Companies I hate

Okay, so I keep putting writing this blog off... but really, I spend time thinking about how much I hate some companies every day. I know I should be using my thoughts/energy more wisely, but DANG! Some companies just really get under my skin.

I am finding that more and more there are fewer and fewer companies that I am okay with giving my money to. There are entire industries that I hate (banks, cell phone companies, internet providers are the big ones). It just seems like it is getting more obvious that companies are taking advantage of their customers- there doesn't seem to be this "I provide a service or product and the customer pays for it" anymore. Now it seems to be more of how little of a service or product can I provide and get as much money as possible out of the customer?

I am an econ major so I understand the mechanics of the market. However, it really seems to me like the power is getting too one sided- consumers really don't have a choice in things anymore. I am finding more and more that I am trying to use my money as my voice- I don't give my money to companies I hate (or I try to give them as little as possible if I have no other option). It seems more often that the first thing I think about when thinking about purchasing something is "can I live with giving that entity my money." I am comfortable paying more for something that I feel comfortable supporting (local stores or something that has meaning).

Anyway, the thing that brought on this gripe today? Qwest. We finally got the internet at home. We didn't have it at home for many reasons, but working from home necessitated getting it. Man I am already pissy about it. It costs so much money for something so basic and then! I found out that Qwest actually charges it's customers a service fee FOR PAYING THEIR BILL. I have seen other companies that do this as well (big banks and credit card companies). Whatever happened to customer service? What the hell is the reasoning in charging your customers extra for trying to be good customers?

Economics also talks about barriers and it seems to me adding a "pay your bill" fee is one more barrier between receiving money and not. But I guess companies just figure that customers will roll over and pay the fee. I think it's crap.

I can already feel my blood pressure flying through the roof when I think of all the different ways companies are using the system to screw the consumer. Between subsidies and bail outs and fee increases and general inflationary increases (heaven forbid the average worker actually gets a raise to stay in line with the cost of living increases). Yikes. I am going to work myself into a frenzy.

My advice? Put your money where your mouth is... pay cash, and support companies you can live with.