Optus introduce $2 “Account Charges” on bills

debo on 21/04/2016 - 15:04

Interested to see a new charge on my Optus bill this month. On Page 1, the charge is itemised as “ACCOUNT CHARGES” and on Page 2, it is detailed as “Paper Invoice Fee”.

I called Optus and it is a paper fee which can be avoided by getting the invoice by email (which I have opted for). They said an email was sent. (Anyone with Optus, did they?? I didn’t see an email…)

Nowhere on the bill does Optus think to mention “Go green and save yourself the account charge by getting your bill by email!” - nor any info on the Optus website (as far as I can see.)

I approve of reducing snail mail bills, for those that are OK with it. I am not happy with the Optus approach of introducing the charge without supporting information – I’d go as far as to call it a sneaky gouging! Let’s face it, I’m guessing most Optus users are set up for direct debit and if on a contract with a fixed monthly amount, then the bill is usually not looked at. In a way, maybe it is some easy pocket money for Optus (IMO).

So what I’d like to know is if you are with Optus were you informed and do you approve of the approach?

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Comments

  • Settero on 21/04/2016 - 15:17

    they are only doing this now ? most my other bills already have this charge on them ( if i wanted a paper copy in the mail )
    i see some posts on whirlpool that show it started in 2009! ?

  • lupiter on 21/04/2016 - 15:46
    +1

    Yeah, I'm pretty sure Optus charged me $2 for paper bills for my mobile when I was with them in… uh… 2007? 2009? Sometime around there. Paid $2 the first time and then called them up and switched to email.

    I would have thought by now it would be part of the sign-up process for them to offer email bills for "a $2 discount!!" or something.

    • debo on 21/04/2016 - 15:56

      OK - I'm halfway through a two year home broadband plan capped at $90 - and have been with Optus on many plans prior - and this is the first month I have had the charge.

      • scrimshaw on 21/04/2016 - 16:42

        Paper bill charging started in Mar 2009 I think. Perhaps they just forgot to bill you.

  • Agarwal on 21/04/2016 - 16:09

    I have a broadband/phone bundle and received a notice with last months paper bill advising of the charge from this month.

    • debo on 21/04/2016 - 18:37

      good to know - I missed seeing the bill previous month

  • yoonibear on 21/04/2016 - 16:10

    I went paperless and never got an email. All I get is an SMS telling how much is due by which date and I'll pay it through the Optus app.

  • Randxyz123 on 21/04/2016 - 16:31

    I agree I had optus from 2009-2012 we got a email about going paperless or get charged $2.

    You could probably call them and say you didn't know and get a refund on the $2 but it wouldn't be worth it - the phone call would cost more. :P

  • scrimshaw on 21/04/2016 - 16:40

    $2 is not bad

    Telstra raised their paper bill charge to $3.20 from their usual $2.

    http://1v1d1e1lmiki1lgcvx32p49h8fe.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/w…

    • debo on 21/04/2016 - 18:38

      happy with the idea and $2 is reasonable compared to $3.20 - bit sad though for those in society that aren't internetting…

  • Diji1 on 21/04/2016 - 20:14

    It's a ridiculous charge - and it will mostly affect people like pensioners who do not have a choice as they can't use a computer.

    • debo on 22/04/2016 - 08:42

      agree pensioners should be exempt

      • nikey2k27 on 25/04/2016 - 04:55

        They should be exempt but they are not. nan who 95 years old this pays about 6times

  • debo on 22/04/2016 - 08:45

    Thanks for the input everyone - what I've learnt
    -sounds like the charge is not across the board and has been rolled into plans at variable times (my plan in March)
    -i may have got a flyer in March bill

    I still think Optus are not trying superhard to stop the paper bill. There should be prominent info on the bill and website.

  • Ahir87 on 22/04/2016 - 09:51

    Have been receiving email invoice since i joined optus in 2009, have never been charged for any fees.

    • debo on 22/04/2016 - 13:22

      the charge is for paper invoices only, not email invoices

      • Ahir87 on 22/04/2016 - 15:41

        yup i understand what you mean.

        OP mentions he has opted to receive email invoices but was still charged.

        • debo on 22/04/2016 - 16:16

          sorry if there is misunderstanding - OP (me) has opted to receive email invoices with the charge now dropped. The charge was introduced without me realising is my issue.

  • oodian on 25/04/2016 - 10:18

    I've dealt with Optus customer support a few times and if you asked them to, they'd waive the fee for you. Question is whether you would spent 10-15 mins on the phone with them for $2.

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