Released: July 10, 2006

10 needed changes to rules and fees

Source: By Andrew Shain, Charlotte Observer (Free Registration)

Verizon Wireless’ decision last month to curb fees when customers end contracts early was hailed as an end to one of the more anticompetitive and anticonsumer fees out there.

So what would consumer advocates like to see changed next and who could make them happen?

Congress is debating a few consumer issues, notably on cable television and the Web. But just as with Verizon, when a business ends an unpopular policy to win customers, change often comes at unpredictable times.

The key, advocates insist, is consumers fighting back -writing e-mails, making calls and voting with their wallets.

Here are 10 fees and rules consumer advocates said they’d like to see improved or changed:

• Cell-phone trial periods: Lengthen the amount of time to test new cell-phone service from the typical 14-15 days to an entire billing cycle so customers can examine their first bill and learn better about where the phones work ...

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