So here I am after a let-loose weekend trying to write a blog. Totally blank on ideas, I decided to pay my bills, Comcast and PG&E. I pay online because it is “convenient”. Now for the drama. I pay the PG&E bill with no errors and so I move onto the Comcast bill. Comcast online bill pay has four tabs and I deduced that I must click “pay my bill” to pay my bill. Without any hesitation, I work through the series of payment verification windows like a professional bred to operate the bill pay website. However, with every dramatic tragedy, there must be a downfall. On the last page of the process, the website showed me the confirmed statement that I have paid $174.09. This would be okay except the bill was only $64.54.
So let me clarify. First, I paid last month’s bill a little late, about two and a half weeks late. Second, the $174.09 amount was the combination of the bill last month and this month. Finally, the Comcast site is slowly updated. Usually, if you keep up with the payments, the site will have at least three weeks to update the progress information. In the site’s defense, I was late on payments. The site didn’t have the update ready and the amount due was incorrect. So now I’ve overpaid over a hundred dollars. I’m left wondering how is this convenient? The world may see that the internet as convenient but can it be convenient if it costs me an extra hundred dollars? I may just be an upset child now but the upside is that the amount will be prorated to the next month’s bill. Do not feel sad for me for I will be happier next month. Always look on the bright side.
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ReplyDeleteDominique,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this dilemma of yours as I began to laugh as I read more into the story. But to answer your question about the internet being convenient, I would say yes. It allows us to pay bills, shop, look for new cars, buy food, communicate with friends and do many other things all from the convenience of our home, with just a click of a button. Even if you spent an extra hundred dollars, I believe that you will still be making payments online because it is more convenient for you than sending your payments through snail mail. Also because now you know that if you overpay, the extra amount of money will just be credited towards your next payment, you technically are not losing money that you will eventually be paying at a later time. In the end, everything evens out, because your next bill will have a credit towards it, lowering the amount of your next payment. But as for now, I believe the internet is convenient, you just have to take caution when using it.
I like your blog because I use online billing as well because I too think is useful. Although, it sucks that you over paid. Usually people don't pay at all or pay the minimum. If it were a credit card it would be fine because your paying it off. But Comcast is a cable service, right?? Hopefully something can be done about your mistake. In the end its good to be positive minded about it.
ReplyDeleteAh, the ups and downs of the internet. It is true how it seems so much more convenient to pay bills online, or to shop online, or to do anything online. You can lounge around in your home clothes and not go through the trouble of leaving the comfort of your home.
ReplyDeleteBUT, you pointed out the downer of paying online. All these services we pay for are always trying to fee us. As if we can't be more poor college students as is. Shopping online seems like a good idea because Davis is pretty limited on stores, but then there's shipping and handling.. Not working out.
I loved your language, you're very casual and laid back in your writing. It really does feel like a blog. (: