should be the ones to refund the money or cancel the charge if it is
>charged
>> incorrectly. It's then up to Telstra to explain to the third party why
>they
>> are not getting their payment.
>
>It doesnt work like that, the content provider bills Telstra. Telstra have
>no recourse to the content provider

(1) Yes Telstra does. It can demand a refund from the content
provider.

(2) Even if Telstra has no recourse against the content provider, that
has no bearing on the relationship between Telstra and its customer.

The same would apply if your mobile bill contained a charge for 100
bottles of Coca-Cola from one of those mobile phone operated vending
machines. You would not have to pursue Coca-Cola Amatil (or the
vending machine owner) for a refund.

[Ext User(Michael)]

"Kwyjibo." <kwyjibo@Removeozdebate.com> wrote in message
news:446ec990$0$81271$c30e37c6@ken-reader.news.telstra.net...
> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:AIwbg.7273$S7.6488@news-server.bigpond.net.au
> > <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
> > news:1148018774.953385.303880@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
> >> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque. Is
> >> it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a refund
> >> through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't have to
> >> disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?
> >
> > First option.
>
> Correct but it should never get to that anyway.
> Telstra are the ones who are billing the customer. That means that Telstra
> should be the ones to refund the money or cancel the charge if it is
charged
> incorrectly. It's then up to Telstra to explain to the third party why
they
> are not getting their payment.

It doesnt work like that, the content provider bills Telstra. Telstra have
no recourse to the content provider

[Ext User(Kwyjibo.)]

"Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:zqSbg.7748$S7.7253@news-server.bigpond.net.au
> "Kwyjibo." <kwyjibo@Removeozdebate.com> wrote in message
> news:446ec990$0$81271$c30e37c6@ken-reader.news.telstra.net...
>> "Michael" <michael@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:AIwbg.7273$S7.6488@news-server.bigpond.net.au
>>> <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote in message
>>> news:1148018774.953385.303880@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>>>> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque.
>>>> Is it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a
>>>> refund through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't
>>>> have to disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?
>>>
>>> First option.
>>
>> Correct but it should never get to that anyway.
>> Telstra are the ones who are billing the customer. That means that
>> Telstra should be the ones to refund the money or cancel the charge
>> if it is charged incorrectly. It's then up to Telstra to explain to
>> the third party why they are not getting their payment.
>
> It doesnt work like that, the content provider bills Telstra.

Which has fuck all to do with who is billing the customer.

> Telstra
> have no recourse to the content provider

They should have considered that when they drew up the contract between
themselves and the provider.
Definitely not the customer's problem.

--
Kwyj

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Michael <michael@yahoo.com> wrote
> Kwyjibo <kwyjibo@Removeozdebate.com> wrote
>> Michael <michael@yahoo.com> wrote
>>> <googlegroups@sensation.net.au> wrote

>>>> So far two premium SMS companies have offered a refund via cheque.
>>>> Is it done this way because it's technically impossible to push a
>>>> refund through the carrier billing system, or is it so they don't
>>>> have to disclose to the carrier that they're actioning a refund?

>>> First option.

>> Correct but it should never get to that anyway.
>> Telstra are the ones who are billing the customer. That means that
>> Telstra should be the ones to refund the money or cancel the charge
>> if it is charged incorrectly. It's then up to Telstra to explain to
>> the third party why they are not getting their payment.

> It doesnt work like that, the content provider bills Telstra.
> Telstra have no recourse to the content provider

Like hell they dont.